View source for Alton Towers

{{Short description|British theme park}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox amusement park
| name = Alton Towers Resort
| image = 
| caption = 
| logo = Alton Towers Resort Logo.png
| location = [[Alton, Staffordshire]]
| location3 = England
| coordinates = {{coord|52|59|13|N|1|53|06|W|region:GB_type:landmark_dim:2000|display=inline,title}}
| season = '''Theme Park'''<br>February{{spnd}} January (Full park offering between March{{spnd}} November)<br>'''Alton Towers Gardens'''<br/>March{{spnd}} November<br> '''Alton Towers Hotel'''<br>Year-round<br>'''Splash Landings Hotel'''<br>Year-round <br>'''Enchanted Village Lodges'''<br>February - December <br>'''Alton Towers Treehouses '''<br>Year-round <br>'''CBeebies Land Hotel'''<br>Year-round<br>'''Stargazing Pods'''<br>April – November<br>'''Alton Towers Waterpark'''<br>Year-round<br>'''Conference Centre'''<br>Year-round<br> '''Extraordinary Golf'''<br>Year-round
| homepage = [http://www.AltonTowers.com/ www.AltonTowers.com]
| owner = [[LondonMetric Property]]<ref name="LXi REIT Plc">{{cite web|title=Theme Parks Portfolio|url=https://www.lxireit.com/theme-parks|website=LXi REIT Plc|access-date=19 December 2023}}</ref><ref name="LondonMetric">{{cite web |title=LondonMetric LXi REIT merger press release |url=https://www.londonmetric.com/completion-merger-admission-shares-and-company-update-0 |website=LondonMetric |publisher=LondonMetric |access-date=19 June 2025 |date=6 March 2024}}</ref>
| operator = [[Merlin Entertainments]]
| opening_date = {{start date|1980|4|4|df=yes}} (Theme park)<br> {{start date|1924|05|03|df=yes}} (House & Gardens)
| previous_names = 
| visitors = 2024: 2,500,000 ({{increase}}6.4%)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=2023 Theme Index and Museum Index: The Global Attractions Attendance Report |url=https://aecom.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/reports/AECOM-Theme-Index-2023.pdf |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=Themed Entertainment Association (TEA)}}</ref>
| area = {{convert|910|acre|ha+km2|abbr=on}} (total combined resort area)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/r-hse-v-merlin-attractions-operations-ltd-sentencing-remarks.pdf|title=Regina (HSE) v Merlin Attractions Operations Limited Sentencing Remarks|date=September 2016}}</ref>
| rides = 42
| coasters = 10
| water_rides = 3
| slogan = Theres No Feeling Like It!
| general_manager = Neil Crittenden (interim until Jan 2026),

Howard Ebison (from Jan 2026)
}}
'''Alton Towers''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|ɒ|l|t|ən|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Alton.wav}} {{respell|OL|tən}}) (also known as '''Alton Towers Resort''') is a historic estate, [[theme park|popular theme park]] and [[resort]] complex in [[Staffordshire]], [[England]], near the village of [[Alton, Staffordshire|Alton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1000191|title=ALTON TOWERS|publisher=[[National Heritage List for England]]|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> The park is operated by [[Merlin Entertainments|Merlin Entertainments Group]] and incorporates a [[theme park]], [[water park]], [[Miniature golf|mini golf]] and [[Hotel|hotel complex]].

Originally a stately home of the [[Earl of Shrewsbury|Earls of Shrewsbury]], the Alton Towers grounds were first opened to the public in the late 19th Century.<ref>{{cite web|title=History of the Towers|url=https://www.towersalmanac.com/history/index.php?id=1|website=Alton Towers Almanac|access-date=29 January 2016}}</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 (Alton Towers)|Congo River Rapids]], [[Nemesis Reborn]], [[The Smiler]] and [[Wicker Man (roller coaster)|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==
{{Main|History of Alton Towers}}

=== 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>{{cite web |last=Kelsall |first=Dr Gary J. |title=Railway Excursions |url=http://www2.altontowers.com/heritage/heritage/leisure/railway-excursions/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210102204753/http://www2.altontowers.com/heritage/heritage/leisure/railway-excursions/ |archive-date=2 January 2021 |access-date=7 November 2017 |website=Alton Towers Heritage}}</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>{{cite web |title=Gardens and Grounds |url=http://altontowersmemories.net/page10.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227043047/http://altontowersmemories.net/page10.htm |archive-date=27 December 2013 |access-date=26 December 2013 |publisher=Alton Towers Memories}}</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>{{cite web |last=Kelsall |first=Gary J. |title=The Birth of the Modern Park |url=http://www.altontowers.com/alton-towers-heritage/heritage/leisure/birth-of-the-modern-park/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006160315/http://www.altontowers.com/alton-towers-heritage/heritage/leisure/birth-of-the-modern-park/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=29 September 2014 |website=altontowers.com |publisher=Alton Towers}}</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 (Alton Towers)|Corkscrew]]. The following years saw new rides and areas including [[The Flume (Alton Towers)|The Flume]], [[Around the World in 80 Days (Alton Towers)|Around The World in 80 Days]], [[Black Hole (roller coaster)|The Black Hole]] and the [[Congo River Rapids (Alton Towers)|Grand Canyon Rapids]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Elliott |first=Louise |date=4 August 2023 |title=Mastermind behind Alton Towers theme park dies |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/founder-alton-towers-john-broome-8656048 |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=Stoke on Trent Live}}</ref><ref name="lo232">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Tom |date=14 August 2023 |title=Alton Towers founder and attractions industry legend, John Broome CBE, dies aged 80 {{!}} Leisure Opportunities news |url=https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/news/Alton-Towers-founder-and-attractions-industry-legend-John-Broome-CBE-dies-aged-80/351655 |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=leisureopportunities.co.uk}}</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 (Alton Towers)|Runaway Mine Train]] (1992), [[The Haunted House (Alton Towers)|The Haunted House]] (1992), [[Toyland Tours]] (1994), and [[Nemesis (roller coaster)|Nemesis]] (1994). Tussauds' park development team from 1990 to 2002 included attraction producer [[John Wardley]] among others.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 July 2020 |title=Ray Barratt (1931 to 2020): a life in attractions |url=https://blooloop.com/theme-park/in-depth/ray-barratt-port-aventura-cwoa-attractions/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=Blooloop}}</ref>

The Tussauds Group was sold to venture capital firm Charterhouse in 1998. [[Oblivion (roller coaster)|Oblivion]] opened that same year and Air (now [[Galactica (roller coaster)|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>{{cite news |date=23 March 2005 |title=Dubai firm buys Tussauds |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4375219.stm |access-date=13 July 2006 |agency=[[BBC 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>{{cite news |date=23 March 2005 |title=Tussauds firm bought in £1bn deal |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6419019.stm |access-date=13 July 2006 |agency=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="telegraph.co.uk2">{{cite news |date=18 July 2007 |title=Merlin conjures up leaseback deal |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812377/Merlin-conjures-up-leaseback-deal.html |access-date=28 October 2024 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Cho |first=David |date=6 March 2007 |title=Blackstone Buys Madame Tussauds Chain |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501369.html |access-date=28 October 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> Dubai International Capital also gained 20% of Merlin Entertainment.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 March 2007 |title=Tussauds firm bought in £1bn deal |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6419019.stm |access-date=12 May 2010 |agency=BBC News}}</ref>

