The British summer has arrived and the perfect getaway is a journey filled with adventure and adrenaline at Alton Towers.

South Africans love adrenaline and thus we went to visit Alton Towers to bring you the scoop on this adventure land.

Plan your journey before you go and there is no need to rush your experience as Stoke on Trent offers a variety of B&B’s for your comfort. Crowtrees Farm was our haven of relaxation after a 3 and half hour drive, nestled in the village of Oakamoor, ideally placed if you want to visit Alton Towers, which is just 10 minutes away.

We kicked off with a delicious farm breakfast and then a meeting to discuss our way around all the rides and joys of Alton Towers, take it from us, get a map and plan your day at Alton Towers. Make sure you arrive early and work your way through the sections.

Alton Towers caters for all, they even categorise the layout perfectly to ensure tiny tots to old Grandma enjoy their day.

In adventure land we take a ride on the Spinball Whizzer, what a fun ride with cheeky twists and turns, perfect start to the day, we enjoyed it so much we went twice and here is a secretЙ.. Whether you are in a group or single, always try out the single riders queue as this will get you through the rides faster, only downside is that you might not be with your partner or friends. 8/10 FUN FACTOR

In X-Sector you will find Oblivion, it’s slow accent misleads you, when you reach the top... a sudden stop overlooking Alton Towers for a split second before dropping at a speed forcing your stomach into your throat.
 9/10 FEAR FACTOR

In X-Sector you will also find Enterprise, the ride for couples, yes hold each other tight while spinning around in the air in a cage and then don’t forget Submission where you upset your insides from hanging upside down one too many times.

We stroll over to the Towers where Hex can be found, a mysterious history here but you can get more acquainted on your visit. First you queue and then enter a room filled with church like seating, then the room moves... no is it the floor moving? My brain can’t pinpoint what is happening! Try this out and see what you make of it all I can say is, you have probably been on many rides before but nothing can prepare you for what you are about to experience with Hex.  9/10 PURE UNIQUENESS

Lunch break and there are no shortages of snack stands and food stalls around this place, whether you like Donuts or a Burger and fries, you are sure to find it, just don’t overdo it remember that the Queen of Speed is still looming out there.


Rita Queen of Speed can be found in UG Land, she is true to her name and when you in the queue somehow questions come up and you start doubting your decision, but you get the opportunity to be in the front seats and this might be a once off, so grab this with both hands, buckle up and hold on tight. What a rush 0 -100 in 2.5 seconds from a standing start, with a few twists and turns. One of the fastest roller coasters I have ever experienced. It’s brilliant and this is sure to wake you up and keep you asking for more. 10/10 FUN & FEAR FACTOR

Some of the sections are set across the valley and beautiful gardens in Alton Towers, these gardens is what made Alton Towers famous years ago. You can choose to wonder through the gardens or catch a Sky Ride to get you to the other side where some more daring rides await you.

Nemesis an odd looking character from an alien invasion, offers a good warm up ride to prepare you for the fun you will have on Air, yes it is in the name. 
7/10 FUN FACTOR

Air is an upside down ride where you sit back and then your chair tilt so that you are lying on your stomach experiencing the excitement and ability to fly just like Superman. 10/10 FUN FACTOR

In Katanga Canyon you can experience a fun ride on the Runaway Mine train or take a dip with the Congo River Rapids, water ride offering fun for the whole family and for the sea lovers,  Sharkbait Reef will be enjoyed by young and old watching some of the most amazing sea life in glass tanks.

A new introduction for the youngster is the Cloud Cuckoo Land, where they can bounce around all day and another favourite area is Charlie and the Chocolate factory ride where kids can experience the journey into Willy Wonka’s fabulous world.

Alton Towers offers yet another great addition to their park where the family can spend time, just in case it rains…. The Alton Towers Waterpark.

Boasting of hundreds of fantastic interactive water features, this Caribbean lagoon offers heated pools, fun water slides where you can have fun all day with family and at the end of the day just pop into the Jacuzzi and relax while listening to the voices of kids playing, water splashing and pure bliss bubbling up against your body.

Your journey has ended but on your way back to London on the M1, makes sure to visit Derby, Westfield Shopping Centre for your latest Spur deal as yes indeed Spur has recently opened another outlet and this would be the perfect ending to our journey, what about yours?

Visit the website for all information on getting there, seasons and times including price packages and accommodation

www.altontowers.com

Our tip: Book online and make a weekend of it!