Alton Towers

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox amusement park Alton Towers (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) (also known as Alton Towers Resort) is a historic estate, popular theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water park, mini golf and hotel complex.

Originally a stately home of the Earls of Shrewsbury, the Alton Towers grounds were first opened to the public in the late 19th Century.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the 1950s-70s, several new attractions were added, such as a scenic railway and cable car. It started to be developed as a theme park from 1980 with the installation of several rides and the adoption of a pay-once ticket structure. In 1990, the park was purchased by The Tussauds Group, which was merged into Merlin Entertainments in 2007. The park now has many attractions such as Congo River Rapids, Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler and Wicker Man.

It 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 Scarefest, Fireworks and Christmas.

History

Early 20th Century Public Opening

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 to help maintain the grounds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1924, a group of local estate agents formed Alton Towers Ltd to take ownership of the estate and kept the gardens open as a visitor attraction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The estate was later closed to the public upon its requisition by the military during the Second World War.

In the early 1950s, ownership was returned to Alton Towers Ltd and the grounds reopened to the public. Alton Towers continue to grow as a visitor attraction, with additions including a railway, fairground and, by the 1960s, a boating lake and chairlift.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Property developer John Broome later acquired majority control in the park and began planning its development as a theme park.

Early theme park developments (1980-1990)

Under John Broome's ownership, Alton Towers was opened as a theme park in 1980 with the introduction of a pay-one-price ticket structure and new attractions, including the Corkscrew. The following years saw new rides and areas including The Flume, Around The World in 80 Days, The Black Hole and the Grand Canyon Rapids.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="lo232">Template:Cite web</ref>

Tussauds Group developments (1990–2007)

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.<ref name="lo232" /> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Tussauds Group was sold to venture capital firm Charterhouse in 1998. Oblivion opened that same year and Air (now Galactica) opened in 2002, both advertised as 'World First' ride types, followed by Spinball Whizzer in 2004.

In 2005, Dubai International Capital (DIC) acquired Tussauds for £800 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> That same year, Rita–Queen of Speed was built in the Ug Land area of the park.

Merlin Entertainments developments (2007–present)

In May 2007, The Blackstone Group purchased The Tussauds Group for US$1.9 billion and merged it with its then-subsidiary Merlin Entertainments.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="telegraph.co.uk2">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Dubai International Capital also gained 20% of Merlin Entertainment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 17 July 2007, Alton Towers was sold to private investment firm Prestbury under a sale and leaseback agreement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Merlin continues to operate the site under a renewable 35-year lease.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk2" /> As of 2024, the property is owned by LondonMetric Property.

As of early 2008, the resort changed its name to Alton Towers Resort to better reflect its status as a multi-day destination. At the end of the 2008 season, the Corkscrew closed and its corkscrew track element was placed in the park admissions plaza as a feature in early 2010. TH13TEEN, the first roller coaster to feature a freefall drop track, opened in March 2010 on the former site of the Corkscrew.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2020, Alton Towers operated on a shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, operating on a limited capacity from 4 July to 5 November.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The resort resumed normal operations on 12 April 2021.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2024, Nemesis was revamped as Nemesis Reborn after a year-long refurbishment, along with a revamp of the surrounding Forbidden Valley area.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following year saw the opening of Toxicator in the area, a HUSS suspended topspin, on the former site of Ripsaw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 2025 also saw a cut to entertainment offerings, with the stage on the lawn being removed and a decrease in live actors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2025, Alton Towers announced a new junior roller coaster based on the Bluey (TV series) was being developed for Cbeebies Land, and would open in Spring 2026,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> replacing Postmat Pat Parcel Post.

