Thrills in the Valley

Lightwater Valley is set in magnificent, picturesque grounds, but our first impressions on entering the theme park would have been better if the surly girl checking tickets had given us a smile.

The dodgems were the first ride we headed for; Samantha and I only waited about five minutes before it was our turn to have some controlled road rage. After what seemed like an age, the bell rang and our car finally came to a halt.

Next up was the Octopus, described as a whippersnapper ride, but certainly going at a good pace, followed by the Orbiter, which was described as a jaw dropper. But six-year-old Samantha had a couple of goes on this ride with no trace of a white knuckle.

We boarded the Lightwater Express to take us round to the Caterpillar, a mini-rollercoaster which is one of two new rides at the park. There were only a few people in the queue for this mini rollercoaster, which Samantha rode three or four times in quick succession.

We all joined the queue for the Twister, but Samantha was not tall enough for our first white-knuckle ride. Jayne and I waited for 40 minutes for the rollercoaster ride with waltzer-style cars that spun round 360 degrees on the track. The cars moved off slowly and up the steep track to come hurtling down and spinning round. Great!

Still in the mood for an adrenaline rush, we made for the Ultimate, a rollercoaster with more than one and a half miles of track. Three minutes later we pulled back into the station. A good but not a great ride.

The Mexican Hat, Black Widow's Web and The Ladybird kept us all entertained before we had a relaxing trip on the Swan Lake Pedal Boats.

We decided to head to the new Bird of Prey Centre before leaving for home. However, we opted not to visit because, at £3.25 each for admission and with only 15 minutes before closing, we felt it didn't represent value for money.

We went to the shopping village for a spot of retail therapy, only to be told by a rather impolite woman that they were about to close in ten minutes and would we leave the store. A sour final to what had been a good day out.

Fact file

Lightwater Valley, North Stainley, Ripon North Yorks.

How to get there: Follow the A1 North on to the A61, then follow the signs for Lightwater Valley.

Admission: Over 1.2m tall £13.50; under 1.2m tall £12; under 1m free; senior citizens £5.95; family of four £48, and family of six £60.

Opening times: April 12 until September 3, then weekends until November 2. Check times before you go.

For more information ring 0870 4580060 or visit www.lightwatervalley.net

Updated: 08:55 Saturday, September 06, 2003