Lightwater Valley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Location |  |
|---|---|
| Address | North Stainley, North Yorkshire HG4 3HT UK |
| Phone numbers | 0870 458 0040 |
| Website | www.lightwatervalley.net |
| Owner | Heritage Great Britain PLC |
| Opened | |
| Operating season | March to October |
| Area | 175 acres (708,000 m²) |
| Rides | total |
Lightwater Valley is a modern amusement park set in 175 acres (708,000 m²) of parkland, located on the edge of the village of North Stainley, near Ripon, North Yorkshire in England.
Adjoining the theme park is Lightwater Valley Country Shopping Village, a development of factory outlet shops, with additional Classic Car Collection and Birds of Prey Centre attractions.
The complex is operated by Lightwater Valley Attractions Limited, a division of the holding company Heritage Great Britain PLC, who also operated attractions based at popular British landmarks such as Lands End and John O'Groats.
Lightwater Valley was founded by Robert Staveley and initially evolved from a small farm attraction.
Contents |
[edit] Park information
[edit] History
The park was originally a strawberry farm, which due to a drought had a lake added. This proved popular, and gradually minor rides were added, and the theme park grew up from there.
[edit] Amusement rides
"Lightwater Valley" is currently home to a varied collection of amusement rides specially chosen to suit all age ranges and tastes, from white knuckle thrill rides, like "The Ultimate" and "The Eagles Claw", to gentler rides for all the family, like the "Spinning Teacups" and the "Caterpillar Coaster". New for 2006 is the "Skyrider" ride. The Sewer Rat is an underground rollercoaster that is set in replica sewer system.
[edit] The Ultimate roller coaster
Lightwater Valley’s signature attraction, The Ultimate, is a unique terrain roller coaster which was recognised by the Guinness Book of Records for been the world’s longest roller coaster, for ten consecutive years from 1991 to 2001.
[edit] Mascots
"The Valligators" are three friendly green alliagator costumed entertainers who currently act as the park’s mascots and entertain the younger visitors to Lightwater Valley. Recently the three mascots took part in the annual Yorkshire Young Farmers Rural Recycling Mascot Steeplechase to raise money for charity.
[edit] Unique Areas
The park is home to some unusual amusement rides, which have been specially built into the park’s terrain, including the "Toad Hole" a splash boat ride and the "Rat Ride" still the country's only subterranean roller coaster, which is set in a mock sewer.
[edit] Accident
Twenty year old Gemma Savage died on 21 June 2001 following an accident the previous day when two carriages collided on the "Treetop Twister", a spinning Wild Mouse roller coaster, which had opened in May that year.[1] Police decided not to prosecute a maintenance worker, who claimed that he had only received an hour's training on that ride and had not seen its manual.[2] Faulty wiring had also caused a malfunction on the ride.[3] In October 2004 Deputy Coroner John Sleightholme at Skipton Magistrates' Court ruled death by misadventure.
Lightwater Valley's owners and electrician Eric Butters admitted breaching health and safety laws at Leeds Crown Court on 14th 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.[4] A French manufacturer, Reverchon Industries SA, was convicted of two charges of failing to ensure the ride's safe design and construction.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ "Student dies after fairground crash", BBC News, 21 June, 2001. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
- ^ "Worker cleared over ride death", BBC News, 31 August, 2001. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
- ^ "'Worker error' before ride death", BBC News, 5 October, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
- ^ "Theme park guilty over ride death", BBC News, 14 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
- ^ "Firm guilty over park ride death", BBC News, 30 November 2006. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
[edit] See also
- Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo a similar theme park around twice the size of Lightwater Valley.
[edit] External links
[edit] Fan sites
- Valley Mania The Ultimate Lightwater Valley Fan Site
- Valley Mania Forums The Ultimate Lightwater Valley Community!
| UK Theme Parks: |
| Tussauds Theme Parks: |
| Other Selected Theme Parks: |
|
Blackgang Chine | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Drayton Manor | Dreamland Margate | Flamingo Land | Lightwater Valley | Oakwood | Robin Hill |
