Lightwater Valley

Lightwater Valley is a theme park in North Stainley, North Yorkshire, England. The park is perhaps best known for being the home of Europe’s longest rollercoaster - The Ultimate.

Lightwater Valley was founded by Robert Staveley and initially evolved from a small farm attraction. The park features around 40 other rides and also features an adjacent shopping village and restaurant.

The complex is operated by Lightwater Valley Attractions Limited. The park attracts approximately 500,000 visitors per year.

Park information

History

Lightwater

Coordinates: 51°21′02″N 0°40′02″W / 51.3506°N 0.6672°W / 51.3506; -0.6672

Lightwater is a village in the Surrey Heath district of Surrey, England, about 27 miles (43 km) south-west of London. Immediately surrounding towns and villages include Bagshot, Deepcut, Windlesham, Camberley, and West End, Woking. It is bounded to the north-west by the M3 motorway and to the north-east by the Lightwater bypass. To the south-east it is bounded by the Red Road, while to the south-west there are vehicle-testing tracks owned by the Ministry of Defence.

History

Development

Prior to development, the natural vegetation was part of the Surrey heathland as seen in Bagshot and Chobham Common. The region has been inhabited since pre-historic times with tumuli in the heathland to the south of the village.

In modern times, Lightwater grew as a place with holiday homes in a chalet style for people living in London. Since 1960 it has grown rapidly, with housing estates proliferating in the area just north of Red Road and the military ranges around Greyspot.