On 17 July 2007, Alton Towers was sold to private investment firm Prestbury under a sale and leaseback agreement.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 July 2007 |title=Alton Towers sold in £622m deal |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6902797.stm |access-date=28 October 2024 |agency=BBC 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>{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Th13teen - Alton Towers |url=https://rcdb.com/4463.htm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vertical Drop Track |url=https://www.coastergallery.com/1999/Verbolten-20.html |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=www.coastergallery.com}}</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>{{cite news |last=Tatum |first=Kris |date=3 November 2020 |title=Alton Towers to close indefinitely from November 5 (What to do if you have a booking) |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/18843759.alton-towers-close-indefinitely-november-5---booking/ |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=Echo}}</ref> The resort resumed normal operations on 12 April 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Watson |first=Laura |date=6 April 2021 |title=Alton Towers ready for big 2021 after rollercoaster year |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/alton-towers-ready-big-2021-20303884 |access-date=28 October 2024 |website=Business Live}}</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>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |date=2024-03-05 |title=Alton Towers Resort apply finishing touches to Nemesis Reborn |url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/news/2024/03/05/alton-towers-resort-apply-finishing-touches-to-nemesis-reborn/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=TowersTimes |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |title=Nemesis Reborn - TowersTimes - Alton Towers Resort from another point of view! |url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/theme-park/forbidden-valley/nemesis-reborn/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=TowersTimes |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |title=Forbidden Valley - TowersTimes - Alton Towers Resort from another point of view! |url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/theme-park/forbidden-valley/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=TowersTimes |language=en-GB}}</ref> The following year saw the opening of [[Toxicator]] in the area, a HUSS suspended topspin, on the former site of Ripsaw.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |date=2025-02-21 |title=Toxicator to open on 15th March at Alton Towers Resort |url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/news/2025/02/21/toxicator-to-open-on-15th-march-at-alton-towers-resort/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=TowersTimes |language=en-GB}}</ref> 2025 also saw a cut to entertainment offerings, with the stage on the lawn being removed and a decrease in live actors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=International |first=Theme Park |date=2025-02-07 |title=Merlin Entertainments Faces Budget Cuts: What It Means for the Theme Parks and Attractions |url=https://www.themeparkinternational.co.uk/single-post/merlin-entertainments-faces-budget-cuts-what-it-means-for-the-theme-parks-and-attractions |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=Theme Park International |language=en}}</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>{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-09-08 |title=Bluey coaster announced for Alton Towers |url=https://attractionsdaily.com/2025/09/bluey-alton-towers/ |access-date=2025-09-08 |website=Attractions Daily - Latest Industry News |language=en-GB}}</ref> replacing Postmat Pat Parcel Post.

== Rides and attractions ==

===Roller coasters===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|- style="vertical-align:bottom;"
!Name
!Picture
!Status
!Opened
!Type
!Manufacturer
!Height<br>Min.
!Park<br>section
!scope=col style="width:40em;"|Notes
!Previous Attraction
|-
|style="text-align:center"|[[Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers)|Runaway Mine Train]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers) 01.jpg|120px]]
|Operational
|1992
|Steel/[[Mine Train roller coaster|Mine Train]]
|[[Mack Rides]]
|1.1 m
|Katanga Canyon
|style="text-align:left"|A powered family roller coaster.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[Nemesis Reborn]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:Nemesis Reborn.jpg|120px]]
|Operational<ref name="altontowers.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/explore/theme-park/rides-attractions/nemesis-reborn/|title=Nemesis &#124; Theme Park Ride at Alton Towers Resort|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|1994 (2024)<ref name="Nemesis - Alton Towers Alton, Staf">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/776.htm|title=Nemesis – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|Steel/[[inverted roller coaster|Inverted]]<ref name="Nemesis - Alton Towers Alton, Staf"/>
|[[Bolliger & Mabillard]]<ref name="Nemesis - Alton Towers Alton, Staf"/>
|1.4 m
|Forbidden Valley
|style="text-align:left"|Europe's first inverted roller coaster.<ref name="altontowers.com"/> Underwent a major refurbishment and re-track for 2024.
|Nemesis
|-
|[[Oblivion (roller coaster)|Oblivion]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:OblivionAltonTowers.jpg|120px]]
|Operational
|1998<ref name="Oblivion - Alton Towers Alton, Sta">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/777.htm|title=Oblivion – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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
|style="text-align:left"|The world's first dive coaster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Oblivion_(Alton_Towers)|title=Oblivion (Alton Towers) – Coasterpedia – the Roller Coaster and Flat Ride Wiki|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[Galactica (roller coaster)|Galactica]]
|[[File:Air 06.jpg|120px]]
|Operational
|2002<ref name="rcdb.com">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/1458.htm|title=Galactica – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|[[Steel roller coaster|Steel]]/[[Flying roller coaster|Flying]]<ref name="rcdb.com"/>
|[[Bolliger & Mabillard]]<ref name="rcdb.com"/>
|1.4 m
|Forbidden Valley
|style="text-align:left"|The world's first [[Bolliger & Mabillard]] flying roller coaster, formerly known as ''Air'' (2002–2015). From 2016 to 2018 it featured [[virtual reality]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Galactica|title=Galactica – Coasterpedia – the Roller Coaster and Flat Ride Wiki|date=17 March 2019|publisher=Ride Rater|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|The Beast
|-
|[[Spinball Whizzer]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:Sonic Spinball.JPG|120px]]
|Operational
|2004<ref name="Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers Al">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/2472.htm|title=Spinball Whizzer – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|Steel/[[spinning roller coaster|Spinning]]<ref name="Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers Al"/>
|[[Maurer AG]]<ref name="Spinball Whizzer - Alton Towers Al"/>
|1.2 m
|The Towers
|style="text-align:left"|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''.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[Rita (roller coaster)|Rita]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:Rita (Alton Towers).JPG|120px]]
|Operational
|2005<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/2787.htm|title=Rita – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|Steel/[[accelerator coaster|Accelerator]]<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor"/>
|[[Intamin]]<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor"/>
|1.4 m
|Dark Forest
|style="text-align:left"|A hydraulic launched coaster.<ref name="Rita - Alton Towers Alton, Staffor"/>
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[Thirteen (roller coaster)|TH13TEEN]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:Thirteen train 1.jpg|120px]]
|Operational
|2010<ref name="Th13teen - Alton Towers Alton, Sta">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/4463.htm|title=Th13teen – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|Multi Dimension Coaster<ref name="Th13teen - Alton Towers Alton, Sta"/>
|[[Intamin]]<ref name="Th13teen - Alton Towers Alton, Sta"/>
|1.2 m
|Dark Forest
|style="text-align:left"|A family coaster featuring the world's first "vertical free-fall drop" element on a roller coaster.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/explore/theme-park/rides-attractions/th13teen/|title=TH13TEEN &#124; Theme Park Ride at Alton Towers Resort|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|[[Corkscrew (Alton Towers)|Corkscrew]]
|-
|[[The Smiler]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:The Smiler on opening day.jpg|120px]]
|style="text-align:center"|Operational
|style="text-align:center"|2013<ref name="Smiler - Alton Towers Alton, Staff">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/11062.htm|title=Smiler – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|Steel/[[Infinity Coaster|Infinity]]<ref name="Smiler - Alton Towers Alton, Staff"/>
|style="text-align:center" |[[Gerstlauer]]<ref name="Smiler - Alton Towers Alton, Staff"/>
|style="text-align:center"|1.4 m
|style="text-align:center"|X-Sector
|style="text-align:left" | Holds the world record for most inversions on a roller coaster at 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/rhr.htm?m=4|title=Record Holders|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
| [[Black Hole (roller coaster)|Black Hole]]
|-
|style="text-align:center"|[[Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure.jpg|120px]]
|Operational
|2015
|Steel
|[[Zamperla]]
|0.9 m
|CBeebies Land
|style="text-align:left"|A children's coaster themed to the [[Octonauts|TV show of the same name]].
|[[Beastie (Alton Towers)|Beastie]]
|-.<ref name="Uttoxeter Advertiser">{{cite web|title=Smiler smashes Guinness World Record|url=http://www.uttoxeter-news.co.uk/News/Smiler-smashes-Guinness-World-Record-20130510122550.htm|last=Moody|first=Jenny|work=Uttoxeter Advertiser|date=10 May 2013|access-date=12 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015172100/http://www.uttoxeter-news.co.uk/News/Smiler-smashes-Guinness-World-Record-20130510122550.htm|archive-date=15 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[Wicker Man (roller coaster)|Wicker Man]]
|{{NA|}} [[File:AltonTowersWickerManRollercoaster.jpg|120px]]
|style="text-align:center"|Operational
|style="text-align:center"|2018<ref name="Wicker Man - Alton Towers Alton, S">{{cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/15029.htm|title=Wicker Man – Alton Towers (Alton, Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom)|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|style="text-align:center"|[[Wooden roller coaster|Wooden]]<ref name="Wicker Man - Alton Towers Alton, S"/>
|style="text-align:center" |[[Great Coasters International]]<ref name="Wicker Man - Alton Towers Alton, S"/>
|style="text-align:center"|1.2 m
|style="text-align:center"|Mutiny Bay
|style="text-align:left"| A wooden coaster featuring live fire effects.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/about-alton-towers/blog/wicker-man-what-s-it-all-about/|title=Wicker Man: What's it all about?|date=12 January 2018|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>
|[[The Flume (Alton Towers)|The Flume]]
|}

