Alton Towers

2:51pm Wednesday 5th September 2007

Venue: Alton Towers

Where: Alton, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire. ST10 4DB Telephone: 0870 4444 455 What's on offer:Alton Towers is Britain's biggest and best known Theme Park. If you are looking for a day packed full of excitement and fun, you will find it here.

Alton Towers occupies a huge site, originally the estate of the Earls of Shrewsbury until the early 20th century. The park was eventually acquired by The Tussauds Group in 1990, and has enjoyed tremendous success since, becoming the most popular pay-for-entry theme park in the country.

You can still see the ruins of the old mansion, which you can also have a wonder around and see some of the amazing architecture and size of the amazing rooms. This was once a very grand building with many towers, battlements and turret. There is some restoration work-taking place within this building at present. Also when you are here you can walk around the landscaped gardens that surround it. There is something here to suit everyone that comes to this Theme Park and if you want lots of fun and adventure, then you will not be disappointed.

Opening Times: March to November 11 The park opens at 9.30am - rides and attractions open at 10am. Closing times vary throughout the season, so please check before you visit.How to get there: From the North, take Junction 32a off the M1 or Junction 15 off the M6 and follow the signs. From the South, take Junction 28 from the M1 or Junction 16 from the M6.

Car parking (2006) costs £4 (free to Annual Pass holders) or £10 closer to entrance.

The nearest train station is Stafford, and a regular shuttle bus runs from there to the park.

Prices:

Internet prices: Adult (12 yrs and over) £24; Child (4 - 11 yrs) £16.

On the day prices: Adult (12 yrs and over) £32; Child (4-11 yrs) £22; Child under 1m - FREE Senior Citizen/Disabled £16 Family (2 adults + 2 children) £89 Family (2 adults + 3 children) £99

Review: We had a fantastic day, lucky for us, we had great weather and it was not too crowded so the queues were short and we did not have to wait too long for each of the popular rides, I think the longest was 15 minutes.

There is something here for everyone and of all ages, I really enjoyed actually walking around the Towers and I can imagine that Alton Towers in its day was spectacular and full of grandeur and they have also installed steps so that all floors are accessible. There is even access too most of the roof and with its fantastic views of the park and scenery around it! The gardens are spectacular too.

There are different ride zones such as Ugland, the Forbidden Valley, Towers Street and Cred Street and many more.

Hex - The Legend of the Tower, was brilliant and a great dark scary ride. The story was impressive as it was based on a story that supposedly happened that very night 185 years ago about the branch of an old oak tree and how it would put a curse on everyone in the Tower. The effects in the octagon were really good and the ride itself is absolutely incredible Kids loved Oblivion, Rita queen of Speed, Nemesis, Air, The Flume, Corkscrew, Ripsaw, Runaway Train Mine and many more, I just went on the tamer rides. The kids went on the rides several times and thoroughly enjoyed their day.

The only negative for me though being a single parent I have to say would be the cost, which I think is quite expensive and on top of that when you arrive you then have to pay for car parking which is another £4. We also found that their where other activities which of course are optional but again cost more money and when you have kids they want to have a go on everything, so be prepared to spend more money!

We also took food and drink with us as again this can be an added expense on top of everything else, we just brought an ice cream.

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