Alton Towers

British theme park

For the eponymous Chetwynd-Talbot seat supporting this amusement park, see History of Alton Towers.

Alton Towers ResortPreviously known as Alton Towers
Alton Abbey

Location| Alton, Staffordshire, England
Coordinates| 52°59′15″N 1°53′27″W﻿ / ﻿52.98750°N 1.89083°W﻿ / 52.98750; -1.89083
Opened| 13 April 1860 (1860-04-13) (as country estate)
4 April 1980 (1980-04-04) (as theme park)
Owner| LXi REIT[1]
Operated by| Merlin Entertainments
General manager| Bianca Sammut (Divisional Director)
Slogan| Britain's Greatest Escape
Operating season| Theme Park
March – November, December/January (Christmas)
Alton Towers Gardens
March – November, December/January (Christmas)
Alton Towers Dungeon
March – November
Alton Towers Hotel
Year-round
Splash Landings Hotel
Year-round
Enchanted Village
Year-round
CBeebies Land Hotel
Year-round
Stargazing Pods
April – November
Alton Towers Waterpark
Year-round
Alton Towers Hotel Spa
Year-round
Conference Centre
Year-round
Extraordinary Golf
Year-round
Tree Top Quest
Closed
Attendance| 2022: 2,300,000 (28%)
Area| 910 acres (370 ha; 3.7 km2) (total combined resort area)[2]
Attractions
Total| 42
Roller coasters| 10
Water rides| 3
Website| www.AltonTowers.com

Alton Towers Resort (UK: /ˈɒltən/ ⓘ OL-tən) (often referred to as Alton Towers) is a theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton.[3] The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water park, spa, mini golf and hotel complex. In 2021, it ranked first for attendance among amusement parks in the UK, with an estimated 1.8 million visitors.

Originally a private estate of the Earls of Shrewsbury, Alton Towers' grounds were opened to the public in 1860 to raise funds.[4] In the 1970s a few rides were added and some of the themed areas were developed. Inspired by Disneyland, it was transformed into a theme park in 1980 with the installation of its first roller coaster and several new rides. The park has many attractions such as Congo River Rapids, Runaway Mine Train, Nemesis, Oblivion, Galactica, The Smiler, Wicker Man, Rita and TH13TEEN. It operates a total of ten roller coasters and offers a range of accommodation and lodging options alongside the theme park. Facilities include Alton Towers Waterpark, Alton Towers Conference Centre and Extraordinary Golf.

The theme park is open seasonally from mid-March to early November, whilst many of its hotels and amenities are open year-round. Special events are hosted throughout the year, including Alton Towers Scarefest (the park's Halloween event), Oktoberfest, Festival of Thrills, Summer of Fun and Mardi Gras.

## History[edit]

Main article: History of Alton Towers

Alton Towers first opened to the public on a regular basis following the opening of Alton Towers railway station. Money raised from railway excursions was paid to the earl and helped to maintain the upkeep of the grounds.[5]

In 1924, a group of local estate agents formed Alton Towers Ltd to take ownership of the estate and began to restore the gardens as a tourist attraction.[6] In the 1950s, this included the operation of a fairground, and by the 1970s included a boating lake and chairlift.[7]

Property developer John Broome acquired the park after marrying the daughter of majority shareholder Dennis Bagshaw in 1973 and subsequently buying all its concessions. From there, he began the theme park by developing new areas and installing permanent rides, including the Corkscrew, The Flume, Around The World In 80 Days, The Black Hole and the Grand Canyon Rapids.[citation needed]

In 1990, Broome sold Alton Towers to The Tussauds Group, then a division of Pearson plc, after his development of the former Battersea Power Station encountered financial difficulties. The change of park ownership brought another era of development, involving the opening of new themed areas and attractions, such as Runaway Mine Train (1992), The Haunted House (1992), Toyland Tours (1994), and Nemesis (1994). Tussauds' park development team from 1990 to 2002 included attraction producer John Wardley among others.[citation needed]

The Tussauds Group was sold to venture capital firm Charterhouse in 1998. The opening of Oblivion that same year and Air (now Galactica) in 2002 saw the park sustain new major roller coasters, both marketed as 'World First' rides. In 2005, Dubai International Capital (DIC) acquired Tussauds for £800 million.[8]

In May 2007, The Blackstone Group purchased The Tussauds Group for US$1.9 billion and merged it with its then-subsidiary Merlin Entertainments.[9][10][11] Dubai International Capital also gained 20% of Merlin Entertainment.[12]

On 17 July 2007, Alton Towers was sold to private investment firm Prestbury under a sale and leaseback agreement.[13] Merlin continues to operate the site under a renewable 35-year lease.[10] As of 2023, the property is owned by LXi REIT plc.[1]

As of early 2008 the resort changed its name to 'Alton Towers Resort' to better reflect its status as a multi-day destination. Most other Merlin-owned theme parks with onsite hotels would follow the same course over the following few years. In 2020, Alton Towers operated on a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, operating on a limited capacity from 4 July until November.[14]

## Rides and attractions[edit]

### Roller coasters[edit]

Name  | Picture  | Status  | Opened  | Type  | Manufacturer  | Height
Min.  | Park
section  | Notes  | Previous Attraction

|
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|
|
|
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|
|

Galactica |  | Operational  | 2002[15] | Steel/Flying[16] | Bolliger & Mabillard[17] | 1.4 m  | Forbidden Valley  | The world's first Bolliger & Mabillard flying roller coaster, formerly known as Air (2002–2015). From 2016 to 2018 it featured virtual reality.[18] | Air
Nemesis |  | Closed until 2024[19] | 1994[20] | Steel/Inverted[21] | Bolliger & Mabillard[22] | 1.4 m  | Forbidden Valley  | Europe's first inverted roller coaster.[23] Currently undergoing a major refurbishment and re-track.  | N/A
Oblivion |  | Operational  | 1998[24] | Steel/Dive coaster[25] | Bolliger & Mabillard[26] | 1.4 m  | X-Sector  | The world's first dive coaster.[27] | Alpine Bobsleigh
Rita |  | Operational  | 2005[28] | Steel/Accelerator[29] | Intamin[30] | 1.4 m  | Dark Forest  | A hydraulic launched coaster.[31] | Boneshaker
Runaway Mine Train |  | Operational  | 1992  | Steel/Mine Train | Mack Rides | 0.9 m  | Katanga Canyon  | A powered mine train roller coaster. The oldest roller coaster in the park following the removal of the Beastie in 2013.  | N/A
Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure |  | Operational  | 2015  | Steel  | Zamperla | 0.9 m  | CBeebies Land  | A coaster designed for young children and families. Themed to the TV show of the same name.  | Beastie
Spinball Whizzer |  | Operational  | 2004[32] | Steel/Spinning[33] | Maurer AG[34] | 1.2 m  | The Towers  | A spinning coaster themed to a game of pinball. Between 2010 and 2015 it was sponsored by Sonic the Hedgehog and named Sonic Spinball before losing the contract in 2016. Has a sister coaster at Chessington.  | N/A
TH13TEEN |  | Operational  | 2010[35] | Multi Dimension Coaster[36] | Intamin[37] | 1.2 m  | Dark Forest  | A family coaster featuring the world's first "vertical free-fall drop" element on a roller coaster.[38] | Corkscrew
The Smiler |  | Operational  | 2013[39] | Steel/Infinity[40] | Gerstlauer[41] | 1.4 m  | X-Sector  | Worlds first Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster, Holds world record for most inversions on a roller coaster (14).[42] | Black Hole
Wicker Man |  | Operational  | 2018[44] | Wooden[45] | Great Coasters International[46] | 1.2 m  | Mutiny Bay  | The second large-scale modern wooden roller coaster to open in the UK, and the first wooden rollercoaster to be themed to wood and fire. The ride interacts with a flaming wicker man feature.[47] | The Flume

#### Ride statistics[edit]

Name  | Height  | Length  | Top speed  | Inversions  | Manufacturer  | Designer

|
|
|
|
|
|

Galactica  | 65.6 ft (20.0 m)[48] | 2,755.9 ft (840.0 m)[49] | 46.6 mph (75.0 km/h)[50] | 2[51] | Bolliger & Mabillard[52] | John Wardley / Bolliger & Mabillard[53]
Nemesis  | 42.6 ft (13.0 m)[54] | 2,349 ft (716 m)[55] | 50 mph (80 km/h)[56] | 4[57] | Bolliger & Mabillard[58] | John Wardley / Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH[59]
Oblivion  | 65 ft (20 m)[60] | 1,222 ft (372 m)[61] | 68 mph (109 km/h)[62] | 0[63] | Bolliger & Mabillard[64] | John Wardley / Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH[65]
Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure  | 22 ft (6.7 m)[66] | 469.2 ft (143.0 m)[67] | 18.6 mph (29.9 km/h)[68] | 0[69] | Zamperla | Zamperla[70]
Rita  | 68.8 ft (21.0 m)[71] | 2,099.7 ft (640.0 m)[72] | 61.1 mph (98.3 km/h)[73] | 0[74] | Intamin[75] | Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH[76]
Runaway Mine Train  | 36 ft (11 m)  | 1,000 ft (300 m)[77] | 22.4 mph (36.0 km/h)[78] | 0[79] | Mack Rides[80] | John Wardley / Mack Rides GmbH[81]
Spinball Whizzer  | 55.8 ft (17.0 m)  | 1,476.4 ft (450.0 m)  | 39 mph (63 km/h)  | 0  | Maurer Söhne | Ing.-Büro Stengel GmbH[82]
The Smiler  | 72 ft (22 m)  | 3,838.6 ft (1,170.0 m)[83] | 52.8 mph (85.0 km/h)[84] | 14[85] | Gerstlauer[86] | Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH[87]
TH13TEEN  | 65.6 ft (20.0 m)  | 2,480.3 ft (756.0 m)  | 41.6 mph (66.9 km/h)[88] | 0  | Intamin | Intamin Amusement Rides[89]
Wicker Man  | 72.2 ft (22.0 m)  | 2,608.3 ft (795.0 m)  | 43.6 mph (70.2 km/h)  | 0  | Great Coasters International | John Wardley / Jeff Pike, Skyline Design LLC[90]

### Flat rides[edit]

Name | Picture | Type | Status | Opened | Area | Manufacturer | Additional information | Replaced

|
|
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The Blade |  | Swinging ship[91] | Operational | 1997[92]
(1980[93]) | Forbidden Valley [94] | HUSS[95] | A swinging ship, themed to a swinging blade. It was originally situated in Fantasy World between 1980[96] and 1996, as the Pirate Ship, before moving to Forbidden Valley in 1997.[97] Currently the oldest attraction at the park.  | Thunder Looper[98]

### Temporary flat rides[edit]

Alton Towers rented four temporary flat rides for the 2021 season to help with capacity. Three of these were part of the "Retro Squad". The Retro Squad lasted 3 seasons, leaving after 2023, while Flavio's Fabulous Fandango is still present at the resort.