===Flat rides===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="width: 100%; text-align:center;"
|-
!Name!!Picture!!Type
!Status!!Opened!!Area!!Manufacturer !! class="unsortable" ! |Notes!!Replaced
|-
|[[Toxicator]]
| [[File:Toxicator with theming barrel.jpg|110px]]
|Suspended [[Top Spin (ride)|Top Spin]]
| Operational
|2025
|Forbidden Valley
|[[HUSS Park Attractions|Huss Rides]]
|Top spin ride atop a 16&nbsp;ft-high platform.
| [[Ripsaw (Alton Towers)|Ripsaw]]
|-
|[[Marauder's Mayhem (Alton Towers)|Marauder's<br>Mayhem]]||{{NA|}}[[File:Maurauders Mayhem @ Mutiny Bay.jpg|110px]]||align=center|[[Teacups|Teacups Ride]] 
| Operational
||1987||align=center|Mutiny Bay||align=center|[[Mack Rides]]||style="text-align:left"|A [[Teacups|teacups ride]] themed as barrels of gunpowder.
|Tea Cup Ride
|}

===Water/Dark rides===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Name!!Picture!!Type
!Status!!Opened!!Area!!Manufacturer !! ! class=unsortable|Notes!!Replaced
|-
|[[Battle Galleons]]||{{NA|}} [[File:Mutiny-bay.jpg|120px]]||Splash Battle
|Operational||2008||Mutiny Bay||[[Mack Rides]]||style="text-align:left"|A pirate-themed Splash Battle ride.
|Splash Kart Challenge
|-
|[[Congo River Rapids (Alton Towers)|Congo River Rapids]]||{{NA|}} [[File:CongoRiverRapids 2015.JPG|120px]]||Rapids ride
|Operational||1986||Katanga Canyon||[[Intamin]]||style="text-align:left"|A water rapids ride.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|[[Curse at Alton Manor]]||{{NA|}} [[File:Curse at alton manor.jpg|120px]]||Dark ride
|Operational||2023||Gloomy Wood||[[Mack Rides]]||style="text-align:left"|A haunted themed dark ride.
|Duel
|-
|[[Hex – The Legend of the Towers|Hex – The Legend<br>of the Towers]]||{{NA|}} [[File:Alton Towers - Hex.jpg|120px]] ||Walk-through/<br>[[Madhouse (ride)|Madhouse]]
|Operational||2000||The Towers||[[Vekoma]]||style="text-align:left"|A themed attraction based on the legend of the [[Chained Oak|chained oak]], concluding with a Madhouse ride.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|Gangsta Granny: The Ride||{{NA|}} [[File:Gangsta Granny Ride Facade .png|120px]]||Dark ride
|Operational||2021||The World of David Walliams||Garmendale Engineering||style="text-align:left"|A dark ride based on [[Gangsta Granny]], written by [[David Walliams]]. 
|Wobble World
|-
|[[Nemesis: Sub-Terra|Nemesis Sub Terra]]||{{NA|}} [[File:Nemesis sub terra.jpg|120px]]
|Drop tower / walkthrough
|Operational
|2012
|Forbidden Valley
|ABC Rides
|An attraction themed to the [[Nemesis (roller coaster)|Nemesis]] story, including a small indoor drop tower.
|Lava Lump
|}