Rides and attractions

Roller coasters

Name	Picture	Status	Opened	Type	Manufacturer	Height Min.	Park section	Notes	Previous Attraction
Runaway Mine Train	Template:NA File:Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers) 01.jpg	Operational	1992	Steel/Mine Train	Mack Rides	1.1 m	Katanga Canyon	A powered family roller coaster.	Template:N/A
Nemesis Reborn	Template:NA File:Nemesis Reborn.jpg	Operational<ref name="altontowers.com">Template:Cite web</ref>	1994 (2024)<ref name="Nemesis - Alton Towers Alton, Staf">Template:Cite web</ref>	Steel/Inverted<ref name="Nemesis - Alton Towers Alton, Staf"/>	Bolliger & Mabillard<ref name="Nemesis - Alton Towers Alton, Staf"/>	1.4 m	Forbidden Valley	Europe's first inverted roller coaster.<ref name="altontowers.com"/> Underwent a major refurbishment and re-track for 2024.	Nemesis
Oblivion	Template:NA File:OblivionAltonTowers.jpg	Operational	1998<ref name="Oblivion - Alton Towers Alton, Sta">Template:Cite web</ref>	Steel/Dive coaster<ref name="Oblivion - Alton Towers Alton, Sta"/>	Bolliger & Mabillard<ref name="Oblivion - Alton Towers Alton, Sta"/>	1.4 m	X-Sector	The world's first dive coaster.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:N/A
Galactica	File:Air 06.jpg	Operational	2002<ref name="rcdb.com">Template:Cite web</ref>	Steel/Flying<ref name="rcdb.com"/>	Bolliger & Mabillard<ref name="rcdb.com"/>	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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>	The Beast
Spinball Whizzer	Template:NA File:Sonic Spinball.JPG	Operational	2004<ref name="Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers Al">Template:Cite web</ref>	Steel/Spinning<ref name="Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers Al"/>	Maurer AG<ref name="Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers Al"/>	1.2 m	The Towers	A spinning coaster themed to a game of pinball. Between 2010 and 2015 it utilised the Sonic the Hedgehog IP and was named Sonic Spinball.	Template:N/A
Rita	Template:NA File:Rita (Alton Towers).JPG	Operational	2005<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor">Template:Cite web</ref>	Steel/Accelerator<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor"/>	Intamin<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor"/>	1.4 m	Dark Forest	A hydraulic launched coaster.<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor"/>	Template:N/A
TH13TEEN	Template:NA File:Thirteen train 1.jpg	Operational	2010<ref name="Th13teen - Alton Towers Alton, Sta">Template:Cite web</ref>	Multi Dimension Coaster<ref name="Th13teen - Alton Towers Alton, Sta"/>	Intamin<ref name="Th13teen - Alton Towers Alton, Sta"/>	1.2 m	Dark Forest	A family coaster featuring the world's first "vertical free-fall drop" element on a roller coaster.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Corkscrew
The Smiler	Template:NA File:The Smiler on opening day.jpg	Operational	2013<ref name="Smiler - Alton Towers Alton, Staff">Template:Cite web</ref>	Steel/Infinity<ref name="Smiler - Alton Towers Alton, Staff"/>	Gerstlauer<ref name="Smiler - Alton Towers Alton, Staff"/>	1.4 m	X-Sector	Holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster at 14.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Black Hole
Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure	Template:NA File:Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure.jpg	Operational	2015	Steel	Zamperla	0.9 m	CBeebies Land	A children's coaster themed to the TV show of the same name.	Beastie
Wicker Man	Template:NA File:AltonTowersWickerManRollercoaster.jpg	Operational	2018<ref name="Wicker Man - Alton Towers Alton, S">Template:Cite web</ref>	Wooden<ref name="Wicker Man - Alton Towers Alton, S"/>	Great Coasters International<ref name="Wicker Man - Alton Towers Alton, S"/>	1.2 m	Mutiny Bay	A wooden coaster featuring live fire effects.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	The Flume

