Alton Towers

The estate that was to become Alton Towers was owned by the Earls of Shrewsbury from the 15th century. The house on the estate once known as Alveton Lodge was originally the home of the estate bailiff. In about 1812-1814 the 15th Earl began the creation of extensive gardens and in 1831 the estate became the principal residence of the 16th Earl who completed the gardens and extended and improved the mansion which he renamed Alton Towers.

The estate was sold after the death of the 20th Earl in 1921 to a private company who opened the park to the public as leisure grounds. The house was requisitioned during World War II and the gardens were closed until 1951, by which time the neglected house had begun to deteriorate.

Alton Towers is now the leading British Theme Park, with a range of spectacular rides and other attractions, including some beautiful gardens. The rides include Nemesis (Europe's first inverted roller coaster), Oblivion (the world's first vertical drop roller coaster), Air (the world's first B&M flying roller coaster) and Rita - Queen of Speed (a launched roller coaster which accelerates to 60 mph in approximately 2.5 seconds). There are numerous other attractions including many tailored especially for smaller children, plus two hotels; The Alton Towers Hotel and Splash Landings Hotel, The Alton Towers Waterpark (Cariba Creek), Extraordinary Golf, Conference Centre and The Alton Towers Spa (Located in the Alton Towers Hotel).