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Theme park in Ripon listed for sale at £3 Million

Wednesday, 29 October 2025 13:44

Lightwater Valley in Ripon

Lightwater Valley, one of Yorkshire’s best-known family attractions, has been listed for sale with an asking price of £3 million.

The popular theme park, located near Ripon, spans 185 acres and includes its rides, cafés, attractions and parkland.

According to the Rightmove listing, the sale offers “an opportunity to take ownership of, and develop a long-established theme park business in the heart of Yorkshire,” with planning permission in place for additional holiday accommodation.

The park, which generates around £5 million in annual revenue, operates under a 99-year lease, with 72 years remaining.

Founded in 1969 by Robert Staveley as a small pick-your-own fruit farm, Lightwater Valley gradually evolved into a theme park.

The addition of a lake proved popular with visitors, leading to the introduction of adventure playgrounds and rides, and by 1987, the park had taken on the form that visitors recognise today.

In 1991, Lightwater Valley launched The Ultimate, which at the time was the longest roller coaster in the world.

The ride never reopened after the pandemic and was later demolished in 2023.

The Brighton Pier Group acquired the park in 2021 for an initial payment of £4 million, with further payments of up to £1 million for the company’s full share allocation.

The attraction continues to draw more than 230,000 visitors each year and is currently being marketed by Newmark.

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