Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park is an adventure park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire, England. The park was once home to the longest roller coaster in the world, The Ultimate. Founded by Robert Staveley in 1969, it is now owned and operated by the Mellors Group, who purchased it in 2025. , the park attracted approximately 300,000 visitors per year; in 2024, it had 231,565 vistors.
History
Staveley family
thumb|Swan Lake Boats in the lake at Light Water Valley
In 1969, Lightwater Valley began as a small self-pick fruit farm, run by the Staveley family, who had owned the land since 1516. In 1976, the farm was affected by drought, resulting in the excavation of a lake to help reduce the effects of future droughts. The lake's popularity instigated the transition of the farm into a tourist attraction. Early attractions included the Lightwater Express miniature train in 1979, a hell slide and a water chute. The park was advertised as a country park and self-pick fruit farm with a pay-one-price and ride-all-day system in place, with the exception of a small number of pay-to-play attractions. A range of different fairground rides were introduced into the entrance areas of the park and the Lightwater Shopping Village was established.
thumb|left|Carousel
The Lightwater Valley Theme Park was born when the Sewer Rat, also known as the Rat Ride, was built in 1987. The Ultimate was opened to the public in 1991 and was still the longest roller coaster in Europe. No bid was accepted during the following few years, but in February 2001 the park was bought by Ball Investments, who used Heritage Great Britain to manage the operations. The new ownership brought about rapid investment in ride offerings and brand imaging with new logos, mascots, websites and rides such as The Treetop Twister and Black Widow's Web in the first year, followed by rides such as The Octopus, The Eagle's Claw, The Grizzly Bear, The Caterpillar Coaster, Trauma Tower and Skyrider. The Bird Of Prey Centre also opened next to the adventure park. The Bird Of Prey Centre was also closed at the end of the 2018 season.
In 2021 the park announced it would be re-calibrating its attraction offering by focussing on the younger family audience. A number of older thrill rides were retired and new rides suited to younger children introduced. The Ultimate remained closed for the 2020 and 2021 seasons and a decision was made to dismantle the ride in 2023.
In June 2021, the park was sold to The Brighton Pier Group for £5 million. For the 2022 season the park received a major rebrand as a family park catering primarily to children under twelve, with a new logo, new mascot and name change to 'Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park'. The Go Safari area opened as part of this refocussing.
In October 2025 the park was listed for sale with an asking price of £3 million. In December 2025 the leasehold (72 years remaining) of the park was sold to the Mellors Group, owners of Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells. The director James Mellors has announced plans to provide attractions for all ages.
Rides and attractions
Lightwater Valley has 39 rides and attractions.
Attractions Key
{| class="wikitable" width=25% border=1 style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width=2%|Colour
! style="background:#ffdead" width=23%|Category
|-
|bgcolor="#D3212D" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Fairground
|-
|bgcolor="#5B995A" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Go Safari
|-
|bgcolor="#9C9891" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Skeleton Cove
|-
|bgcolor="#add8e6" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Top Thrills
|-
|bgcolor="#7CB9E8" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Lakeside
|-
|bgcolor="#FFA500" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Eagles Creek
|-
|bgcolor="#4B6F44" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Discovery Woods
|-
|bgcolor="#967117" height="10px"|
| style="text-align: center;" | Dino-Roar Adventures
|}
Fairground
{| class="wikitable" border=1 style="font-size: 95%;"
|-style="background:#ffdead;"
!No.
! width=170|Name
! Opened
! width=120|Manufacturer
! Brief Description
|-
|bgcolor="#F33E40" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 1
|Valley Theatre
| style="text-align: center;" |
|
|Theatre with stage shows and entertainment
|-
| bgcolor="#F33E40" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 2
|Ebor's Soft Play
| style="text-align: center;" | 2016
|
|A jungle-themed soft play area for the under 7s, with café for parents.