===Children's rides and attractions===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Name !! Picture !! Type !! Opened !!  scope=col style="width:8em;"|Area !! style="width:10em;"|Manufacturer !! ! scope="col" style="width:25em;" class=unsortable|Notes|!!Replaced
|-
|[[Driving School (Alton Towers)|Cuckoo Cars Driving School]]||{{NA|}} [[File:Alton towers driving school.jpg|110px]]||align=center|Driving Attraction||2006||style="text-align: center"|The Towers||style="text-align: center"|SB International AB||style="text-align:left"|A children's car driving attraction.
|Vintage Cars
|-
|Raj's Bouncy Bottom Burp||{{NA|}}||align=center|[[Drop Tower|Mini drop tower]]||style="text-align: center"|1999||style="text-align: center"|The World of David Walliams||style="text-align: center"|[[S&S - Sansei Technologies|S&S Power]]||style="text-align:left"|A mini [[drop tower]] for children. Formerly Frog Hopper.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|Royal Carousel||{{NA|}} [[File:Alton towers carousel.jpg|110px]]||align=center|[[Carousel]]||align=center|1991||style="text-align: center"|The World of David Walliams||align=center|[[Bertazzon]]||style="text-align:left"|A children's merry-go-round ride. Formerly Gallopers Carousel.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|Heave Ho||{{NA|}}[[File:Alton Towers 04.jpg|110px]]||align=center|[[Rockin' Tug]]||align=center|2008||align=center|Mutiny Bay||style="text-align:center;"|[[Zamperla]]||style="text-align:left"|A rocking and swinging boat ride.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|''Sharkbait Reef''||{{NA|}} [[File:Sharkbait Reef at Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1837742.jpg|Sharkbait Reef at Alton Towers -geograph.org.uk- 1837742|120px]]
||[[Sea Life Centres|Sea Life Centre]]||2009||Mutiny Bay||Merlin Magic Making||style="text-align:left"|A [[Sea Life]] [[aquarium]] themed as a shipwreck.
| 3D Cinema
|-
|In the Night Garden<br>Magical Boat Ride||{{NA|}}|| style="text-align: center"|Boat ride||align=center|2014||style="text-align: center"|CBeebies Land||[[Mack Rides]]||style="text-align:left"|An ''[[In the Night Garden...|In the Night Garden]] themed'' boat ride.
| Riverbank Eye Spy
|-
|Get Set Go<br>TreeTop Adventure||{{NA|}}||Powered monocab ride||1996||CBeebies Land||[[Premier Rides]]||style="text-align:left"|Riders travel through the tree tops in their own vehicle above CBeebies Land. Formerly Squirrel Nutty Ride.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|Bugbie Go Round||{{NA|}}||[[Carousel|Carousel-style attraction]]||1995||CBeebies Land||||A [[carousel|carousel-style attraction]] featuring Bugbies. Formerly Numtums Number Go Round and originally opening as Doodle Doo Derby.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|JoJo & Gran Gran at Home||{{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||{{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.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|Andy's Adventures Dinosaur Dig||{{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||{{NA|}}||Sensory Trail||2014||CBeebies Land||Merlin Magic Making||An outdoor sensory garden based on the [[CBeebies]] programme [[Something Special (TV series)|''Something Special'']].
|{{N/A}}
|-
|Hey Duggee's Big Adventure Badge||{{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||{{NA|}}||align=center|Aerial Roundabout||style="text-align:center;"|2017||align=center|CBeebies Land||align=center|Garmendale Engineering||style="text-align:left"|An aerial roundabout ride themed to CBeebies programme ''[[Go Jetters]]''. One of two additions to CBeebies Land for 2017.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.garmendale.co.uk/theme-park-ride-systems/quadstar-aerial-roundabout-system/|title=Aerial Roundabout System {{!}} The QuadStar {{!}} Garmendale|work=Garmendale UK|access-date=27 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627115728/https://www.garmendale.co.uk/theme-park-ride-systems/quadstar-aerial-roundabout-system/|archive-date=27 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|{{N/A}}
|-
|The Furchester Hotel Live||{{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.
|{{N/A}}
|-
|Peter Rabbit Hippity Hop||{{NA|}}||Two Junior [[Drop tower|Drop Towers]]||2019||CBeebies Land||[[S&S Power]]||Two mini [[drop tower]]s based on the [[CBeebies]] programme [[Peter Rabbit (TV series)|''Peter Rabbit'']]. Opened 23 March 2019.
|{{N/A}}
|}

===Theme park transport and grounds===
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!Name!!Picture!!Type 
!Status!!Opened!!Area!!Manufacturer!! ! class=unsortable|Notes
|-
|style="text-align:center"|''Haunted Hollow''||{{NA|}} [[File:alton towers hearse at haunted hollow.jpg|110px]]||Outdoor trail 
|Open||2007||Gloomy Wood / Mutiny Bay||[[Tussauds Group|Tussauds Studios]]||style="text-align:left"|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>{{cite web|title=Alton Towers Park Railway|url=http://www.altontowersmemories.net/page8.htm|website=Alton Towers Memories|page=8|access-date=8 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408205906/http://www.altontowersmemories.net/page8.htm|archive-date=8 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
|style="text-align:center"|Monorail||{{NA|}} [[File:Alton Towers Monorail.jpg|110px]]||[[Monorail]] 
|Open||1987||Links entrance plaza to car park and hotels||[[Von Roll Holding|Von Roll Habegger]]||style="text-align:left"|Monorail system to transport guests from the resort hotels and car parks to the theme park entrance.
|-
|style="text-align:center"|''Sky Ride''||{{NA|}} [[File:Skyride Alton Towers.JPG|110px]]||[[Gondola lift]]
|Operational||1987||Stations at Towers Street, Forbidden Valley and Dark Forest||[[Poma]]||style="text-align:left"|Cable car to transport guests around the theme park giving views of the gardens, with three stations; Towers Street, Forbidden Valley and Dark Forest. <br>
|-
|style="text-align:center"|The Gardens||{{NA|}} [[File:Alton Towers gardens - geograph.org.uk - 1464404.jpg|110px]]||[[English landscape garden]] 
|Open||1860||Gardens||The Talbot Family||style="text-align:left"|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
|-
|style="text-align:center"|The Towers ruins||{{NA|}} ||[[Ruins]] 
|Open for paid tours only||1970||The Towers||The Talbot Family
|style="text-align:left"|19th Century stately home ruins
|}

===Future rides===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Name !! Type !! Manufacturer !! Proposed opening !! Notes
|-
| Project Sunshine || Rollercoaster; type unknown || [[Zierer]]|| 2026 || Themed to Television Show [[Bluey (TV series)|Bluey]], replacing Postman Pat Parcel Post, which closed in June 2025 - work on the new development began immediately after this closure.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bluey Coaster - Construction Archive - Your premier Alton Towers guide |url=https://towersstreet.com/construction/project-sunshine/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=towersstreet.com}}</ref>
|-
| Project Horizon || Rollercoaster; type unknown || Unknown || {{Tooltip|TBC|To be confirmed}} || Planned to be an [[Indoor roller coaster|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>{{Cite web |title=Project Horizon - Construction Archive - Your premier Alton Towers guide |url=https://towersstreet.com/construction/project-horizon/ |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=towersstreet.com}}</ref>
|}