Name | Picture | Type | Status | Opened | Area | Manufacturer | Additional information | Replaced

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Flavio's Fabulous Fandango |  | Sizzler | Operational | 2021 | The World of David Walliams | PWS Rides | A sizzler/twister flat ride owned by UK showman 'George Burrows'. The ride was manufactured by PWS in 2015.  | Twirling Toadstool

### Water/Dark rides[edit]

Name | Picture | Type  | Status | Opened | Area | Manufacturer | Notes | Replaced

|
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Alton Towers Dungeon |  | Boat ride and walk-through attraction | Operational | 2019 | The Towers | Merlin Magic Making / Mack Rides | An in-park version of Merlin's Dungeon brand attractions, with five interactive scenes and a boat ride. It incurs an additional charge. | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride
Battle Galleons |  | Splash Battle  | Operational | 2008 | Mutiny Bay | Mack Rides | A Splash Battle ride, where riders shoot with water guns while passing multiple pirate-themed scenery.  | Splash Kart Challenge
Congo River Rapids |  | Rapids ride  | Operational | 1986 | Katanga Canyon | Intamin | A rapids ride around Katanga Canyon, interacting with the Runaway Mine Train. Refurbished 1992.  | N/A
The Curse at Alton Manor |  | Dark ride  | Operational | 2023 | Gloomy Wood | Mack Rides | A dark ride themed as a haunted house.  | Duel – The Haunted House Strikes Back
Hex - The Legend
of the Towers |  | Walk-through/
Madhouse dark ride combination  | Closed until 2024 | 2000 | The Towers | Vekoma | A walkthrough attraction based on the legend of the chained oak. Concludes with a Madhouse attraction in the ride's Vault area.  | N/A
Gangsta Granny: The Ride |  | Dark ride  | Operational | 2021 | The World of David Walliams | Garmendale Engineering | A dark ride based on the story of Gangsta Granny, written by David Walliams.  | Wobble World
Nemesis Sub Terra |  | Walk-through/ ABC Rides Drop Tower combination  | Operational  | 2012  | Forbidden Valley  | ABC Rides  | An experience themed to the Nemesis story. Has a small indoor drop tower in the experience. Closed in August 2015 but reopened in May 2023 with minor changes.  | Lava Lump

### Children's rides and attractions[edit]

Name | Picture | Type | Opened | Area | Manufacturer | Notes | Replaced

|
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Cuckoo Cars Driving School |  | Driving Attraction | 2006 | The Towers | SB International AB | A children's car driving attraction.  | Vintage Cars
Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp |  | Mini drop tower | 1999 | The World of David Walliams | S&S Power | A mini drop tower for children. Formerly Frog Hopper.  | —
Royal Carousel |  | Carousel | 1991 | The World of David Walliams | Bertazzon | A children's merry-go-round ride. Formerly Gallopers Carousel.  | —
Heave Ho |  | Rockin' Tug | 2008 | Mutiny Bay | Zamperla | A rocking and swinging boat ride.  | —
Marauder's
Mayhem |  | Teacups Ride | 1987 | Mutiny Bay | Mack Rides | A teacups ride themed as barrels of gunpowder. Formerly the Tea Cup Ride.  | —
Sharkbait Reef |  | Sea Life Centre | 2009 | Mutiny Bay | Merlin Magic Making | A Sea Life aquarium themed as a shipwreck.  | 3D Cinema
In the Night Garden
Magical Boat Ride |  | Boat ride | 2014 | CBeebies Land | Mack Rides | An In the Night Garden themed boat ride. Originally opened as the Canal Boat Ride and themed as Riverbank Eye Spy 1995-2014.  |
Get Set Go
TreeTop Adventure |  | Powered monocab ride | 1996 | CBeebies Land | Premier Rides | Riders travel through the tree tops in their own vehicle above CBeebies Land. Formerly Squirrel Nutty Ride.  | —
Postman Pat's
Parcel Post |  | Convoy Ride | 2014 | CBeebies Land | Metallbau Emmeln  | An interactive car ride based on the CBeebies programme Postman Pat.  | Old Macdonalds Tractor Ride
Bugbie Go Round |  | Carousel-style attraction | 1995 | CBeebies Land |  | A carousel-style attraction featuring Bugbies. Formerly Numtums Number Go Round and originally opening as Doodle Doo Derby.  | —
JoJo & Gran Gran At Home |  | Walk Through | 2022 | CBeebies Land | Merlin Magic Making | An indoor interactive attraction based on the CBeebies programme JoJo & Gran Gran.  | Charlie & Lola's Moonsquirters & Greendrops
Justin's House: Pie-O-Matic Factory |  | Playhouse | 2003 | CBeebies Land | Merlin Magic Making | An interactive indoor play area based on the CBeebies programme Justin's House. Formerly Berry Bish Bash.  | —
Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig |  | Show | 2022 | CBeebies Land | Merlin Magic Making | An interactive show and attraction based on the TV show Andy's Dinosaur Adventures.  | Mr Bloom's Allotment
Something Special Sensory Garden |  | Sensory Trail | 2014 | CBeebies Land | Merlin Magic Making | An outdoor sensory garden based on the CBeebies programme Something Special.  | —
Hey Duggee's Big Adventure Badge |  | Play Area | 2022 | CBeebies Land | Merlin Magic Making | A play adventure land based on the CBeebies programme Hey Duggee.  | Tree Fu Tom Training Camp
Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride |  | Aerial Roundabout | 2017 | CBeebies Land | Garmendale Engineering | An aerial roundabout ride themed to CBeebies programme Go Jetters. One of two additions to CBeebies Land for 2017.[99] | —
The Furchester Hotel Live |  | Show | 2017 | CBeebies Land | Merlin Magic Making | A live show based on the CBeebies programme The Furchester Hotel. One of two additions to CBeebies Land for 2017.  | —
Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop |  | Two Junior Drop Towers | 2019 | CBeebies Land | S&S Power | Two mini drop towers based on the CBeebies programme Peter Rabbit. Opened 23 March 2019.  | —

### Theme park transport and grounds[edit]

Name | Picture | Type  | Status | Opened | Area | Manufacturer | Notes

|
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Haunted Hollow |  | Walkthrough  | Open | 2007 | Gloomy Wood / Mutiny Bay | Tussauds Studios | Themed spooky path between Gloomy Wood and Mutiny Bay, with interactive features.

The woodland path was laid in place of the former Park Railway route, which ran 1953–1996. It can be a short cut to the Gloomy Woods or the Forbidden Valley.[100]

Monorail |  | Monorail | Open | 1987 | Links entrance plaza to car park and hotels | Von Roll Habegger | Monorail system to transport guests from the resort hotels and car parks to the theme park entrance. Trains refurbished in 2008.
Sky Ride |  | Gondola lift | Closed until 2024 | 1987 | Stations at Towers Street, Forbidden Valley and the Towers | Poma | Cable car to transport guests around the theme park giving views of the gardens, with three stations; Towers Street, Forbidden Valley and The Towers.

The Gardens |  | English landscape garden | Open | 1860 | Gardens | The Talbot Family | Landscaped gardens located within the valley with lakes, water features and architectural landmarks. Features include:

* Chinese Pagoda Fountain
* Choragic Monument- dedicated to the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury
* The Conservatories
* Gothic Prospect Tower
* Swiss Cottage

The Towers ruins |  | Ruins | Temporarily Closed | 1970 | The Towers | The Talbot Family  | The ruins were made safe and opened to the public in the 1970s. Home of several scare mazes during the Scarefest event.

### Future Rides[edit]

Name  | Type  | Expected Opening  | Site  | Manufacturer  | Additional Information

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|
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|

'Project Horizon'  | Rollercoaster | 2025  | Area formerly known as

'Coaster Corner'

| Unknown  | A new rollercoaster being built in a show building in the former area known as 'Coaster Corner' The ride, manufacturer and statistics are currently unknown.

### Past rides and attractions[edit]

#### Past roller coasters[edit]

Attraction | Opened | Closed | Relocation

|
|
|

Corkscrew | 1980 | 2008 | Double corkscrew has been moved to the entrance (decommissioned)
Black Hole | 1984[101] | 2005 | Operated in Furuvik Zoo from 2011 to 2021, until the ride was removed and put up for sale.[102][103]
Thunder Looper | 1990 | 1996 | Hopi Hari, Brazil since 1999[104]
The Beast | 1988 | 1997 | Last operated in Salitre Magico, Colombia, from 2010-2017[105]
The Beastie | 1983 | 2010 | Closed during 2011 and 2012 then removed. Used as travelling coaster under the Dragon Challenge name and now located at Barry Island Pleasure Park.
Alton Mouse | 1988 | 1991 | Idlewild and Soak Zone, Pennsylvania, United States since 1993[106]
4 Man Bob Coaster | 1985 | 1990 [107] | Was moved to Family Park in France.[108]
Mini Apple Coaster | 1982 | 1997 | Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, England, UK since 1998[109]

#### Main Past Attractions[edit]

Attraction | Opened | Closed | Ride Type  | Fate

|
|
|
|

Around The World in 80 Days | 1981 | 1993 | Dark ride  | Turned into Toyland Tours
Doom & Sons | 1981 | 1992 | Walkthrough  | Incorporated into the Toyland Tours building
The Flume | 1981 | 2015 | Log Flume  | Demolished
Twirling Toadstool
formerly Ug Swinger  | 1984 | 2016 | Wave Swinger  | Scrapped
Toyland Tours | 1994 | 2005 | Dark Ride  | Turned into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride
The Haunted House | 1992 | 2002 | Dark Ride  | Turned into Duel: The Haunted House Strikes Back!
Submission | 2001 | 2013 | Chance Rides Inverter  | Scrapped, then replaced with 2 temporary Retro Squad rides.
Dynamo | 1993 | 2003 | Huss Breakdance  | Currently a travelling ride in Switzerland.
Aquarium | 1974 | 1994 | Aquarium  | Demolished
Boneshaker
formerly Energizer  | 1995 | 2003 | Mondial Supernova  | Operating at Terra Mitica under the name of La Cólera de Akiles.
Ripsaw | 1997 | 2015 | Huss Topspin  | Scrapped
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride | 2006 | 2015 | Dark ride  | Turned into the Alton Towers Dungeons
Ice Age: The 4D Experience | 2012 | 2016 | 4D Theatre  | Building remains SBNO
Enterprise | 1984 | 2021 | HUSS Enterprise  | Scrapped
Duel – The Haunted House Strikes Back | 2003 | 2022 | Shooting Dark Ride  | Turned into The Curse At Alton Manor

#### The Retro Squad[edit]

The Retro Squad was a group of 3 temport flat rides hired by Alton Towers from 2021-2023. In 2021 Mixtape, Roller Disco, and Funk'n'fly were all present, located in X-Sector, Dark Forest, and Forbidden Valley respectively. In 2022 Mixtape was replaced by Spinjam, with the other 2 staying. In 2023 Roller Disco was replaced by Twistatron, but was located next to Spinjam on the former Enterprise site, instead of the Dark Forest. On 5 November 2023 the Retro Squad departed the resort permanently after 3 years.

