Alton Towers monorail

Alton Towers Resort
Company type	Leisure complex
Industry	Theme park, hospitality
Predecessor	Alton Towers (grand residence of the Earl of Shrewsbury)
Founded	Late 19th century
Founder	Earl of Shrewsbury (original residence)
Headquarters	Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom
Area served	United Kingdom
Key people	Managed by Merlin Entertainments
Products	Theme park, water park, mini golf, hotel complex
Owner	LondonMetric Property (as of 2024)
Website	www.altontowers.com

Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Alton Towers monorail, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 10 August 2025

Alton Towers (), commonly referred to as Alton Towers Resort, stands as a leading theme park and leisure complex situated in Staffordshire, England, close to the village of Alton. Managed by Merlin Entertainments, the resort encompasses a theme park, water park, mini golf, and a hotel complex.

Initially the grand residence of the Earl of Shrewsbury, Alton Towers opened its doors to visitors towards the end of the 19th century. Between the 1950s and 1970s, attractions such as a scenic railway and cable car were introduced. The site evolved into a full-fledged theme park in 1980, featuring new rides and adopting a single-entry ticket system. Notable rides include Congo River Rapids, Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler, and Wicker Man.

The resort provides a variety of lodging options along with facilities like Alton Towers Waterpark, a Conference Centre, and Extraordinary Golf. While the theme park operates seasonally from mid-March through early November, accommodations and other amenities remain accessible throughout the year. Signature annual events consist of Scarefest, Fireworks displays, and Christmas festivities.

Early 20th Century Public Access

Following the inauguration of Alton Towers railway station, Alton Towers began regular public openings, with excursion train revenues aiding estate upkeep. In 1924, local estate agents established Alton Towers Ltd to own the property and preserve its gardens for visitors. The estate was requisitioned for military use during Second World War but reopened in the early 1950s under Alton Towers Ltd management. Subsequent expansions included a railway, fairground attractions, boating lake, and a chairlift. Later, property developer John Broome acquired majority ownership and spearheaded its conversion into a theme park.

Initial Theme Park Expansion (1980-1990)

Under John Broome’s direction, Alton Towers transitioned into a theme park in 1980 by introducing a pay-once ticket policy along with new rides such as the Corkscrew. Additional attractions added during this period were The Flume, Around The World in 80 Days, The Black Hole, and Grand Canyon Rapids.

Developments Under Tussauds Group (1990–2007)

In 1990, facing financial difficulties related to his Battersea Power Station project, Broome sold Alton Towers to The Tussauds Group, then part of Pearson plc. During Tussauds’ ownership, the park expanded with themed zones and new rides including Runaway Mine Train (1992), The Haunted House (1992), Toyland Tours (1994), and Nemesis (1994). Attraction producer John Wardley played a key role in developments from 1990 until 2002.

In 1998, Charterhouse, a venture capital firm, acquired Tussauds. That same year introduced Oblivion, followed by Air (rebranded as Galactica) in 2002 and Spinball Whizzer in 2004; each promoted as pioneering ride experiences.

Dubai International Capital (DIC) purchased Tussauds in 2005 for £800 million and launched Rita–Queen of Speed within Ug Land that year.

Developments under Merlin Entertainments (2007–present)

In May 2007, The Blackstone Group purchased The Tussauds Group for $1.9 billion, integrating it with its subsidiary Merlin Entertainments. DIC maintained a 20% ownership in Merlin.

On 17 July 2007, private equity firm Prestbury acquired Alton Towers through a sale and leaseback arrangement; Merlin continues to manage the park under a renewable lease lasting 35 years. As of 2024, the property is owned by LondonMetric Property.

At the start of 2008, the resort was rebranded as Alton Towers Resort to highlight its appeal as a multi-day destination. That same year, the Corkscrew roller coaster was decommissioned, with its track preserved in the entrance plaza. In March 2010, TH13TEEN debuted on the former Corkscrew location, becoming the first coaster worldwide to feature a freefall drop track.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 operating season was shortened and ran at reduced capacity from July through November. Full operations recommenced in April 2021.

In 2024, Nemesis underwent extensive refurbishment lasting a year and reopened as Nemesis Reborn, accompanied by upgrades to the Forbidden Valley zone. The following year, the park launched Toxicator, a HUSS suspended topspin ride that replaced Ripsaw. However, entertainment offerings were scaled back in 2025 with the removal of the lawn stage and fewer live performers as part of budget reductions.