===Past rides and attractions===

====Past roller coasters====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Attraction!!Opened!!Closed 
!Manufacturer!!Relocation
|-
|[[Corkscrew (Alton Towers)|Corkscrew]]||1980||2008 
|[[Vekoma]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Corkscrew – The first rollercoaster in Alton Towers Resort|url=https://www.altontowers.com/about-alton-towers/blog/corkscrew-the-rollercoaster-that-put-alton-towers-resort-on-the-map/|date=3 April 2020|access-date=28 October 2024|website=Alton Towers Resort}}</ref>|| Dismantled: the "corkscrew" section of the track is on display at the park entrance
|-
|Mini Apple Coaster||1982||1997 
|[[Pinfari]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|title=Mini Apple Coaster – TowersTimes – Alton Towers Resort from another point of view!|url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/history/past-rides/mini-apple-coaster/|access-date=18 July 2024|website=TowersTimes}}</ref>||[[Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach]], England, UK since 1998<ref>{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Mini Apple|url=https://rcdb.com/2457.htm|website=RCDB|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>
|-
|[[Beastie (Alton Towers)|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 (roller coaster)|Black Hole]]||1984<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/history/past-rides/black-hole/|title=Black Hole|last=Lewis|website=TowersTimes|access-date=19 March 2020}}</ref>||2005 
|[[Anton Schwarzkopf]]||Operated in [[Furuviksparken|Furuvik Zoo]] from 2011 to 2021, until the ride was removed and put up for sale.<ref>{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Black Hole|url=https://rcdb.com/799.htm|website=RCDB|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rocket (Furuvik) – Coasterpedia – The Roller Coaster and Flat Ride Wiki|url=https://coasterpedia.net/wiki/Rocket_(Furuvik)|access-date=21 August 2023|website=coasterpedia.net}}</ref>
|-
|4 Man Bob Coaster||1985||1990 
|[[Zierer]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|title=4 Man Bob – TowersTimes – Alton Towers Resort from another point of view!|url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/history/past-rides/4-man-bob/|access-date=18 July 2024|website=TowersTimes}}</ref>||Was moved to Family Park in [[France]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Gold Rush – Family Park (Monts, Centre-Val de Loire, France)|url=https://rcdb.com/16325.htm|access-date=20 January 2021|website=RCDB}}</ref>
|-
|Alton Mouse||1988||1991 
|[[Vekoma]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|title=Alton Mouse – TowersTimes – Alton Towers Resort from another point of view!|url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/history/past-rides/alton-mouse/|access-date=18 July 2024|website=TowersTimes}}</ref>||[[Idlewild and Soak Zone]], [[Ligonier, Pennsylvania]], [[United States]] of America since 1993<ref>{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Alton Mouse|url=https://rcdb.com/1111.htm|website=RCDB|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>
|-
|The Beast||1988||1997 
|[[Anton Schwarzkopf|Anton Schwazkopf]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|title=The Beast – TowersTimes – Alton Towers Resort from another point of view!|url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/history/past-rides/the-beast/|access-date=18 July 2024|website=TowersTimes}}</ref>||Last operated in [[Salitre Magico]], Colombia, from 2010 to 2017
|-
|[[Thunder Looper]]||1990||1996 
|<ref>{{cite web|last=Lewis|title=Thunder Looper – TowersTimes – Alton Towers Resort from another point of view!|url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/history/past-rides/thunder-looper/|access-date=18 July 2024|website=TowersTimes}}</ref>[[Anton Schwarzkopf]]||[[Hopi Hari]], Brazil since 1999<ref>{{cite web|last=Marden|first=Duane|title=Thunderlooper|url=https://rcdb.com/798.htm|website=RCDB|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>
|}

====Main Past Attractions====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Attraction!!Opened!!Closed!!Ride Type
!Fate
|-
|[[Around the World in 80 Days (Alton Towers ride)|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 (Alton Towers)|The Flume]]||1981||2015||Log Flume
|Demolished
|-
|[[Twirling Toadstool (Alton Towers)|Twirling Toadstool]]<br><small>formerly Ug Swinger</small>||1984||2016||Wave Swinger
|Scrapped
|-
|[[Toyland Tours]]||1994||2005||Dark Ride
|Redesigned as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride.
|-
|[[The Haunted House (Alton Towers)|The Haunted House]]||1992||2002||Dark Ride
|Rethemed as Duel — The Haunted House Strikes Back!
|-
|[[Submission (Alton Towers)|Submission]]||2001||2013||Chance Rides Inverter
|Scrapped, then replaced with 2 temporary Retro Squad rides.
|-
|[[Dynamo (Alton Towers)|Dynamo]]||1993||2003||Huss Breakdance
|Currently a travelling ride in Switzerland. 
|-
|[[Boneshaker (Alton Towers)|Boneshaker]]<br><small>formerly Energizer</small>||1995||2003||Mondial Supernova
|Operating at Terra Mitica under the name of La Cólera de Akiles.
|-
|[[Ripsaw (Alton Towers)|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 (franchise)|Ice Age]]: The 4D Experience||2012||2016||4D Theatre
|Building remains [https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/SBNO 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 Park Attractions|HUSS]] [[Pirate ship (ride)|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
|[[Scrambler (ride)|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<br>Parcel Post
|2014
|2025
|Track ride
|An interactive car ride based on the CBeebies programme ''[[Postman Pat|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>{{cite web|last=Machnik|first=Stef|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Park-Pink-pop-success/story-12555854-detail/story.html|title=ALTON Towers says it has not ruled out holding more music concerts after successfully playing host to pop superstar Pink.|work=This is Staffordshire|date=28 June 2010|access-date=9 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904111232/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Park-Pink-pop-success/story-12555854-detail/story.html|archive-date=4 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/alton-towers-turns-islam-gay-3980196|title=Alton Towers turns to Islam and gay markets|date=3 July 2006|work=Birmingham Post|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/news/821589-rides-evacuated-after-alton-towers-power-cut|title=Rides evacuated after Alton Towers power cut &#124; Metro News|work=Metro|location=UK|date=13 April 2010|access-date=9 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Towers-signs-JLS-24-000-ticket-gig/story-12511564-detail/story.html|title=JLS, McFly and The Saturdays to perform at Alton Towers|publisher=This is Staffordshire|date=16 February 2011|access-date=9 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130821164452/http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Towers-signs-JLS-24-000-ticket-gig/story-12511564-detail/story.html|archive-date=21 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</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 Resort|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===
<div style="overflow-x:auto;">

{| class=wikitable

|+ 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
|-
|colspan=4 rowspan=2|Ingestre Centre
|colspan=8 rowspan=2|Aqualand
|colspan=34 style=background:#CCCCFF|Katanga Canyon
|-
|colspan=16|Merrie England
|colspan=18 style=background:#CCCCFF|Mutiny Bay
|-
|colspan=4|Springfield Centre
|colspan=14|Fantasy World
|colspan=28 style=background:#CCCCFF|X-Sector
|-
|colspan=4|Talbot Centre
|colspan=15|Festival Park
|colspan=11|UG Land
|colspan=16 style=background:#CCCCFF|Dark Forest
|-
|style="background:lightgrey;"|
|colspan=12|Talbot Street
|colspan=4|Land of Make Believe
|colspan=12|Cred Street
|colspan=11|Cloud Cuckoo Land
|colspan=6 style=background:#CCCCFF|The World of David Walliams
|-
|colspan=6 style="background:lightgrey;"|
|colspan=41 style=background:#CCCCFF|Towers Street
|-
|colspan=6 rowspan=2 style="background:lightgrey;"|
|colspan=10 rowspan=2|Kiddies Kingdom
|colspan=30 style="background:#CCCCFF"|Adventure Land
|-
|colspan=18|Storybook Land
|colspan=12 rowspan=2 style=background:#CCCCFF|CBeebies Land
|-
|colspan=10 style="background:lightgrey;"|
|colspan=2|Britannia Farm
|colspan=3|Safeway Farm
|colspan=19|Old MacDonald's Farmyard
|-
|colspan=12 style="background:lightgrey;"|
|colspan=2|Thunder Valley
|colspan=32 style=background:#CCCCFF|Forbidden Valley
|-
|colspan=12 style="background:lightgrey;"|
|colspan=34 style=background:#CCCCFF|Gloomy Wood
|}
</div>
{{Color box|#FFFFFF|border=darkgray}}&nbsp; Previous themed area

