Alton Towers Theme Park, Alton

Whee, whoosh, wallop, winner! It's possibly the best theme park location in the UK, notice I said location, not actual theme park. The thing that makes Alton Towers great is where it is set, not the rides or attractions it offers. You could spend a whole day (or more) just wandering around the grounds soaking up the beautiful gardens and learning about the history of the place, and not step foot in a queue for a ride and still leave having had a nice day out, while the kids run around tiring themselves out for the journey home. Don't get me wrong I love the rides, I have done since i was a child myself, and getting on Nemesis still gives me chills and memories going back to the first time I was there the year it opened. Standing in the queue waiting nervously and watching all of the other people going past screaming and flailing their arms around. The blood red river beneath you (no longer there) it really felt like you were waiting to get on a monster, and the anticipation and build up with the music and the smells was intense. Back to 2019 and there are a lot more, and newer, but not necessarily better rides. Some might argue that nostalgia has a lot to play here, but I feel that some of the older rides, with smaller queues have plenty offer for the thrill seeker in you. Heck even Hex is highly underrated and something that is unique in what it offers, especially if you get to take on a younger child who might believe what is being said. I'd cover the costs, parking charges, and food pricing etc. but it changes so often that seems like it would be pointless. I'd say grab a two for one offer if you are unsure, and bring a packed lunch if you don't want to spend a fortune, you could even enjoy it as a nice picnic in the gardens. I'll be back, and making more memories for my children, and hopefully they'll remember it as fondly as I do.

Great Park with lots of fun rides. Good during off peak, ride times were low but some areas of the park/rides could do with some investment. Too many frequently unused arcade stands which make the park look chatty.