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Thrill Seekers’ Guide To: Alton Towers
Everything you need to know about what to expect at the UK's biggest theme park
The biggest theme park resort in the UK – and your next family day out – is alive and kicking in the heart of Staffordshire. Originally a stately home for the Earls of Shrewsbury, Alton Towers the theme park was first opened in 1980. Since then, it’s become home over 40 rides and attractions, such as Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler, Wickerman, Galactica and Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop. Plus, Alton Towers has also hosted concerts and special shows, so it’s not just rides. Acts such as the Black Eyed Peas, Rizzle Kicks and P!nk have all played headline shows at the theme park and resort as part of their Alton Towers Live programming.
Alton Towers is a full-on experience. But with so many events and sights to see, how do you even begin to plan your next adventure? Fear not, because with this handy guide, you’ll have everything you need to know before you make your trip up to Staffordshire.
What is Alton Towers?
Types of rides at Alton Towers
Tickets types and costs
Accommodation at Alton Towers
Food and drink options
Accessibility at Alton Towers
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
Top tips for visiting Alton Towers
FAQs
What is Alton Towers?
History
Alton Towers Estate is located near the village in Alton, Staffordshire, and was originally an estate home for the Earls of Shrewsbury from 1412 to 1924. The 18th Earl opened the grounds to the public in 1860, to view the gardens and attractions such as acrobats, lion tamers and fireworks. Alton Towers would gather crowds as large as 30,000 people by the 1890s, and that number grew even larger in the early 20th century with the introduction of the Alton Towers Railway Station.
It wasn’t until the 1980s when Alton Towers became a more modern theme park, as we know it today. After changing ownership from the Earls of Shrewsbury to Alton Towers Ltd estate agents in the midcentury, more attractions were added for public enjoyment. Fairgrounds, chairlifts, a boating lake – you name it, they had it. But when ownership changed to John Broome, Alton Towers opened as a theme park on 4 April 1980, with a new pay-one-price ticket structure. This introduced a host of new rides, including the Corkscrew Rollercoaster, The Log Flume, and the Congo River Rapids.
Present Day
In 1990, John Broome sold Alton Towers to The Tussauds Group, which was in turn purchased by Merlin Entertainments in 2007. Then in 2008, Merlin changed the name Alton Towers Resort to reflect that it was a multi-day theme park experience with on-site accommodation.
Types of rides at Alton Towers
So now you know the history of the UK’s biggest theme park, but you’re probably wondering what kind of rides best suit your group. Here’s a breakdown of the types of rides that you can find Alton Towers Resort.
Thrill Rides
- Nemesis Reborn – Located in the Forbidden Valley, Nemesis Reborn is the most infamous rollercoaster at Alton Towers. Nemesis Reborn stands at 13 metres tall, with a drop height of a whopping 31.7 metres, and runs at 81 km/h. Not for the faint of heart – guests must be at least 1.4m tall to ride.
- Nemesis Sub-Terra – The underground counterpart to Nemesis, Sub-Terra is a drop tower ride that takes you deep into the “Earth’s core”, to the secret research base of The Phalanx. You must be at least 1.4m tall to ride Nemesis Sub-Terra.
- The Smiler – Holding the world record for the most inversions on a rollercoaster, Alton Towers’ The Smiler is an icon all on its own. With 14 loops, 85 km/h speeds and a track that’s three times longer that Oblivion (another Alton Towers staple), The Smiler is a thrill-seeker’s dream. If you fit the 1.4m and above height requirements, head over to the X-Sector part of the park and experience The Smiler.
- Oblivion – Also located in the X-Sector, Oblivion is a rollercoaster with a near-vertical drop. How high is that drop? A 55-metre tall drop at a whopping 87.5-degree angle. If that’s not enough, Oblivion reaches a top speed of 109.4 km/h. Do you dare? You must be at least 1.4m tall to ride Oblivion.
- Wicker Man – Are you brave enough to face the Wicker Man? The UK’s first wooden rollercoaster in over 20 years, you can find Wicker Man in Mutiny Bay. Wicker Man is 22 metres tall, reaches a top speed of 70.2 km/h, and is waiting for you. You must be at least 1.2m tall to ride Wicker Man.
- Rita – Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to go from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds? Well, with Rita you can achieve that in 2.5 seconds to be exact. If you’re brave enough to experience 4.7G, head to the Dark Forest to try Rita. (Pro-tip: the queues for Rita are shorter in the mornings!) You must be at least 1.4m and maximum 1.95m tall to ride.