{{Color box|#CCCCFF|border=darkgray}}&nbsp; Current themed area<gallery widths="150" heights="115" class="center">
File:MutinyBay2015.JPG|Mutiny Bay
File:Katanga Canyon at Alton Towers.jpg|Katanga Canyon
File:Alton Towers Dark Forest entrance.jpg|Dark Forest
File:Cloud Cuckoo Land, Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1464494.jpg|The World of David Walliams<br />Royal Carousel
File:Sonic Spinball.JPG|Adventure Land<br />Spinball Whizzer roller-coaster
File:Curse at alton manor.jpg|Gloomy Wood
File:XSector.JPG|X-Sector Smiler and Oblivion
</gallery>

===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 {{convert|1048|m|adj=on}} long [[Aerial lift|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 (Alton Towers)|Runaway Mine Train]] and [[Congo River Rapids (Alton Towers)|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 {{cvt|735|m|ft|adj=mid|-long}} 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&nbsp;mph (36&nbsp;km/h) on a 1000&nbsp;ft long track (305 m) and height of {{convert|36|ft|m|abbr=on}}; height limit 90&nbsp;cm.

===Gloomy Wood===
Gloomy Wood serves as the area containing the dark ride ''[[Curse at Alton Manor|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>{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/explore/theme-park/rides-attractions/haunted-hollow/|title=Haunted Hollow – Theme Park Experience at Alton Towers Resort|website=altontowers.com|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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 (roller coaster)|Nemesis Reborn]]'', previously ''Nemesis'' which opened in 1994. ''Nemesis'' ''Reborn'' is a steel inverted coaster that reaches a speed of 50&nbsp;mph (81&nbsp;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 (roller coaster)|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">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/altontowers/status/1107295909078097923|date=17 March 2019|access-date=18 March 2019|title=Reply to user @Ev_Jay|quote=Galactica no longer features VR due to guest feedback regarding their experience on the ride.|publisher=Alton Towers official Twitter account}}</ref>

The area also contains two smaller attractions. [[Nemesis: Sub-Terra|Nemesis Sub-Terra]] is an indoor attraction featuring a drop tower ride. The experience is themed around [[Nemesis (roller coaster)|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 Park Attractions|HUSS]] suspended topspin [[Toxicator]] was added on the former site of Ripsaw, sitting over the pathway on a 16&nbsp;ft elevated concrete platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |date=2025-02-21 |title=Toxicator to open on 15th March at Alton Towers Resort |url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/news/2025/02/21/toxicator-to-open-on-15th-march-at-alton-towers-resort/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=TowersTimes |language=en-GB}}</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 (roller coaster)|Spinball Whizzer]]'';<ref>{{cite web|title=Theme Park|url=https://www.altontowers.com/theme-park/|website=Alton Towers|access-date=21 April 2017}}</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 the Hedgehog|Sonic]] Spinball''. It regained its original name in 2016 when the contract ended with [[Sega|SEGA]] after six years. The ride is a [[Maurer AG|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>{{cite web|title=Adventure Land|url=https://towersstreet.com/theme-park/area/adventure-land/#areahistory|website=towersstreet.com|access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref>

===X-Sector===
[[File:Oblivion2015.JPG|thumb|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 (roller 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>{{Cite web |last=Marden |first=Duane |title=Oblivion - Alton Towers |url=https://rcdb.com/777.htm}}</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 (roller coaster)|Black Hole]], which was a Jet Star 2 coaster enclosed in a tent, where The Smiler is located today. [[Boneshaker (Alton Towers)|Energizer]] (later renamed Boneshaker) was a swinging gondola flat ride. It was replaced by [[Submission (Alton Towers)|Submission]] in 2001, a "Chance Double Inverter" flat ride, which was itself removed in 2014. ''Enterprise'' was a standard HUSS [[Enterprise (ride)|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 [https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/SBNO 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">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaapa.org/|title=International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions|date=January 2009|publisher=IAAPA|access-date=28 May 2013}}</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 ''[[Marauder's Mayhem (Alton Towers)|Marauders Mayhem]]'', with the tea cup cars being redesigned as gunpowder barrels. ''The Flume'' was a [[Mack Rides|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 {{Convert|886|m}}.<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)|Wicker Man]] roller coaster and the "Welcome Inn" bar which shares the coaster's theme.

In 2009, a [[Sea Life Centres|Sea Life Centre]] named ''Sharkbait Reef'' opened in the location previously home to the 3-D Cinema.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sharkbait Reef By SEALIFE – Theme Park – Your premier Alton Towers guide |url=https://towersstreet.com/theme-park/ride/sharkbait-reef-by-sealife/#attractionhistory|access-date=19 August 2023|website=towersstreet.com}}</ref> This includes "touch pools" for interacting with underwater species and a {{convert|10|m|ft|adj=on}} underwater tunnel.<ref name="Sharkbait Reef Info">{{cite web|title=Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE|url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/theme-park/mutiny-bay/sharkbait-reef-by-sea-life/|website=TowersTimes|access-date=25 March 2020}}</ref>

===The World of David Walliams===
[[File:Alton Towers - Circuit voitures pour enfants.jpg|thumb|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 (Alton Towers)|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>{{cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/alton-towers-open-new-world-17094301|title=Alton Towers to open new 'World of David Walliams' attraction|last=Chamberlain|first=Zoe|date=17 October 2019|website=BirminghamLive|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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>{{cite web|title=pic.twitter.com/XDsayM8ONk|url=https://twitter.com/altontowers/status/1266353953425539073|last=Resort|first=Alton Towers|date=29 May 2020|website=@altontowers|access-date=29 May 2020}}</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 ''[[Thirteen (roller coaster)|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 (Alton Towers)|Corkscrew]]''; the park's first roller coaster, which opened in 1980. ''[[Rita (roller coaster)|Rita]]'' is a hydraulically launched steel sit-down coaster that reaches a top speed of 61&nbsp;mph (100&nbsp;km) that is now themed around an abandoned [[Drag racing|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">{{cite web|title=SW6 Revealed: TH13TEEN|url=http://towersnerd.com/news/item.php?id=193|access-date=1 December 2009|publisher=Towers Nerd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605233654/http://towersnerd.com/news/item.php?id=193|archive-date=5 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===CBeebies Land===
{{Main|CBeebies#CBeebies Land|l1=CBeebies: 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 Rollercoaster Adventure|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 (TV series)|Bluey]] themed attraction opened on 23 March 2024.