Attraction  | Opened  | Closed  | Ride Type  | Notes

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Mixtape  | April 12 2021  | November 7 2021  | Sartori Smashing Jump  | A smashing jump flat ride, which is owned by UK showmen Freddy Jnr. & Davis Stokes. This was the shortest-lived Retro Squad ride, along with Twistatron. Known as Jumper Jumper when traveling.
Roller Disco  | April 12 2021  | November 6 2022  | Fairtrade Services Waltzer  | A waltzer flat ride, owned by UK showman John Collins. Known as Thunderdome when traveling.
Funk'n'Fly  | April 12 2021  | November 5 2023  | PWS Rides Super Trooper  | A super trooper flat ride. The ride was manufactured by PWS in 2021. The old super trooper from David Irvin was returned after 2021, but due to its popularity, a different super trooper was hired in 2022, retaining the same name but just a slightly different colour scheme. Known as Super Trooper when travelling.
Spinjam  | March 19 2022  | November 5 2023  | Tivoli Extreme  | A Tivoli Extreme flat ride called 'Air Raid', owned by UK showman Mitchell Wilmot. Known as Air Raid when travelling/
Twistatron  | March 18 2023  | November 5 2023  | Raecher Hiscoe Trabant  | A Trabant flat ride with outward facing seats. The ride was manufactured inhouse in 2021. Known as Star Fighter when travelling.

#### Other notable past rides[edit]

* Adventure Playground 1973–1993
* Adventure Railway (15 in or 381 mm gauge)[110] 1982–1992
* Alpine Bobsleigh 1979–1986
* Astroglide mid-1970s–1992
* Barney's Playground 2000–2002
* The Blue Carousel 1981–1991
* Bob the Builder's Playground 2006
* Bouncing Bugs 1982–2008
* Cable Cars (open air) 1964–1986
* Cine 360 1981–1987
* Cine 2000 1980–1992
* Cred Street Carousel 2000–2005
* Cred Street Playground 2006–2008
* Dinosaurs 1980–1983
* Doll's House 1981–1995
* Fantastic Fountains 1981–1992
* Farm-A-Rama 1990-1992
* Ferris wheel 1985–1986
* Furry Friends 2007-2014
* Gravitron 1990–1992
* Magic Carpet 1984–1985
* Magic Show 1980–1986
* Miniature Golf 1980–1994
* Mississippi Showboat 1984–1991
* Mixtape 2021
* Model Railway 1957–1992
* Motor Museum 1987–1992
* Nickelodeon: Outta Control 1997–1998
* Nina's Science Lab 2014–2018
* Octopus 1984–1991
* Old MacDonald's Singing Barn 1995–2013
* Old MacDonald's Tractor Ride 1995–2013
* Park Railway (2 ft or 610 mm narrow gauge)[111] 1953–1996
* Paddling Pool 1954–1992
* Peter Rabbit and Friends on Ice 1994–2001
* Planetarium 1973–1987
* Riverbank Eye-Spy 1989-2013
* Roller Disco 2021–2022
* Rowing Boats 1923–1996
* Rupert Bear Magic Show 1980-1986
* Sea Lions 1967–1990
* Space Adventures 2002-1014
* Space Boat 1983
* Spider 1986–1991
* Splash Cats 1966–1996
* Splash Karts 2004–2007
* Sun Liner Trains 1984–1986
* Swan Boats 1987–2003
* Tea Cup Ride 1986-2007
* There's Something in the Dung Heap 2007-2013
* Thunderbirds 1982–1990
* Towers Express 1974–1983
* Tree Fu Tom Training Camp 2014-2021
* Tri-Star 1991–1992
* Turbo Star 1984–1989
* Tweenies Playground 2003–2005
* Vintage Cars 1983–2005
* Wildlife Museum 1977-1992
* Wobble World 2009–2015
* 3D Cinema 1981–2004
* 1001 Nights 1984–1994
* Alton Towers Zoo 1959-1962

## Food facilities[edit]

* Theme Park
* Towers Street: Costa Coffee, Towers Street Hot Dogs, Towers Street Doughnuts, Coca Cola Freestyle
* CBeebies Land: Little Explorers Lunchbox
* X-Sector: Just Chicken, Earls Crossroads, Rehydrator, Donut Factory, Coca Cola Freestyle
* The Towers: The Burger Kitchen, Archway Gatehouse, Woodcutters Bar and Grill, Coca Cola Freestyle
* Dark Forest: Forest Feast, Tormented Treats, Coca Cola Freestyle
* Forbidden Valley: Rollercoaster Restaurant, Costa Coffee, Nemices Donuts, Rehydration Station, Valley loaded fries, Hot Dogs and Coca Cola Freestyle
* Gloomy Wood: Coach-House Confectionery
* Katanga Canyon: Explorers Pizza and Pasta Buffet, Coca Cola Freestyle
* Mutiny Bay: The Burger Kitchen, Wicker Man - Coffee and Ice Cream, The Welcom-inn, Eastern Express, Courtyard Hot Dogs/Nachos/Waffles, Mutiny Bay Doughnuts, Pirates Treats, Coca Cola Freestyle
* Accommodation
* Alton Towers Hotel: Secret Garden Restaurant, Costa Coffee, Dragons Bar, Captains Bar
* Alton Towers Conference Centre: Algenon's Bar, Sir Algenon's Grill (Only open in peak times)
* Splash Landings Hotel: Flambos Jambo, Ma Garrita's Bar, Costa Coffee, Paradise Cove Burgers
* Enchanted Village: Crooked Spoon
* CBeebies Land Hotel: The Windmill Restaurant
* Stargazing Pods: Tipi Bar
* Midway Attractions
* Alton Towers Waterpark: Adventurers Cave, Ice Cream Shack

### Past food facilities[edit]

Alton Towers previously had leases with High Street outlets, which have since been replaced by in-house brands such as Explorers Pizza & Pasta, Just Chicken and Burger Kitchen.

* McDonald's (1998–2007)
* Burger King (2008–2012)
* Pizza Hut (1998–2008)
* KFC (1998–2011)
* Fried Chicken Co. (2011–2018)
* Forest Feasts (2010–2016)
* Courtyard Tavern (2008–2016)
* Towers Street Bar and Grill (1985–2016)
* Nitrogenie (2015–2021)
* Cloud Cuckoo Land Café (2008–2021)
* Gloomy Wood Kiosk (1992–2021)

## Alton Towers Theme Park[edit]

The Alton Towers Theme Park is divided into 11 areas: Towers Street, Mutiny Bay, Katanga Canyon, Gloomy Wood, Forbidden Valley, Dark Forest, The Towers & Gardens, The World of David Walliams, X-Sector, Adventure Land and CBeebies Land. The SkyRide cable car system travels between Towers Street, Forbidden Valley, and the Towers and takes in views of the gardens.

The park's maximum capacity at any one time is set at 28,000 guests.[112][113][114][115] According to the TEA attendance report, the park was estimated to have attracted 2,130,000 people in 2019, a 1.4% increase on 2018's figure of 2,100,000. This made Alton Towers Britain's 2nd most visited theme park, after Legoland Windsor, and the 13th most visited theme park in Europe. Annual admissions surpassed 3 million in both 1994 and 2010, when the Nemesis and Thirteen rollercoasters were opened respectively.

### Timeline of park areas[edit]

Years areas opened  1980  | 1981  | 1982  | 1983  | 1984  | 1985  | 1986  | 1987  | 1988  | 1989  | 1990  | 1991  | 1992  | 1993  | 1994  | 1995  | 1996  | 1997  | 1998  | 1999  | 2000  | 2001  | 2002  | 2003  | 2004  | 2005  | 2006  | 2007  | 2008  | 2009  | 2010  | 2011  | 2012  | 2013  | 2014  | 2015  | 2016  | 2017  | 2018  | 2019  | 2020  | 2021  | 2022

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Ingestre Centre  | Aqualand  | Katanga Canyon
Merrie England  | Mutiny Bay
Springfield Centre  | Fantasy World  | X-Sector
Talbot Centre  | Festival Park  | UG Land  | Dark Forest
| Talbot Street  | Land of Make Believe  | Cred Street  | Cloud Cuckoo Land  | The World of David Walliams
| Towers Street
| Kiddies Kingdom  | Adventure Land
Storybook Land  | CBeebies Land
| Britannia Farm  | Safeway Farm  | Old MacDonald's Farmyard
| Thunder Valley  | Forbidden Valley
| Gloomy Wood

Previous themed area

Active themed area

* Mutiny Bay

* Katanga Canyon

* Dark Forest

* The World of David Walliams
Royal Carousel

* Forbidden Valley
Nemesis theming

* The Towers
Spinball Whizzer roller-coaster

* Gloomy Wood

* X-Sector Smiler and Oblivion

### Towers Street[edit]

Opened in 1986, Towers Street is the first area that visitors to the park encounter. Themed loosely as a town street, it leads to views of the gardens and the Towers across the lake in the distance. Along the pathway are the park's jumping frog fountains and a lawn where seasonal events take place. The first SkyRide station is located nearby, which is a 1,048-metre (3,438 ft) long cable car transport that opened in 1987, and was refurbished 2009. The monorail moves guests from the five on-site hotels, the water park and the car parks to the theme park; it opened 1987 and was refurbished in 2008. In this area during the hour before the park's daily closure, departing guests are entertained by three people wearing police costumes, two of them riding Segway-like vehicles which play party music and the third standing with an old-fashioned megaphone that is unused, and a man riding a miniature ship while dressed as a sea captain.

### Katanga Canyon[edit]

Themed as an African village; created in 1992 and incorporated existing rapids ride. Rides include the roller coaster Runaway Mine Train and Congo River Rapids. Both are well-established rides in the park whose ride tracks share a tunnel. Congo River Rapids is a river rapids ride that opened 1986, as The Grand Canyon Rapids, and was refurbished in 1992. A 735 m long wild river rapids ride down the Congo River that lasts six minutes. Runaway Mine Train is a steel sit down powered coaster that reaches a speed of 22 mph (36 km/h) on a 1000 ft long track (305 m) and height of 36 ft (11 m); height limit 90 cm. It was designed by John Wardley for Tussauds and manufactured by Mack Rides.