|-
| bgcolor="#F33E40" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 3
|Lightwater Valley Express Train
|style="text-align: center;" | 1979
|Severn Lamb
|A gauge narrow gauge railway, which operates around the perimeter of the park. Two steam-outline diesel locomotives are employed. Height limit 1.3m to ride (under 1.3m may ride if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.3m)
|-
| bgcolor="#F33E40" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 4
|Skyrider
|style="text-align: center;" | 2006
|Technical Park
|A rock 'n' roll-themed Chair-O-Plane ride; height limit 1.3m
|-
| bgcolor="#F33E40" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 5
|Carousel
|style="text-align: center;" | 2008
|J. H. Rundle
|Traditional fairground galloping horses and chariots; height limit 1.2m to ride horses unaccompanied, 1.0m or accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old 1.2m
|-
|}
Go Safari
{| class="wikitable" width="95%" border="1" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width="2%" |#
! style="background:#ffdead" width="18%" |Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width="5%" |Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width="5%" |Manufacturer
! style="background:#ffdead" width="70%" |Brief Description
|-
| bgcolor="5B995A" height="10px" |
|Savanna Express
|
|Zamperla
|A children's train ride through African savannah, desert and jungle with life size animals. 1m+ to ride unaccompanied (under 1m can ride if accompanied by someone min. 16 years old and 1m+)
|-
| bgcolor="5B995A" height="10px" |
|Monkey Drop
|
|SBF Visa Group
|A junior drop tower ride. Relocated from Fantasy Island, Skegness.
|-
|bgcolor="5B995A" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 8
|Jungle Jump
| style="text-align: center;" | 2017
|
|Huge inflatable bouncy pillow 46 ft x 33 ft. Under 1.2 m in height to bounce (Under 5's must have 1:1 supervision by an adult).
|-
| bgcolor="5B995A" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 9
|Outdoor Play
| style="text-align: center;" | 2013
|
|An interactive outdoor play zone for under 12 year olds. Formerly known as the Angry Birds Activity Park. Parental supervision required at all times.
|-
| bgcolor="5B995A" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 10
|Jeep Safari
| style="text-align: center;" | 2024
|
|A Safari themed Jeep car ride
|}
Skeleton Cove
{| class="wikitable" width="95%" border="1" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width="2%" |#
! style="background:#ffdead" width="18%" |Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width="5%" |Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width="5%" |Manufacturer
! style="background:#ffdead" width="70%" |Brief Description
|-
| bgcolor="9C9891" height="10px" |
|Flying Cutlass
|
|Huss
|A swinging pirate ship; height limit 1.4m. Part of Skeleton Cove.
|-
| bgcolor="9C9891" height="10px" |
|Powder Kegs
|
|Huss
|A 1998 Rodeo/Breakdance 4-ride themed around explosive barrels of gunpowder; height limit 1.3m, 1.2m when accompanied by an adult.
|-
| bgcolor="9C9891" height="10px" |
|Skull Rock
|
|Zamperla
|A Regatta ride, boats follow undulating track at speed; height limit 1.3m or 1.1m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1,3m. Part of Skeleton Cove.
|-
| bgcolor="9C9891" height="10px" |
|Pirate Swinger
|
|Park Rides
|Junior chair swings; height limit 0.9m-1.3m, no adults. Part of Skeleton Cove.
|-
| bgcolor="9C9891" height="10px" |
|Wave Rider
|
|Modern Products
|Mini Swinging Ship. Height limit 1.2m to ride or 1.0m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.2m. Did not operate in the 2022 season, but returned for 2023.
|-
|bgcolor="9C9891" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 16
|Adventure Play
| style="text-align: center;" | 2017
|
|Interactive outdoor playground with net swings, slides and climbing frames. Under 12s only, parental supervision required at all times.
|-
|}
Top Thrills
{| class="wikitable" width="95%" border="1" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width="2%" |#
! style="background:#ffdead" width="18%" |Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width="5%" |Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width="5%" |Manufacturer
! style="background:#ffdead" width="70%" |Brief Description
|-
|-
| bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Clownaround
|
|Modern Products
|Clown themed roundabout ride. Height limit 1.1m to ride or 0.9m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.1m.
|-
| bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Dragon Boats
|
|Diamond Electronics
|Boat roundabout ride. Height limit 1.1m to ride or 0.9m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.1m.
|-
| bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Hot Air Balloons
|
|Güven Amusement Rides
|A lifting balloon roundabout ride.
|-
| bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Skate Karts
|
|Unknown
|A skateboard attraction where riders raced down a banked concrete track on "Skate Karts". *Removed from the park in 2018, but re-opened for the 2023 season using same track.
