A YORK tourist attraction operator has announced the completion of one of the biggest acquisitions in its 30-year history.

Continuum Attractions, based in Margaret Street, has purchased Welsh adventure park GreenWood Forest Park for an undisclosed sum.

Continuum, which owns and operates York's Chocolate Story, described the deal as an "unmissable opportunity for the business to expand into the family, outdoor attraction market" through adding the award winning Felinheli-based park to its portfolio.

Juliana Delaney, chief executive officer of Continuum Attractions said: "GreenWood Forest Park is a wonderful place to visit, it also has a fantastic team in place, which is delivering that success.

"It offers a great visit for happy and loyal guests. It also champions green and sustainability issues, and manages its environmental impact.

"We are very proud to take on the GreenWood legacy. We believe in the future of tourism, particularly in North Wales."

The park will be Continuum group's first outdoor business within its nine-strong list of attractions, which predominantly features themed and heritage sites. Alongside York Chocolate Story, Continuum Attractions owns, operates and manages The Real Mary King’s Close, in Edinburgh; The Canterbury Tales, in Canterbury; Oxford Castle Unlocked, in Oxford; Emirates Spinnaker Tower, in Portsmouth; and The Emmerdale Studio Tour and Village Tour, both in Leeds, as well as operating a management contract at The Royal Mint Experience, in Cardiff.

Its newest site, GreenWood Forest Park, is a TripAdvisor UK Top 10 Attraction and a North Wales Tourist Board Green and Innovation Award-winner, while North Wales was voted 4th best place to visit globally by Lonely Planet.

Kevin Smith, group attractions director at Continuum said: "We are delighted to have added GreenWood Forest Park to our portfolio of outstanding UK visitor attractions. Continuum Attractions has been keen to expand into outdoor, family experiences and GreenWood will offer a fantastic opportunity for us to do so.

"North Wales is a fantastic place to visit, not only is it an area of outstanding beauty but it is becoming a thriving hub for holiday makers bother national and international."