Flat rides

Name	Picture	Type	Status	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes	Replaced
Toxicator	File:Toxicator with theming barrel.jpg	Suspended Top Spin	Operational	2025	Forbidden Valley	Huss Rides	Top spin ride atop a 16 ft-high platform.	Ripsaw
Marauder's Mayhem	Template:NAFile:Maurauders Mayhem @ Mutiny Bay.jpg	Teacups Ride	Operational	1987	Mutiny Bay	Mack Rides	A teacups ride themed as barrels of gunpowder.	Tea Cup Ride

Water/Dark rides

Name	Picture	Type	Status	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes	Replaced
Battle Galleons	Template:NA File:Mutiny-bay.jpg	Splash Battle	Operational	2008	Mutiny Bay	Mack Rides	A pirate-themed Splash Battle ride.	Splash Kart Challenge
Congo River Rapids	Template:NA File:CongoRiverRapids 2015.JPG	Rapids ride	Operational	1986	Katanga Canyon	Intamin	A water rapids ride.	Template:N/A
Curse at Alton Manor	Template:NA File:Curse at alton manor.jpg	Dark ride	Operational	2023	Gloomy Wood	Mack Rides	A haunted themed dark ride.	Duel
Hex – The Legend of the Towers	Template:NA File:Alton Towers - Hex.jpg	Walk-through/ Madhouse	Operational	2000	The Towers	Vekoma	A themed attraction based on the legend of the chained oak, concluding with a Madhouse ride.	Template:N/A
Gangsta Granny: The Ride	Template:NA File:Gangsta Granny Ride Facade .png	Dark ride	Operational	2021	The World of David Walliams	Garmendale Engineering	A dark ride based on Gangsta Granny, written by David Walliams.	Wobble World
Nemesis Sub Terra	Template:NA File:Nemesis sub terra.jpg	Drop tower / walkthrough	Operational	2012	Forbidden Valley	ABC Rides	An attraction themed to the Nemesis story, including a small indoor drop tower.	Lava Lump

Children's rides and attractions

Name	Picture	Type	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes	Replaced
Cuckoo Cars Driving School	Template:NA File:Alton towers driving school.jpg	Driving Attraction	2006	The Towers	SB International AB	A children's car driving attraction.	Vintage Cars
Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp	Template:NA	Mini drop tower	1999	The World of David Walliams	S&S Power	A mini drop tower for children. Formerly Frog Hopper.	Template:N/A
Royal Carousel	Template:NA File:Alton towers carousel.jpg	Carousel	1991	The World of David Walliams	Bertazzon	A children's merry-go-round ride. Formerly Gallopers Carousel.	Template:N/A
Heave Ho	Template:NAFile:Alton Towers 04.jpg	Rockin' Tug	2008	Mutiny Bay	Zamperla	A rocking and swinging boat ride.	Template:N/A
Sharkbait Reef	Template:NA Sharkbait Reef at Alton Towers -geograph.org.uk- 1837742	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	Template:NA	Boat ride	2014	CBeebies Land	Mack Rides	An In the Night Garden themed boat ride.	Riverbank Eye Spy
Get Set Go TreeTop Adventure	Template:NA	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.	Template:N/A
Bugbie Go Round	Template:NA	Carousel-style attraction	1995	CBeebies Land		A carousel-style attraction featuring Bugbies. Formerly Numtums Number Go Round and originally opening as Doodle Doo Derby.	Template:N/A
JoJo & Gran Gran at Home	Template:NA	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	Template:NA	Playhouse	2003	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	An interactive indoor play area based on the CBeebies programme Justin's House. Formerly Berry Bish Bash.	Template:N/A
Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig	Template:NA	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	Template:NA	Sensory Trail	2014	CBeebies Land	Merlin Magic Making	An outdoor sensory garden based on the CBeebies programme Something Special.	Template:N/A
Hey Duggee's Big Adventure Badge	Template:NA	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	Template:NA	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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	Template:N/A
The Furchester Hotel Live	Template:NA	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.	Template:N/A
Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop	Template:NA	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.	Template:N/A