|-
| bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Vintage Cars
|
|Metallbau Emmeln
|A vintage car rally ride with cars guided around a set track. Height limit 1.3m or 0.9m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.3m. Rethemed with Alice in Wonderland props for 2023.
|-
|bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Ladybird
|
|Zierer
|A family coaster; height limit 1.3 m or 1.1 m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and .
|-
|bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Caterpillar
|
| D.P.V. Rides (Pinfari)
|A small, gentle children's rollercoaster; height limit or if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and . Renamed from Little Dipper to Caterpillar in 2023.
|-
|bgcolor="add8e6" height="10px" |
|Spinning Racer
|
| Maurer Söhne
| A spinning steel roller coaster. Height limit 1.2m to ride.
|-
|}
Lakeside
{| class="wikitable" width=95% border=1 style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width=2%|#
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width=5%|Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Manufacturer
! style="background:#ffdead" width=70%|Brief Description
|-
| bgcolor="#7CB9E8" height="10px" |
|Splash Falls
|
|WhiteWater West
|3 different water dinghy slides. Each dinghy seats 2 persons; height limit 1.3m unaccompanied. Slides 1&2: 1.2m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.3m. Slide 3: 1.1m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.3m.
|-
| bgcolor="#7CB9E8" height="10px" |
|Swan Boats
|
|Unknown
|Pedal Boats; All under 16's must be accompanied by an adult (min. 0.9m in height)
|-
|bgcolor="#7CB9E8" height="10px" |
|Elephant Flight
|
|Kolmax-Plus
|A flying elephant roundabout ride where riders can control the height of their elephant.
|-
|bgcolor="#7CB9E8" height="10px" |
|Kangaroo Jump
|
|Güven Amusement Rides
|A small children's bouncing roundabout ride.
|-
|}
Eagles Creek
{| class="wikitable" width=95% border=1 style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width=2%|#
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width=5%|Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Manufacturer
! style="background:#ffdead" width=70%|Brief Description
|-
| bgcolor="#FFA500" height="10px" |
|Dragon Drop
|
|Moser's Rides
|Small family orientated 5 + 5 drop tower; height limit 1.3m or 100m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old 1.3m. Formerly Trauma Tower, renamed to Dragon Drop for the 2022 season.
|-
| bgcolor="#FFA500" height="10px" |
|Eagles Creek Farm
|
|Metallbau Emmeln
|A tractor ride. Height limit 1.3m to ride or 0.9m if accompanied by someone minimum 16 years old and 1.3m.
|-
| bgcolor="#FFA500" height="10px" |
|Spin Bug
|
|Zamperla
|A junior rocking tug style attraction themed to a caterpillar
|-
|}
Discovery Woods
{| class="wikitable" width=95% border=1 style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width=2%|#
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width=5%|Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Manufacturer
! style="background:#ffdead" width=70%|Brief Description
|-
|bgcolor="#4B6F44" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 32
|Lakeside Walk
| style="text-align: center;" | 2024
|
|A lakeside nature trail.
|-
| bgcolor="#4B6F44" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 33
|Woodland Play
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|
|An indoor interactive play zone for 4–7 year olds. Parental supervision required at all times. Formerly Jester's Jungle Fun, renamed to Woodland Play for the 2022 season.
|
|}
Dino-Roar Adventures
{| class="wikitable" width=95% border=1 style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width=2%|#
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width=5%|Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Manufacturer
! style="background:#ffdead" width=70%|Brief Description
|-
|bgcolor="#967117" height="10px" style="text-align: center;" | 34
|Dino Dig
| style="text-align: center;" | 2023
|
|Sandpit digging activity to discover the bones, teeth and claws of Rex the Valleysaurus's ancestors.
|-
| bgcolor="#967117" height="10px" |
|Jurassic Adventure Golf
|
|AC Attractions
|A dinosaur themed pay-to-play miniature golf course situated just outside of the park entrance.
|-
|}
Park Mascots
Under Queensborough Holding's ownership, the park had a single mascot, Woody the Bear. In 2001, Ball Investments introduced the Valligators to the park. The Valligators were three green alligator-costumed entertainers who acted as the park's mascots named Harry, Sally and Baby Al. In 2017, Livingstone Leisure replaced the Valligators with two new dinosaur mascots called Jester and Jasmine. From 2022, new owners Brighton Pier Leisure Group introduced Ebor the Dragon and the next season in 2023, Rex the Valleysaurus.
