Lightwater Valley

When American Adventure decided to move from being a mainstream park to a kids park in 2005, it was the final nail in the coffin for the place.

I was therefore very cynical when LWV did this, but as @rob666 says, it seems to be working and we’re now four years into this rebrand.

owenstreet7 said:

Paultons I'd say is more like Drayton Manor or Chessington with their target market and the rides they operate which focuses more on the all ages market.

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And teenagers up would be bored, hence it's a children's park. Maybe slightly older children, but still children.

LWV can and seemingly are implementing the same strategy, just slightly younger than Paultons, probably more on par with Wheelgate

Poisson said:

And teenagers up would be bored, hence it's a children's park. Maybe slightly older children, but still children.

LWV can and seemingly are implementing the same strategy, just slightly younger than Paultons, probably more on par with Wheelgate

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I'd say it is a completely different strategy to be honest with Paultons, Drayton and Chessington.

Lightwater Valley are adding children's and family rides that are secondhand from other parks or in the fair circuit in unthemed areas whilst Paultons, Drayton and Chessington are focusing more on permanent park models with themed areas.

There is also a focus on family thrill which Lightwater Valley is not currently going for right now.

I really don't think we should class Paultons as being in the same boat as Lightwater Valley as it is practically very similar to Chessington.

The big difference is that Alton Towers and Drayton Manor were less than a hours drive away from the American adventure so in the early 90’s it was the go to place as it was really the 1st true themed theme park but they never added to it and Alton Towers opened there SW coasters and Drayton also added top rides and the American adventure got left behind.

Days after Pleasurewood Hills' sale, RideRater have found that Lightwater Valley is/was listed for sale at a guide price of £3 million.

The listing has since been pulled, but you can still view it here, including an attached PDF.

The PDF provides an interesting look at the visitor numbers since 2018 - showing that they didn't particuarly have much of an attendance hit following the removal of the thrill rides:


Brighton Pier Group bought the park back in 2021 for £5m, suggesting their management of the park has decreased its value by £2m (their only actions of notoriety being the short-lived Zyklon coaster, removing Eagles Claw and destroying the Ultimate). The holiday lodges STILL haven't materialised, which they gained planning permison for years back, and from statements at the time, were a big reason why the group bought the park.

The dream would be for a European operator such as Compagnie des Alpes or Grupa Ptak to see development opportunity and gain a foothold in the UK... but realistically I suppose a more local name is more likely, similar to the Stokes family taking over PWH. Mellors could be good? I hope the future is bright.

Brighton Pier Group has been a disaster for Lighwater Valley. I can't see many buyers being interested in a park with barley any rides. It more likely another leisure business will buy it and turn it into a holiday park like a Haven or Away resorts etc given it's location

It has plenty of rides, just no thrill ones.
Affluent area, well known park in the north, massive potential, room for expansion, infrastructure, including lake and train ride already in place.
It will sell, and if invested in as it should have been post T'Ultimate, it could be a huge success as a Centre Parks style resort.

Sorry... they're selling the park as a business on RightMove??

Thank you for sharing this!

£3 million is a bargain when you consider the much smaller Dinosaur Park in Tenby - with about a quarter of the visitorship - is currently on the market for £4.5 million:

£3m seems very cheap... anyone want to go halves?

I think the cheap price tag reflects the fact they bulldozed the only thing they had worth selling.

That and the fact the land isn’t included! Just the tenancy.

It would be for sale at a far higher price if it was freehold...the land is worth a fortune in forestry/mineral rights and possible redevelopment.