Alton Towers ride is so good my kids went on it 10 times in one day | Travel News | Travel

I’m no stranger to Alton Towers, having been several times with my wife Lauren and excited kids Clara and Adam. Our most recent trip was a short break including an overnight stay at the Alton Towers Hotel to celebrate Adam’s 11th birthday.

Bar replacing Britain’s over-choked motorways with a teleportation system to get there our trip could not have been more pleasant.

Alton Towers is hidden away in the leafy Staffordshire countryside and feels a million miles away from the hurly-burly of every day life but of course is packed of plenty of hurly-burly fun.

We parked up after arriving mid-morning and headed straight off into the park – cue the first torrential downpour for four months and the realisation that we had dressed for the beach not the tropical rainstorm. Soggy but undeterred we set about experiencing some ride action.

With both Adam and Clara entering the teenage years it is fair to some of the more hair-raising rides are for a few years down the line. But there is plenty here to keep the tweens entertained.

The Runaway Mine Train has been a constant family favourite possibly because it has managed to scare the wits out of rollercoaster averse me. The kids have shown grown delight as I cling on desperately to the bar in my carriage fearing peril at any moment. Who knew dad screaming could provide such hilarity?

It’s fair to see it’s a big hit with my pair and on a particularly quiet queue period on day two, they must have ridden it 10 times in a row, joyously whizzing about on their own as I waved from the safety of terra firma below.

It’s a great intro to rollercoaster land and of course the legendary ‘Choo Choo!’ shouted by the staff as you depart adds to the whole family fun vibe.

Once we have peeled them off the Runaway Mine Train there’s plenty of time for some other family favourites. There’s some closing of eyes as we take on The Curse at Alton Manor (the classic creepy house of horror ride) and get the usual soaking on the park’s chief water ride Congo River Rapids. It’s obviously a belting one for mid summer but not quite so fulfilling when the temperatures drop and you get a soaking.

A big hit with my pair this year was Hex – The Legend of the Towers. It’s a creepy tour inside the Alton Towers mansion based around the curse of the fallen branch and ends in a spin in a room where you go upside down. It seemed like it was upside down anyway or it was a damn good optical illusion. Either way it is a clever experience and provides a good chance to have a nose around amid the towers ruins as you depart.

Adam is slowly ticking off his big rides amid the family fun. Last year he enthusiastically went straight on to Nemesis Reborn (way too much for me, it’s too scary to even watch) and this time he braved Th13teen which features a sudden plunge in the dark and the Nemesis Sub-Terra underground experience.

Part of the fun to be honest is just watching some of the big rides and hearing the screams of joy/terror from others. We spent a decent amount of time peering at the brave souls taking on mighty Oblivion who started off coasting around gently high above us before rapidly plunging downwards into the depths. It’s not for the faint-hearted or people with fears of heights. It is next door to Smiler with its iconic cackling theme tune and ride occupants being spun all over the shop. It turned my stomach just looking at it.

After a busy day in the park it is great to be able to head back to your nearby hotel room and collapse with no drive home required. We headed for a wholesome dinner in the Secret Garden restaurant, took in some live entertainment in the bar before crashing out in our beautifully furnished Moon Voyage Room. Adam and Clara were happy in their bunk beds (neatly tucked away from the main bed) while mum and dad slept like babies.

Next morning we were up early to enjoy a big buffet breakfast before heading back to the park to take advantage of that key hour’s early opening for hotel guests…and get back on the Runaway Mine Train. We also had time during our stay to try out the Waterpark with its multitude of slides and swimming areas. It’s definitely worth spending an hour or two in to complete your Alton Towers adventure.

We left feeling a tad weary but knowing we had given our all to a fun-packed experience – one great big happy rollercoaster ride. See you next year Alton Towers.

Book the holiday

• You can find short breaks at Alton Towers from £77pp in 2026. Book online at altontowers.com.
• Parent and Toddler passes start from £29 for an adult and toddler, saving families over £35.
• Alton Towers has revealed the brand-new scare maze Final Exhibit coming to Scarefest 2026, from Saturday 26 September to Sunday 1 November 2026.

My kids’ verdicts

Birthday boy Adam, 11

1. Nemesis Reborn – This was the first big ride I ever went on and it was truly amazing getting spun around into the body of the monster. It is just the best and I couldn’t believe I had actually gone on it. I am a big Nemesis fan and have the poster on my bedroom wall.

2. TH13TEEN – this is really scary especially when the ride goes into a dark tunnel and then you suddenly plunge down. It was a big surprise and I really enjoyed it.

3. Nemesis Sub-Terra – I tried it for the first time this year and thought it was really great. I really liked the suprise you get when the monster breaks free from the egg in the contained zone you go into. It was a bit scary but also great fun.

1.Runaway Mine Train – I love holding both hands up in the air as you whizz around the track. It’s so good I kept wanting to go back on it again and again.

2. Congo River Rapids – This is great fun even when it is raining. It’s even more fun when mum and dad are the ones that get the soaking!

3. The Curse at Alton Manor – There’s nothing like a good scary ride and I really like this one despite the fact I had my eyes closed for most of it.