Roller coasters

Name	Picture	Status	Opened	Type	Manufacturer	Height Min.	Park section	Notes	Previous Attraction
Runaway Mine Train	Template:NA	Operational	1992	Steel/Mine Train	Mack Rides	1.1 m	Katanga Canyon	A powered family-friendly roller coaster.	Template:N/A
Nemesis Reborn	Template:NA	Operational	1994 (2024)	Steel/Inverted	Bolliger & Mabillard	1.4 m	Forbidden Valley	Europe's inaugural inverted coaster, refurbished and re-tracked for reopening in 2024.	Nemesis
Oblivion	Template:NA	Operational	1998	Steel/Dive coaster	Bolliger & Mabillard	1.4 m	X-Sector	The first dive coaster introduced globally.	Template:N/A
Galactica		Operational	2002	Steel/Flying	Bolliger & Mabillard	1.4 m	Forbidden Valley	The first flying coaster by B&M, previously known as Air. Featured VR experience from 2016 to 2018.	The Beast
Spinball Whizzer	Template:NA	Operational	2004	Steel/Spinning	Maurer AG	1.2 m	The Towers	A spinning coaster designed with a pinball theme; sponsored by Sonic the Hedgehog between 2010 and 2015.	Template:N/A
Rita	Template:NA	Operational	2005	Steel/Accelerator	Intamin	1.4 m	Dark Forest	Coaster launched hydraulically.	Template:N/A
TH13TEEN	Template:NA	Operational	2010	Multi Dimension Coaster	Intamin	1.2 m	Dark Forest	The first roller coaster incorporating a vertical free-fall drop element.	"Corkscrew"

|- The Smiler | | Operational | 2013 | Steel/Infinity | Gerstlauer | 1.4 m | X-Sector | Holds world record for most inversions at 14. | Black Hole |- |- style="text-align:center"|Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure | | Operational | 2015 | Steel | Zamperla | 0.9 m | CBeebies Land | Children's coaster themed after the TV series. | Beastie |- |- style="text-align:center"|Wicker Man | | Operational | 2018 | Wooden | Great Coasters International | 1.2 m | Mutiny Bay | Wooden coaster featuring live fire effects. | The Flume | }

Flat rides

Name	Picture	Type	Status	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes	Replaced
Toxicator	Template:NA	Suspended Top Spin	Currently operating	2025	Forbidden Valley	Huss Rides	A Top Spin attraction positioned on a platform elevated 16 ft.	Template:N/A
Marauder's Mayhem	Template:NA	Teacups Ride	Currently operating	1987	Mutiny Bay	Mack Rides	A teacup ride designed to resemble barrels of gunpowder.	Tea Cup Ride

Water/Dark rides

Name	Picture	Type	Status	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes	Replaced
Battle Galleons	Template:NA	Splash Battle	Currently operating	2008	Mutiny Bay	Mack Rides	Splash Battle ride with a pirate theme.	Splash Kart Challenge
Congo River Rapids	Template:NA	Rapids ride	Currently operating	1986	Katanga Canyon	Intamin	Water-based rapids attraction.	Template:N/A
Curse at Alton Manor	Template:NA	Dark ride	Currently operating	2023	Gloomy Wood	Mack Rides	Dark ride featuring a haunted theme.	Duel
Hex – The Legend of the Towers	Template:NA	Walk-through/ Madhouse	Currently operating	2000	The Towers	Vekoma	Attraction inspired by the chained oak legend, ending with a Madhouse experience.	Template:N/A
Gangsta Granny: The Ride	Template:NA	Dark ride	Currently operating	2021	The World of David Walliams	Garmendale Engineering	Dark ride based on David Walliams' Gangsta Granny.	Wobble World
Nemesis Sub Terra	Template:NA	Drop tower / walkthrough	Currently operating	2012	Forbidden Valley	ABC Rides	Narrative tied to the Nemesis story, featuring an indoor drop tower element.	Lava Lump

