'''Alton Towers''' is the largest theme park in the United Kingdom and located in Staffordshire, England.

Contact

Alton Towers Alton Stoke-on-Trent Staffordshire ST10 4AQ England

Tel: +44 (0)8705 20 40 60

http://www.altontowers.com

Understand

Alton Towers, which is owned by Merlin entertainments,is the largest theme park in the UK and is generally considered by roller-coaster enthusiasts to hold its own with any such park in the world. Nemesis and Oblivion (you get the picture) are white knuckle rides to match anything in Europe and most rides in the USA. The park is very well themed and is built in a number of zones, namely Tower Street, Mutiny Bay, Katanga Canyon, Gloomy Wood, X-Sector, Forbidden Valley, Ug Land, Cloud Cuckoo Land, Adventure Land and Storybook Land. <p>The ruins of this stately home are even used in a couple of ghostly rides. Alton Towers is well signposted from the major motorways and is easily accessible from the major cities in England. Those visitors who wish to overnight can stay at one of the park's two hotels - The Alton Towers Hotel and the newer Splash Landings Hotel, which is also associated with a spectacular water park.

History

Get in

Alton Towers is easily accessible from the North and Midlands via the M6. From the South-East and London drive up the M1. From both motorways the site is clearly signposted. Follow road signs and you'll be there before you know it (that is unless you hit the rush hour).

Fees

For up to date details on prices visit the parks own website.

Prices as at April 2009 are: Adult __36* Child __27*

Note: these are on "on-the-day" prices. Buying your tickets in advance online can save you around __7 per adult and __5 per child

Get around

The best way around is on foot. At the entrance get a free map of the park at Guest services. During peak season when the park is overcrowded (july and august) there is a monorail called the SkyRide. This will get you from one side to the next much quicker.

Facilities

  • Baby Change Facilities
  • There are 7 baby changing facilities located within the toilets around the theme park. Should you forget any essentials such as nappies, bottles and dummies (pacifiers), these are stocked at the Towers Trading Store.

  • Medical Centre
  • There is a First Aid Centre located between The Towers Family Restaurant and the Skyride Station on Towers Street.

  • Cash Machines
  • There are several cash points located around the park.

    See

    The maze. The fantastic gardens and the stately home itself.

    Do

    There are 8 main 'white knuckle' rides: ''Air'', ''Nemesis'', ''Oblivion'', ''Rita - Queen of Speed'', ''Enterprise'', ''Ripsaw'', ''The Blade'' and ''Submission''

    Other rides worth a go are ''Duel - The Haunted House Strikes Back'', ''Runaway Mine Train'', ''Hex'', and if you don't mind getting soaked ''The Flume'' and the ''Congo River Rapids''.

    For younger visitors try the ''Squirrel Nutty Ride'', ''The Beastie'' and ''Old McDonald's Farmyard''.

    There is also a fantastic water park, golf course and spa. Note if you wish to get pampered in the spa you must book in advance. See the website for details.

    Buy

    Various ride photos.

    Eat

    There is an array of fast food stands and cafes. The stands include McDonalds, Burger King and KFC. In addition to this there is an Old English Pub, an American BBQ place and a Mexican restaurant. This is all as well as various stands serving curry, chilli, filled jacket potatoes etc together with traditional English dishes such as fish and chips. If you wish to bring your own food into the park, there is a picnic area beside Mutiny Bay.

    Drink

    Cafes and vending machines distributing pop/soda are plentiful throughout the park.

    Sleep

    Alton towers has two on-site hotels for overnight stays.
  • '''The Alton Towers Hotel''' [http://www.altontowers.com/hotels/alton-towers-hotel/]
  • '''The Splash Landings Hotel''' [http://www.altontowers.com/hotels/splash-landings-hotel/], with water park and spa.</p>
  • Stay safe

    In the resorts 28 year history only one accident on roller coasters has occured. That was on the Runaway Mine train. Anyway if the worst should happen all staff members are well trained in first aid. I've been going to Alton Towers every year since it opened and never had any legal trouble. However in summer the place becomes overcrowded so beware of pickpockets.

    Get out