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Lightwater Valley

Raza said:
Probably been discussed before but did Lightwater Valley ever have any chance at being successful? I would’ve thought The Ultimate opening back then would have really got the ball rolling
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I don't think there was a world in which Flamingoland and LWV could really prosper. Both suffer from a relatively sparse population to the north but Flamingoland was closer to the major touristy places on the Yorkshire Coast which helped them.
 
Lightwater did really evolve into the park...
Strawberry farm, then became a pick your own strawberry farm, then added a cafe, pig farm nursery viewing area (I kid you not) and playground.
1976 summer drought kicks in, and they build their own reservoir for the strawberries, and add a few rowing boats.
Then came the railway and a few kids rides, then a few minor coasters, then t'Ultimate to compete with the big boys, and a small shopping village.
All sort of happened over time, reactive to the situation, and it keeps evolving on a small scale.
Lack of investment messed things up, and then being passed round other groups over time has meant a bit of a loss of direction.
Lightwater was closer to the urban centres of the north, so had a bigger market area, but had nothing decent and new on the thrill side for decades, so slowly flopped in the thrill market.
It seems to be doing well now and has established itself in the young family market.
 
I keep hearing this.
Check out the reviews, it is doing very well as a young family park.
The fact that it no longer attracts thoosies does not mean it is going to fail.
Tripe advisor and google reviews have been much more positive now the punters know the intended target group.
 
rob666 said:
I keep hearing this.
Check out the reviews, it is doing very well as a young family park.
The fact that it no longer attracts thoosies does not mean it is going to fail.
Tripe advisor and google reviews have been much more positive now the punters know the intended target group.
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Glad to hear it. The more good independent parks the UK industry has the better.

I think the big issue is there isn't actually many parks around for (presume your in this bracket) 30's and 40's.

Paulton and Drayton are good for my family and I, but when my wife and I go we are really limited to alton thorpe and Blackpool. We avoid the last two as one is crap and the other is full of undesirables...
Which leaves alton.which isn't great.

I few more years and the European trips can commence
 
Thirties or forties...you are so kind to an elderly gentleman.
It is a lovely setting and park, just lacking in thrill rides.
It has a massive catchment in the west yorks conurbation, and the fine Lancashire mill towns are within a ninety minute non motorway drive.
Really miss getting quietly sozzled with my mates and their kids, pub in the wood, dodgems and the Rat, repeat, then a nice afternoon nap under the trees somewhere.
It is the sort of park where the odd ten million quid could really change the place, loads of space for development, just never happened.
Bloody yorkshire for you.
 
rob666 said:
Thirties or forties...you are so kind to an elderly gentleman.
It is a lovely setting and park, just lacking in thrill rides.
It has a massive catchment in the west yorks conurbation, and the fine Lancashire mill towns are within a ninety minute non motorway drive.
Really miss getting quietly sozzled with my mates and their kids, pub in the wood, dodgems and the Rat, repeat, then a nice afternoon nap under the trees somewhere.
It is the sort of park where the odd ten million quid could really change the place, loads of space for development, just never happened.
Bloody yorkshire for you.
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Merlin takeover??
 
Could actually do a really good value job on the park.
Fix up t'Ultimate, and chuck a few cheap off the peg coasters in all the spare fields.
Decent space for the wooden pig (stargazing) sheds on the nice level camping field next to the car park.
All the shopping centre for new dark rides and dry flats.
Oh, and bring back pub in't wood, and dodgems, by 'eck.
Get in there Merlin.
 
rob666 said:
Could actually do a really good value job on the park.
Fix up t'Ultimate, and chuck a few cheap off the peg coasters in all the spare fields.
Decent space for the wooden pig (stargazing) sheds on the nice level camping field next to the car park.
All the shopping centre for new dark rides and dry flats.
Oh, and bring back pub in't wood, and dodgems, by 'eck.
Get in there Merlin.
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I thought the same
 
Well, the inevitable is confirmed
Anne Ackord, chief executive of the Brighton Pier Group, said: “We have devoted much time and effort considering the future of The Ultimate. The ride has been out of service for some years now and the process of assessing the viability of bringing it back into use was a long one.

“We are mindful of its nostaligic status and that many of our visitors have fond memories of riding the Ultimate Coaster.
"Nevertheless, given both the investment required to bring it up to acceptable standards of safety and the re-imagining of Lightwater Valley as a family-orientated Adventure Park, we have decided to close The Ultimate permanently and remove it from the Park.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new-look Lightwater Valley as it develops and evolves into the north of England’s number one destination for family adventures”
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No surprise I guess, at least my body will thank me 😂
 
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new-look Lightwater Valley as it develops and evolves into the north of England’s number one destination for family adventures”.

There's more chance of the London Resort opening than them ever taking that title. They've totally downgraded themselves even before the removal of The Ultimate was announced. What a shame.
 
That means that the operating European length record has just gone down by a good 2,000ft…

The European length record still sits within the UK, though, as the new record holder is The Big One at 5,497ft!

It is sad to see The Ultimate’s demise confirmed (when it operated, it was probably the most significant UK coaster I was missing from my count), but I don’t think it really gelled with Lightwater Valley’s new direction. Had it reopened, it would likely have stood out like a sore thumb within the under 10s park that Lightwater Valley is today.
 
Danny said:
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the new-look Lightwater Valley as it develops and evolves into the north of England’s number one destination for family adventures”.
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To be fair, what's the competition in the actual North?

Certainly was an experience. Doesn't mean it was worth saving, and if they kept it and tarted it up to modern day standards people would complain that it was too smooth.

Lose-lose situation.
 
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