Children's rides and attractions

Name	Picture	Type	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes \|
Cuckoo Cars Driving School	Template:NA	Driving Attraction	2006	The Towers	SB International AB	Vintage Cars
Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp	Template:NA	minidrop tower	1999	The World of David Walliams	S&S Power	Template:N/A
Royal Carousel	Template:NA	Carousel	1991	The World of David Walliams	Bertazzon	Template:N/A
Heave Ho	Template:NA	Rockin' Tug	2008	Mutiny Bay	Zamperla	Template:N/A
'Sharkbait Reef'	Template:NA	Sea Life Centre	2009	Mutiny Bay	Merlin Magic Making	3D Cinema
'In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride'	Template:NA	Boat ride	2014	CBeebies Land	Mack Rides	Riverbank Eye Spy
'Get Set Go TreeTop Adventure'	Template:NA	Powered monocab ride	1996	CBeebies Land	Premier Rides	Template:N/A
'Bugbie Go Round'	Template:NA	Carousel-style attraction	1995	CBeebies Land		Template:N/A
'JoJo & Gran Gran at Home'	Template:NA	Walk Through	2022	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	Charlie & Lola's Moonsquirters & Greendrops
'Justin's House: Pie-O-Matic Factory'	Template:NA	Playhouse	2003	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	Template:N/A
'Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig'	Template:NA	Show	2022	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	Mr Bloom's Allotment
'Something Special Sensory Garden'	Template:NA	Sensory Trail	2014	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	Template:N/A
'Hey Duggee's Big Adventure Badge'	Template:NA	Play Area	2022	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	Tree Fu Tom Training Camp
'Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride'	Template:NA	Aerial Roundabout	2017	CBeebies Land	Garmendale Engineering	Template:N/A
'The Furchester Hotel Live'	Template:NA	Show	2017	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	Template:N/A
'Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop'	Template:NA	Two Junior Drop Towers	2019	CBeebies Land	S&S Power	Template:N/A

Theme park transportation and grounds

Name	Image	Type	Operational Status	Launch Year	Location	Manufacturer	Remarks
Haunted Hollow	Template:NA	Outdoor pathway	Currently Open	2007	Gloomy Wood / Mutiny Bay	Tussauds Studios	A themed walkway connecting Gloomy Wood and Mutiny Bay, featuring interactive elements; it replaced the former Park Railway route (1953–1996).
Monorail	Template:NA	Monorail	Operational	1987	Connecting entrance plaza with car park and hotels	Von Roll Habegger	Provides guest transit between resort accommodations, parking areas, and the theme park entrance.
Sky Ride	Template:NA	Gondola lift	In Service	1987	Stations at Towers Street, Forbidden Valley, and Dark Forest	Poma	A cable car system offering transportation within the park alongside scenic garden vistas across three stations.
The Gardens	Template:NA	English landscape garden	Open to visitors	1860	Gardens area	The Talbot Family	Historic landscaped grounds featuring lakes, fountains, and architectural highlights such as the Chinese Pagoda Fountain, Choragic Monument, Conservatories, Gothic Prospect Tower, and Swiss Cottage.
The Towers ruins	Template:NA	Ruins	Accessible via paid tours only	1970	The Towers area	The Talbot Family	Ruins of a 19th-century stately residence available for guided exploration.

Upcoming attractions


Name	Type	Projected Opening	Location	Manufacturer	Additional Details
'Project Sunshine'	Rollercoaster	2026	Former Postman Pat Parcel Post location	Undisclosed	Family-friendly rollercoaster currently under development since June 2025; specific ride information yet to be revealed.
'Project Horizon'	Unspecified	Unconfirmed	Former Coaster Corner site	Unconfirmed	Proposed indoor attraction with no confirmed construction or launch timeline.

Previous roller coasters

Attraction	Opening Year	Closing Year	Manufacturer	Subsequent Location
Corkscrew	1980	2008	Vekoma
Mini Apple Coaster	1982	1997	Pinfari	Relocated to Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, England since 1998
The Beastie	1983	2010	Pinfari	Closed between 2011–2012 then removed; currently operating as a traveling coaster named Dragon Challenge at Barry Island Pleasure Park
Black Hole	1984	2005	Anton Schwarzkopf	Functioned at Furuviksparken from 2011 to 2021; later removed and listed for sale
4 Man Bob Coaster	1985	1990	Zierer	Transferred to Family Park in France
Alton Mouse	1988	1991	Vekoma	Operating at Idlewild and Soak Zone, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, USA since 1993
The Beast	1988	1997	Anton Schwarzkopf	Operated at Salitre Magico, Colombia from 2010 until 2017
Thunder Looper	1990	1996	Anton Schwarzkopf	Moved to Hopi Hari, Brazil in 1999 and has operated there since

