Lightwater Valley
North Yorkshire family adventure park tailored for under 12s. 35+ rides and attractions with 26 having no height restrictions. Perfect for young families seeking age-appropriate thrills.
Data last verified on 19 January 2025. Always confirm critical restrictions with the park on the day of your visit.
Quick Stats
- Total Rides:
- 35
- No Restrictions:
- 26
- Adult Price:
- £25
- Child Price:
- £25
- Parking:
- £4
- Updated:
- 19 January 2025
Rides by Height Requirement
All Rides & Attractions
Filter Rides
Ride Name | Type | Height Requirement | Intensity | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Adventure Play Adventure playground with challenges. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Carousel Traditional carousel horses. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 2:00 |
Clownaround Circus themed fun house. | interactive | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Dino Dig Dig for dinosaur fossils. | interactive | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Dragon Boats Dragon-themed boats on water. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 3:00 |
Dragon Drop Gentle drop ride for younger children. | Family | 100cm alone | Low | 1:00 |
Eagles Creek Farm Meet and feed farm animals. | animals | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Ebor's Soft Play Huge indoor soft play area. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Elephant Flight Flying elephant themed ride. | Family | 90cm alone | Gentle | 1:30 |
Flying Cutlass Pirate ship swing ride. | Family | 110cm alone | Medium | 1:30 |
Hall of Mirrors Classic mirror maze. | interactive | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Hot Air Balloons Rise and fall balloon ride. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 1:30 |
Jeep Safari Drive jeeps through safari-themed area. | Family | 90cm alone | Gentle | 2:00 |
Jungle Jump Jungle themed bouncing area. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Jurassic Adventure Golf Dinosaur themed mini golf. | interactive | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Kangaroo Jump Bouncing kangaroo ride. | Family | 90cm alone | Gentle | 1:00 |
Ladybird Gentle first coaster - perfect for young children. | Coaster | 90cm alone | Low | 1:00 |
Lakeside Walk Scenic walk around the lake. | observation | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Lightwater Express Train Main park train around the lake. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 4:00 |
Meet Ebor & Friends Character meet and greets throughout the day. | show | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Monkey Drop Mini drop tower for building confidence. | Family | 110cm alone | Medium | 1:00 |
Outdoor Play Large outdoor playground. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Pirate Swinger Gentle swinging ride in pirate theme. | Family | 90cm alone | Gentle | 1:30 |
Powder Kegs Exciting spinning ride without overwhelming young riders. | Thrill | 120cm alone | Medium | 1:30 |
Rocket Rollercoaster New gentle coaster for first-time riders. | Coaster | 90cm alone | Low | 1:15 |
Savanna Express Train ride through the park. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 3:00 |
Skate Karts Pedal karts around a track. | Family | 100cm alone | Low | 2:00 |
Skull Rock Pirate themed climbing structure. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
Skyrider The park's biggest thrill ride - appropriate intensity for under 12s. | Thrill | 130cm alone | High | 1:30 |
Space Pirates Indoor dark ride adventure. | Dark Ride | No restriction | Gentle | 3:00 |
Spin Bug New spinning bug ride for young children. | Family | 90cm alone | Gentle | 1:30 |
Splash Falls Gentle water ride with small splash. | Water | 90cm alone | Gentle | 2:00 |
Swan Boats Pedal swan boats on the lake. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 3:00 |
The Caterpillar Gentle caterpillar train ride. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 1:30 |
Tiki Raft Spinning raft ride. | Family | 90cm alone | Gentle | 1:30 |
Valley Theatre Live shows and entertainment. | show | No restriction | Gentle | 15:00 |
Vintage Cars Ride in vintage cars around a track. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 2:00 |
Wave Rider Gentle wave motion ride. | Family | No restriction | Gentle | 1:30 |
Woodland Play Natural woodland play area. | Play Area | No restriction | Gentle | 10:00 |
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Address
Complete Park Guide
Complete Park Guide
Lightwater Valley Height Guide
Lightwater Valley is a family adventure park specifically tailored for children under 12. With 35+ rides and attractions, including 26 with no height restrictions, it's perfect for young families seeking age-appropriate fun in the Yorkshire countryside.
Organized insights
Plan ahead quickly
Need-to-know tips
Guide Section
Park Highlights
Deliberately designed for younger children - no intimidating thrill rides.
Under 12s Focus
Deliberately designed for younger children - no intimidating thrill rides.
26 No-Restriction Rides
More than any comparable UK park - everyone can enjoy together.
