FAQs
This is a selection of our most commonly asked questions
Answers
I have Satellite Navigation – what’s your postcode?
Our postcode is HG4 3HT and we are located on the A6108 just North of Ripon.
Can I have your full contact details?
Please use one of the following methods of communication to get in touch:
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd
North Stainley
Ripon
North Yorkshire HG4 3HT
Tel: 0871 720 0011*
Fax: 0871 721 0011*
Email: leisure@lightwatervalley.co.uk
Web: www.lightwatervalley.co.uk
*Calls are charged at 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from other networks and mobiles will be considerably more.
Is Lightwater Valley just a theme park?
We are certainly most famous for being home to one of the UK’s finest theme parks, but no, we are actually home to three great attractions on our 175 acre site. Our theme park is open from March to October, whilst our shopping village is home to 30,000 square feet of retail space and remains ‘open for business’ all year round. We are also home to over 50 amazing raptors in our on-site Birds of Prey complex, which also remains open for most of the year. Please phone 0871 720 0011* for full details!
*Calls are charged at 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from other networks and mobiles will be considerably more.
How do I get to Lightwater Valley?
Lightwater Valley is located 15 minutes from the A1 motorway, just North of Ripon in the County of North Yorkshire. Exit the A1 just North of junction 49 and then take the A61 back towards Ripon, followed by the A6108 towards North Stainley.
Please refer to the How to Find Us section of this site for full details.
When does the theme park open and close?
For 2010, our theme park re-opens on Saturday 27th March and remains open on selected dates until Sunday 31st October. Please call 0871 720 0011* for full details of our opening times. Please also note that our on-site shopping village remains open for 12 months of the year, so keep us in mind for your Christmas shopping!
*Calls are charged at 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from other networks and mobiles will be considerably more.
Do you cater for young children?
Here at Lightwater Valley, we pride ourselves on offering an action packed day out for the entire family. Likewise, we are home to a fantastic selection of rides and attractions for all age ranges – from jaw dropping big thrill rides to mini adventures for the junior thrill seekers. We have over 13 rides specifically for guests under 1m in height and over 23 rides for guests under 1.3m in height – so plenty to keep the young ones entertained for the entire day!
Do you provide access for those with disabilities?
Please refer to the disabled access section of this website
Are there any places to eat within the theme park?
There are actually 14 different places to eat within Lightwater Valley theme park, including the Conservatory and Riviera Food Halls which serve a mouth watering selection of theme park favourites, including a superb choice of ‘Healthy Options’. We are also home to a range of ‘kiosks’ which serve something tasty ‘to go’ – all at great value!
Our Shopping Village is also home to a newly re-branded restaurant known as The Granary, so if you feel like a more substantial meal, or even one of our famous afternoon teas, take a stroll over to Lightwater Village! For more information, take a look at the Where To Eat section of this website.
Can I buy my tickets in advance?
You can book online through this website and make a substantial saving by paying for your tickets in advance of your visit. Likewise, you are more than welcome to call our advance booking hotline on 0871 720 0011* to pay for your tickets by credit or debit card.
*Calls are charged at 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from other networks and mobiles will be considerably more.
Can I pay with credit or debit cards in the theme park?
Lightwater Valley Attractions Ltd accepts payment by all major credit and debit cards at our theme park entry / ticket Kiosks. Likewise, our Main Line Gifts and Market Gifts retail outlets accept payment by all major credit and debit cards.
Unfortunately our ‘Valley Refresh’ catering outlets do not currently have the facility to take payment by card or cheque. However, we do have 2 cash machines on-site, situated at the Entrance to the Theme Park in Market Square and just inside the main entrance to Lightwater Shopping Village.
Are there any cash machines within the theme park?
We have 2 cash machines on-site, situated at the Entrance to the Theme Park in Market Square and just inside the main entrance to Lightwater Shopping Village. Please ask a member of our customer service team for directions!
What happens if I lose an item of property within the park?
If you discover that you have lost an item of personal property within the Park, please report to the Visitor Services desk located at the entrance to the Theme Park in Market Square. Alternatively, call us on 0871 720 0011*, email us on leisure@lightwatervalley.co.uk or fill out the contact us form on this website.
All items of lost property are taken to the Visitor Services office and we always do our utmost to ensure that every item is reunited with its owner.
*Calls are charged at 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from other networks and mobiles will be considerably more.
How long are the queues?
Here at Lightwater Valley, we do everything we can to ensure that queuing times for our most popular rides and attractions are kept to a minimum. We do this by constantly investing in new rides and ensuring that our front-line personnel are fully trained to make sure that our queues always run as smoothly as possible.
Queue times will vary depending on the time of year, the popularity of the ride in question and the amount of guests we have in the park at any given time. Please phone 0871 720 0011* to check which days we expect to be busy or refer to the calendar of opening dates on this website (busy days with school children are highlighted in red).
*Calls are charged at 10p per minute from a BT landline, calls from other networks and mobiles will be considerably more..
Can I bring my pet to Lightwater Valley?
Unfortunately, in the interests of health & safety, our guests are advised that all pets (with the exception of Service Dogs) are not allowed within the Lightwater complex. Please also be aware that, on hot days, pets locked inside vehicles can suffer in the heat. If you are planning a visit to Lightwater Valley, we would kindly advise you to leave your pets safely at home.
Is there anywhere to leave my bag when I’m on the rides?
Here at Lightwater Valley, we always advise our guests not to bring bags or valuable items with them into the Park. In the interests of health and safety, bags and loose items are not allowed on any of the rides and attractions within the park. Likewise, Lightwater Valley does not accept any responsibility for articles brought into the Park or left unattended.
For your convenience, lockers are available in the Market Square area of the theme park (subject to availability and a small charge)..
What happens if the weather is really bad?
As a Yorkshire theme park, we would advise guests that there is no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong choice of clothing for the conditions! We would certainly advise our guests to always dress appropriately for the weather conditions. There is very little cover within the Park should it be wet and we would advise all guests to be prepared for rain.
Should there be extreme weather conditions during the day, certain rides and attractions may be temporarily closed in the interests of health and safety. This information will, however, always be communicated as quickly and efficiently as possible to all guests at the entrance to the Theme Park.
Is there plenty of parking at Lightwater Valley?
Our 175 acre site provides free parking for all guests, regardless of whether you arrive in a coach, a minibus or a car! Likewise, we provide special parking bays close to the entrance for our guests with disabilities.
Can I return to my car once I have paid and entered the theme park?
Once in the Park you are of course free to leave and re-enter at any time. Just make sure that you obtain a ‘security stamp’ from a member of our admissions team as you exit the main gate.
I’m with a large group – do you offer any special rates?
Here at Lightwater Valley, we have a range of ticket options to suit all types of groups and schools. In fact, many of our packages for groups of 12 people or more offer great savings and a number of free places.
You can book tickets for groups through our online booking system or check out the groups page on this website.
Do you have First Aid facilities in the Park?
We have a dedicated First Aid Facility within the theme park, which is staffed by a fully qualified team. Likewise, a number of our front-line personnel are trained in the provision of first-aid and carry basic medical kits with them at all times.