Former Key Attractions

Attraction	Launch Year	Closure Year	Type of Ride	Outcome
Around The World in 80 Days	1981	1993	Dark ride	Transformed into Toyland Tours.
Doom & Sons	1981	1992	Walkthrough attraction	Integrated into the Toyland Tours structure.
The Flume	1981	2015	Log flume ride	Demolished.
Twirling Toadstool previously Ug Swinger	1984	2016	Wave Swinger ride	Removed and scrapped.
Toyland Tours	1994	2005	Dark ride	Reimagined as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride.
The Haunted House	1992	2002	Dark ride	Rethemed to Duel — The Haunted House Strikes Back!
Submission	2001	2013	Chance Rides Inverter	Dismantled; temporary Retro Squad rides took its place.
Dynamo	1993	2003	Huss Breakdance ride	Currently operates as a travelling attraction in Switzerland.
Boneshaker formerly Energizer	1995	2003	Mondial Supernova ride	Now known as La Cólera de Akiles at Terra Mitica.
Ripsaw	1997	2015	Huss Topspin ride	Scrapped after closure.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride	2006	2015	Dark ride	Converted into Alton Towers Dungeons.
Ice Age: The 4D Experience	2012	2016	4D cinema attraction	Structure remains standing but not operating.
Enterprise	1984	2021	HUSS Enterprise ride	Removed and scrapped.
Duel – The Haunted House Strikes Back!	2003	2022	Shooting dark ride	Rebranded as The Curse at Alton Manor.
The Blade	1980	2024	HUSS Pirate Ship	Initially operated in Fantasy World (1980–1996), relocated to Forbidden Valley in 1997; was the oldest running ride at closure.
Flavio's Fabulous Fandango	2021	2024	Sizzler	A flat ride manufactured by PWS, featuring sizzler/twister motion.
The Alton Towers Dungeon	2019	2024	Boat and walkthrough attraction	An in-park adaptation of Merlin's Dungeon with five interactive scenes; replaced by "Amigos in the Afterlife" during Scarefest.
Postman Pat Parcel Post	2014	2025		Interactive car ride themed around CBeebies' Postman Pat: Special Delivery Service.

Alton Towers Theme Park

Alton Towers Theme Park is divided into 11 distinct zones: 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 provides transportation between Towers Street, Forbidden Valley, and The Towers while offering scenic views of the gardens.

The park can accommodate up to 28,000 visitors at a time. According to the TEA attendance report, in 2019 Alton Towers welcomed around 2.13 million guests, marking a 1.4% rise compared to 2018 figures. This attendance ranked it as the second most popular theme park in the UK behind Legoland Windsor and placed it 13th across Europe. Notably, annual visitor numbers surpassed three million during both 1994 and 2010, coinciding with the debut of the Nemesis and Thirteen rollercoasters respectively.

Timeline of park zones

Opening years of park zones
1980	1981	1984	1986	1990	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2008	2009	2010	2014	2020
Ingestre Centre		Aqualand			Katanga Canyon
Ingestre Centre		Aqualand			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
			Kiddies Kingdom						Storybook Land							CBeebies Land
				Britannia Farm	Safeway Farm			Old MacDonald's Farmyard								CBeebies Land
					Thunder Valley		Forbidden Valley
					Gloomy Wood

Past themed zone

Present themed zone

Towers Street

Since its introduction in 1986, Towers Street has served as the primary entrance area, designed to resemble a bustling town street with vistas of the gardens and the iconic Towers across the lake. This zone includes the park’s signature jumping frog fountains and a lawn area utilized for seasonal festivities. The original station for the SkyRide, an aerial cable car spanning 1,048 meters, was established here in 1987 and underwent refurbishment in 2009. Additionally, a monorail system operates to shuttle visitors between the theme park, lodging facilities, water park, and parking areas. Prior to closing each day, guests enjoy entertainment from performers dressed as policemen riding Segway-like vehicles while playing lively music, accompanied by an actor portraying a sea captain aboard a miniature ship.

Katanga Canyon

Introduced in 1992 and styled as an African village, Katanga Canyon incorporates pre-existing attractions such as the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster and the Congo River Rapids. The Congo River Rapids is a wild river adventure extending 735 meters with a six-minute duration; it originally opened in 1986 under the name The Grand Canyon Rapids and was updated in 1992. Runaway Mine Train is a steel sit-down powered coaster featuring a 305-meter track that reaches speeds up to 22 mph (36 km/h) and requires riders to be at least 90 cm tall.

Gloomy Wood

Gloomy Wood is home to the dark ride The Curse at Alton Manor, which first opened in 1992 under the name The Haunted House. In 2007, the themed pathway Haunted Hollow was introduced along the former scenic railway route from Mutiny Bay. This trail features interactive tombstones and statues that emit sound effects to enhance the immersive experience.

Forbidden Valley

Forbidden Valley is designed around the concept of a research installation managed by the Phalanx organisation. Prior to its 2024 overhaul, the zone showcased a post-apocalyptic scrapyard theme. This section also contains a station for the SkyRide cable car system.