Incidents
On 21 June 2001, 20-year-old Gemma Savage died following an accident the previous day when two carriages collided on Treetop Twister, a spinning Wild Mouse roller coaster, which had opened in May of that year. Police decided not to prosecute a maintenance worker, who claimed that he had only received an hour of training on the ride and had not seen its manual. Faulty wiring had also caused a malfunction on the ride. In October 2004, Deputy Coroner John Sleightholme at Skipton Magistrates' Court ruled death by misadventure.
Lightwater Valley's owners and electrician Eric Butters admitted to breaching health and safety laws at Leeds Crown Court on 14 November 2006. Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd was charged with failing to ensure the health and safety of riders. Butters was charged with failing to ensure safety through his work. Both pleaded guilty. A French manufacturer, Reverchon Industries SA, was convicted of two charges of failing to ensure the ride's safe design and construction.
In May 2019, a young boy fell 30 ft from the same ride (now simply called the Twister) and was left in critical condition. The ride was sold to a UK based showman at the end of the 2019 season. The park was fined £350,000 for health and safety breaches.
Energy efficiency
In 2015, the park reported energy efficiency savings of around £130,000 a year stemming from an investment in renewable technologies. These include new carbon-neutral biomass boilers producing 400 kW per unit, enabling the park to move away from the conventional oil-based heating system. In addition, a new ground-mounted photovoltaic array was installed in the adjacent fields, which has supplied up to 45% of the park's energy demand. Much of the rest of the energy demand for the rides is met by means of diesel generators.
Past attractions
<!-- Please, when adding new additions to this table, cite a reliable source - such as RCDB. -->
{| class="wikitable sortable" width="95%" border="1" style="font-size: 95%"
|-
! style="background:#ffdead" width=2%|#
! style="background:#ffdead" width=18%|Name
! style="background:#ffdead" width=5%|Opened
! style="background:#ffdead" width=5%|Closed
! style="background:#ffdead" width=20%|Brief Description
! style="background:#ffdead" width=5%|Replaced by
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|1
|Toad Hole
| style="text-align: center;" | 1985
| style="text-align: center;" | 2006
|A semi-enclosed water chute, formerly called 'Devil's Cascade'. Left SBNO after closure.
|Lightwater Wheel
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|2
| The Sewer Rat
| style="text-align: center;" | 1987
| style="text-align: center;" | 2009
|A Schwarzkopf Wildcat Type roller coaster, also known as 'The Rat Ride'.
|Raptor Attack
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|3
|Soopa Loopa
| style="text-align: center;" | 1988
| style="text-align: center;" | 1994
| A double looping roller coaster manufactured by Soquet
|Falls Of Terror
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|4
|The Wave
| style="text-align: center;" | 1990
| style="text-align: center;" | 2010
|A large Zamperla swinging ship located in the woods which closed because of a new pirate ship (The Flying Cutlass) opening in Skeleton Cove. Sold to Alex Crow.
|The Flying Cutlass
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|5
|Grand Prix Go Karts
| style="text-align: center;" | 1991
| style="text-align: center;" | 2010
|Traditional go-kart track.
|Skeleton Cove
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|6
|The Mexican Hat
| style="text-align: center;" | 1994
| style="text-align: center;" | 2005
|An ARM Trabant ride. Originally located at the park entrance area, then moved next to where Flying Camels is now.
|The Octopus
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|7
|Viper/Zyklen
| style="text-align: center;" | 1996
| style="text-align: center;" | 2001
|A City Jet / Jet 400 type ride manufactured by Schwarzkopf.
|Eagle's Claw
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|8
|The Batflyer
| style="text-align: center;" | 1996
| style="text-align: center;" | 2002
|A steel suspended roller coaster.
|The Caterpillar Coaster
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|9
|The Orbiter
| style="text-align: center;" | 1998
| style="text-align: center;" | 2004
|A Schwarzkopf Apollo ride owned by the Bembom Brothers and leased to Lightwater Valley. Chair swing variant. First opened with the name 'Heatwave'.
