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About Alton Towers
Alton Towers Resort has been a world-renowned haven of fun and adventure for almost 200 years! Despite what you may think, the castle-like structure in the heart of the theme park isn't fake and isn't a castle - It's 100% authentic and was once the stately home of a wealthy family.
Alton Towers opened as a theme park on 4th April 1980. The theme park has been open each summer season for almost 40 years! Inspired by Disneyland, the modern park was designed to be home to multiple, other-worldly spaces, grounded in English Heritage. The theme park opening at Alton Towers included the Corkscrew - Britain’s first double loop rollercoaster - plus the Pirate Ship, Cine 2000 and the Wildlife Museum.
Who built Alton Towers?
John Broome, the former Director of Alton Towers, had a vision to transform the historic estate into a brand new leisure attraction. In 1980, with the birth of the Corkscrew, the modern day theme park was created. Since then, we’ve built many new rides, attractions and theme park zones. For each new record-breaking ride, we contract some of the world’s leading engineering companies and rollercoaster designers.
Alton Towers is the largest theme park in the UK, spanning 910 acres of land in central Staffordshire. Those 370 hectares (or 3.7km²) are split across 10 themed areas of other-worldly adventure! To help guests explore the entire resort, we’ve installed fun, fast ways to get around. Our Skyride enables visitors to travel between Towers Street, Forbidden Valley and Fountain Square in a colourful cable car gondola. Whilst the Alton Towers Monorail shuttles guests from their car or hotel to the theme park gates from 9am every day.