The area's centerpiece is Nemesis Reborn, originally known as Nemesis when it debuted in 1994. This steel inverted coaster reaches speeds up to 50 mph (81 km/h) and features four inversions, set within a rugged quarry environment accentuated by waterfalls. The ride’s narrative portrays an alien entity dwelling within the quarry.

Another key attraction is Galactica, a Bolliger & Mabillard flying coaster that opened in 2002 under the name Air. In 2016, it was reimagined as Galactica with a space exploration theme and incorporated VR headsets, which were subsequently removed following visitor feedback.

Additional rides include Nemesis Sub-Terra, an indoor drop tower inspired by the discovery of Nemesis eggs underground. It operated between 2012 and 2015 before reopening on 27 May 2023. In 2025, the HUSS suspended topspin ride Toxicator was introduced on the former site of Ripsaw, positioned above the walkway.

In May 2016, the 'Rollercoaster Restaurant' launched, featuring meal service delivered via looping rails. Open daily from 10am until 9:30pm, it remains accessible without park admission after hours except during major events and offers a dedicated entrance for hotel guests.

Adventure Land

Adventure Land is a compact family-friendly zone highlighted by the Spinball Whizzer, a Maurer Söhne spinning coaster where riders experience rotating cars along the track. Initially called Spinball Whizzer, it was renamed Sonic Spinball from 2010 to 2016 during a partnership with SEGA. The area derives its name from the former adventure playground that was part of Kiddies Kingdom before it split into Adventure Land and Storybook Land in 1996.

X-Sector

X-Sector is themed as a covert testing facility for experimental guest trials, further developed in 2013 with the Ministry of Joy concept linked to The Smiler, which compels riders to smile throughout its intense experience.

This district features two prominent thrill rides: Oblivion, a Bolliger & Mabillard steel dive coaster introduced in 1998 with an 87.5° drop where vehicles pause before plunging into a tunnel; and The Smiler, a Gerstlauer Infinity Coaster that opened in 2013 and holds the world record for most inversions at 14. The park undertook partial redesigns of X-Sector in 2013 to accommodate The Smiler.

Past attractions in X-Sector include The Black Hole, a Jet Star 2 coaster housed within a tent (now replaced by The Smiler); Energizer (later renamed Boneshaker), a swinging gondola ride succeeded by Submission in 2001, which was removed in 2014; and Enterprise, a HUSS Enterprise flat ride that operated from 1984 until its permanent closure in 2023 after being SBNO in 2022. Additionally, three retro-style flat rides—"mixtape," "spinjam," and "twistatron"—were active between 2021 and 2023.

Mutiny Bay

Launched in 2008, Mutiny Bay is a pirate-inspired family zone that took the place of the Merrie England area. Its main draws include Battle Galleons, an interactive watercraft ride featuring water cannons for splash battles, and the swinging boat attraction Heave Ho. The original teacups ride was revamped and renamed Marauders Mayhem, now themed with gunpowder barrel vehicles.

The Flume, a Mack-manufactured log flume that debuted in 1981 and was reimagined in 2004 under Imperial Leather sponsorship, once held the record as the longest flume worldwide at . It ceased operations in late 2015 and was dismantled in 2016 to make room for the Wicker Man coaster alongside the themed "Welcome Inn" bar.

In 2009, the Sharkbait Reef Sea Life Centre opened within the former 3-D Cinema space, offering interactive touch pools and an underwater tunnel experience.

The World of David Walliams

Introduced in May 2021, The World of David Walliams caters to children aged 7 to 11 and draws inspiration from the author’s well-known book series. Featured attractions include Gangsta Granny: The Ride, Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp (formerly known as Frog Hopper), and Royal Carousel (previously Galloper's Carousel).

This section evolved from earlier themed areas such as "Cloud Cuckoo Land" and "Cred Street", which themselves originated from "Talbot Street" established in 1981—the park’s inaugural themed zone featuring dark rides like Around The World in 80 Days and Doom & Sons. The current theme integrates Walliams’ branding, including a street named "Wallibums Way".

Initially announced in October 2019 as a replacement for Cloud Cuckoo Land, the opening of The World of David Walliams was postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At launch, a temporary attraction called Flavio's Fabulous Fandango was introduced alongside retail at Raj's Shop and outdoor entertainment offerings.

Dark Forest

The Dark Forest area, characterized by a supernatural woodland theme, debuted with the opening of TH13TEEN on 20 March 2010. TH13TEEN is a steel family coaster notable for featuring the world's first freefall drop on a roller coaster—an indoor vertical drop element. This ride replaced the Corkscrew, which was the park's original coaster dating back to 1980. Additionally, Rita, a hydraulically launched steel sit-down coaster reaching speeds up to 61 mph (100 km/h), was rethemed as an abandoned drag racer attempting to flee the Dark Forest.