### Gloomy Wood[edit]

Gloomy Wood serves as the area for the dark ride The Curse At Alton Manor, formally Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back!. Opening in 1992, this was originally Europe's largest haunted dark ride, but was significantly altered with interactive laser guns in 2003 and then removed again in 2023. Each player's shooting score was recorded on a display in the ride car, as guests shot targets throughout the layout. The ride closed in September 2022 for refurbishment. From the beginning of the 2023 season, "Duel" reopened as "The Curse at Alton Manor". Following the story of Emily Alton, who featured in the original Haunted House attraction in the ride queue. In 2007, a themed footpath through the woods was added to the area, named Haunted Hollow. The pathway follows the route formerly used by the park's old scenic railway, linking from Mutiny Bay. Haunted Hollow includes tombstones, statues and other features, some of which interact with guests using sound effects.[116] In July 2015, Nitrogenie opened and replaced the old Waffles and Ices, a shop producing ice cream using liquid nitrogen. However, this is now closed. Gloomy Wood was suggested by the 2017 park map to be home to the new Wicker Man wooden coaster, opening in 2018. However, the park later stated that the ride was in Mutiny Bay.

### Forbidden Valley[edit]

Theming and signs in Forbidden Valley

Forbidden Valley is set in a 'post-apocalyptic' landscape, with standing stones and rustic structures populating the 'valley'. A SkyRide station also serves this area of the park.

The area's principal attraction is Nemesis, opened in 1994. Nemesis is a steel inverted coaster that reaches a speed of 50 mph (81 km) with four inversions, set in a rocky quarry over waterfalls. The ride is built down into excavated ground and was designed by Tussauds, primarily John Wardley. The attraction is themed as an alien creature inhabiting the quarry where the coaster is situated.

The Blade is a Huss Pirate Boat modified with a pendulum blade. It opened in 1980, and was relocated to the area in 1997 from Fantasy World. The Blade operated as the only flat ride in Forbidden Valley following the removal of Ripsaw. However, in October 2019, The Blade was dismantled for refubishment and reopened the next season.

Galactica is a B&M flying coaster, originally opening as Air in 2002. Air was loosely themed as a peaceful landscape, distanced from the 'apocalyptic' look of Nemesis. Air was redesigned as Galactica in 2016, adopting virtual reality headsets and a space travel theme. The VR headsets have since been removed due to feedback from customers.[117]

Nemesis Sub-Terra is a walkthrough / ABC Rides drop tower combination. The experience is themed around the story of Nemesis, and how some eggs have been found underground in a Phalanx facility. The ride originally operated from 2012-2015, however on 27 May 2023, Nemesis Sub-Terra re opened.

In May 2016, the 'Rollercoaster Restaurant' opened, offering a dining experience where guests have their food delivered by looping rails. The restaurant is open daily from 10am - 9:30pm; available to guests without theme park admission after the park has closed, except during Scarefest and Fireworks events.

### Adventure Land[edit]

Adventure Land is a small family area featuring Spinball Whizzer;[118] based on a pinball machine in which the car is the ball whizzing around the machine. The ride originally had this name, until 2010 when it was known as Sonic Spinball until the name change back in 2016 when a contract ended with SEGA after six years. The ride is a Maurer Söhne spinning roller coaster, in which riders sit in cars that can spin on their base whilst travelling at speed around the track. Spinball Whizzer is now part of The Towers, alongside Cuckoo Cars Driving School, Hex and the Alton Towers Dungeon. It has a sister rollercoaster located at Chessington World of Adventures.

Adventure Land is named after the adventure play ground which previously sat on the site. The former play area was one of the attractions of a larger area called Kiddies Kingdom. In 1996, Kiddies Kingdom was split into Adventure Land and Storybook Land.[119]

*This area as of 2017 is considered part of The Towers*[120]

### X-Sector[edit]

View of Oblivion

X-Sector is themed as a secretive government facility, suggested to be subjecting park guests to experimental testing. In 2013 the areas theme was tweaked to include the Ministry of Joy, making guests test subjects for their machines, including The Smiler, which was meant to 'marmalise' and 'correct' riders into forcing a smile. In 2015 after The Smiler Crash, the areas theme was broadened and any references of marmalisation and correction was removed.

The area contains two thrill rides. The steel dive coaster Oblivion which opened in 1998 as "the world's first vertical drop rollercoaster", designed by Tussauds and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. The cars are held over the edge of the drop for between one and three seconds, before diving into a deep tunnel. The Smiler is a Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster, which opened in May 2013, that holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster at 14.[43] The area layout was partially altered in 2013 season to accommodate the opening of The Smiler.

Previous rides in X-Sector include The Black Hole, which was a Jet Star 2 coaster enclosed in a tent, where The Smiler is located today. Energizer (later renamed Boneshaker) was a swinging gondola flat ride. It was replaced by Submission in 2001, a "Chance Double Inverter" flat ride, which was itself removed in 2014. Enterprise was a standard HUSS Enterprise model which opened in 1984, spinning riders 360 degrees and giving the illusion of defying gravity. It was permanently removed from the resort in 2023 after being SBNO in 2022.

### Mutiny Bay[edit]

Mutiny Bay's pirates

Mutiny Bay is a pirate-themed family area, which opened in 2008.[121] the area was a retheme for Merrie England.

Attractions in Mutiny Bay include: Battle Galleons, an interactive "Splash Battle" boat ride, where guests sit in tracked boats while soaking other riders with water cannons. Also in the area is the rocking boat ride, Heave Ho. The park's original teacups ride was re-themed to become Marauders Mayhem, with the tea cup cars being redesigned as gunpowder barrels. The Flume was a Mack log flume ride that opened in 1981 and was rethemed in 2004 with a sponsorship from Imperial Leather alongside Bubbleworks at Chessington World of Adventures. Upon opening, it was the longest flume ride in the world at 886 metres (2,907 ft).[121] Late in the 2015 season, the ride and the neighboring tavern closed and were removed in 2016 to make way for the Wicker Man roller coaster and the "Welcome Inn" bar which shares the coaster's theme.

In 2009, a Sea Life Centre named Sharkbait Reef opened in the location previously home to the 3-D Cinema.[122] This includes "touch pools" for interacting with underwater species and a 10-metre (33 ft) underwater tunnel.[123]

### The World of David Walliams[edit]

Driving School attraction in The Towers

The World of David Walliams opened in May 2021 and is aimed at younger children aged 7–11. It is based on the children's books by David Walliams. Attractions include Gangsta Granny: The Ride, Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp (the former Frog Hopper) and Royal Carousel (previously Galloper's Carousel). The area has had various names over the years including "Cloud Cuckoo Land", "Cred Street" and "The Land of Make Believe", each had a similar a cartoon-inspired look, mainly featuring Toyland Tours. The area was first built as "Talbot Street" in 1981, becoming the park's first themed area, home to the Around The World in 80 Days and Doom & Sons dark rides. The World of David Williams also includes many of the author's hidden secrets such as one of the streets being called "Wallibums Way".

In October 2019, it was announced that Cloud Cuckoo Land will be replaced by "The World of David Walliams" for the 2020 season, which will feature attractions based around Walliams' series of children's books.[124]

On 29 May 2020, it was announced that the opening of "The World of David Walliams" would be delayed from 2020 to the 2021 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[125]

Another attraction, Flavio's Fabulous Fandango, was temporarily added to the land for opening. The land also features Raj's Shop and various outdoor entertainment.

### Dark Forest[edit]

The Dark Forest is themed as a supernatural woodland area; to coincide with the opening of TH13TEEN, a steel family coaster themed as a haunted crypt, that opened on 20 March 2010. Th13teen, features the "world's first freefall drop on a roller coaster" - an indoor, vertically dropping track element. The ride replaced the Corkscrew; the park's first roller coaster, which opened in 1980. Rita is a hydraulically launched steel sit-down coaster that reaches a top speed of 62 mph (100 km) that is now themed around an abandoned drag racer that is used to escape the Dark Forest.

The area was previously a cartoon prehistoric area named Ug Land, which opened in 1999, but was half-demolished to make way for Rita's construction in 2005. Rita used to be themed around drag racing but was changed with the opening of Th13teen and the Dark Forest. With the opening of Th13teen, the area was renamed as Dark Forest and further altered with a new colour scheme and entrance feature. Rita was also given a repainted control cabin and trains, shortening its name from "Rita - Queen of Speed".[126]

### CBeebies Land[edit]

Main article: CBeebies: CBeebies Land

CBeebies Land is based on the BBC children's TV channel: CBeebies and opened on 24 May 2014. The area includes rides, shows and interactive experiences based on programmes from CBeebies, including In the Night Garden... and Postman Pat. Attractions in the area are: In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride, Postman Pat's Parcel Post, Get Set Go Treetop Adventure, Something Special Sensory Garden, Numtums Number Go-Around, Charlie & Lola's Moonsquirters and Greendrops, Justin's House: Pie-O-Matic Factory, Mr Bloom's Allotment and Tree Fu Tom Training Camp. Shows at the Big Fun Show Time stage include: Mike the Knight, The ZingZillas and Nina and the Neurons.

In 2015, Octonauts Roller Coaster Adventure opened, it is an underwater themed children's roller coaster; built on the vacant site The Beastie roller coaster. CBeebies Land was further expanded in 2017 with the opening of the Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride and The Furchester Hotel Live, and again in 2019 with the addition of Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop and Teletubbies Big Band Live Show. The Numtums Number Go-Around has since been rethemed to the Bugbie Go-Around.

### The Towers[edit]

Main historic house

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The Towers are the ruins of Alton Towers stately home and are the source of the park's name. They belonged to the Talbot family as a stately home until 1924 and largely designed by Augustus Pugin, also noted for his work on the Palace of Westminster.[127] The Towers are now in a state of disrepair following decades of neglect. The ruins are open to the public during most of the open season. However, some areas are closed off as part of a £1.1 million project in place to restore the oldest parts of the Towers. Key areas of The Towers include the banqueting hall, the chapel, conservatories, and Her Ladyship's Gardens.

Hex – The Legend of the Towers, a walk-through dark ride based within the ruins themselves, opened in 2000. The finale to the ride is a Vekoma Madhouse located away from the real Towers but themed as a secret vault. The storyline is based on a local legend about the chained oak tree, located in a nearby forest, and makes use of the history of the Towers. It draws its theme from the legend of the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury who was said to be cursed by a beggar woman to suffer death every time a branch falls from an old oak tree.

The Alton Towers Dungeon was added to the area in 2019. Since the openings of CBeebies Land and The World of David Walliams; Spinball Whizzer and Cloud Cuckoo Land have been part of the area.

Cuckoo Cars Driving School allows children to drive miniature electric cars around a themed road layout, featuring visual jokes along the way.[128] A SkyRide station is located nearby Fountain Square, giving access to other areas of the park.

