Mellors Group Acquires Lightwater Valley Amusement Park
Photo: Courtesy of Mellors Group
(eap) Nottingham-based, family-run operator Mellors Group has acquired the Lightwater Valley amusement park in Ripon, North Yorkshire. The group plans to make significant investments in the site and to expand the current visitor offering, which is presently aimed at families with younger children up to the age of twelve, to appeal to a broader target audience.
Opened in 1969, the park currently offers more than 35 rides, several entertainment formats and seasonal events. Mellors Group announced that new rides and attractions will already be added this year. James Mellors, Managing Director of the group, commented: “Lightwater Valley is a park with real heart, history, personality, and potential, and it’s a place our own family has loved since childhood. We’re incredibly proud to be taking on its future. Our goal is simple: to put the park back ‘on the map’ as a major theme park, by introducing new rides, injecting new energy, and creating something truly special for families for many years to come.”
Mellors added: “We’re very excited about this acquisition and looking forward to planning a wide range of new attractions for 2026: fresh, fun, and full of excitement. While Lightwater Valley will continue to be a haven for younger families, we’re also widening the experience so that guests of all ages can enjoy the thrills, charm, and adventure together. The team here have done a brilliant job, and we’re looking forward to working closely with them as we begin this new journey.” ■