Theme park transport and grounds

Name	Picture	Type	Status	Opened	Area	Manufacturer	Notes
Haunted Hollow	Template:NA File:Alton towers hearse at haunted hollow.jpg	Outdoor trail	Open	2007	Gloomy Wood / Mutiny Bay	Tussauds Studios	Themed 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Monorail	Template:NA File:Alton Towers Monorail.jpg	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.
Sky Ride	Template:NA File:Skyride Alton Towers.JPG	Gondola lift	Operational	1987	Stations at Towers Street, Forbidden Valley and Dark Forest	Poma	Cable car to transport guests around the theme park giving views of the gardens, with three stations; Towers Street, Forbidden Valley and Dark Forest.
The Gardens	Template:NA File:Alton Towers gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1464404.jpg	English landscape garden	Open	1860	Gardens	The Talbot Family	Landscaped historic gardens including 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	Template:NA	Ruins	Open for paid tours only	1970	The Towers	The Talbot Family	19th Century stately home ruins

Future rides

Name	Type	Manufacturer	Proposed opening	Notes
Project Sunshine	Rollercoaster; type unknown	Zierer	2026	Themed to Television Show Bluey, replacing Postman Pat Parcel Post, which closed in June 2025 - work on the new development began immediately after this closure.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Project Horizon	Rollercoaster; type unknown	Unknown	Template:Tooltip	Planned to be an indoor coaster. Plans were submitted and later approved with conditions in June 2023, however construction has not yet started to date, with no set opening date given.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Past rides and attractions

Past roller coasters

Attraction	Opened	Closed	Manufacturer	Relocation
Corkscrew	1980	2008	Vekoma<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Dismantled: the "corkscrew" section of the track is on display at the park entrance
Mini Apple Coaster	1982	1997	Pinfari<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, England, UK since 1998<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Beastie	1983	2010	Pinfari	Closed during 2011 and 2012 then removed. Used as travelling coaster under the Dragon Challenge name and now located at Barry Island Pleasure Park.
Black Hole	1984<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	2005	Anton Schwarzkopf	Operated in Furuvik Zoo from 2011 to 2021, until the ride was removed and put up for sale.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
4 Man Bob Coaster	1985	1990	Zierer<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Was moved to Family Park in France.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Alton Mouse	1988	1991	Vekoma<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Idlewild and Soak Zone, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, United States of America since 1993<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Beast	1988	1997	Anton Schwazkopf<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Last operated in Salitre Magico, Colombia, from 2010 to 2017
Thunder Looper	1990	1996	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Anton Schwarzkopf	Hopi Hari, Brazil since 1999<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Main Past Attractions

Attraction	Opened	Closed	Ride Type	Fate
Around The World in 80 Days	1981	1993	Dark ride	Redesigned as 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	Redesigned as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride.
The Haunted House	1992	2002	Dark Ride	Rethemed as 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.
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	Redesigned as 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	Redesigned as The Curse at Alton Manor.
The Blade	1980	2024	HUSS Pirate Ship	A swinging ship, themed to a swinging blade. It was originally situated in Fantasy World between 1980 and 1996, as the Pirate Ship, before moving to Forbidden Valley in 1997. Was the oldest operating ride in the park at its time of closure in 2024.
Flavio's Fabulous Fandango	2021	2024	Sizzler	A sizzler/twister flat ride manufactured by PWS.
The Alton Towers Dungeon	2019	2024	Boat ride and walk-through attraction	An in-park version of Merlin's Dungeon attractions, with five interactive scenes and a boat ride. Replaced by "Amigos in the Afterlife", a family Scarefest attraction.
Postman Pat Parcel Post	2014	2025	Track ride	An interactive car ride based on the CBeebies programme Postman Pat: Special Delivery Service.