Beautiful Setting
Countryside location in North Yorkshire with lakeside walks.
Eagles Creek Farm
Meet and interact with farm animals included with entry.
Height Strategy
Height Breakdown
Incredible selection for all ages:
No Height Restriction (26 Rides!)
Incredible selection for all ages:
- Valley Theatre
- Ebor's Soft Play (indoor play)
- Vintage Cars
- Savanna Express train
- Outdoor Play areas
- Carousel
- Swan Boats
- Hot Air Balloons
- Dragon Boats
- Woodland Play
- Dino Dig
- And 15 more!
90cm+ (7 Rides)
Perfect first rides:
- Spin Bug (90cm)
- Jeep Safari (90cm)
- Tiki Raft (90cm)
- Splash Falls (90cm)
- Kangaroo Jump (90cm)
- Elephant Flight (90cm)
- Ladybird (90cm)
- Pirate Swinger (90cm)
100cm+ (2 Rides)
Growing confidence:
- Dragon Drop (100cm)
- Skate Karts (100cm)
110cm+ (2 Rides)
Bigger adventures:
- Monkey Drop (110cm)
- Flying Cutlass (110cm)
120-130cm (2 Rides)
Maximum thrills for this age group:
- Powder Kegs (120cm)
- Skyrider (130cm) - park's biggest thrill
Planning Tips
Best For
- Toddlers (under 90cm): EXCELLENT - 26 no-restriction rides!
- Young Children (90-110cm): Perfect! Park designed for this age
- Older Children (110-130cm): Great - appropriate thrills without intimidation
- Pre-teens approaching 130cm: Good but may want bigger thrills soon
Ride Highlights
Featured Attractions
The park's biggest thrill at 130cm minimum - appropriate intensity for under 12s.
Skyrider
The park's biggest thrill at 130cm minimum - appropriate intensity for under 12s.
Powder Kegs
Exciting ride at 120cm - thrills without overwhelming young riders.
Eagles Creek Farm
Meet sheep, goats, rabbits and more. Included with entry, multiple daily activities.
Ebor's Soft Play
Huge indoor play area for all weathers - no height restriction.
New for Recent Seasons
- Spin Bug - Latest addition
- Rocket Rollercoaster - Gentle first coaster experience
- Safari Jeep Ride - Drive through adventure
Guide Section
Themed Areas
Tropical adventures with Jeep Safari, Jungle Jump, and themed rides.
Jungle Area
Tropical adventures with Jeep Safari, Jungle Jump, and themed rides.
Pirate Zone
Pirate Swinger, Skull Rock, and swashbuckling fun.
Dino-Stone Park
Dinosaur themed with Dino Dig fossil hunting.
Lakeside
Swan Boats and scenic walks around the lake.
Guide Section
Park Philosophy
Lightwater Valley deliberately removed rides that required 140cm+ height restrictions to maintain focus on under 12s. They won't compromise their family-friendly mission for bigger thrills.
Lightwater Valley deliberately removed rides that required 140cm+ height restrictions to maintain focus on under 12s. They won't compromise their family-friendly mission for bigger thrills.
Planning Tips
Top Tips for Visitors
- Perfect for young families - Don't expect Alton Towers thrills
- 26 rides for everyone - Whole family rides together
- Farm included - Don't miss Eagles Creek Farm
- Indoor options - Ebor's Soft Play for rainy days
- Lakeside picnic - Beautiful spots to eat packed lunch
Planning Tips
Best Times to Visit
Quietest: Weekdays in May and September Busiest: School holidays, sunny weekends Events: Halloween, Christmas
Guide Section
Facilities
- Multiple food outlets - Family-friendly menus
- Eagles Creek Farm - Animal encounters
- Gift shop - Ebor mascot merchandise
- Baby care - Excellent facilities
- Parking - £4 car park
- Picnic areas - Lakeside spots
On the Ground
Getting There
By Car: A1(M) Junction 50, then A61 (parking £4) By Train: Harrogate Station, then taxi (30 mins) From Ripon: 10 minutes by car
Guide Section
Age Recommendations
- Under 3 years: EXCELLENT - 26 no-restriction rides
- 3-6 years: Perfect! Ideal age for this park
- 6-10 years: Great - appropriate thrills
- 10-12 years: Good but approaching upper age limit
Planning Tips
Money-Saving Tips
- Book online for discounts
- Same price adults and children
- Bring picnic - allowed in designated areas
- Season passes for Yorkshire families
- Free entry for under 90cm (check website)