Are you looking for something to do with the kid’s during the school holidays?
If you are looking for a theme park to visit, then make sure you read on for my Lightwater Valley Review
I used to love Lightwater Valley when I was younger. I remember doing coach trips with my parents and grandparents to visit here every summer holiday.
Last year, my husband and I took our kids for the first time and they loved it!
We visited again this week for my step-son’s 13th birthday and had a great time!
When we arrived, the queues weren’t too bad, the staff were fast and efficient at getting everyone in to the park as quick as possible so they could make the most of their fun day ahead.
My daughter, Katie, met one of the Valligators on her way in. The Valligators are Lightwater Valley’s mascots.
We headed straight to the carousel when we got inside the park, one of the most traditional rides in the world but you are always onto a winner with a carousel. The ride attendant measures the children as they go on the ride and tells them which horses would be best for them to ride for their height. Obviously a safety precaution but it’s nice to know your safety is paramount 🙂
Katie and I on the carousel
Next stop was the big wheel. The view on here is fantastic, well worth a ride.
My son, Jamie, and Katie on the big wheel.
There is a fantastic little train that travels around the whole park, even taking you under some of the rides! We climbed aboard and enjoyed the views while deciding what ride to go n first.
Jamie, Katie, my step son Simon and my husband Aaron.
Jamie and Katie decided they wanted to go on The Little Dipper rollercoaster. This is perfect for young children as it doesn’t go too fast or too high.
Jamie and Katie, posing as usual haha
Simon and Katie then decided to go on a pirate themed ride, they loved it 🙂
Katie loved the swings, lost count of how many times we queued for her to go on here!
We all went on the Wild River Rapids, this ride was so good! I didn’t want to take any photos incase I dropped my phone in the water but the photo below is from Lightwater Valley’s website.
Then there is The Ultimate. This rollercoaster is Europe’s longest rollercoaster and over 100ft high! This is definitely one for the thrill seekers. I went on once and that was enough for me! haha
The Whirlwind was one of the scariest rides I have been on! You are flung up, down around and around while in the air… This is not for the faint hearted!
The Black Pearl. I didn’t have the guts to go on this ride haha! Simon did though and he came off whiter than usual. It is a pirate ship and you are strapped in but it goes upside down… It even stays upside down at one point for what seems like forever!
This is a view of The Black Pearl from the train.
Raptor Attack is one of the UK’s best, darkest rides… It is themed around a abandoned mineshaft, I have heard it is really good but I didn’t get the chance to go on it as the day was centered around the kids.
The Twister was soooo good! Simon and I went on this ride and he screamed the whole time! It is a waltzer shaped car that travels around tracks at height while you’re spinning around.
There is also a falconry centre and you can get your photo taking with the owls…
There is plenty of places to eat on the park. There is also picnic benches dotted around the park, perfect if you are bringing your lunch with you.
There is the UK’s largest Angry Birds adventure park here too. There is over 30,000 square feet interactive play complete with tube slides, pig tunnels, slingshots and Angry Birds nesting towers.
There is also a lovely lake with Swan pedal boats for you to take a ride in. I had the right idea, I let Aaron do the peddling while I sat in the back 🙂
Jamie and Simon enjoyed the pedal boats too.
There is so much to do here, it will keep your busy all day! The best thing is, you pay once and you can ride all day!
All in all, we had a fantastic day at Lightwater Valley and it is a firm favourite with my family and I think it will be for many years to come.
I have more photos below that I took that day…
Before we left – all excited and ready to go…