Alton Towers Theme Park

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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

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	2023	2024	2025
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

Template:Color box  Previous themed area

Template:Color box  Current themed area

• Mutiny Bay
  Mutiny Bay
• Katanga Canyon
  Katanga Canyon
• Dark Forest
  Dark Forest
• The World of David Walliams Royal Carousel
  The World of David Walliams
  Royal Carousel
• Adventure Land Spinball Whizzer roller-coaster
  Adventure Land
  Spinball Whizzer roller-coaster
• Gloomy Wood
  Gloomy Wood
• X-Sector Smiler and Oblivion
  X-Sector Smiler and Oblivion

Towers Street

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 Template:Convert long cable car transport that opened in 1987, and was refurbished 2009. The monorail moves guests between the park, and the accommodation, water park and car parks. 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

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 Template:Cvt 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 Template:Convert; height limit 90 cm.

Gloomy Wood

Gloomy Wood serves as the area containing the dark ride The Curse at Alton Manor, which originally opened with the area as The Haunted House in 1992.

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Forbidden Valley

Forbidden Valley is set in a 'research facility' run by the Phalanx organisation. Prior to a redesign for 2024, the area had a 'post-apocalyptic' theme with scrapyard structures populating the area. A SkyRide station also serves this area of the park.

The area's principal attraction is Nemesis Reborn, previously Nemesis which opened in 1994. Nemesis Reborn 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 attraction is themed as an alien creature inhabiting the quarry where the coaster is situated.

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.<ref name="Twitter170320191501">Template:Cite web</ref>

The area also contains two smaller attractions. Nemesis Sub-Terra is an indoor attraction featuring a drop tower ride. The experience is themed around Nemesis, and how some eggs have been found underground in a facility run by the 'Phalanx'. The ride originally operated from 2012 to 2015, however on 27 May 2023, it reopened. In 2025, the HUSS suspended topspin Toxicator was added on the former site of Ripsaw, sitting over the pathway on a 16 ft elevated concrete platform.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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. Since its opening, the Rollercoaster Restaurant has also provided a separate entrance to the park for hotel guests.

Adventure Land

Adventure Land is a small family area featuring Spinball Whizzer;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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. It regained its original name in 2016 when the 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.

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

X-Sector

File:Oblivion2015.JPG

View of Oblivion

X-Sector is themed as a secretive 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' riders into forcing a smile.

The area contains two thrill rides. The steel dive coaster Oblivion opened in 1998, was designed by Tussauds and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard. The cars are held over the edge of the 87.5° drop for between one and three seconds, before diving into a deep tunnel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Uttoxeter Advertiser" /> 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. It also featured 3 members of the retro squad (a series shortly lived themed flat rides), "mixtape" (ride type: smashing jump), "spinjam" (ride type: extreme) and "twistatron" (ride type: trabant). They remained from 2021 to 2023.

Mutiny Bay

Mutiny Bay is a pirate-themed family area, which opened in 2008.<ref name="Attractions2009">Template:Cite web</ref> The area was a re-theme 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 Template:Convert.<ref name="Attractions2009"/> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This includes "touch pools" for interacting with underwater species and a Template:Convert underwater tunnel.<ref name="Sharkbait Reef Info">Template:Cite web</ref>

The World of David Walliams

File:Alton Towers - Circuit voitures pour enfants.jpg

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 Walliams 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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

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 61 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".<ref name="thirteen">Template:Cite web</ref>

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 (now closed to make way for "Project Sunshine", a new junior roller coaster), Get Set Go Treetop Adventure, Something Special Sensory Garden, Bugbie Go Round, Justin's House: Pie-O-Matic Factory, Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, Andys Adventures Dinosaur Dig, Jojo & Gran Gran at Home, Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop, Octonauts Roller Coaster Adventure, and The Furchester Hotel Live. Shows at the Big Fun Show Time stage include: Teletubbies Big Band Show, Bing Live, and Hey Duggee Live.

In 2015, Octonauts Roller Coaster Adventure opened, it is an underwater themed children's roller coaster; built on the former site of The Beastie rollercoaster. 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. 2022 saw 3 new attractions arrive, being Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge, Andys Adventures Dinosaur Dig, and JoJo and Gran Gran at Home. A new Bluey themed attraction opened on 23 March 2024.