|The Octopus
|-
|bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px"|10
|Beaver Rapids
| style="text-align: center;" | 2000
| style="text-align: center;" | 2002
|A Reverchon two drop Log Flume ride.
|Grizzly Bear
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |11
|Grizzly Bear
| style="text-align: center;" | 2004
| style="text-align: center;" | 2008
|A Pinfari Zyklon-type Roller Coaster.
|Wild River Rapids (until 2014)
Vintage Car Rally (2015 onwards)
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |12
|The Octopus
| style="text-align: center;" | 2005
| style="text-align: center;" | 2006
|A Soriani & Moser Polyp ride owned by John Armitage and leased to Lightwater Valley for two seasons.
|Skyrider (2006) and Flying Camels (2007)
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |13
|Hornets Nest
| style="text-align: center;" | 2007
| style="text-align: center;" | 2009
|A 1998 Chance Chaos purchased from Pleasureland Southport. Scrapped.
|Whirlwind
|- 2001–2015
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |14
|Whirlwind
| style="text-align: center;" | 2010
| style="text-align: center;" | 2011
|A Mondial Top Scan (leased for one season from Alex Crow)
|Eagles Creek Farm
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |15
|Whirlwind
| style="text-align: center;" | 2011
| style="text-align: center;" | 2015
|A Mondial Top Scan. Sold to UK based showman Joe William Whitelegg.
|Apollo
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |16
|Lightwater Wheel
| style="text-align: center;" | 2008
| style="text-align: center;" | 2016
|A Technical Park 82-ft observation wheel. Sold to Alex Crow.
|Flying Nellies (on loan from Alex Crow)
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |17
|Buffalo Express
| style="text-align: center;" | 2003
| style="text-align: center;" | 2016
|Mini Train Ride
|Interactive Playground
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |18
|Flying Camels
| style="text-align: center;" | 2007
| style="text-align: center;" | 2016
|Aerial carousel ride featuring camels purchased from Pleasureland Southport. Sold to Alex Crow.
|Mini Sand Diggers
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |19
|Black Widow's Web
| style="text-align: center;" | 2001
| style="text-align: center;" | 2017
|A Huss Enterprise (on loan from John Armitage).
|'Thunderdome' Waltzer (on loan from John Armitage)
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |20
|Twister (formerly Treetop Twister)
| style="text-align: center;" | 2001
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|A Reverchon spinning wild mouse coaster. Sold to UK based showman Emerson Edwards.
|Dodgems (on loan from John Armitage)
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |21
|Spinning Teacups
|
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|Spinning tea cups
|
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |22
|Mini Ferris Wheel
| style="text-align: center;" |
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|Mini ferris wheel
|
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |23
|Raptor Attack
| style="text-align: center;" | 2010
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|A Schwarzkopf Wildcat roller coaster. First operated as the Sewer Rat from 1987 to 2009 prior to retheme. Sold to COTALAND (Austin, Texas, USA)
|
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |24
|Apollo
| style="text-align: center;" | 2016
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|An AK Rides star flyer on loan from Alex Crow
|Twist and Turn (on loan from Robert Wilkinson)
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |25
|Wild River Rapids
| style="text-align: center;" | 2009
| style="text-align: center;" | 2020
|A Reverchon river rapids ride. Sold back to Mellors Group, and now operates under the same name at Fantasy Island, Ingoldmells.
|Dodgems (on loan from Robert Wilkinson)
|-
| bgcolor="#736F6E" height="10px" |26
|Black Pearl
| style="text-align: center;" | 2011
| style="text-align: center;" | 2020
|A Weber Traum Boot
|
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height="10px" |27
|The Ultimate
| style="text-align: center;" | 1991
| style="text-align: center;" | 2019
|A hybrid roller coaster once the longest in the world, designed by Big Country Motioneering and Robert Staveley. Scrapped 2023.