During the park's Halloween 'Scarefest' event multiple scare mazes operate within the Towers themselves. For 2023’s Scarefest event these were; The Attic: Terror of the Towers, and Altonville Mine Tours: Tinys Revenge.

### The Gardens[edit]

Monument to Charles Talbot, the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury set in gardens he created

Main article: History of Alton Towers § Stately home and gardens

Near the garden entrance is a cenotaph to the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury, who built Alton Towers and developed its gardens in the early 19th century. The monument features a marble bust with an inscription reading "He made the desert smile".[129] Other landmarks include a Chinese Pagoda Fountain, The Swiss Cottage, Miniature 'Stonehenge', and orangeries.

## Alton Towers Waterpark[edit]

Main article: Alton Towers Waterpark

Alton Towers Waterpark

The Alton Towers Waterpark, formerly known as Cariba Creek, opened alongside the Splash Landings Hotel in 2003.[citation needed] It is a large (with 7 pools and 10 water slides), part-indoor and part outdoor waterpark themed as a tropical Caribbean lagoon. The waterpark features several fast slides, a lazy river, a giant tipping bucket and many other water features. Also located there are two food and drink venues: Adventures Cave and Ice Cream Shack. Unlike Chessington Zoo at the also Merlin operated Chessington World of Adventures Resort, a separate ticket is needed for waterpark access as it is not included with the theme park entrance price.

Attractions include Lagoona Bay, which is the main tropical pool, with water cannons, geysers and waterfalls. The Little Leak is a paddling pool for young children with two small slides and interactive pipes to play with, while Wacky Waterworks Treehouse is a wooden 'treehouse' with water cannons, and other interactive features to squirt passing people with.

The largest ride in the Waterpark is the water coaster The Master Blaster, with uphill sections similar to the Master Blaster at Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool and Nucleus at Water World, Stoke-on-Trent. The Master Blaster is a high speed water flume that contains sharp turns, drops and dark sections, and has views of the entire indoor area of the waterpark.

Other rides include Rush & Rampage, twin racing slides where riders experience wide turns. This attraction requires rubber rings. Lazy River (Calypso Creek) is a slow-moving water circuit, taking riders underneath spraying water jets and tipping buckets of water. Rubber rings are available. The Tipping Bucket is a container filled with 1000 litres of water which regularly tips its contents over people standing below. Flash Floods are tiered outdoor pools with two slides leading to the middle pool and three leading to the bottom. Other swimming pools include Volcanic Springs, and indoor heated hot pool, and Bubbly Wubbly Pool, an outdoor heated pool and whirlpool.

The indoor section of the water park operates 12 months a year excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day, although it closes for winter maintenance for around 2 weeks each January.

## Resort accommodation[edit]

The fountain at the entrance to Alton Towers Hotel

### Alton Towers Hotel[edit]

The Alton Towers Hotel is a four star hotel that opened on 10 April 1996. It is themed to the eccentric fictional character Sir Algenon Alton and his travels. There are 180 rooms consisting of three different room types: Explorer, Arctic Explorer, and Moon Voyager. Each room is decorated in a quirky English style with pictures of Sir Algenon's inventions. The hotel was the first phase in a plan to transform the theme park into a multi-day resort destination.

On the ground floor are the hotel's two table service restaurants; the Secret Garden Restaurant and the Emperor's Grill, along with the Chinese-themed Dragon's Bar, and the traveller's themed Captain's Bar. There is also a shop called the Emporium that sells merchandise, toiletries, and snacks.

### Splash Landings Hotel[edit]

The Splash Landings Hotel opened in 2003. The hotel has a relaxed Caribbean theme and is attached to the Alton Towers Waterpark.

It also has a four star rating and houses 216 rooms with six-room types to choose from. These consist of Family of 4 'Beachcomber' room, Family of 6 'Beachcomber' room, The Ice Age Room, The Pirate Room, Interconnected Family of 4 'Beachcomber' room and, Interconnected Family of 3 'Beachcomber' Room.

The interconnected rooms are all on the ground floor due to all of them either being an accessible or connecting to one, most of the accessible rooms are situated on the side facing the waterpark. Two of the Family of 6 rooms are also accessibility friendly, these are 1125 and 1134.

The rooms are numbered in the ranges of 1101 to 1159, 1201 to 1259, 1301 to 1359 and, 1401 to 1459, there are a few room numbers that are not used due to the shape of the hotel, these are 27, 29, 31, 33 and 35 on each floor.

There are two shops within this hotel, the main one is called 'The Shack' and is adjacent to the reception desk, whereas the other is 'The Pool Shop' adjacent to the entrance to the Waterpark. As is probably to be expected, the Pool Shop specialises in items more focused upon the Waterpark such as swimming attire and buoyancy aids. The normal opening hours for the Pool Shop is from when the Waterpark opens until about 30 minutes after it closes.

The Shack is normally open in the morning when most people will be moving around before check out until about 11am (11:00), it then re-opens around 2pm (14:00) until 10pm (22:00). As with the Emporium, the Shack primarily sells toiletries as well as resort merchandise.

### Enchanted Village[edit]

The Enchanted Village is made up of 120 lodges and 5 secluded treehouses set in the fictional Enchanted Forest woodland. Situated next to the Alton Towers hotel, it features a variety of miniature playgrounds for children.

The site is also home to "The Crooked Spoon" restaurant, which typically serves the sort of food expected within a village pub style setting. Some of the more common meals include burgers (of the steak or bean variety), a simple tomato and basil pasta, a sirloin steak, butterfly chicken, or a cauliflower steak.

The village also plays host to the 'Lodge Shop' which sells items that would be expected for a nice summers evening relaxing outdoors including alcohol and outdoor activity toys. It appears that the Lodge Shop operates using different hours than the shop contained within the Alton Towers Hotel and Splash Landings Hotel.

The Enchanted Village opened to the public on 18 April 2015.

### CBeebies Land Hotel[edit]

The CBeebies Land Hotel opened on 8 July 2017 with a total of 76 themed rooms: 42 standard rooms (themed to the CBeebies Bugbies) and 34 premium rooms themed to CBeebies shows, such as Bing (new for 2022), Something Special, and Swashbuckle. Room amenities include child-friendly features, such as steps up to the sink and children's toilet seats. The hotel features CBeebies-themed shows and entertainment, which run every day of the year, as well as the "Windmill Restaurant".[130]

Within this hotel is 'The Toy Shop' which, contrary to its name, sells more than just toys and similar to the other shops on site, also sells ice creams, drinks and sweets. Due to it being within a hotel that caters more to a younger audience than the rest, its closing time reflects the, normally, earlier bed times for the occupants by being at 8pm (20:00).

### Stargazing Pods[edit]

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Although Alton Towers had previously gained the necessary permits to expand the Enchanted Village, these plans were eventually scrapped and reduced into a "pod"-style accommodation option. 102 individual pods were constructed, each sleeping up to four people.

The proposals have faced some critical views from the public, with many criticisms being raised over the capacity of bathroom facilities as well as how the resort will cope with the increased demand in food and beverages, as the Stargazing Pods will not have its own restaurant, bar or shopping facilities. The council even initially rejected the application citing lack of imagination and "magic", although the plans were granted permission the second time without making any notable improvements.

The Stargazing Pods opened on 12 April 2019.[131]

## Recreation[edit]

### Alton Towers Spa[edit]

Alton Towers Spa is part of the Alton Towers Hotel and opened in 2004. It includes relaxation and treatment rooms and an adults only swimming pool. Despite being inside the Alton Towers Hotel, non-hotel guests are able to use the Spa.

### Extraordinary Golf[edit]

Opened in 2007, the Extraordinary Golf mini-golf attraction is themed to different rides and attractions at the park, some of which, are from the park's history. Extraordinary Golf is located to the west of the Splash Landings Hotel. Extraordinary Golf was refreshed for 2016 including the addition of a Galactica themed hole.

### Tree Top Quest[edit]

Opened May 2015, the Enchanted Forest Tree Top Quest is a high ropes course near the Enchanted Village. The attraction opened shortly after, and accompanies, the Enchanted Village development. There is also a low ropes course. Tree Top Quest did not open for the 2018 season or the start of the 2019 season due to budget cuts by parent company, Merlin Entertainments. It was expected to reopen on 13 July 2019 but has subsequently remained closed ever since. Its future status is unknown.[132]

## Future developments[edit]

Alton Towers is located in a Conservation Area, which puts restrictions on its permissible development, notably that no structures in the park should be built above tree line and if so should be disguised from external views of the park; this can be seen on the ride Rita, where the highest sections of track are camouflaged green.

Noise pollution is also a problem for the park due to the close proximity to the villages of Alton and Farley and the town of Cheadle. There have been several cases where Alton Towers have been taken to court over the noise levels emitted from the park and have been served noise abatement orders between 2004 and 2006.

In November 2022, Nemesis closed for a complete retrack and will reopen in 2024.[133]

In September 2022, Alton Towers held a public consultation to propose plans for a large indoor attraction on the former site of the Alton Mouse codenamed "Project Horizon". The project was approved in early 2023, and the ride is expected to open in the spring of 2025.[134]

## Secret Weapon roller coasters[edit]

Alton Towers has a tradition of codenaming its new roller coaster developments as "Secret Weapon", or "SW", followed by a number. The name is associated with the park's inclination to promote its rides as holding "world first" or in some way "innovative" features and records. However the naming tradition actually began for unrelated reasons, since "Secret Weapon" was the working title of a roller coaster that was ultimately never commissioned.

SW1 was a pipeline roller coaster, planned to open in around 1992, on what later became the Nemesis site. It was provisionally titled the "Secret Weapon", with the intention of theming the ride as an ambiguous weapon testing facility.[135] John Wardley rode the Arrow Dynamics prototype of their pipeline coaster, but stated "it was very slow and rather boring",[136] as well as the requirement for such a high lift hill being unsuitable for the park's planning restrictions. After a second layout revision, labelled "SW2", the ride was scrapped and development on SW3 (Nemesis) began.[135][136] The code name subsequently became the standard preliminary name for major roller coaster projects at the park.[137]

The naming convention was briefly dropped while the Tussauds Group changed ownership under Dubai International Capital, before being continued by Merlin Entertainments beginning with the Thirteen rollercoaster in 2010.[138]

## Scarefest[edit]

Scarefest is the resort's largest annual event, which runs from the first weekend of October, then continues a week later until late October/early November. It celebrates Halloween with a number of temporary scare maze attractions, scare zones, costumed characters and extended opening hours. Rides and areas are lit with coloured lighting at night, with most rides and attractions continuing to operate until 9pm. The Scarefest event has been running since 2007, although the park started celebrating Halloween with decoration several years before and has operated the Terror of the Towers scaremaze since 2002.[139][140] The scare mazes are upcharge attractions. For the 2023 season - which runs from 7-8 & 13-31 October, the park teamed up with YouTube gaming star Daz Black to create an escape room-themed scare maze called PANIC!.