The Towers

File:Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1464460.jpg

Main historic house

Template:Unreferenced section 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Towers are now in a state of disrepair following decades of neglect. The ruins are open to the public for guided tours.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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, but was closed to make way for a Scarefest attraction in July 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> A SkyRide station is located nearby Fountain Square, giving access to other areas of the park.

The Gardens

File:Alton Towers gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1464404.jpg

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

Template:Main 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".<ref name="nhle">Template:NHLE</ref> Other landmarks include a Chinese Pagoda Fountain, The Swiss Cottage, Miniature 'Stonehenge', and orangeries.

Alton Towers Waterpark

File:Alton Towers Waterpark1.JPG

Alton Towers Waterpark

The Alton Towers Waterpark, formerly known as Cariba Creek, opened alongside the Splash Landings Hotel in 2003.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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. 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.

Resort accommodation

File:Alton Towers Hotel, Staffordshire - geograph.org.uk - 6099.jpg

The fountain at the entrance to Alton Towers Hotel

The resort contains 3 hotels, and 2 sets of glamping-style accommodation:

Alton Towers Hotel

The Alton Towers Hotel is a four star explorer-themed hotel that opened on 10 April 1996 with 180 rooms, the Secret Garden table service restaurant, the Chinese-themed Dragon's Bar, the traveller-themed Captain's Bar, a small arcade and the Emporium gift shop. A conference venue called the Emperor's Suite is also located next the Dragon's Bar on the ground floor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are thirteen themed room categories. The Explorer rooms are the hotel's standard category, while the Arctic Explorer and Moon Voyage rooms on the second and third floors represent the mid-range offering. The themed rooms on the top two floors of the hotel include Gangsta Granny, Chocolate, Sleepover, Coca-Cola, Splish Splash, Big Pyjama, The Smiler, Arabian Nights, Princess, and Dreamy Den.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Until the Rollercoaster Restaurant opened in 2016, the rock gardens behind the hotel were home to a route to Forbidden Valley called the Woodland Walk. The entrance near Galactica has been used since, as the CBeebies Land Hotel is now situated on the edge of the garden.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Splash Landings Hotel

The Splash Landings Hotel opened in June 2003. The hotel has a relaxed Caribbean theme and is attached to the Alton Towers Waterpark, with its entrance located on the ground floor. It also has a four star rating and houses 216 rooms, along with the Flambo's Jambo buffet restaurant, the Coffee Shack kiosk, Ma Garrita's Bar, the Shack gift shop, and a much larger arcade. There are three room themes: Beachcomber, Ice Cave, and the Mutiny Bay-themed Pirate rooms. The hotel is also connected to the Alton Towers Hotel by an elevated walkway, allowing easy access to the Waterpark from both hotels.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Enchanted Village

The Enchanted Village open in April 2015, and contains 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.

CBeebies Land Hotel

The CBeebies Land Hotel is situated at the back of the rock gardens behind the Alton Towers Hotel, and opened on 8 July 2017 with a total of 76 themed rooms.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are eight themes: Bugbies, Bing, Octonauts, Postman Pat, Swashbuckle, In the Night Garden, Something Special, and Bluey.

Stargazing Pods

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Stargazing Pods opened on 12 April 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Recreation

Alton Towers Spa

Alton Towers Spa was part of the Alton Towers Hotel and opened in 2004. It included relaxation and treatment rooms and an adults-only swimming pool. Despite being inside the Alton Towers Hotel, non-hotel guests were able to use the spa. It was closed on 31 December 2023 with the resort citing future development for the area.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Extraordinary Golf

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.