- Galactica – You can find Galactica in the Forbidden Valley, and prepare for it to launch you into another dimension. The flying rollercoaster reaches a maximum speed of 75 km/h and a maximum height of 20 metres. Plus, Galactica has not one but two inversions. You must be 1.4m tall to ride.
- Toxicator – The first top spin ride in the UK since 1997, Toxicator is located in the Forbidden Valley, with a record-breaking height of 24 metres tall. Riders must be minimum 1.4m and maximum 1.95m tall to ride Toxicator.
- TH13TEEN – First opened in 2010 to replace the Corkscrew, Th13teen is located in the Dark Forest and is the world’s first vertical free-fall drop rollercoaster. The ride reaches a top speed of 42km/h and maximum height of 20 metres. You must be at least 1.2m and at most 1.96m tall to ride Th13teen.
![Congo River Rapids [4K] On Ride POV - Alton Towers Resort](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3HsUDDLVI4o/0.jpg)
Family Rides
- Congo River Rapids – First opening in 1986, the Congo River Rapids is a water ride located in Katanga Canyon. The river rapids ride allows guests to experience rafting through waterfalls and hidden terrains. Riders must be minimum 1.1m tall to ride. (Guests between 1.1m – 1.3m tall must ride with an adult)
- Runaway Mine Train – Take a ride through the tunnels of Katanga Canyon on the Runaway Mine Train. A family favourite, the train takes a scenic and explorative route around a 456-metre track. The Runaway Mine Train has a G-Force of 2G, top speed of 36 km/h, and a maximum height of 11 metres. Passengers must be at least 1.1m tall and accompanied by an adult to ride.
- Marauder’s Mayhem – In Mutiny Bay, a pirate-themed spinning teacups ride awaits you. Riders can choose the speed of their barrel so hold on tight! You must be at least 1.1m to ride Marauder’s Mayhem, and riders under 1.3m tall accompanied by an adult.
- Spinball Whizzer – Another family favourite, Spinball Whizzer is an alternative thrill ride for first-timers and younger riders. Located in Adventure Land, the ride reaches top speeds of 60 km/h and a G-Force of +3G. You must be at least 1.2m tall to ride the Spinball Whizzer.
- Gangsta Granny: The Ride – Based on the popular book by David Walliams, the Gangsta Granny ride invites you to carry out the the greatest jewel heist in history! Can you grab the jewels without getting caught? Head to The Towers to find out. Riders who are between 0.9m and 1.2m tall must be accompanied by an adult.
Kids’ Areas
For guests with young children, Alton Towers offers rides and attractions in CBeebies Land. From Bluey to Hey Duggee, CBeebies Land has over 40 rides and attractions that aim to inspire the imaginations of the youngest Alton Towers guests. Children under 90cm enter for free. Additionally, you can stay at the CBeebies Land Hotel, which is specially designed for young families.
Water Park
For the true adventurous bunch, the Alton Towers Waterpark is right up your street. One of Europe’s biggest waterparks, guests can enjoy three rides: the Master Blaster Water Slide, Rush ‘N’ Rampage, and Flash Floods: Outdoor Flume Adventure. Plus, guests can enjoy six further attractions, including Little Leak – a shallow pool for little ones – and the Wacky Waterworks Treehouse.
Ticket types and costs
There are three types of tickets that you can purchase for Alton Towers, which are:
- Day Passes – Guests can book 1-Day and 2-Day passes to Alton Towers. Plus, guests with toddlers can purchase Parent & Toddler Day passes that grant entry for one parent and one toddler. Prices range from £29 – £46 if pre-booked online, and £68 – £80 if purchased at the park.
- Short Breaks – If a day just isn’t enough time for all the fun you have planned, you can book Short Break tickets. These give you access to the theme park and Extraordinary golf, as well as a stay in one of the on-site hotels. Prices start from £42 per person.
- Annual Passes – If a short break isn’t enough to whet your appetite, why not get an Annual Pass? Come back again and again. Choose from a standard Annual Pass at £64 per year, a Merlin Essential Pass at £139 per year, Merlin Gold Pass at £239 per year and a Merlin Platinum Pass at £299 per year. While the Annual Pass is only access to the theme park, the Essential Pass also includes access to Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and SEA LIFE. The Gold Pass includes all the aforementioned perks, plus free parking and up to 20% off retail, food and beverages. The Platinum pass includes everything, plus free refills, one free Fast Track per visit and more.
