| Previously known as Alton Towers Alton Abbey | |
 | |
| Location | Alton, Staffordshire, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 52°59′15″N 1°53′27″W / 52.98750°N 1.89083°W |
| Opened | 13 April 1860 (as country estate) 4 April 1980 (as theme park) |
| Owner | LXi REIT[1] |
| Operated by | Merlin Entertainments |
| General manager | Bianca Sammut (Divisional Director) |
| Slogan | Britain's Greatest Escape |
| Operating season | Theme Park February – January (Full park offering between March – November) Alton Towers Gardens February – January Alton Towers Dungeon March – November Sharkbait Reef by Sealife February – January Alton Towers Hotel Year-round Splash Landings Hotel Year-round Enchanted Village Year-round CBeebies Land Hotel Year-round Stargazing Pods April – November Alton Towers Waterpark Year-round Conference Centre Year-round Extraordinary Golf Year-round |
| Attendance | 2023: 2,350,000 ( 2.17%)[2] |
| Area | 910 acres (370 ha; 3.7 km2) (total combined resort area)[3] |
| Attractions | |
| Total | 42 |
| Roller coasters | 10 |
| Water rides | 3 |
| Website | www.AltonTowers.com |
Alton Towers Resort (UK: /ˈɒltən/ OL-tən) (often shortened to Alton Towers) is a theme park and resort complex in Staffordshire, England, near the village of Alton.[4] The park is operated by Merlin Entertainments Group and incorporates a theme park, water park, mini golf and hotel complex.
Originally a private estate of the Earls of Shrewsbury, Alton Towers' grounds were opened to the public in 1860 to raise funds.[5] In the 1970s, a few rides were added and some of the themed areas were developed. Inspired by Disneyland, it was transformed into a theme park in 1980 with the installation of its first roller coaster and several new rides. The park has many attractions such as Congo River Rapids, Runaway Mine Train, Nemesis Reborn, Oblivion, Galactica, The Smiler, Wicker Man, Rita and TH13TEEN. It operates a total of ten roller coasters and offers a range of accommodation and lodging options alongside the theme park. Facilities include Alton Towers Waterpark, Alton Towers Conference Centre and Extraordinary Golf.
The theme park is open seasonally from mid-March to early November, whilst many of its hotels and amenities are open year-round. Special events are hosted throughout the year, including Alton Towers Scarefest (the park's Halloween event), Oktoberfest, Fireworks, and Christmas.
- ^ "Theme Parks Portfolio". LXi REIT Plc. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
- ^ "2023 Theme Index and Museum Index: The Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF). Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Regina (HSE) v Merlin Attractions Operations Limited Sentencing Remarks" (PDF). September 2016.
- ^ "ALTON TOWERS". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "History of the Towers". Alton Towers Almanac. Retrieved 29 January 2016.