The UK's biggest theme park — home to Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man and CBeebies Land for younger guests.
Alton Towers is a true two-day resort: ten major coasters, the CBeebies Land area for under-6s, an indoor Waterpark, and four themed hotels on site. The park sits in 910 acres of Staffordshire countryside so plan on a 5–10 minute walk between zones.
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At-a-glance
Key facilities and quirks for this park, in one row.
Paid parking
On-site parking — fee per car
On-site hotel
Themed hotel(s) on resort
Waterpark / wet rides
Waterpark or significant wet rides on site
Single-rider queues
Single-rider lines on headline coasters
Step-free / RAP
Step-free access and Ride Access Pass scheme available
Strict heights
Headline rides have firm height restrictions — measure first
Seasonal opening
Closed in winter — check the season calendar
Opening hours & best times to visit
When the park is open and when the queues are shortest.
Opening hours
- Season
- Mid-March – early November, plus Christmas dates
- Typical hours
- 10:00 – 17:00 (extended to 18:00–21:00 in peak summer and Scarefest)
- Worth knowing
- Hotel guests get early ride time. Always check the official calendar — the park closes some midweek dates in shoulder season.
Busy & quiet times
Quietest
- • Term-time Tuesdays–Thursdays
- • Early–mid September
- • First two weeks of November
Busiest
- • Saturdays in school holidays
- • All of August
- • Scarefest weekends in October
- • Bank-holiday Mondays
Tip — Stay at a Resort hotel — the one-hour early-ride window before the gates open is the single biggest queue-saver.
Park guide
Everything you need to make the day work.
What to expect
Headline thrill coasters (Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, Oblivion, Rita, Galactica, The Smiler), CBeebies Land for under-6s, Gangsta Granny: The Ride for tweens, and the separately-ticketed Waterpark for hotel guests and day visitors.
Plan your day
Tackle the Forbidden Valley coasters first (Nemesis Reborn, Galactica) before crowds arrive, drift down to Mutiny Bay and Katanga Canyon mid-morning, then save The Smiler and Wicker Man for the last two hours when queues collapse.
Food & drink
Outside food isn't permitted in the park itself, but there's a designated picnic area at the entrance. Inside, Eastwood (rotisserie), Just Chicken, Burger Kitchen and the Rollercoaster Restaurant (food delivered by mini coaster) are the highlights.
Plan your day
Pick an age group and your must-do rides — we'll suggest a 1-day plan.
Your day at Alton Towers
Pick an age group, choose your must-do rides, then hit Build my plan — we’ll sketch a full day from gate-open to last ride and give you a link to share.
A rough plan based on typical hours and queue patterns — actual times will vary.
How to get there
By car, train or bus — and where to park.
Alton Towers Resort, Farley Lane, Alton, Staffordshire ST10 4DB
By car
Brown signs from the M1 (J23A or J28) and M6 (J15 or J16) — about 2.5 hrs from London. Parking £8/day, Express £15.
By train
Stoke-on-Trent is the nearest mainline station (~16 miles); take the First Potteries 'Alton Towers Connect' bus (route 200) direct to the gates in summer.
By bus
National Express runs limited summer services from London Victoria.
What to bring
Pack list from people who've actually done this park.
Pack list
- Sun cream and a refillable water bottle (free refills around the park)
- A waterproof or change of clothes for Wicker Man and the Congo River Rapids
- Locker pound coins or a card (lockers are card-friendly but the queue moves faster with cash)
- A small backpack — most rides have free pre-ride storage
- Pre-booked Ride Access Pass paperwork if you need it
Insider tips
Things you'd only know on a second visit.
- 1
The Skyride cable car is a free shortcut between the entrance and Forbidden Valley — use it both ways to skip a brutal hill.
- 2
Single-rider queues on Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man, Oblivion and The Smiler are the fastest way to rack up rides solo.
- 3
Scarefest mazes are separately ticketed — book the maze pass online before you arrive, on-the-day prices are higher.
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