38 MINUTES FROM PATELEY BRIDGE
Lightwater Valley
When the dales feel like they need a change of pace, North Yorkshire's biggest theme park is 38 minutes away near Ripon. Lightwater Valley is home to The Ultimate, once the longest rollercoaster in Europe, alongside a full programme of family rides, a wooden coaster with a cult following and falconry displays to break up the day. A reliable choice if the weather turns or the children fancy something faster than a nature walk.
Visit information
- Location
- Lightwater Valley, North Stainley, Ripon HG4 3HT
- From Pateley Bridge
- 38 minutes via Ripon
- Open
- Seasonal - check lightwatervalley.co.uk for opening dates
- Entry
- Paid admission, online tickets usually cheaper than on the day
- Dogs
- Not permitted inside the park, except registered assistance dogs
- Facilities
- Cafes, food kiosks, gift shop and free car parking
A theme park with a long history
Lightwater Valley opened in 1974 and grew steadily over the following decades into North Yorkshire's largest theme park, anchored by The Ultimate, a coaster built in 1991 that briefly held the record as the longest in Europe at well over a mile of track winding through the surrounding woodland.
The park has changed hands and been reshaped a number of times since, with some rides retired and others added, but it has kept its identity as a slightly old-school, woodland-set theme park rather than chasing the scale of the country's biggest resorts.
The Wild Mouse, a compact wooden coaster, has become something of a cult attraction among coaster enthusiasts precisely because of its rough-edged, unpredictable character, a contrast to the smoother modern rides found elsewhere.
Making the most of your visit
A full day is the natural length of visit here, especially if you want to ride the bigger coasters more than once and still have time for the family rides and falconry displays. Booking tickets online in advance is usually cheaper than paying on the gate.
The park is seasonal, so check opening dates carefully before planning a visit, particularly outside the main summer holidays, since opening days can be limited in spring and autumn.
It makes a good contrast to a more typical Dales day out, useful to have in reserve for a wet day or when the children need something with more thrills than a waterfall walk.
What to see
The Ultimate
Once the longest rollercoaster in Europe, The Ultimate winds for well over a mile through woodland on the edge of the park, a genuine white-knuckle ride that remains the park's signature attraction.
Family Rides
Alongside the big-ticket coasters, Lightwater Valley has a full programme of gentler family rides, swinging boats and a log flume, suited to a wide range of ages in the same visit.
The Wild Mouse
A wooden coaster with a reputation for being rougher and more unpredictable than its modest size suggests, a cult favourite among coaster enthusiasts who make a point of visiting smaller parks.
Falconry and Animal Experiences
The site also runs falconry displays and animal encounters, giving the day a change of pace between rides and a good option if younger visitors need a breather from the bigger attractions.
Near Ripon, 38 minutes away
Lightwater Valley opens seasonally, so check the website for current dates and book tickets online in advance to save on the gate price.