|
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height="10px" |28
|Thunderdome
| style="text-align: center;" | 2018
| style="text-align: center;" | 2022
|A Waltzer on loan from John Armitage
|
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height="10px" |29
|Ladybug
| style="text-align: center;" | 1995
| style="text-align: center;" | 2023
|A Modern Products Ladybug themed roundabout ride
|
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height="10px" |30
|Animal Carnival
| style="text-align: center;" | 2007
| style="text-align: center;" | 2023
|A zoo animal themed roundabout ride
|
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height="10px" |31
|Treetop Trails
| style="text-align: center;" | 2016
| style="text-align: center;" | 2023
|Suspended woodland net trail
|
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height”10px” |32
|Eagle's Claw
| style="text-align: center;" | 2004
| style="text-align: center;" | 2024
|KMG Afterburner
|Spin Bug
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height”10px” |33
|Space Pirates
| style="text-align: center;" | 1999
| style="text-align: center;" | 2025
|Modern Products junior roundabout
|
|-
| bgcolor="736F6E" height”10px” |34
|Tiki Raft
| style="text-align: center;" | 2023
| style="text-align: center;" | 2025
|Zamperla junior miami
|
|-
|}
The Ultimate
thumb|200px|right|One of the two [[The Ultimate (roller coaster)|"Ultimate" trains on the first lift hill]]
The Ultimate was designed by Big Country Motioneering (BCM) and the park's original owner, Robert Staveley. Construction began in early 1990, taking 18 months to complete. The ride's Canadian redwood trestles and large station building were constructed by Staveley's in-house construction team, which was responsible for building Lightwater Valley's other buildings. The metal track work was ordered from BCM who used fabricators 'Tubular Engineering' to manufacture it. However, much of the installation was largely undertaken in-house and supervised by engineers from British Rail after BCM were sacked due to track problems and slow progress. The scale of the project led to both contracted companies going bankrupt halfway through its construction, leaving Staveley's team and British Rail to finish the project on their own. Staveley got assistance from American and German roller coaster manufacturers, who advised him to ensure that there was enough flexibility in the track to allow for expansion and contraction under fluctuating temperatures. Overall, the project was over a year behind schedule and went significantly over budget. Staveley wanted to ensure that he was the first to ride his creation well in advance of its opening in order to give himself time to improve and re-work areas of track. He did so by riding in one of the trains that had not yet been fitted with any restraints, using only rope to secure himself.
The ride was opened on 17 July 1991 by Frank Bruno. When opened, it was the world's longest rollercoaster at , taking over 5 minutes to ride, and costing £5.2 million. Initially, Staveley had not set out to break any records and it was only once construction had gotten underway that a colleague exclaimed that there couldn't be a roller coaster longer than the one they were building. Later that day, a colleague was sent to Ripon to buy the Guinness Book of Records, which confirmed that the length of track that Staveley had ordered was well over the record. The Ultimate has two trains, which have both been reverted to the original navy blue colour after serving 17 years as red and blue. The trains also used to have over-the-shoulder restraints until 1992 when they were removed and replaced with lap bar restraints to improve the ride experience.
A number of modifications had to be made following the ride's opening. After a season of operation, a significant number of the bogies and wheels had cracks in them, resulting in subsequent replacement and strengthening. The wheels were found to be getting too hot so larger wheels had to be fitted instead. One of the trains suffered from a wheel collapse on one of the train car chassis, resulting in minor injuries as the train coasted to a gradual stop.
In 2016, Lightwater Valley celebrated 25 years of The Ultimate.
The Ultimate did not operate during the 2020 season and remained closed throughout 2021. Following their takeover of the park, The Brighton Pier Group's Chief Executive stated, 'The Ultimate is not dead in the water. It needs some work doing on it, but we are more than conscious of its iconic status. If we can do something with it, then we will. Obviously, safety has got to be the priority, so in due course, we will have a look at it and make sure it complies with modern standards. It is quite unique. There are options to shorten it a little bit or to change its track. You wouldn't want something that large in your back garden and not be able to use it, would you?' The park confirmed on 11 January 2023 that the ride would be dismantled, citing prohibitive costs in updating it. The process of dismantling and scrapping the ride began in February 2023. Much of the ride's structure was completely removed by April 2023.
Gallery
<gallery class="center">
File:Rides near entrance of Light Water Valley.jpg|Rides near the entrance of Lightwater Valley
File:Trauma Tower (Light Water Valley).jpg|"Trauma Tower", now renamed "Dragon Drop"
File:Lightwater Valley Country Trading Village - geograph.org.uk - 702703.jpg|Lightwater Shopping Village
File:RaptorAttack.jpg|Entrance to Raptor Attack
</gallery>
References
External links
- Official website