When it comes to roller coasters, I’ve never been what you’d call a coat-holder.

The world is divided into sensible souls who hold coats and bags and stand on the sidelines, stifling a yawn, and foolhardy hotheads who climb into contraptions with names like Trauma Tower, Eagle’s Claw and Skyrider, for the thrill of being thrown high into the air, upside-down and back-to-front, at great speed.

I fall into the foolhardy category. My idea of a good time is being strapped into a giant rocket, pirate ship or claw sending me spinning, lurching and dipping, leaving me dizzy, sick and disoriented.

There are plenty such rides to choose from at Lightwater Valley, one of the North’s biggest family attractions, set in 175 acres of parkland. I spent a Sunday there with my sister and two nephews, who were keen to try as many rides as possible.

We started off with the Skyrider – the ‘chair swings’ – which looked pretty tame but once we were up there, legs swinging high up in the air, it was quite a thrilling ride.

Next came the Falls of Terror, which I went on with ten-year-old Jack. The word ‘Terror’ might be pushing it a bit – it was basically a big water slide, but good fun nonetheless.

Scrambling out of the slide pit, we were in the shadow of the Black Widow’s Web. The screams of terror lured me towards it – I was powerless to resist – but when I asked who was coming on with me I was met with shaking heads and offers of holding my bag. Undeterred, I climbed into a ‘gondola’ which began to rotate slowly, then outwards as it gained momentum.

It was all a bit of a blur after that. I was vaguely aware of being upside-down and seeing both sky and ground hurtling towards me in succession, but it wasn’t until I got off that I saw how high the ‘web’ is raised, taking its ‘prey’ up vertically.

Next we found ourselves in Skeleton’s Cove, a pirate enclosure with a giant galleon swinging above and huge stone skulls glaring at us. We braved the Powder Kegs, or it may have been Skull Rock, which sent us whizzing around in a blur, and the boys had fun on the Flying Camels.

After lunch at the Hungry Harbour – the £25 family pizza and fries deal was good value – we headed to the Wild River Rapids. “It looks scary,” said Jack, nervously, but we assured him it was just a glorified log flume.

Making our way up the 40ft climb, our boat skimmed on a film of water then lurched into a 180-degree turn sending us spinning around, then dropping into a “360-degree elevated spiral”.

With water sloshing up the side of the troughs and into the boat – soaking me from head to foot – we were jostled around, getting faster and faster before entering the long drop. We huddled together in our little boat as it plunged into the churning waters below. Needless to say, we ended up soaked to the skin but soon dried off in the sunshine.

No trip to Lightwater Valley is complete without a ride on The Ultimate, Europe’s longest roller-coaster which races along a 1.5-mile track at 60mph, twisting, turning and climbing two hills – 102ft and 107ft high – leading to sheer drops. If you can keep your eyes open, there’s a lovely view of the park and surrounding rolling hills.

The second half of the ride sent us hurtling through a forest, shaking every bone in my body.

The Caterpillar was pretty tame in comparison, and since there was no queue, the man in charge let us stay on the little rollercoaster for two or three rides.

We had time for one more ride – the Twister, like a waltzer on a rollercoaster – before taking the Lightwater Express mini steam engine around the park, past the pretty lake peppered with swan pedalos.

While the park is a magnet for white-knuckle thrill-seekers, it also has a peaceful, rural feel and we enjoyed wandering around between rides.

We visited the Bird of Prey Centre which has some impressive specimens, including eagles, vultures, buzzards and owls. Some smaller birds were tied to perches though, and didn’t look particularly happy about it, which I wasn’t comfortable with.

Inside, we came across various snakes in glass tanks, and some cute rabbits and ferrets playing in spacious pens.

Lightwater Valley is also home to the UK’s first Angry Birds Activity Park, bringing the hugely popular mobile game to life in a lively family-friendly environment.

I don’t know Angry Birds from Mellow Birds, but my nephews assured me they’re fun.

Factfile:

  • Lightwater Valley is just north of Ripon, on the A6108 towards North Stainley.
     
  • The park is open daily in July and August. Gates open at 9.45am and the park opens at 10am. Fairground rides operate from 10am, with all major rides from 10.30am.
     
  • Closing times are between 4.30pm and 6pm, depending on visitor numbers. For more information, call 0871 7200011 or visit lightwatervalley.co.uk or yorkshire.com.