===The Towers===
[[File:Alton Towers - geograph.org.uk - 1464460.jpg|thumb|Main historic house]]
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2020}}
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>{{cite news|title=Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin|website=Explore Parliament}}</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>{{Cite news |date=2024-06-26 |title=Alton Towers: House and garden tour launched {{!}} RideRater |url=https://riderater.co.uk/12117/alton-towers-house-and-garden-tour-launched/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240628085002/https://riderater.co.uk/12117/alton-towers-house-and-garden-tour-launched/ |archive-date=2024-06-28 |access-date=2025-06-12 |work=RideRater - UK Theme Park News |language=en-GB}}</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 (ride)|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>{{Cite web |title=Winter Update |url=https://www.altontowers.com/about-alton-towers/blog/winter-update/ |access-date=2025-04-22 |website=Alton Towers Resort |language=en-GB}}</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.

''[[Driving School (Alton Towers)|Cuckoo Cars Driving School]]'' allows children to drive miniature electric cars around a themed road layout, featuring visual jokes along the way.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coming soon … the first 'drive of your life'|website=easier.com|date=10 July 2006|url=https://www.easier.com/7614-coming-soon-the-first-drive-of-your-life.html|access-date=13 July 2006}}</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|thumb|Monument to Charles Talbot, the 15th [[Earl of Shrewsbury]] set in gardens he created]]
{{Main|History of Alton Towers#Stately home and gardens}}
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">{{NHLE|num=1374741|desc=memorial to the 15th Earl|access-date=2 May 2022}}</ref> Other landmarks include a Chinese Pagoda Fountain, The Swiss Cottage, Miniature 'Stonehenge', and orangeries.

==Alton Towers Waterpark==
{{Main|Alton Towers Waterpark}}
[[File:Alton Towers Waterpark1.JPG|thumbnail|left|Alton Towers Waterpark]]
The Alton Towers Waterpark, formerly known as Cariba Creek, opened alongside the Splash Landings Hotel in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|title=Alton Towers offers refund|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/2960220.stm|date=3 June 2003|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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 slide#Water coaster|water coaster]] ''The Master Blaster'', with uphill sections similar to the ''Master Blaster'' at [[Sandcastle Water Park (Blackpool)|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|thumb|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>{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/short-breaks/discover/restaurants-shops/|title=Hotel Restaurants and Places to Eat|website=altontowers.com|access-date=19 December 2024}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/short-breaks/accommodation/alton-towers-hotel/|title=Alton Towers Hotel|website=altontowers.com|access-date=19 December 2024}}</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>{{Cite web |title=Woodland Walk - TowersTimes - Alton Towers Resort from another point of view! |url=https://www.towerstimes.co.uk/resort/hotels/alton-towers-hotel/woodland-walk/ |access-date=2025-04-24 |website=TowersTimes |language=en-GB}}</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>{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/short-breaks/accommodation/splash-landings-hotel/|title=Splash Landings Hotel|website=altontowers.com|access-date=19 December 2024}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.altontowers.com/2017/|title=2017|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827103207/https://www.altontowers.com/2017/|archive-date=27 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
There are eight themes: Bugbies, [[Bing (TV series)|Bing]], [[Octonauts]], [[Postman Pat]], [[Swashbuckle (TV series)|Swashbuckle]], [[In the Night Garden...|In the Night Garden]], [[Something Special (TV series)|Something Special]], and [[Bluey (TV series)|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>{{cite web|title=Enchanted Village – Construction Archive – Your premier Alton Towers guide|url=https://towersstreet.com/construction/enchanted-village/#phase-twoabandoned|access-date=11 January 2024|website=towersstreet.com}}</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>{{cite web|last=Parker|first=Hayley|date=20 June 2018|title=Dull, boring and lacking the Alton Towers magic|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/local-news/dull-boring-lacking-magic-alton-1697065|access-date=11 January 2024|website=Stoke on Trent Live}}</ref>

The Stargazing Pods opened on 12 April 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altontowers.com/short-breaks/stargazing-pods/|title=Stargazing Pods|website=altontowers.com|access-date=12 November 2019}}</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>{{cite news|title=Alton Towers confirms spa closure|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv25r738888o|agency=BBC News|date=2 January 2024|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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 (roller coaster)|Galactica]] themed hole.

==Future developments==
Alton Towers is located in a [[Conservation Area (United Kingdom)|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 (roller coaster)|Rita]], where the highest sections of track are camouflaged green.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rita – Alton Towers Review |url=https://missionthemepark.home.blog/2019/04/30/rita-alton-towers-review/|website=Mission Theme Park|date=30 April 2019|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

Noise pollution is also a problem for the park due to the close proximity to the villages of Alton and [[Farley, Staffordshire|Farley]] and the town of [[Cheadle, Staffordshire|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">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/6486787.stm|date=23 March 2007|title=Theme park allowed to make noise|agency=BBC News|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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>{{cite web|title=Alton Towers Gets Planning Application Approved For New £12.5 Million Indoor Coaster "Project Horizon"|url=https://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20230220/33126/alton-towers-gets-planning-application-approved-new-ps125-million-indoor|website=Theme Park Tourist|access-date=20 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324101132/https://www.themeparktourist.com/news/20230220/33126/alton-towers-gets-planning-application-approved-new-ps125-million-indoor|archive-date=24 March 2023|date=20 February 2023|url-status=live}}</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">{{cite web|title=The Secret Weapons – Developing the Magic|url=http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/history/articles/secretweapons.htm|website=towerstimes.co.uk|access-date=31 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104102401/http://old.towerstimes.co.uk/history/articles/secretweapons.htm|archive-date=4 November 2013}}</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>{{cite news|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/alton-towers-scarefest-2017-prices-13477279|title=Alton Towers reveals plans for Scarefest 2017 with a new addition|last=Wollaston|first=Steve|date=31 October 2017|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/trips-and-breaks/review-alton-towers-scarefest-2017-12034148|title=Travel review: Alton Towers Scarefest 2016|last=Connolly|first=Justin|date=15 October 2016|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> The scare mazes are [[upcharge attraction]]s. The 2024 season runs from 11 October – 3 November.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;font-size:85%;"
|+ style="font-size:125%;"|''Scarefest'' attraction history
|-
!Year 
!colspan=7|Attractions (number of seasons)
|-
!2002
|Terror of the Towers
|colspan=7 rowspan=3 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2003
|Terror of the Towers: Bloodfest Banquet
|-
!2004-6
|colspan=7 rowspan=1 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2007
|rowspan=2|Terror of the Towers: Bloodfest Banquet
|rowspan=3|The Field of 1000 Screams
|rowspan=2|Haunted Hollow Live
|colspan=7 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2008
|rowspan=4|The Boilerhouse
|rowspan=2|Duel Live
|colspan=2 rowspan=8 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2009
|rowspan=9|Terror of the Towers: What Lies Within
|rowspan=2 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2010
|rowspan=4|Carnival of Screams
|Skelvin's Haunted Adventure
|-
!2011
|rowspan=4|Zombies Scare Zone
|style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2012
|rowspan=3|The Sanctuary
|rowspan=3 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2013
|-
!2014
|Scary Tales Scare Zone
|-
!2015
|rowspan=5|Sub Species
|The Haunting of Molly Crowe
|rowspan=2|Dark Apocalypse Scare Zone
|Nox Inferous Scare Zone
|-
!2016
|rowspan=10 style="background:#3f6;"|Altonville Mine Tours
|rowspan=3|House of Monsters
|rowspan=2|Freak Show Scare Zone
|rowspan=7 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2017
|rowspan=2|The Welcoming
|-
!2018
|rowspan=2|Project 42
|rowspan="3" style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2019
|rowspan=6|The Attic
|rowspan=5|Darkest Depths
|-
!2020
|rowspan=2|Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard
|rowspan=1 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2021
|rowspan=5 style="background:#3f6;"|Trick O' Treat Town
|rowspan=1 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2022
|rowspan=2|The Invitation
|rowspan=1 style="background:#aaa;"|
|-
!2023
|rowspan=2|Daz Games: PANIC!
|rowspan=3 style="background:#3f6;"|Burial Grounds Scare Zone
|-
!2024
|rowspan=2 style="background:#3f6;"|Compound
|rowspan=2 style="background:#3f6;"|Amigos in the Afterlife
|-
!2025
|rowspan=1 style="background:#3f6;"|Edge of the Forest
|rowspan=1 style="background:#3f6;"|Dark Hollow Scare Zone
|}
<!--Current attractions are marked with a green background (#3f6); the rowspan will need to be adjusted for each current attraction when additional years are added. Otherwise, add a new year as a new table row and additional themes, using the examples above. Preview to check if the number of columns has increased and adjust the colspans as marked above.-->