Timeline of Halloween scare attractions  Season(s)
active | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023

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1 | Terror of the Towers |
3 |  | Terror of the Towers: Bloodfest Banquet * |
2 |  | Room13 |
3 |  | The Field of 1000 Screams |
4 |  | The Boilerhouse |
9 |  | Terror of the Towers: What lies Within |
4 |  | Carnival of Screams |
3 |  | The Sanctuary |
1 |  | The Haunting of Molly Crowe |
5 |  | Sub Species: The End Games |
7 |  | Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover the Legend of The Skin Snatchers |
3 |  | House of Monsters |
2 |  | The Welcoming: Be Chosen |
2 |  | Project 42 |
5 |  | The Attic: Terror of the Towers
5 |  | Darkest Depths
2 |  | Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard |
3 |  | Trick O' Treat Town
2 |  | The Invitation
1 |  | Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge
1 |  | Daz Games: PANIC

Previous Scarefest maze  Active Scarefest maze

*Terror of the Towers took a break between 2004 and 2006.

### Seasonal Scarefest attractions as of 2023[edit]

* Daz Games: PANIC - New for 2023. Daz Games dares you to take on the first adrenaline-inducing escape room meets live action scare maze for the ultimate horror experience. Plunged into darkness, your mission is simple – you have just seven minutes to take on an intense series of tests that will challenge the mind and body as you try to locate the symbols and escape…. all whilst evading capture from the inhabitants within. Racing against the clock you'll have to think fast and stay calm as you take on an AI-themed assault of the senses… all before the game strikes back and traps you within. Forever.
* Altonville Mine Tours: Tiny's Revenge - New for 2023. Rumours are afoot that the old Altonville Mines are alive with activity once again. Following a breakthrough from local law enforcers, the notorious Skin Snatchers have been detained...but for how long? The ironically named Tiny, however, has evaded capture and is believed to still reside within the Mines. Explore at your peril and risk the adventure, if you dare.
* The Invitation - The Invitation is an audio-led experience, you will be required to wear headphones as you venture down into the lakeside cemetery in an all-new theme park scare experience. The Lakeside Cemetery invites you to join them for a grave experience that will live with you for eternity. Their friendly funeral director is dying to assist you as you descend into the burial chamber, where you can choose your final resting place. Some caskets have already been filled, but there are others, still empty, waiting for you…
* Darkest Depths \- Get ready for a terrifying new adventure aboard ‘The Mutiny’, a notoriously spine-chilling ghost ship. You’ll truly earn your golden piece of eight by venturing into the darkest depths, avoiding the hazardous calls of the treacherous Sirens, dodging the swords of terrifyingly ghoulish pirate mutineers and coming face to face with the Kraken – the legendary monster of the seas! Operating as a family maze (10+) in the Mutiny Bat courtyard, then moving between Dark Forest & the gardens for 2020 due to Oktoberfest & then being rebranded as a thrill maze (12+) for 2021.
* The Attic: Terror of the Towers \- Around here, people talk of the Governess – how she’s haunted by the death of her young charges, how she wants revenge, and how she’ll take it by seizing the spirits of the living in retribution. They say her ghost haunts The Attic. That’s where you’re headed. Dare you risk your immortal soul? It is the newest maze for the 'Terror of the Towers brand'.
* Trick O' Treat Town - Muster up your courage and prepare to knock on doors from Spooky Avenue all the way up to the Witchy Woods but be careful! As well as HARIBO treats there are tricks aplenty! Located in the former Charlie and the Chocolate Factory elevator scene. In 2022, this attraction returned featuring HARIBO.
* Burial Grounds - New for 2023. Burial Grounds is a free-flowing outdoor scare zone shadowed by the mighty Wicker Man where you'll encounter the rejectors of modern-day society fulfilling their terrifying primal instincts.

### Past seasonal Scarefest attractions[edit]

* Gardens Light walk: A night time walkthrough through the gardens.

* Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover the Legend of the Skin Snatchers, live action horror maze, set in the baron town of Altonville. This is located in the basement of the towers, west wing replacing the haunting of Molly Crowe & is one of the oldest mazes in the lineup. The maze operated between 2016 and 2022.
* Terror of the Towers. The first incarnation of this long-running annual scare maze was introduced in 2002, and was located in the Towers ruins themselves. Many scenes from the original maze are still used. Visitors walked through the long, winding corridors of the Towers, through themed scenes while being pursued by live actors. The finale featured a winding pathway around actors behind fences, who lunged towards visitors, accompanied with heavy strobe effects. For 2003 it was restructured and given the tagline and theme "Bloodfest Banquet".
* "TH13TEEN: After Dark" has an enhanced queue line for Alton Towers' newest roller coaster, using fog and lighting effects as well as live actors. This attraction did not return for 2012.
* Terror of the Towers – Bloodfest Banquet was a new version of the Terror of the Towers scare maze, running from 2003 to 2008.[141] It retained much of the original version, but featured new scenes that included scripted dialogue from the several characters, and a new storyline was added. The strobe maze finale was moved to another point in the maze and replaced by a new ending, in which visitors become trapped in a small room with cages on every side, as actors reach for them through the metal bars for almost a minute. Every year, Terror of the Towers kept changing slightly with revised scenes and new scares.[142] However, for the 2009 Scarefest event, Terror of the Towers was once again completely rethought, with the tagline "What Lies Within". The new incarnation drops the scripted scenes and characters; meaning it is similar to the original Terror of Towers of 2002. The whole layout for the maze was also reversed, with what was previously the entrance becoming the exit.
* Room 13 was first introduced in 2006 and was located in the conference room of the Alton Towers Hotel.[143] It was only available to guests of the hotel, who were led around the maze as many live actors appeared to scare them. Room 13 had positive reviews and returned in 2007, but was replaced by The Boiler House in 2008.
* Field of 1000 Screams was first introduced in the 2007 Scarefest event and was the first maze at Alton Towers not situated inside a pre-existing building.[144] The Field was located entirely outdoors in a moderately sized field of maize, which had to be planted especially for the event several months earlier. It purported to be a fictional village called Altonville that had become overrun by zombies. Visitors walked down a long pathway cut through the corn, and encountered characters and scares along the way, before the finale took place. The Field of 1000 Screams did not return for the 2010 event.
* Haunted Hollow Live was first seen in 2007 and consisted of several sinister, costumed actors performing along the Haunted Hollow walkway in Gloomy Wood. The attraction was similar to Duel Live, which was introduced the year later. Haunted Hollow Live returned for the 2008 Scarefest event, but was cancelled for 2009.
* Duel Live was first introduced in the 2008 Scarefest event. Throughout this period, the park's haunted house dark ride, Duel, became host to this attraction, which included live actors situated around the ride circuit. Duel was available to ride normally until 12 pm, when the laser guns and LED targets were switched and the actors took their positions. This was changed in 2009, when Duel Live took place throughout the whole day and many more actors than the previous year were present. Duel Live was aimed at the family audience, and included such features as new music playing throughout the ride (instead of the usual Duel theme music), as well as a butler or maid who would welcome you inside the house. The attraction was changed slightly for the 2010 season and featured the park's Scarefest mascots.
* Skelvin's Haunted Adventure was a newer version of Duel Live, introduced in 2010, and took over Duel – The Haunted House Strikes Back! throughout Scarefest. As in previous years, the attraction included live actors situated at different points around the ride. The laser guns and LED targets were switched off during this time. The ride featured the Scarefest mascots, notably the character of "Skelvin".
* The Boiler House was a scare maze first introduced in 2008, and was situated next to the Alton Towers Hotel. Originally, the scare maze was set in an abandoned industrial facility and featured live actors in make up. This was changed in 2009, when a new storyline was added. The scare maze later featured the fictional "Hamble Twins" serial killers hiding in the industrial building, and visitors have to escape them as they are chased through the scenes. Visitors queued outside, past a van labelled "Alton News 24", from which television screens play news reports on the activity of the serial killers. Guests then walk through a covered walkway, which hides the marquee that the maze is contained in from view. Once inside, a man appears and warns guests about the dangers of coming inside. The murderers then appear and kill him, before chasing visitors away. Each of the Twins are played by two actors wearing the same grotesque, latex mask. They appear at different points in the maze, creating the illusion that one character is in several places at once. Dim lighting and scent effects are heavily used. For the 2011 Scarefest, The Boiler House moved along with the Carnival of Screams to the X Sector, where they both shared the old Black Hole tent. After three years it did not return for the 2012 season.
* Carnival of Screams was a scare maze that debuted for the 2010 Scarefest event. During its debut it shared the same temporary building as the Boiler House. John Wardley contributed to the development of Carnival of Screams, which was entered through a large clown face with horrific features. For 2011 it and the Boiler House were relocated to the X-Sector area. The maze is a mixture of humor and serious scares, and the music used is the former Toy Land Tours attraction theme music warped for dramatic effect. From 2012 onwards, the attraction was situated opposite the hospitality suite, with the exit inside the Goal Striker unit. In 2013 and its final incarnation, the maze gained a theatrical ending involving a knife thrower.
* The Sanctuary was new for the 2012 Scarefest event and returned in 2013 and 2014. The attraction was set in a research facility operated by "The Ministry of Joy". Alton Towers released the following description at the time: "Lost your Smile? Then check yourself in for a refreshing check up at The Sanctuary. After being closed for new patients for almost 50 years The Sanctuary, The Ministry of Joy's earliest establishment, is now holding important trials searching for 'Advocates' for its 2013 project." It was revealed to be part of marketing for The Smiler roller coaster, which opened in 2013.[145]
* Scary Tales Scare Zone was a walk through scare zone that ran for the 2014 event. The attraction setting revolved around fairy tale stories that were rewritten in a nightmarish manner.
* The Haunting of Molly Crowe, a multi-sensory maze set in the Towers ruins. The maze was based on the old and abandoned house of Molly Crowe, who was last seen engulfed in flames in the cellar of her house, emitting a scream of non-human origin. This ran for the 2015 event.
* Nox:Infernus Scare Zone, a scare zone which ran for the 2015 event, set in the Dark Forest.
* Dark Apocalypse Scare Zone, a scare zone which was first introduced for the 2015 event and returning in 2016.
* Terror of the Towers – What Lies Within, the signature maze situated inside the Towers themselves, first introduced in 2002. A new format was introduced in the 2009 Scarefest event, along with the new tagline "What Lies Within" replacing "Bloodfest Banquet". Visitors queue outside in Her Ladyship's Gardens, and the attraction itself starts in the derelict Conservatories. Batches of guests watch a short video showing two men exploring the Towers for ghosts. The video then cuts short, and guests enter the Towers to find the men. At certain points in the maze, the bodies of the two men are each seen hanging from a noose. Visitors become lost in the lengthy corridors and themed scenes in the Towers, with live actors pursuing them in every room. The finale to the attraction is a maze-like walkway that winds around actors in cages, with strobe effects.
* Freakshow, scare zone operating from 2016 to 2018. This attraction was brought back to the resort as a scare maze for the 2020 Scarefest event.
* Sub Species: The End Games, Operating from 2015 - 2019. This was located in the east of the towers with a shipping container extension to the ending and is seen as one of their most popular Scarefest attractions ever.
* The Welcoming: be chosen, operating for 2017 & 2018 to advertise the opening of Wicker Man. Whispers around Alton village said that the group were angered by people abusing the world's natural resources and the rapid advance of technology. Every year the secluded group host a festival to celebrate their own interpretation of Halloween – paying homage to the earth and celebrating the crossover between the living world and the dead. Of course it was unknown what part the outsiders would play in this ritual… This was located in the Mutiny Bay courtyard as an outdoor maze before being replaced by Darkest Depths in 2019.
* Project 42, operating for 2018 & 2019 using the former Nemesis Sub-Terra building and queue line with covering.
* House of Monsters, operating from 2016 - 2018 as the first 'family maze' and operated similar to the Alton Towers Dungeon with actor lead scenes. This was located in the former Wobble World building which is now home to Gangsta Granny: the ride.
* Freakshow: Toxic Junkyard - New for 2020. This was a sequel to the Freakshow scare zone in the same location & was an outdoor maze with covered sections.

