So there I was at work, trying to find a place to go on the weekend with a few friends that didn’t involve getting completely drunk and passing out in a shop doorway. After a few fleeting thoughts I jumped off my chair and cried `eureka`, much to the surprise of my work colleagues. Of course, a theme park and I had no doubts in my mind which one it was to be, Alton Towers!
Just to fill you in, Alton Towers is a theme park built around the old towers of Alton, a historical building with a castle like appearance with gardens and lakes. The building still stands and is beautifully blended in with the theme park experience, contrasting old with new. The Tussauds group decided to throw a few rides around the towers some 25 years ago and have continued to build on that ever since. Alton Towers is now the UK’s largest theme park and in my opinion, on par with some of the worlds best theme parks and attractions. The Tussauds group own many other leisure parks, including Chessington and Madam Tussauds but have used Alton Towers as their prized jewel in the entertainmentcrown of Great Britain.
Where the park is (get me there!)
I have been to Alton Towers many times in the past and have no troubling in coming to terms with the fact that its almost 200 miles away from London. However, given the fact that I’ve been to almost every theme park in the UK, I knew that making the journey would have its rewards. Alton
Towers is located in Staffordshire, near Derby and Stoke on Trent and can be accessed from some main roads and motorways.
BY CAR - Use the M1 junction 23 for travellers coming up from London and down from Sheffield. The M6 junction 15 & 16 can be used for people coming from the South West and Birmingham and travellers from Manchester. Both routes are signposted from the motorway. It took me 3 hours to get from London to Alton Towers and that was with good traffic, so expect to spend between 3 and 5 hours to get there. It is best to leave early to aim to arrive at about 9.30 or 10.00. The car park is located some distance from the park but a free monorail will get you there in 10 minutes. Parking in £3.00 (we pay to park!?) or you can get special close range parking spaces for about £10.
BY TRAIN - Virgin trains offer a service from London, the West Midlands and Manchester or if your loaded with cash, you may wish to charter your own light aircraft!
What can I expect to do at the park?
Ask me what you CAN’T do at Alton Towers. I had not visited for about 5 years and they have really spend a lot of money building new rides and attractions over that time. As no stranger to danger, I dared to take on the top rides and from first hand experience, I will give you a quick low down of the thrills and spills of the best Alton Towers has to offer.
The Oblivion - Wow. I went on this pretty much first and it has got to be the most frightening experience of my life. This contraption seats 16 people and takes you up about 40 metres on rails, where you soon realise you should have made a long stop to the bathroom before hand. From here its all down hill, literally. You are dropped vertically 60 metres, into a dark hole in the ground and flung back round to the start. Although this ride only lasts about 40 seconds, it is the best thing for thrill seekers and scared the living daylights out of everyone. I came off this laughing hysterically.
The Nemesis - Like a normal roller coaster but your legs hang out. The rail is above you, so you can see directly below and this has to be the fastest thing in the park as it will fling you around and upside down no less than 6 times. I came off slightly thinner and a lot lighter, although this only lasted a few minutes.
Air - You may of heard of it, you may not but this has to be the best ride in the park. Like the Nemesis, you start off with your feet dangling but not for long. Before setting off, the chair you sit in goes back, so now your legs are behind you, your arms in front and you are facing the floor straight on. You have now assumed the superman position and are ready to fly around in all directions, around loops and tight corners. Not as scary as the Nemesis but the feeling is unbeatable as you glide through the air turning upside down and sideways, whilst watching the world below you plod along at normal pace.
The Corkscrew - The parks first roller coaster and an old classic in my opinion. A nippy little ride with two corkscrew twists to turn you upside down and sharp corners to knock the sense out of your brain. This used to be so scary, grown men would sob bitterly in the queue but this time I went on it straight after lunch and managed to keep the whole lot down.
The Black Hole - This would be boring if you could see a damn thing but after being plunged into darkness, this coaster will turn you around and drop you down a good many times. No great thrills here and with just a bar to hold on to, this old roller coaster just gently rolls you around instead of throwing you about like a rag doll.
The Log Flume - A few drops in this water ride is enough to get you wet and although its dated, will provide good laughs with your friends. 5 can sit in a log and with 3 drops and a tunnel, its good honest fun.
Congo River Rapids - Brave the water rapids in a large rubber dinghy and try to spin the boat to get your friends wet. Not the most exciting but much more fun than the log flume.
Duel Ghost House - This one has changed from a classic ghost house to a laser shooting adventure that I could have done without. You travel around on a track trying to shoot the many green lights with your laser gun. You are awarded points if you manage to shoot the ones left over once several other people have had a go and then compare scores at the end. They try to scare you with weird sound and rubber masks but hey, I was too busy shooting little green dots to notice.
Hex - The last one we went on before heading off into the sunset. The story of Alton Towers is revealed in a short story but it’s the room at the end that holds the key. I can’t spoil the surprise but be prepared for a total mind blowing experience, with a visual mind trick that is like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
There are quite a few other rides, many much smaller than listed above and a whole kiddies section based on the Tweenies (oh those lovable characters) There are a few video arcades and fun-fare style games to play and prizes to be won on some of them and so much more we couldn’t do in just one day.
Facilities -
There are lots of places to go and eat, which are spread around nicely. The variety is lacking however and fast food is very much the order of the day. I would imagine vegetarians and dieters would not have much fun at lunch time. There is a huge park however and plenty of places to eat a picnic or packed lunch, so no excuses not to make a giant salad and bring it along. Toilets are spread around the park but are lacking in the newer areas and some of them could do with a good clean. We went on a busy day but expected a higher hygiene level than this and think Alton Towers could improve this at minimal cost. Staff were helpful and easy to find when required.
Long queue -
Come on, it’s a theme park and expect the odd queue (for everything!)
Whilst standing there with nothing to do, amuse yourself with a wasp or two. And when your passing interests in insects is done, Wave your arms about and your sure to get stung!
That is all I can say on that subject! Oh yes, you can get advance tickets for some rides, which will specify a time to come back and ride. This can reduce queuing times by about a half in some cases.
How it compares -
I have raved about this for long enough and now you want to know why you should go all that way to Alton Towers when you can go up the road to Chessington or Thorpe Park. Alton Towers offers the thrills of all the other theme parks put together. It has at least 4 VERY scary and damn good rides, where as all the other parks boast one super ride and some humble old pirate ship or dodgems. The sheer size will entertain you for the entire day and the next if you choose to stay over night in its new on-site hotel. I have been to many a theme park but none like this one. I was shocked and surprised by the variety of things to do and the unique rides that they had to offer.
Prices and times -
Just to help you out, I have listed the park prices and opening times.
Adults £19.50 (off peak) and £26.00 (on peak) Children £16.50 (off peak) and £21.00 (on peak) OAP £15.00 Under 4’s enter free.
The park opens between 9.30 and most of the rides close at 5.30, although I believe it stays open until later. The peak times are in summer and it can get busy, so choose your times well, or you might find yourself queuing for most of your trip.
Contacting Alton Towers -
You can book online or just browse the site on www.alton-towers.co.uk Alternatively, you can call 0870 444 4455 to book over the phone.
Worth the money -
Are you kidding? I’m already planning my next trip to Alton Towers.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
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Advantages: Lots to do, rides seldom break down, something for everyone. Disadvantages: Big queues for some rides, tickets rather pricey, especially for kids
exceptional by (6%):
very helpful by (94%):