Extras
Okay so now that you have your ticket, you’re probably thinking about what else do you need to make the best your trip to Alton Towers. Travelling by car? You can purchase a Parking pass. Prices start from £13 for standard day-pass holders, and parking is free for Blue Badge holders who are staying at the resort. Don’t want to wait in the queues? Get yourself a Fast Track Pass.
Standard tickets do not include access to the Waterpark, so you’ll need to purchase tickets for that separately.
Accommodation at Alton Towers
If you opt to spread your Alton Towers experience across multiple days, you’ll probably want to book one of their coveted on-site hotels. You can choose from the following:
- Alton Towers Hotel – The classic explorer-themed on-site hotel. Sleep in a bed shaped like a bathtub, search for treats in the Chocolate Room and so much more.
- Splash Landings Hotel – A Caribbean-themed Waterpark hotel, right next door to the water rides.
- CBeebies Land Hotel – Designed specifically for young families and toddlers, guests can stay in rooms inspired by your little ones’ favourite CBeebies show.
- Woodland Lodges – Designed for young families and groups of friends, the Woodland lodges are log cabins located in the Enchanted Village. Think fairycore.
- Luxury Treehouses – Ideal for bigger groups, make your stay luxurious in one of the five Luxury Treehouses available on site. Plus, you’ll have access to a private hot tub.
- Stargazing Pods – If you’d like something a little more rustic and in touch with nature, the Stargazing Camping Pods are for you. Budget-friendly and you get free parking. What could be better?
If staying on-site is much too overstimulating for you, there are also great options nearby. Check out Alton Towers’ handy guide to learn more.
Food and drink options
After a full day of rides, flipping upside down, sliding down water-coasters and everything in between, you need to eat. There is an option to bring your own picnic and snacks to Alton Towers, as well as a non-glass refillable water bottle.
You can also choose from the many on-site restaurants such as Oak In Chains, Rollercoaster Restaurant, The Burger Kitchen and more. There are also cafes, hotdog stands, doughnut shops, and the Welcom-Inn – which serves alcohol as well. Every resort eatery caters to those with allergies and intolerances to cereals containing gluten, dairy, sesame, soya, lupin, celery, egg, fish, crustaceans, nuts, and mustard. Plus, there are vegetarian, vegan and pescatarian options available.
Additionally, Halal food options can be found at Eastern Express in Mutiny Bay and Forest Feast in Dark Forest.
Is Alton Towers accessible?
Yes it is! Guests are entitled to one free essential companion ticket alongside a full-price ticket. For more information on how to qualify for this, check out Alton Towers’ accessibility requirements. There is also Accessible Parking available on a first come, first served basis for guests with a Blue Badge identifying a mobility issue. The Accessible Parking is located next to the Main Admissions Plaza.
Guests who require accessibility options can also apply for a free Ride Access Pass. This provides queueing adjustments for anyone who is unable to stand in standard ride queues due to a disability or medical condition. You can find out more about that here.
If you need to get in touch with an Alton Towers’ member of staff about your accessibility needs ahead of your stay, you can email the customer service team at [email protected]. There are also people who can help on the day of your visit at Guest Services.
Health, safety and wellbeing
Ride safety regulations
With all the talk about G-Forces and top speeds, you’re probably wondering about how safe Alton Towers Resort is. The answer to that is very safe – every year, all the rides must undergo an inspection by an independently certified ride inspection body. Furthermore, it takes eight hours to prepare each big rollercoaster for opening every morning, which amounts to over 9,000 hours of prep in peak theme park seasons. For more information about ride safety, check out Merlin Backstage. For more information on height restrictions, read more here.
Staff training and protocols
All ride operators go through 100 hours of supervised training before they can independently operate any of the rides at Alton Towers. Plus, all managers on the grounds take safety leadership courses no matter their job, to ensure they are all equipped to oversee safety standards.
Emergency procedures
If you are in need of urgent assistance, you can find The First Aid Centre located at the bottom of Towers Street next to the Skyride Station. For general guest assistance, you can go to either of the two Guest Services hubs. The main Guest Services Hub is the purple building on No.1 Towers Street next to the theme park entrance. The secondary Guest Services Hub located in Forbidden Valley.
There are lifeguards at the Waterpark who are trained to National Lifeguard Standard, and you can also contact the Guest Experience Team on-site at 0330 236 8860.
Security checks
All guests must go through a security check before entry. This includes bags and personal belongings, as well as pockets. This is to make sure no prohibited items are brought into Alton Towers. Prohibited items include:
- Any item deemed to be a weapon
- Fireworks
- Smoke bombs
- Glass bottles or other articles which may cause injury
- Sharp objects including knives, penknives, scissors, corkscrews, metal nail files, toy or replica guns.