Before becoming Dark Forest, this zone was known as Ug Land, a cartoonish prehistoric-themed area that opened in 1999 but was partially demolished in 2005 to accommodate Rita’s construction. Originally themed around drag racing, Rita’s design shifted with TH13TEEN’s introduction and the area's transformation into Dark Forest, which included updated color schemes and a new entrance. Rita also underwent repainting of its control cabin and trains, with its name shortened from "Rita – Queen of Speed".

CBeebies Land

Opened on 24 May 2014, CBeebies Land is themed around the BBC children’s channel CBeebies, offering rides, shows, and interactive experiences inspired by programs such as In the Night Garden... and Postman Pat. Attractions include In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride, Get Set Go Treetop Adventure, Something Special Sensory Garden, Bugbie Go Round, Justin's House: Pie-O-Matic Factory, Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig, Jojo & Gran Gran at Home, Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop, Octonauts Roller Coaster Adventure, and The Furchester Hotel Live. Live shows at Big Fun Show Time feature Teletubbies Big Band Show, Bing Live, and Hey Duggee Live.

In 2015, Octonauts Roller Coaster Adventure launched as an underwater-themed children’s roller coaster on the former site of The Beastie. The land expanded further in 2017 with additions including Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride and The Furchester Hotel Live, followed by another expansion in 2019 featuring Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop and the Teletubbies Big Band Live Show. In 2022, three new attractions were introduced: Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig, and JoJo and Gran Gran at Home. A new Bluey-themed attraction opened on 23 March 2024.

The Towers

The park's name is derived from The Towers, the remnants of the original Alton Towers manor. This estate belonged to the Talbot family until 1924 and was predominantly designed by Augustus Pugin, renowned for his contributions to the Palace of Westminster. Although now in a state of decay, the ruins are accessible through guided tours. Prominent elements include the banqueting hall, chapel, conservatories, and Her Ladyship's Gardens.

Opened in 2000, the walk-through dark ride Hex – The Legend of the Towers is inspired by a local myth involving the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury and a bewitched oak tree. Its climax features a Vekoma Madhouse experience designed as a hidden vault.

The Alton Towers Dungeon debuted in 2019 but ceased operations in July 2024 to make space for a new Scarefest attraction. Following expansions such as CBeebies Land and The World of David Walliams, attractions like Spinball Whizzer and Cloud Cuckoo Land are now incorporated into this section.

For younger visitors, Cuckoo Cars Driving School provides miniature electric vehicles on a themed circuit filled with visual humor. Nearby, a SkyRide station at Fountain Square offers convenient transport to other parts of the park.

The Gardens

Close to the garden entrance stands a cenotaph commemorating the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury, who was instrumental in developing Alton Towers and its gardens during the early 1800s. This monument features a marble bust inscribed with "He made the desert smile." Garden highlights include a Chinese Pagoda Fountain, The Swiss Cottage, a Miniature 'Stonehenge', and several orangeries.

Alton Towers Waterpark

Originally known as Cariba Creek, the Alton Towers Waterpark opened in 2003 alongside the Splash Landings Hotel. It offers seven pools and ten water slides set within a tropical Caribbean lagoon environment. Attractions include high-speed slides, a lazy river, an enormous tipping bucket, and interactive water play areas. Entry to the waterpark requires a separate admission ticket from the theme park.

Key features include Lagoona Bay, a central tropical pool equipped with water cannons and waterfalls; The Little Leak, designed for toddlers; and Wacky Waterworks Treehouse, a wooden play structure with multiple water cannons. The largest ride is The Master Blaster, an intense water coaster featuring uphill segments, sharp bends, drops, and panoramic views of the indoor facility.

Additional rides consist of Rush & Rampage, dual racing slides that require rubber rings; Lazy River (Calypso Creek), a gentle circuit enhanced by water jets and tipping buckets; and The Tipping Bucket, which periodically empties 1000 litres of water. Outdoor amenities include Flash Floods, with several slides, alongside heated pools such as Volcanic Springs and Bubbly Wubbly Pool.

Resort accommodation

The resort encompasses three hotels and two glamping-style lodging options:

Alton Towers Hotel

Inaugurated on 10 April 1996, the four-star Alton Towers Hotel contains 180 rooms themed around adventure and exploration. Dining venues include Secret Garden restaurant, Dragon's Bar featuring Chinese-inspired décor, and Captain's Bar. Guest facilities comprise an arcade, Emporium gift shop, and the Emperor's Suite conference center.

