Alton Towers is a theme park and resort on Farley Lane in Alton, Staffordshire, on the edge of the Peak District. The coasters are the draw: Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler with its 14 inversions, Wicker Man, Galactica and the vertical drop of Oblivion. Younger children head for CBeebies Land. Anyone who wants a break from the queues can walk the gardens around the part-ruined Gothic Revival house. The park is very spread out, so wear comfortable shoes and plan on a full day.
The coasters and big rides
Nemesis Reborn is the ride many people name first. It was given a major revamp in 2024, and its deep drops and twists keep it among the park's best all-round coasters. Oblivion was the world's first vertical drop coaster. The Smiler runs 14 loops at about 85 km/h and suits anyone who likes inversions. Wicker Man mixes a wooden coaster with effects and is fast. Galactica is a smooth flying coaster.
TH13TEEN is known for its theming. The Curse at Alton Manor opened in 2023 and is easy to overlook. Rita and Toxicator are also on the thrill list. Nemesis Sub-Terra takes you underground. If you want to get wet, Congo River Rapids soaks you.
Each ride is themed to match the area around it, so the backstories are part of the walk between queues. Some of the biggest coasters have height limits. A child who reaches 1.4 m can ride all of them.
Rides and shows for younger children
CBeebies Land was the first of its kind in the world, and it is the first stop for most families with small children. It has themed rides, interactive areas and characters that children recognise straight away. Small children will want to stay close to it.
The rest of the park has more for toddlers and their older siblings. A David Walliams area has Gangsta Granny: The Ride and Raj's Shop. There are gentler family rides such as the river rapids and the flume, live shows and the Skyride cable car. The Ice Age 4D experience is also on site.
Sharkbait Reef by SEALIFE is an aquarium in the park. It has blacktip sharks, spotted rays, seahorses and chocolate chip starfish. The UK's first Tropical Interactive Pool is there too, where small shrimp nibble at fingers dipped into the touch pool.
The ruined house and the gardens
The park was built around the remains of a Gothic Revival house in the Staffordshire countryside. Both Alton Towers and nearby Alton Castle were designed in part by the early 19th century architect A.W.N. Pugin. He is also known for his work with Charles Barry on the Houses of Parliament.
The house and its grounds are easy to miss, especially if you ride the Skyride cable car from one end of the park to the other. The gardens are well kept and worth a slower walk when you want a pause from the rides. There are open fields where you can sit down with a picnic, and seating areas around the park.
The castle and gardens are also what visitors from other countries tend to remember. The aesthetics of the castle and how it fits into the park stand out.
Planning the day
The park is large and walking between areas adds up. If you drive, a monorail takes you between the car parks and the park. Ending your day near Galactica gives you a shorter walk back to the car park. By train, the nearest station is Uttoxeter. It is under two hours from Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool. Stoke-on-Trent is about half an hour away by car, and Ashbourne about 20 minutes.
Queue times change a lot from day to day, so a crowd calendar can help you pick a date. On quieter days, lines shrink in the afternoon. Fast Track passes shorten the waits on busy days. The Merlin Platinum Pass suits people who visit often. It includes free parking, entry through the hotel entrance and one Solo Fast Track per visit, provided the queue is under 90 minutes.
Park tickets do not include the waterpark. Booking ahead is recommended. There are lockers, baggage storage and a coat check. The entrance, restrooms and parking are wheelchair accessible, and mobility scooters can be rented. Guide dogs are welcome.
The park closes for winter around the start of November and reopens in spring. It opens on selected dates in November and December for the Christmas event.
Staying on site, and seasonal events
Six hotels and glamping options sit around the resort, including log cabins, treehouses and stargazing pods. The CBeebies Land Hotel is designed for families. The Alton Towers Hotel has a Cadbury chocolate factory suite painted in Cadbury purple, with pressure dials on the walls and pipes across the ceiling. Staying overnight lets you spend a second day in the park without rushing.
The waterpark has lazy rivers and the Master Blaster water coaster. The resort also has Extraordinary Golf, a spa and a golf course.
The calendar changes through the year. Scarefest around Halloween has paid scare mazes, which fans of Fright Nights seek out. There is also a fireworks spectacular. At Christmas, Towers Street becomes a market of decorated wooden huts, with live entertainment on the bandstand stage.
Perguntas frequentes
How long do you need at Alton Towers?
A full day is needed to do the park justice. If you want to ride everything and see the gardens, consider an overnight stay and a second day.
Are the waterpark and the theme park on the same ticket?
No. Theme park tickets do not include waterpark entry, so check what your ticket covers when you book.
Can you bring your own food?
Yes, picnics are allowed and there are fields and seating areas for them. Food and drink inside the park are expensive, so many visitors bring snacks and water bottles.
How do you get to Alton Towers without a car?
The nearest station is Uttoxeter, which is under two hours by train from Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool.
Is Alton Towers suitable for young children?
Yes. CBeebies Land is built for them, and the rest of the park has gentler rides that toddlers and older siblings can share. Some big coasters have height limits.
Is the park wheelchair accessible?
The entrance, restrooms and parking lot are wheelchair accessible, and there is accessible seating. Mobility scooters can be rented on site.
