Dodgems
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Riders could take a spin in an electric powered car in this classic fairground attraction. The idea of the ride is to dodge the other drivers but we felt that took away the fun, therefore we advised you to cause havoc in the driving arena!
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Spider's Web
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A small child's climbing frame that was next to Fort William Adventure Playground. There's nothing much more to say about this, you basically climbed to the top and climbed back down again - although you could get stuck from time to time.
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BMX Racers
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Hop on a BMX bike and take it around the track! This was one of Lightwater Valley's earliest attractions when it was a small and laid-back leisure park. However, the old markings can still be found at the park today should you look around!
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Boating Lake
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Take out a boat onto Lightwater Valley's famous lake and admire the natural surrounding beauty. This was one of the park's most popular attractions at the time, with people looking for a more relaxed approach to a day out.
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Waltzer
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Typical fairground Waltzer ride located in the entrance area of the park that consisted of a number of cars which were free to spin individually while rotating around a central point. The weight of the riders caused each car to rotate.
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The Twister
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The Twister was made up of three arms each of which had a cluster of cars attached to them. Both the main arm and the clusters rotate creating a weaving effect. The motion was slowed and accelerated creating an illusion of a near miss with the other cars.
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Chairoplanes
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Chairoplanes was a ride in which the chairs are suspended on chains from the rotating top of the carousel. As the rotation speed of the ride increased, the chairs were thrown outwards by centrifugal force - nothing original but an attraction nevertheless.
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Mexican Hat
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Another Lightwater Valley classic, Mexican Hat! As the ride spun horizontally it began fluctuating in a wavelike manner and thus the rider would feel forces on their body and get pushed near the outside of the cars.
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Bowling Greens
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We know what you're thinking, bowls at Lightwater Valley?! Indeed there was. A rather unusual attraction for a theme park to boast but at the time Lightwater Valley wasn't really a park full of thrill rides and bowls was as good as it got for some people.
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Croquet
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We've already had bowls at Lightwater Valley - next up, a good old game of croquet! Situated right next to the bowling green, croquet was the alternative game for those looking to be play a bit of lawn sports.
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Big Top Circus
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This typical circus show consisted of clowns pulling off the usual jokes to each other in attempts to both entertain and amuse the audience. The clowns would also walk around the theme park pulling off tricks such as juggling to keep park guests happy.
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Venture River Ride
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A small children's water ride that used the typical water flume technology. Passengers would sit in a very small boat and just make their way around the channel. Nothing overly exciting to be honest and was rather dull to look at.
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The Hawk
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The Hawk was a caged inverter ride that would send passengers upside down yet only stayed for the 1997 season. It was just a typical spin 'n' spew ride to be honest but a major flat ride at Lightwater Valley at the time of operation.
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Soft Play Area
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We're struggling to write something for this attraction - there really isn't much you can say about an average children's soft play area. What we can say is that it was located in what is now known Marc's Magical Kingdom. Exciting, huh?
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Carousel
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Carousel - self explanatory really. Guests would mount horses that moved up and down whilst the ride slowly rotated around the central point. This model was replaced by the Carousel ride you see at Lightwater Valley today.
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The Devil's Cascade
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Before the years of The Toad Hole, The Devil's Cascade used to the park's major water ride. They look so similar I hear you say - that's because they're the same ride. The ride was re-themed in 1997.
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Fort William Adventure Playground
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One of the Lightwater Valley's first and most famous attractions. Fort William conisted of two levels and included walkways, bridges and tyre swings. The fort was modified in 1996 to house the station for Batflyer.
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Junior Paratrooper
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Another small roundabout which the nippers could enjoy - if they hadn't fallen asleep that is, yawn. A very boring, dull and uninspiring ride for children. Junior Paratrooper was located in Gator Park for many years before its removal.
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Steam Boat Rides
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Lightwater Valley's steam boat wasn't the biggest to boast but did its job nevertheless. A steam boat is water based method of transport in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving a propeller or paddlewheel.
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Skyoscopes
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Another wonderfully whacky attraction at Lightwater Valley. Guests would be strapped into some weird contraption that allowed them to spin 360 degrees out of control. Prepare to get dizzy would be our only advice.
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Hell Slide
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Located in Gator Park, this crazy slide would send all those who dared to climb to the top down a vetical drop! Oblivion eat your heart out?! Over 60 complaints were filed in one season because of minor injuries. We can imagine many bumps and bruises!
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Snake Train
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An extremely dull train ride that weaved across a patch of tarmac. The kids of the 80s were extreme adrenaline junkies if we must say so! Many of these rides could be found across the country, including Drayton Manor Park.
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Crow's Nest
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Crow's Nest was another children's ride at Lightwater Valley but offered a bit of variety to the lineup. This simple ride sent guests up and down in a circular motion, not much else to say about it really.
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Mini Roundabout
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This was another small roundabout ride for the little nippers to enjoy! But like most roundabout rides it looked boring, tacky and dated. Mini Roundabout used to be located in Marc's Magical Kingdom before it was moved next to The Ladybird.
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The Voyager
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This double inverter ship was a one-season wonder but a real crowd pleaser during its time at Lightwater Valley. Why it was removed so swiftly we really don't know, but perhaps there is a curse on such rides following Hawk's swift departure not long after?
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Old MacDonald's Farm
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Lightwater Valley had their own miniature petting farm that was popular with guests. Old MacDonald's Farm included typical farm animals such as goats, pigs, ponys, ducks, sheep and was located were the Bird of Prey Centre stands today.
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