## Other events[edit]

In addition to Scarefest, Alton Towers also holds other events throughout the season. The park has five events taking place throughout the course of the season: Festival of Thrills, Mardi Gras, Oktoberfest, Scarefest, and Fireworks. There are also smaller events, such as Christmas, which feature a limited ride offering and themed activities.

### Fireworks[edit]

For the final few days of the season, Alton Towers host firework shows, which have been running annually since the 1990s on the Great Lawns. The displays were considered disruptive by some local residents, which led to formal complaints - two of which decided to take the theme park to court regarding this issue. The court issued Alton Towers with a noise abatement order in October 2005 which limited the theme park to three shows a year, previously five, with noise readings not exceeding 40 decibels outside the park.[146] In 2006, the display was rebranded as Electric Towers, but then discontinued. However, the fireworks and laser show was reinstated in 2010 to celebrate the park's 30th anniversary and has returned to being an annual event.

### Oktoberfest[edit]

The "Alton Towers Oktoberfest" started in 2020, taking place throughout September and early October. It is based on the German festival of Oktoberfest held traditionally in Munich, Germany. The event includes themed food and drink, entertainment and extended evening hours with selected rides open.[147]

### Mardi Gras[edit]

This event launched in 2021 with a summer carnival theme, and is held from May to June. This event combines entertainment from the different 'Krewes' performing around the park & food street outside the towers with a large range of food trailers. The park is also decorated with Mardi Gras deco.

### Festival of Thrills[edit]

This was the new event for 2022. It took place from early April to early May. The idea of the event was to celebrate the seven thrill coasters with music. Four mini stages were set up; X-Sector (in front of Enterprise), Mutiny Bay (opposite Wicker Man), Dark Forest (between Rita & TH13TEEN) & Forbidden Valley (next to the Galactica portal). Throughout the day there were various performances of different musical styles, each representing one of the seven roller coasters.

The event returned in 2023, titled Festival of Thrills - The Smiler Takeover, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Smiler.[148] Instead of lots of stages around the park, this event was focused all in X-Sector, and with some Smiler theming around the park outside the different coasters. It hosted shows 'celebrating' the Smiler and different magic tricks.

### Santa's Sleepover[edit]

During December, the Santa's Sleepover event takes place. Both resort hotels are decorated for the event and a pantomime takes place. The Alton Towers Theme Park also opens for Christmas with a small number of rides open as well as a Santa's Grotto. The event is largely aimed at children. In 2015, the theme park permitted entry to non-hotel guests for the first time however the event reverted to hotel guests only in 2016. Festive Breaks continue from 27 December to 6 January with a similar lineup to the Santa's Sleepovers.

### February Half Term[edit]

Prior to the main open season, Alton Towers held the February Half-Term event which saw a selected ride offering opened for the week before the start of the main season in March, however the event was cancelled for 2016; with the exception of Sharkbait Reef which was open for Pirate and Princess Week held at the Resort hotels.

More recently, Alton Towers has held regular Pirate & Princess Weekends during February Half-Term. The event entails decorations, and themed activities for children in the Hotels and the waterpark. The theme park's Sharkbait Reef aquarium also opens for the event.

In 2023, the park expanded the event, with Towers Street and Mutiny Bay open, with live entertainment, tresure hunts, and 3 attractions open, Heave Ho, Maurauders Mayhem, and Sharkbait Reef. This was the first time rides were available for the event.

### Services Day[edit]

Since 2015 Alton Towers have opened the park for a Services Day; a day where a limited quantity of discounted tickets (fewer than on a usual season day) are sold to those who work in public services[149] such as the Police, NHS, Fire brigade, Prison service, Army, RAF, Royal Navy and other similar services. Services Day is usually held approximately two weeks prior to the start of the new season, which usually begins mid-March. Due to the success of the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Services Days, a two-day weekend of Services Days was planned for 3 and 4 March 2018, however this was postponed to 11 March due to weather conditions. Another two-day event took place on 16–17 March 2019. Services Days are open to holders of a Blue Light Card or a Defence Discount Service Card.[149] Services Days for 2020 and 2021 were not held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A further services' weekend took place in 2022 which included discounted hotel stays for the first time.

### Concerts[edit]

Alton Towers has a history of hosting concerts since the 1960s. Alternative rock band James played to a crowd of 30,000 on 4 July 1992.[150] Concerts in recent years have included the Alton Towers Live event in 2011 and 2013. In 2010, there was a 1980s concert for the 30th Anniversary featuring Rick Astley and Bananarama and also that year hosted a P!nk concert. In the past these concerts were often held in the car park at an additional fee, however more recently concerts have been held within the theme park. Artists that have performed there include Tina Turner and The Black Eyed Peas.

### Summer of Fun[edit]

This event has come and gone over the years, with the most recent one being held in 2023. It is held in the Summer Holidays and features live entertainment and music throughout the day on the lawns.

## Records held by the park[edit]

* Largest theme park in the UK.
* Worlds largest practical science lesson with 927 students in 2014. (later beaten)
* Worlds largest polar fleece blanket.[151]
* Nemesis (SW3) was the first inverted coaster in Europe
* Oblivion (SW4) was the worlds first 'vertical drop' rollercoaster and the first dive coaster.
* Galactica (SW5) was the worlds first B&M flying coaster and in 2016 the worlds first rollercoaster 'dedicated' to virtual reality.
* TH13TEEN (SW6) was the worlds first freefall drop rollercoaster.
* The Smiler (SW7) is the coaster with the most inversions in the world. (14)
* Wickerman (SW8) is the first wooden coaster built in the UK after 20 years and the worlds first wooden coaster to 'fuse wood and fire'.
* The Flume was the worlds longest log flume at the time of opening. (1981)
* Corkscrew was the first double inverting coaster in Europe.

## Incidents[edit]

Main article: Incidents at European amusement parks § Alton Towers

### The Smiler[edit]

For additional information and incidents, see The Smiler § Incidents.

In June 2015, sixteen people were injured on The Smiler ride, with two individuals requiring leg amputations. Merlin Entertainments originally released a press release blaming the crash on "human error."[152][153] The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded the crash occurred because "Merlin failed to put in place systems that allowed their engineers to work safely on the ride while it was running".[154] During the subsequent court case, Merlin retracted their statement and pleaded guilty to a breach of health and safety law. The company was fined £5 million, with the court citing a "catalogue of errors" with Merlin's operating procedure and training.[155][156] It is said that Merlin were blamed for rushing their employees and making them reduce down time as much as they possibly could.

In June 2017, Alton Towers estate owner Nick Leslau repeated the discredited claim that the crash was due to "a human error", but added that "Merlin has paid a massive price, but the performance of the business has been exemplary and the share price is now at an all-time high."[157]

### Sky Ride[edit]

On 30 June 2004, due to a strong gust of wind, the Sky Ride cables became caught, jamming the ride. About 80 people were on the ride, and nine people had to be rescued by being abseiled down 200 foot (61 m) cables.[158]

On 28 October 2007, a fire broke out in the Forbidden Valley Skyride station due to a faulty Halogen light. It caused a power cut on the Monorail ride and also had destroyed the roof of the station. The forbidden valley section of the park was evacuated shortly after the fire.

On 21 July 2009, another fire broke out, this time in the Cloud Cuckoo Land station, due to a faulty vending machine. The fire completely gutted the entire building. While the park was closed, a new station was designed and built, ready for the 2010 season.

### Runaway Mine Train[edit]

Main article: Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers)

On 20 July 2006, when the train was entering the tunnel section of its course, two carriages uncoupled, with the front half of the train continuing up the slope while the rear half remained stuck in the tunnel. The front half failed to make it over the hill, rolled back and crashed into the rear half which had remained stuck in the tunnel. Six people were taken to hospital and 23 others were treated for cuts and bruises. Following the incident the Runaway Mine Train was closed for the rest of the season. The train was only returned to full length operation in June the following year.[159]

## Court cases[edit]

In 2011, a couple from the local village of Farley won the rights to a full High Court trial on the amount of noise generated by the park. The couple have been in legal battles with the park since 2004, and previously secured a noise abatement order on the theme park which led to the "Don't look down" audio from the top of the Oblivion drop being removed, and Alton Towers having to limit the amount of annual fireworks displays to only three a year.[160]

Stephen and Suzanne Roper, who live 100 yards from the park, say that their lives have been made a misery by the noise of the screams as well as fireworks displays and music. They launched their legal fight in 2002, but after years of wrangling, their claim for an injunction and damages was thrown out in January 2011. Judge Mr Justice Hickinbottom later overturned that decision, bringing the claim back. This now paves the way for a full court hearing. The Ropers will seek an injunction forcing the park owners to close or relocate some rides and an order forcing them to pay damages for noise suffered since 1998.[161]

## See also[edit]

* Incidents at European amusement parks
* List of theme parks in the United Kingdom

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110. ^ Old Rides - Adventure Railway Archived 4 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
111. ^ "Alton Towers Memories - Park Railway".
112. ^ Machnik, Stef (28 June 2010). "ALTON Towers says it has not ruled out holding more music concerts after successfully playing host to pop superstar Pink". This is Staffordshire. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
113. ^ "Alton Towers turns to Islam and gay markets". Birmingham Post. 2 July 2006.
114. ^ "Rides evacuated after Alton Towers power cut | Metro News". Metro. UK. 13 April 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
115. ^ "JLS, McFly and The Saturdays to perform at Alton Towers". This is Staffordshire. 16 February 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
116. ^ "Haunted Hollow - Theme Park Experience at Alton Towers Resort". www.altontowers.com.
117. ^ "Reply to user @Ev_Jay". Alton Towers official Twitter account. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019. "Galactica no longer features VR due to guest feedback regarding their experience on the ride."
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## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alton Towers Resort.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Alton Towers.

