Arguably at its peak in the 1990s and early 2000s, this theme park was once home to the longest roller coaster in the world.
But by the 2010s, the park began to show signs of decline, further hit by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Close to Ripon in North Yorkshire (the third-smallest city in England), Lightwater Valley Theme Park has been welcoming guests since 1969.
The park became famous for thrill rides such as The Ultimate, Raptor Attack (previously The Rat), the Black Widow’s Web and the Eagles Claw.
The Ultimate, which remained the longest rollercoaster in the world until 2001 when it was surpassed by the 8,133ft long Steel Dragon roller coaster in Japan, closed in 2019, marking the end of an era for the park.
In June 2021, Lightwater Valley was sold to The Brighton Pier Group for £5million and the park announced it would be refocusing the attraction to appeal to the younger family audience.
Many of the older thrill rides were retired, the Ultimate was dismantled, and new rides suited to younger children were brought in.
After going up for sale in October for £3million – a decrease of £2million since it was last sold in 2021 – yesterday, Lightwater Valley announced the park had been bought by Mellors Group, which also owns Skegness Pier.
The park became famous for thrill rides such as The Ultimate, once the longest roller coaster in the world
The Ultimate (pictured in its former glory) remained the longest rollercoaster in the world until 2001 when it was surpassed by the 8,133ft long Steel Dragon roller coaster in Japan
British R&B girl group the Honeyz are pictured on the Treetop Twister at Lightwater Valley in May 2001 after opening the ride
Lightwater Valley currently has around 35 rides and attractions, tailored for under-12s.
On TripAdvisor, the park has an overall rating of 3.7 stars with mixed reviews, including multiple calls for the park to receive some TLC.
In a press release from December 6, Lightwater Valley wrote: ‘Lightwater Valley holds a special place in the hearts of many families across the UK, including the Mellors family, who visited the park often as children.
‘Now, with decades of experience transforming and operating successful attractions both in the UK and internationally, Mellors Group is committed to bringing new life, new energy, and significant new investment to the beloved adventure park.’
The Group has ambitious plans for Lightwater Valley, including new rides and attractions set to debut in 2026.
While the park’s focus will continue to cater for younger families and guests under 12, Mellors Group aims to broaden the appeal for all ages, ‘creating an experience that the whole family can enjoy together’.
James Mellors, managing director of Mellors Group, said: ‘Our goal is simple: to put the park back “on the map” as a major theme park, by introducing new rides, injecting new energy, and creating something truly special for families for many years to come.’
The news of the sale has come to the delight of many theme park enthusiasts with many calling for old rides to be brought back.
The Whirlwind, a retired thrill ride at the park, is pictured during operation
On the Theme Park Worldwide Facebook page, the account wrote: ‘With today’s confirmed news about the Mellors Group acquiring Lightwater Valley, what sort of new rides and improvements would you like to see come to the park?’
One user wrote: ‘I’d like to see it back to how it was in the 90s when it was a great park.
‘The Ultimate, The Rat, Soopa Loopa, death slide and gyroscopes. Those were the days!’
Another added: ‘I think they should take back the world’s longest roller coaster record.
‘But add in highest and fastest and get British Rail to build it again.’
A third commented: ‘I really want them to add some theming so it’s more enjoyable and immersive. Rather than like an amusement park or fairground.
‘I’ve no issues with the age limit but it needs better rides even for that group under 12s still want some thrills! Of course, I’d love to see The Ultimate back!’
It comes as Brighton’s iconic Palace Pier has been put up for sale after months of speculation over its future as it grapples with declining visitors and a controversial entry fee it introduced to bolster falling profits.
Lightwater Valley is set across 175 acres of North Yorkshire countryside. An aerial view shows the park in 2019
The seaside attraction, which opened in 1899, has been owned by Pizza Express entrepreneur Luke Johnson’s Brighton Pier Group for the last decade after it bought the jetty for £18million.
Home to food stalls, 19 amusement rides and two sprawling, noisy arcades boasting more than 300 machines, it welcomes around four million visitors a year, according to official figures from VisitEngland.
But after 10 years of difficult trade, compounded by wage and national insurance hikes and a reduction in relief from Rachel Reeves’ first brutal Budget, Mr Johnson’s firm is throwing in the towel.
The Grade II-listed pier’s value was written down from £17.3m to £13.7m amid poor trading in 2024, blamed on bad weather in the summer.
