Land of plenty

The gruesome quartet are at the heart of the theme park's main new attraction for 2001: the £1.5 million Little Monster's Den of Mischief.

Here you can board a carriage and journey around Mischief Mansion. "In the kitchen there's an oversized washing machine, with bubbles coming out of it," explains marketing director Melanie Gibb. "Little Frankenstein is hanging upside down inside it."

Another new character is mad Professor Bubbles, who promises to make your dreams come true.

Younger children in particular will lap it up, and that's exactly what Melanie wants. "It's for all ages. Kids from about four up to eight or nine will love it. It's not scary."

For her, the Den of Mischief balances the theme park's other attractions that are only suitable for older children, such as Magnum Force, Europe's only triple-loop roller coaster.

Flamingo Land, based at Kirby Misperton near Malton, reopened today after its winter break. It has taken nearly five months to get it ready for the season. The last few weeks are always consumed by frantic preparations - 100 staff were employed last week simply to clean the place from top to bottom.

But this year, the run-up has been more hair-raising than most, with the foot and mouth outbreak ready to scupper the most carefully laid plans.

Most of Flamingo Land's zoo is closed until further notice, although the primate enclosure and the bird walk are still open. One of the difficulties for the zoo keepers is ensuring a meat supply to feed their big cats.

Fortunately, the theme park is unaffected. And Melanie remains hopeful of surpassing last year's impressive total of 1.3 million visitors.

Lightwater Valley near Ripon has another week to get things right, as it opens next Saturday. It, too, boasts new characters - the Valligators. Harry, Sally and Baby Al are the theme park's family of fun-loving alligators.

For thrill-seekers, Lightwater Valley has two new rides to add to the Ultimate, the world's longest roller coaster. The Black Widow's Web promises to spin you horizontally and then climb and climb until you are looking at the ground. The Treetop Twister, which doesn't open until Spring Bank Holiday, May 28, combines waltzer with roller coaster to spin you round as you go up and down.

Janette Gudgeon, of Lightwater Valley, said they were reviewing the foot and mouth crisis daily but were still planning to open next Saturday as planned.

For those who prefer a more historical day out, National Trust and English Heritage properties are always popular. Both organisations have been assessing which they can open now the tourist season is upon us.

"We want to contain the disease and support the whole countryside community," said Peter Dixon, director of estates for the National Trust.

"We have drawn up a list of criteria enabling us to assess the risk of infection at each of our rural properties.

"Where this can be minimised we look forward to welcoming back visitors and members to the countryside. No property will open without us consulting local farmers."

National Trust properties that did open today included Nunnington Hall, near Helmsley, Rievaulx Terrace and Temples, near Helmsley, the Old Coastguard Station at Robin Hood's Bay and the Treasurer's House, York.

Among those closed until further notice are Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Estate, near Ripon, Brimham Rocks at Harrogate and Beningbrough Hall and Gardens, outside York.

Simon Lee is property manager at Nunnington Hall, the 17th century manor house boasting a sheltered riverside garden and the Carlisle collection of miniature rooms.

He said: "At Nunnington, the very top part of the garden, which isn't really that important, is cordoned off as it borders neighbouring farmland."

Additionally, cars will drive over disinfectant mats and visitors will walk over the same as they enter and leave the property. No risks are being taken.

English Heritage bosses have also opened as many properties as they can.

"Yorkshire has a magnificent array of historic monuments, spanning thousands of years," said David Fraser, Yorkshire regional director.

"Many of the local communities surrounding our properties and monuments rely heavily on tourism and large parts of the countryside are still open for business.

"Our staffed sites in the region attract well over 700,000 visitors each year. We have taken advice and know which are safe to open but we will, of course, continue to monitor the foot and mouth situation very closely and act immediately to close properties if necessary."

Among the English Heritage venues reopening this weekend are: Byland Abbey, near Coxwold; Aldborough Roman Town, near Boroughbridge; Kirkham Abbey, near Malton; and Burton Agnes Manor, near Bridlington.

In addition, many properties are moving to longer opening hours, including Richmond, Helmsley, Pickering and Scarborough Castles.

Those that remain closed include Middleham Castle and Mount Grace Priory. More details can be found from the websites and telephone numbers listed.

Useful contacts

Flamingo Land 01653 668287

Lightwater Valley 0870 458 0060 and www.lightwatervalley.net

National Trust 0870 458 4000 and www.nationaltrust.org.uk

English Heritage 0870 333 1181 and www.english-heritage.org.uk

British Tourist Authority website: www.visitbritain.com/uk/fandmcancel.htm