Room types range from standard Explorer rooms to mid-tier Arctic Explorer and Moon Voyage suites. The upper floors offer uniquely themed rooms such as Gangsta Granny, Chocolate, Sleepover, Coca-Cola, Splish Splash, Big Pyjama, The Smiler, Arabian Nights, Princess, and Dreamy Den. The former Woodland Walk pathway to Forbidden Valley was replaced by the Rollercoaster Restaurant in 2016; current access routes lead near Galactica adjacent to the CBeebies Land Hotel.

Splash Landings Hotel

Inaugurated in June 2003, the Splash Landings Hotel embraces a laid-back Caribbean ambiance and offers direct access to the Alton Towers Waterpark through an entrance on the ground floor. This four-star establishment features 216 rooms designed around three distinct themes: Beachcomber, Ice Cave, and Mutiny Bay Pirate. Guests can enjoy dining at Flambo's Jambo buffet, grab refreshments at the Coffee Shack kiosk, unwind at Ma Garrita's Bar, shop at the Shack gift store, and visit the expanded arcade. An elevated walkway connects this hotel to the Alton Towers Hotel, providing convenient Waterpark entry from both accommodations.

Enchanted Village

Opened in April 2015, the Enchanted Village consists of 120 lodges and five secluded treehouses nestled within the fictional Enchanted Forest setting. Positioned next to the Alton Towers Hotel, it includes several small playgrounds tailored for families with young children.

CBeebies Land Hotel

Launched on 8 July 2017 behind the Alton Towers Hotel, the CBeebies Land Hotel offers 76 rooms themed around eight popular franchises: Bugbies, Bing, Octonauts, Postman Pat, Swashbuckle, In the Night Garden, Something Special, and Bluey.

Stargazing Pods

Initially intended as an extension of the Enchanted Village, plans were scaled back to create 102 individual pod-style units accommodating up to four guests each. These pods do not include dedicated dining or retail services, which has raised questions about food provision and restroom facilities. Although local council initially rejected the proposal citing insufficient creativity and lack of "magic," approval was granted on appeal without major alterations. The Stargazing Pods officially commenced operations on 12 April 2019.

Alton Towers Spa

Operating since 2004 as part of the Alton Towers Hotel, Alton Towers Spa featured treatment rooms for relaxation alongside an adults-only swimming pool. While accessible to visitors beyond hotel guests, it ceased operations on 31 December 2023 due to upcoming resort redevelopment plans.

Extraordinary Golf

Introduced in 2007, Extraordinary Golf is a miniature golf course themed around various attractions from the park’s history. Situated west of the Splash Landings Hotel, it underwent a refurbishment in 2016 that included adding a new hole inspired by Galactica.

Future developments

Located within a UK Conservation Area, Alton Towers is subject to development constraints such as restrictions on building heights above tree lines and requirements for visual blending—demonstrated by rides like Rita. Noise concerns have prompted legal disputes and noise abatement orders between 2004 and 2006 owing to its proximity to surrounding villages and towns.

In September 2022, Alton Towers submitted plans for "Project Horizon," an indoor roller coaster proposed for the former Alton Mouse location. This project received approval in early 2023; however, its launch date has yet to be announced.

The park continues its tradition of assigning "Secret Weapon" codenames to upcoming coaster projects (e.g., "SW6"), a practice originating from a cancelled Arrow pipeline coaster from the 1990s initially named "Secret Weapon," which eventually evolved into what became Nemesis.

Scarefest

Scarefest is the theme park's yearly Halloween celebration, taking place from early October through early November. This event offers seasonal haunted attractions, performers in costume, and extended operating hours, with the majority of rides open until 9pm. Since its inception in 2007, it has expanded upon earlier Halloween festivities, including the debut of the park's initial scare maze, Terror of the Towers in 2002. There were no official Halloween events hosted by the park in 2006; however, a hotel-exclusive maze titled "Room 13" was available that year and again in 2007. The scare mazes require an additional fee. The 2024 event dates are from 11 October to 3 November.