Future developments

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="bbc noise">Template:Cite news</ref>

In September 2022, Alton Towers held a public consultation to propose plans for an indoor roller coaster on the former site of the Alton Mouse codenamed "Project Horizon". The project was approved in early 2023, and it is not known when it will open.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Alton Towers has a tradition of codenaming its future roller coaster developments as "Secret Weapon", for example "SW6". The naming tradition began after "Secret Weapon" was the working title of a cancelled Arrow pipeline roller coaster, planned to open in around 1993, on what later became the Nemesis site.<ref name="The Secret Wepons">Template:Cite web</ref>

Events

Scarefest

Scarefest is the resort's annual Halloween event, which runs from the first weekend of October until early November. It celebrates Halloween with a number of seasonal scare attractions, costumed characters and extended opening hours. Rides and areas are lit after sunset, with most operating until 9pm. Scarefest has been running since 2007, although the park had celebrated Halloween several years before. The park's first scare maze was Terror of the Towers in 2002. No park Halloween events ran for 2006, though a hotel-only unadvertised scare maze "Room 13" operated that year and again in 2007.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The scare mazes are upcharge attractions. The 2024 season runs from 11 October – 3 November.

Scarefest attraction history

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				The Boilerhouse	Duel Live
2009	Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within
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
2017				The Welcoming
2018	Project 42
2019				The Attic	Darkest Depths
2020	Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard
2021		Trick O' Treat Town
2022	The Invitation
2023						Daz Games: PANIC!	Burial Grounds Scare Zone
2024	Compound				Amigos in the Afterlife
2025				Edge of the Forest		Dark Hollow Scare Zone

Template:Color box – Previous Scarefest attraction. Template:Color box – Current Scarefest attraction.

Other events

Fireworks

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 shows were reduced to 3 a year following a court order in 2005.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.

Services Day

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Concerts

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.<ref>"Alton Towers – 4th July 1992". One of the Three. 4 July 1992. Retrieved 9 June 2022.</ref> 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.

Run Alton towers

Alton towers host a running event after the park closes for the season some rides are open afterwards

Records held by the park

• Worlds largest polar fleece blanket.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Corkscrew was the first double inverting coaster in Europe.
• The Flume was the world's longest log flume at the time of opening. (1981)
• Nemesis was the first inverted coaster in Europe. It also holds the record for the most naked riders
• Oblivion was the world's first B&M dive coaster, advertised as "the world's first vertical drop rollercoaster". it also holds the record for most couples renewing their wedding vows on a rollercoaster
• Galactica was the world's first B&M flying coaster.
• TH13TEEN had the first "freefall drop" track element on a rollercoaster.
• The Smiler is the coaster with the most inversions in the world at 14.

Incidents

The Smiler

Template:For 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the Health and Safety Executive concluded the crash occurred due to Merlin failing to put proper processes into place for operating the ride.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sky Ride

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 Template:Convert cables.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 28 October 2007, a fire broke out in the Forbidden Valley Skyride station, leading to a partial evacuation of the park.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On 21 July 2009, another fire broke out, this time in the Fountain Square station, leading to the entire station being destroyed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During the latter half of the 2009 season and over the following winter, a new station was designed and built, ready for the 2010 season.

Runaway Mine Train

Template:Main 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 in the tunnel. The front half failed to make it over the hill, rolled back and crashed into the stationary rear half. 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.<ref name="Train">Template:Cite news</ref>

Toxicator

On 15 March 2025, the brand new ride Toxicator was shut down for roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes on its opening day due to an incident involving a drainage/sewer overspill directly under the ride.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Court cases

In 2004, a private prosecution was brought against the park by a couple from the local village of Farley over its noise level. Alton Towers was found guilty, with the judge singling out Oblivion in his judgement.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The park were fined £5000, and was later issued a Noise Abatement Order limiting emissions to 32 dB. The fine was reduced to £3500 and the limit increased to 40 dB on appeal.<ref name="bbc noise"/> The order led to the park removing a recording from Oblivion that was played before the rides drop as they believed it contributed to the noise by encouraging riders to scream.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The couple were later granted permission to bring an injunction hearing against the park to enforce the order in November 2011; however, there is no record of the case going ahead.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

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

External links

• Template:Official website