Near Alton Towers Tourist Information
Britain's own Disney Land, The Alton Towers Theme Park Resort is located within beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands countryside near the ancient village of Alton. Alton Towers is Britain's largest theme park containing a fantastic choice of cutting edge ultimate thrill rides and roller coasters alongside themed attractions, hotels, a spa, golf and a huge indoor waterpark.
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The nearest village to Alton Towers is Alton which offers a wide choice of fine pubs, restaurants and amenities and accommodation. Great walks in the Churnet Valley and Dimmings Dale are also easily accessed from Alton village including the Forestry Commission's valley walk and visitor centre. Alton village also contains more examples of the great Victorian architect AW Pugin's work.
Things to do at Alton Towers Theme Park
Award winning Alton Towers Theme Park is the UK's largest. Rides at Alton Towers feature best ultimate thrill rides and rollercoasters like 'Air', 'The Blade', 'Nemesis' and 'Oblivion'. Alongside the thrill rides at Alton Towers are a great mix of laughs and frights rides like the 'Congo River Rapids'. Do battle with ghosts and ghouls in 'Duel - The Haunted House Strikes back!' Alton Towers also offers an outstanding choice of family rides and themed areas for young children like 'Wobble World' indoor play area and rides like the 'Squirrel Nutty Ride'. The huge Alton Towers Indoor Water Park is also within the theme park complex open all year round and inclusive of Caribbean lagoon. Alton Towers really is Britain's equivalent to Disney Land for Alton Towers is more than a best theme park, it is also a resort boasting an extensive choice of onsite themed hotels, a spa, numerous bars and restaurants, themed attractions and great family deals and special offers. Big name concerts also feature at Alton Towers where you can expect to find top pop stars performing through the season.
Alton Towers Theme Park and Resort is beautifully situated in the heart of the Staffordshire Peak District near Alton village north of Uttoxeter. Special Transport buses are available from Stoke-on-Trent railway station, Leek bus station and Uttoxeter railway station direct to the theme park.
New rides, rollercoasters and theme areas are added to Alton Towers year on year. Alton Towers Theme Park is thematically split into areas like The Gardens, Adventure Land and favourite The Towers, helping you find your way around. Top attractions at Alton Towers Theme Park include the Sharkbait Reef by Sea Life, Extraordinary Golf and youngsters will love Old McDonald's Farmyard. Annual passes for Alton Towers come at a great price and special offers and discount deals for the Alton Towers Resort regularly feature through the season.
Alton Towers Heritage Sites
Alton Towers has a rich heritage as both a seat of the Earls of Shrewsbury and as a historic theme park. Heritage buildings and attractions such as the Alton Towers house, conservatory and gardens are seeing much restoration. A new Alton Towers Heritage website (link right) gives information on progress and the history of Alton Towers.
Alton Village and Dimmings Dale Attractions
Ancient historic Alton village near Alton Towers is ideally placed for easy access to the theme park resort. Situated in the heart of the Churnet Valley in the Staffordshire Mooorlands, Alton village also offers easy access into Dimmings Dale, one of the most beautiful areas of the Churnet Valley. The Forestry Commission have a marked out valley walk in Dimmings Dale which incorporates some old drives built by the Earl of Shrewsbury.
The Ramblers Retreat visitor centre with licensed restaurant and a spacious car park is located adjacent to the walk. Directions are via the Forestry Commission's website. A selection of best North Staffordshire walks branch out from Alton village including the old North Staffordshire Railway known as the 'Knotty' Railway which is now a footpath. This old railway once linked Alton to Uttoxeter and Stoke.
Amenities in Alton village are extensive and include a wide choice of country pubs, restaurants and accommodation. Historic buildings in Alton include The Church of St Peter dating from about 1178 which contains medieval wall paintings. The 16th Earl of Shrewsbury recruited the great Victorian Gothic architect Augustus Welby Pugin to design numerous buildings in Alton village including St John's Church, a hospice and school and sheltered housing to accommodate the poor around the Castle Hill quadrangle.
Alton Castle, now a youth retreat centre, was also designed by Pugin and is Grade I Listed. Continue the Pugin trail in the Staffordshire Moorlands at nearby Cheadle which contains Pugin's Gem, the great St Giles Church.
Photo Credits
Oblivion image contributed by Paul Birrell. Air image contributed by Paul Harrop. Alton Towers image contributed by Colin Smith. All images are copyrighted but licensed for further reuse under the Creative Commons License.