* Official website
* Lost Heritage: full architectural history of the house
* "Description of Theme Areas". Archived from the original on 1 October 2009.
* Heraldry at Alton Towers
* Alton Towers: Before it was Famous (on themagiceye at Joyland)

* v
* t
* e

Alton Towers Resort

Alton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, ST10 4DB

rollercoaster
rides|

* Runaway Mine Train (1992–)
* Nemesis (1994–)
* Oblivion (1998–)
* Galactica (2002–2015 as Air) (2016–)
* Spinball Whizzer (2004–)
* Rita (2005–)
* TH13TEEN (2010–)
* The Smiler (2013–)
* Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure (2015–)
* Wicker Man (2018–)

other rides|

* The Blade as Pirate Ship (1980–)
* Congo River Rapids (1986–)
* Hex – The Legend of the Towers (2000–)
* Cuckoo Cars Driving School (2006–)
* Battle Galleons (2008–)
* Marauder's Mayhem (2008–)
* Nemesis: Sub-Terra (2012–2015, 2023–)
* Curse at Alton Manor (2023–)

former
rides|

* Corkscrew (1980–2008)
* Doom & Sons (1981–1991)
* Around The World In 80 Days (1981–1993)
* The Flume (1981–2015)
* Beastie (1983–2010)
* Black Hole (1983–2005)
* Twirling Toadstool (1984–2016)
* Enterprise (1984–2022)
* Beast (1988–1997)
* Thunder Looper (1990–1996)
* The Haunted House (1992–2002)
* Dynamo (1993–2005)
* Toyland Tours (1994–2005)
* Boneshaker (1995–2003)
* Nickelodeon: Outta Control (1997–1998)
* Ripsaw (1997–2015)
* Submission (2001–2013)
* Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride (2006–2015)
* Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back! (2003–2022)

theme park
areas|

* Adventure Land
* CBeebies Land
* Dark Forest
* Forbidden Valley
* Gloomy Wood
* Katanga Canyon
* Mutiny Bay
* The Towers & Gardens
* The World of David Walliams
* Towers Street
* X-Sector

see also|

* History of Alton Towers
* Alton Towers Waterpark
* Merlin Entertainments
* John Wardley
* The Grand Knockout Tournament
* Rollercoaster Restaurant

* Category
* Portal: England
* Commons
* Wikivoyge
* Wikidata

* v
* t
* e

Merlin Entertainments

Resort
theme
parks|

* Alton Towers Resort (England)
* Chessington World of Adventures Resort (England)
* Gardaland Resort (Italy)
* Heide Park Resort (Germany)
* Thorpe Park Resort (England)

Legoland
resorts|

* Billund
* California
* Deutschland
* Dubai
* Florida
* Japan
* Korea
* Malaysia
* New York
* Sichuan
* Windsor

Sea Life
locations|

| Standalone
attractions|

* Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium
* National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham
* Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
* Sea Life Benalmádena
* Sea Life Busan Aquarium
* Sea Life London Aquarium
* Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium
* Sea Life Orlando Aquarium
* Sea Life Porto
* Sea Life Shanghai (Changfeng Ocean World)
* Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
* UnderWater World Sea Life Aquarium

|

In resort
theme parks|

* Sharkbait Reef, Alton Towers
* Atlantis, Legoland Billund Resort
* Sea Life Legoland, Legoland California
* Chessington Sea Life Centre, Chessington World of Adventures
* Atlantis, Legoland Deutschland Resort
* Gardaland Sea Life Centre, Gardaland
* Atlantis Submarine Voyage, Legoland Windsor Resort

Sanctuaries|

* Cornish Seal Sanctuary
* Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary
* Manly Sea Life Sanctuary
* Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary

In malls|

* Sea Life Arizona
* Sea Life Charlotte-Concord
* Sea Life Grapevine
* Sea Life Istanbul
* Sea Life Kansas City
* Sea Life Michigan
* Sea Life Minnesota
* Sea Life New Jersey

Madame
Tussauds|

* Amsterdam
* Bangkok
* Beijing
* Berlin
* Blackpool
* Budapest
* Chongqing
* Delhi
* Dubai
* Hollywood
* Hong Kong
* Istanbul
* Las Vegas
* London
* Nashville
* New York
* Orlando
* Prague
* San Francisco
* Shanghai
* Singapore
* Sydney
* Tokyo
* Vienna
* Washington D.C.
* Wuhan

Dungeons|

* Alton Towers
* Amsterdam
* Berlin
* Blackpool Tower
* Edinburgh
* Hamburg
* London
* San Francisco
* Shanghai
* Warwick Castle
* York

'Eye' attractions|

* Blackpool Tower Eye
* Jurassic Skyline
* London Eye
* The Wheel at ICON Park Orlando
* Sydney Tower Eye

Wild Life locations|

* Wild Life Hamilton Island
* Wild Life Sydney

Australian Tree
Top Adventures|

* Illawarra Fly
* Otway Fly

Other attractions|

* Falls Creek
* Hotham Alpine Resort
* Legoland Discovery Centres
* Shrek's Adventure
* Warwick Castle
* Cadbury World
* London Planetarium

category

* v
* t
* e

John Wardley

Developed rides|

* Dragon Falls (1987)
* Runaway Train (1987)
* The 5th Dimension (1987)
* Vampire (1990)
* Prof. Burp's Bubble Works (1990)
* Runaway Mine Train (1992)
* The Haunted House (1992)
* Nemesis (1994)
* Megafobia (1996)
* Stampida (1997)
* Oblivion (1998)
* Hex – The Legend of the Towers (2000)
* Air (2002)

Related|

* Chessington World of Adventures
* Alton Towers
* Thorpe Park
* Gardaland
* Heide Park
* Merlin Entertainments
* PortAventura Park
* Oakwood Theme Park

* Category:Rides designed by John Wardley

* v
* t
* e

Amusement parks in the United Kingdom

Operated by Merlin Entertainments:|

* Alton Towers
* Chessington World of Adventures
* Legoland Windsor
* Thorpe Park

Operated by Gulliver's Theme Parks:|

* Gulliver's Kingdom
* Gulliver's Land
* Gulliver's Valley
* Gulliver's World

Other amusement parks:|

| England|

* Adventure Island
* Adventure Wonderland
* Blackgang Chine
* Blackpool Pleasure Beach
* Brean Leisure Park
* Camel Creek Adventure Park
* Clarence Pier
* Crealy Theme Park & Resort
* Drayton Manor Resort
* Dreamland Margate
* Fantasy Island
* Flambards Theme Park
* Flamingo Land Resort
* Funland
* Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
* Harbour Park
* Hidden Valley Discovery Park
* Joyland (Great Yarmouth)
* Lightwater Valley
* New Pleasureland
* Paultons Park
* Pleasurewood Hills
* Robin Hill
* Sundown Adventureland
* The Needles - Landmark Attraction
* Twinlakes
* Wheelgate Park
* Wicksteed Park
* Woodlands Family Theme Park

|

Scotland|

* Codonas Amusement Park
* Landmark Forest Adventure Park
* M&Ds Scotland's Theme Park

Wales|

* Barry Island Pleasure Park
* Coney Beach Pleasure Park
* Folly Farm Adventure Park and Zoo
* Oakwood

Proposed parks:|

* London Resort

Defunct parks|

* The American Adventure Theme Park
* Barry's Amusements
* Battersea Park
* Belle Vue Zoological Gardens
* Brocklands Adventure Park
* Camelot Theme Park
* Children's Corner
* Dobwalls Adventure Park
* Frontierland, Morecambe
* Granada Studios Tour
* Killarney Springs
* Loudoun Castle
* Marine Gardens
* Ocean Beach, Rhyl
* Pleasure Island Family Theme Park
* Tucktonia
* Manchester Botanic Gardens

* v
* t
* e

Railways and tramways of 15-inch (381 mm) gauge

Asia|

* Bal Bahran Park (Delhi, India)
* Sakuradani (Japan)
* Shuzenji Romney (Japan)

Europe|

* Anse (France)
* Dalaas Wald (Austria)
* Donaupark (Austria)
* Dresdner Park (Germany)
* Killesberg Park (Germany)
* Park Auensee (Germany)
* Prater Park (Austria)

| United
King-
dom|

* Alton Towers (defunct)
* Bellevue Park
* Blackpool Zoo
* Blenheim Park
* Bure Valley
* Cleethorpes Coast
* Conwy Valley
* Combe Martin Wildlife Park
* Craigtoun
* Duffield Bank
* Eaton Hall
* Evesham Vale
* Gulliver's Land
* Gulliver's World
* Haigh Country Park
* Heatherslaw
* Knowsley Safari Park
* Lakeside (Southport)
* Lappa Valley
* Lightwater Valley
* Liverpool Garden Festival
* Longleat
* Markeaton Park (defunct)
* Marwell Zoo (defunct)
* Oakwood Park
* Paradise Park
* Paultons Park
* Perrygrove
* Ravenglass & Eskdale
* Rhiw Valley
* Rhyl
* Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch
* Saltburn
* Sand and Hutton
* Sherwood Forest
* Waveney Valley
* West Midland Safari Park
* Whistlestop Valley
* Windmill Farm
* Wotton

|

North
America|

* Bear Creek Park (Canada)
* Pindal Electric (Canada)
* Springbank Express (Canada)

| United
States|

* American Heritage
* B.A.D. Great Northern
* Gage Park
* Glenwood South Park
* Hillcrest & Wahtoke
* Joshua Tree & Southern GSD
* Laurel Run
* Little Toot
* Look Park
* Milwaukee County Zoo Safari
* Nickel Plate
* Northwest Ohio
* Orland, Newville and Pacific
* Paradise and Pacific
* Phoenix & Holly
* Redwood Valley
* Riverside and Great Northern
* Riverview & Twin Lakes
* Sonoma TrainTown
* Tiny Town
* Waterman & Western

|

Oceania|

* Bush Mill (Australia)
* Driving Creek (New Zealand)
* Whangaparaoa (New Zealand)

Arlesdale (fictional) · Fairbourne (now re-gauged) · Far Tottering and Oyster Creek (temporary exhibition line)
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