Alton Towers – much more than a stately home

Alton Towers is the UK’s most famous theme Park, and if you are looking for a fantastic spring break experience for the entire family that offers the thrills and spills of some of the world’s greatest roller coaster attractions, then you’ll find it in the heart of the English countryside.

There are 14 different areas to the Park, each with its own attractions, cafes and restaurants. A former country estate, Alton Towers is housed in beautiful gardens in the heart of the Staffordshire countryside. It is conveniently situated midway between the M1 and M6, easy to find, and promises plenty of fun for everyone.

For those who have an addiction to G-forces, being spun around at high speed, suspended above sheer drops only to be released into black holes, or looped so much that their stomach is churning this is the only place in the UK to visit; all those thrills and more can be experienced here but only by those who dare!

However, Alton Towers has only been a theme park for 28 years - a small part of its long history. The house and extensive estate were developed by the Talbot family in the 15th century when it was known as Alverton Lodge. Little changed until the early 1800s when the 15th Earl of Alverton decided to landscape the gardens, as was the fashion for the gentry at the time.

Soon after, the 16th Earl renamed the estate Alton Towers, and continued with renovations to the house and glorious gardens. However, upon the death of the 20th Earl in 1921 the estate was bought by a private company who promptly opened the house and gardens to the public as a stately home attraction.

However, revenues from stately home visitors were scant so in an effort to make serious money it was re–launched in 1980 as the Alton Towers theme Park. Bought by the Tussauds’ Group in 1990 it was sold in 2005 for £800million to the Dubai International Capital Group who quickly sold it on to Merlin entertainments. Two years later it changed hands again, sold to an equity investment firm that now leases the park back to Merlin.

Over the past 28 years the park’s designers have created and installed many more elaborate and daring rides. The latest addition to the park is an exciting new ride called Heave Ho - a rocking tug which is being constructed in the Mutiny Bay area.

In addition to the rides and attractions the Park also boasts a new 18-hole golf course named Extraordinary Golf which is open throughout the year, as is the fabulous indoor Cariba Creek Waterpark, and a number of Alton Towers hotels. Indeed, for extra excitement, there is a hotel on the park complex that features themed rooms and allows guests privileged access to the theme park rides.

So, although Alton Towers may have started life as a stately home based on a country estate, it is now a top theme park and an ideal place to take the family for a spring break filled with fun and excitement.

Posted in Sports & Recreation, Travel & Tourism 5.02.2008 on 12:06.

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