Posted 03 Aug 2011
There are dozens of theme parks in the UK. One of the best is Alton Towers, a theme park and resort in Staffordshire, north of the village of Alton, approximately 16 (26 kilometres) east of Stoke-on-Trent.
Alton Towers is housed on the grounds of a semi-ruined gothic revival country house that was once the seat of the Earls of Shrewbury. The theme park attracts about 2.7 million visitors per year, making it the 2nd most popular theme parks in the UK and the 9th most popular park in Europe. In addition to its theme park, Alton Towers is home to two great hotels: the Alton Towers Hotel and the Splash Landings Hotel, which is a combination hotel and waterpark.
Like all theme parks, summer is the peak season for Alton Towers, and it’s hosting some great activities this summer. It has several attractions that are open all year, and some of the best roller coasters in the UK. They include: Nemesis, Europe’s first inverted roller coaster; Oblivion, the world’s first vertical drop roller coaster; Air, the world’s first flying roller coaster; Rita, a launched roller coaster that accelerates to 100 kilometres per hour (62 miles per hour) in approximately 2.2 seconds; and Th13teen, the world’s first vertical free-fall drop roller coaster, in which the track and train suddenly fall. Currently, Alton Towers is holding a competition for models representing the Th13teen ride, called “Coaster Cuties.”
In addition to its regular activities, Alton Towers is hosting “Stunt-astic Summer” throughout the month of August. World-class professional BMX riders will perform unique displays of ground tricks, and aerial jumps, twists, and spins at high speed. There will be four shows daily, which last for a half hour and are free with your theme park ticket. Additionally, there will be workshops throughout the month that will teach visitors some of the basic beginner moves.
If you’re looking to visit Alton Towers this summer and need a hotel located conveniently nearby, check out
Leonardo hotels near Alton Towers.