{{Color box|#FFF|border=silver}}&nbsp;– Previous Scarefest attraction.
{{Color box|#3F6|border=silver}}&nbsp;– Current Scarefest attraction.

===Other events===

====Fireworks====
For the final few days of the season, Alton Towers host [[Fireworks|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>{{cite news|date=14 October 2005|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/4342978.stm|access-date=13 July 2006|title=Fireworks go-ahead for theme park|agency=BBC 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>{{cite news|last=Vigar|first=Tom|title=Dates NHS workers get money off at Alton Towers with £19 tickets|url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/exact-dates-nhs-workers-can-8073235|work=Stoke on Trent Live|date=25 January 2023|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

====Concerts====
Alton Towers has a history of hosting concerts since the 1960s. Alternative rock band [[James (band)|James]] played to a crowd of 30,000 on 4 July 1992.<ref>[https://www.oneofthethree.com/1992/07/04/alton-towers-4th-july-1992/ "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>{{cite web|date=27 May 2015|title=CBeebies' Igglepiggle unfurls world's largest polar fleece blanket at Alton Towers for Guinness World Records title|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/commercial/2015/5/cbeebies%E2%80%99%20igglepiggle%20unfurls%20world%E2%80%99s%20largest%20blanket%20at%20alton%20towers%20for%20guinness%20world%20records%20title|access-date=29 May 2023|website=Guinness World Records}}</ref>
*[[Corkscrew (Alton Towers)|Corkscrew]] was the first double inverting coaster in Europe.
*[[The Flume (Alton Towers)|The Flume]] was the world's longest log flume at the time of opening. (1981)
*[[Nemesis (roller coaster)|Nemesis]] was the first [[Inverted roller coaster|inverted coaster]] in Europe. It also holds the record for the most naked riders
*[[Oblivion (roller coaster)|Oblivion]] was the world's first [[Bolliger & Mabillard|B&M]] [[Dive Coaster|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 (roller coaster)|Galactica]] was the world's first B&M [[Flying roller coaster|flying coaster]].
*[[Thirteen (roller 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==
{{Main|Incidents at European amusement parks#Alton Towers}}

===The Smiler===
{{For|additional information and incidents|The Smiler#Incidents}}
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>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-34911943|title=Alton Towers crash due to 'human error'|publisher=BBC News|date=24 November 2015|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Josh |last=Halliday |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/27/alton-towers-owner-fined-smiler-rollercaster-crash|title=Alton Towers owner fined £5m over Smiler rollercaster crash|date=27 September 2016|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-37481825|title=Alton Towers operator fined £5m|agency=BBC News|date=27 September 2016|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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>{{cite news|title=Smiler crash: Alton Towers operator Merlin fined £5m|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-37481825|agency=BBC News|date=27 September 2016|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityam.com/alton-towers-owner-merlin-just-got-slapped-5m-fine-smiler/|title=Alton Towers owner Merlin just got slapped with a £5m fine|last=Bambrough|first=Billy|date=27 September 2016|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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>{{cite web|url=http://www.cityam.com/266421/alton-towers-owner-and-multi-millionaire-nick-leslau|title=Alton Towers owner and multi-millionaire Nick Leslau on the "constipated" property market and that rollercoaster tragedy &#124; City A.M.|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025061019/http://www.cityam.com/266421/alton-towers-owner-and-multi-millionaire-nick-leslau|archive-date=25 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</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 [[Abseiling|abseiled]] down {{convert|200|foot|m}} cables.<ref>{{cite news|date=30 June 2004|title=Park investigates ride failure|agency=BBC News|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/staffordshire/3851957.stm|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

On 28 October 2007, a fire broke out in the Forbidden Valley Skyride station, leading to a partial evacuation of the park.<ref>{{cite news|title=Blaze at Alton Towers theme park|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/7066781.stm|agency=BBC News|date=29 October 2007|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

On 21 July 2009, another fire broke out, this time in the Fountain Square station, leading to the entire station being destroyed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crews tackle fire at theme park|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/8162506.stm|agency=BBC News|date=22 July 2009|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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===
{{Main|Runaway Mine Train (Alton Towers)}}
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 (Alton Towers)|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">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/5198728.stm|title=Dozens hurt on Alton Towers ride|agency=BBC News|date=20 July 2006|access-date=28 October 2024}}</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>{{cite news |first=Hannah |last=Al-Othman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/16/alton-towers-new-toxic-waste-themed-ride-briefly-closes-due-to-sewage-leak-toxicator |title=Alton Towers' new toxic waste-themed ride briefly closes due to sewage leak |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 March 2025 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Toxicator at Alton Towers queue times |url=https://queue-times.com/parks/1/rides/14475?given_date=2025-03-15#day |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=queue-times.com}}</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>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/staffordshire/3528124.stm|agency=BBC News|access-date=28 October 2024|date=2 August 2004|title=Fun park 'makes too much noise'}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ward|first=David|date=3 August 2004|title=Oblivion a thrill too far for Alton Towers|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/aug/03/davidward|work=The Guardian|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref> The park were fined £5000, and was later issued a Noise Abatement Order limiting emissions to 32&nbsp;dB. The fine was reduced to £3500 and the limit increased to 40&nbsp;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>{{cite web|date=3 May 2012|url=https://riderater.co.uk/1748/alton-towers-noise-trial-set-for-go-ahead/|title=Alton Towers Noise trial set for go ahead|access-date=1 June 2024|website=Ride Rater}}</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>{{cite news|date=17 November 2011|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/11/17/neighbours-launch-new-high-court-fight-against-alton-towers/|title=Neighbours launch new High Court fight against Alton Towers|work=Express and Star|access-date=28 October 2024}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Incidents at European amusement parks]]
*[[List of theme parks in the United Kingdom]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
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* {{official website|http://www.altontowers.com}}

{{Alton Towers}}
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{{15 inch gauge railways}}

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