- Intoxicating liquor
- Illegal substances and/or legal highs
- Skateboards, scooters and rollerblades
- Drones
Top tips for visiting Alton Towers
You’ve got your ticket, booked your accommodation, prepared your picnic basket. Now it’s time to plan your visit. The great thing about Alton Towers is there is a devoted community that can give you all the inside tips on what time to get there and which rides to start with. Reddit is a cornucopia of information. But If you still need guidance, here are our two cents:
- Get there early – make a day of it. Seriously. Most rides open at 10:00 so we suggest getting to Alton Towers around 09:00 for a smooth security check beforehand.
- Plan your route – the Alton Towers Map allows you to see where each ride, attraction, restaurant, cafe and W/C is. Familiarise yourself with your next adventure. Plus, you can download the app for easier navigation.
- British weather is unpredictable – although we’d love it to be sunny all year long, we’re in England so we need to be real. In situations where weather is particularly bad, certain rides will not be in operation due to safety concerns. Always check ahead of time.
- Ride peak times – each ride had a peak and an off-peak time. Plan ahead and see what time of day each ride is less likely to have queues on the Alton Towers app. Alternatively, you can opt for a Fast Track or VIP Pass for shorter queues. You can also check queues on Crowd Tracker.
- Wear comfortable shoes – Expect at least 20,000 steps. And don’t underestimate the time it takes to walk between rides.
- Best times to visit – While we understand that families will probably be visiting during school breaks and weekends, sometimes you still want a hack. We suggest early September, or weekdays during the school holidays.
Getting to Alton Towers
By Train
The nearest stations are Uttoxeter, Derby and Stoke-on-Trent. Uttoxeter station is about 10 miles from the theme park, and has bus and taxi connections. Stoke-on-Trent station is 15 miles from Alton towers, and is 25-minute taxi away. Derby station is 25 miles from the theme park, and is a 50-minute taxi or car service away.
By Bus
Guests can take the 32X route operated by D&G Bus. This route operates between Hanley, Cheadle and Alton Towers.
By Coach
To get to Alton Towers Resort by coach, The Coach Company has direct routes from Liverpool, London, Manchester and Birmingham.
By Car
You can get to Alton Towers Resort at the following address: Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB. The grounds are located between the M1 and M6, and are a 3-hour drive from London, and a 1.5-hour drive from Birmingham and Manchester.
FAQs
Where is Alton Towers
Alton Towers Resort is located near the village in Alton, Staffordshire. The address is Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB.
What time does Alton Towers Theme Park open and close?
Alton Towers Theme Park opens from 10:00 – 16:00. Alton Towers Waterpark is open from 10:00 – 16:00. Extraordinary Golf is open from 09:00 – 17:00.
Are rides included in the ticket price?
Yes – all standard and VIP tickets include most rides and attractions inside the theme park. For more information about what is included in each ticket, read here.
Is the Waterpark included in a standard ticket?
No. The Alton Towers Waterpark requires a separate ticket. Tickets can be purchased here.
Does my ticket allow re-entry?
Yes! Hand stamps and re-entry systems are available. Speak to members of staff on-site for more information.
How much is parking?
Standard parking passes cost £13 online and £15 ion the day. Express parking costs £25.
Note: Hotel guests and Gold, Platinum and Premium Merlin Passholders receive free parking.
How big is Alton Towers?
Alton Towers Theme Park and Resort is the largest theme park in the UK, at 550 acres.
Is Alton Towers cashless?
Select outlets at the Resort such as the hotel bars, and small food and beverage kiosks only accept card payments. However, all other on-site locations accept both cash and card.
Is Alton Towers Accessible?
Yes it is – guests can get free Ride Access Passes with their tickets, as well as accessibility services for guests with disabilities or medical conditions. For more information, email [email protected] or speak to a member of staff at Guest Services.
Can I bring food into Alton Towers?
Yes – packed lunches, picnics and non-glass refillable water bottles are allowed.
What should I wear?
We’d recommend comfortable shoes and waterproof layers, as the park is very large and you can never count on English weather.
What are the busiest rides?
Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler, Wicker Man and Rita tend to have the longest wait times, so get there early or get yourself a Fast Track Pass!
Can I check live queue times?
You sure can! Download the Alton Towers App for live queue times, site maps and more.
Which hotel is best for young families?
We’d recommend CBeebies Land Hotel, which is specifically designed for families with young children and toddlers.
Get tickets to Alton Towers Resort here