*Scarefest* attraction timeline
Year	Attractions (number of seasons)
2002	Terror of the Towers
2003	Terror of the Towers: Bloodfest Banquet
2004-6
2007	Terror of the Towers: Bloodfest Banquet							The Field of 1000 Screams	Haunted Hollow Live
2008	Terror of the Towers: Bloodfest Banquet	The Boilerhouse	Duel Live						Haunted Hollow Live
2009	Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within		Duel Live
2010			Carnival of Screams				Skelvin's Haunted Adventure
2011						Zombies Scare Zone
2012		The Sanctuary
2013
2014			Scary Tales Scare Zone
2015		Sub Species	The Haunting of Molly Crowe			Dark Apocalypse Scare Zone	Nox Inferous Scare Zone
2016			Altonville Mine Tours	House of Monsters	Freak Show Scare Zone	Dark Apocalypse Scare Zone
2017					Freak Show Scare Zone	The Welcoming
2018	Project 42					The Welcoming
2019	Project 42			The Attic		Darkest Depths
2020	Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard
2021	Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard	Trick O' Treat Town
2022	The Invitation
2023	The Invitation				Daz Games: PANIC!		Burial Grounds Scare Zone
2024	Compound				Daz Games: PANIC!	Amigos in the Afterlife	Burial Grounds Scare Zone
2025	Compound			TBA	TBA	Amigos in the Afterlife

– Former Scarefest attraction. – Present Scarefest attraction.

Firework Displays

Since the 1990s, Alton Towers has regularly presented firework exhibitions on the Great Lawns. A 2005 court ruling restricted these shows to a maximum of three annually. In 2006, the event was briefly renamed Electric Towers but was discontinued shortly after. It was revived in 2010 to commemorate the park’s 30th anniversary and has since become a consistent yearly attraction.

Services Day

Starting in 2015, Alton Towers introduced Services Day, offering discounted tickets exclusively for public service employees. This initiative aims to foster community relations while increasing attendance during quieter periods.

Live Music Events

Concerts have been part of the park’s offerings since the 1960s, including a notable 1992 performance by the alternative rock group James, which drew around 30,000 spectators. More recently, events such as Alton Towers Live in 2011 and 2013, along with a 30th Anniversary concert in 2010 featuring Rick Astley and Bananarama, have been held. Renowned performers like P!nk, Tina Turner, and The Black Eyed Peas have also appeared, with many concerts now hosted within the park to enrich visitor engagement.

Park Records

Largest polar fleece blanket worldwide.
Corkscrew: Europe’s first roller coaster featuring two inversions.
The Flume: held the record for longest log flume at its launch in 1981.
Nemesis: Europe’s inaugural inverted coaster; noted for accommodating the highest number of riders without restraints.
Oblivion: the pioneering vertical drop dive coaster by B&M; recognized for hosting the greatest number of couples renewing their vows on a coaster.
Galactica: world’s first flying coaster designed by B&M.
TH13TEEN: introduced the first “freefall drop” track element on a roller coaster.
The Smiler: holds the global record for most inversions on a roller coaster with fourteen.

The Smiler Accident

In June 2015, The Smiler ride experienced an accident resulting in injuries to sixteen guests, two of whom required leg amputations. Initially attributing the incident to "human error," Merlin Entertainments was later found by the Health and Safety Executive to have neglected proper operational protocols. Subsequently, Merlin pleaded guilty to violating health and safety regulations and received a £5 million fine; the court highlighted numerous procedural and training failures.

In June 2017, estate owner Nick Leslau reiterated the contested "human error" explanation but acknowledged that Merlin had faced substantial consequences despite achieving record business performance and share prices.

Sky Ride Incidents

On 30 June 2004, high winds caused cable entanglement on the Sky Ride, leaving approximately 80 passengers stranded; nine individuals were rescued by descending from cables using abseiling techniques.

A fire broke out at the Forbidden Valley Skyride station on 28 October 2007, leading to a partial evacuation of the park.

Another blaze on 21 July 2009 destroyed the Fountain Square station. Reconstruction took place during late 2009 and winter months, allowing reopening for the 2010 season.

Runaway Mine Train

On 20 July 2006, two cars of the Runaway Mine Train became detached as the train entered a tunnel. This caused the front section to roll backward and collide with the stationary rear portion. Six individuals required hospitalization, while 23 others received treatment for minor injuries. The attraction remained closed for the rest of that season and did not operate at full length again until June of the following year.

Toxicator

On its debut day, 15 March 2025, the newly introduced Toxicator ride experienced a closure lasting around 2 hours and 45 minutes due to a burst sewage pipe.

Court cases

In 2004, local residents initiated a private prosecution against Alton Towers concerning excessive noise levels. The park was found liable and initially fined £5,000, which was later reduced to £3,500 upon appeal. The judge highlighted the Oblivion ride specifically, resulting in a Noise Abatement Order that restricted noise emissions to 40 dB. Consequently, a pre-drop audio recording from Oblivion—believed to amplify rider screams and overall noise—was removed.

In November 2011, the complainants sought an injunction to enforce this order; however, no further legal proceedings have been documented.

External links