Alton Towers (Established 1980)
Dates
- Existence: Established as a theme park on 4 April 1980
Biography
Alton Towers is a theme park and leisure resort complex near the village of Alton in Staffordshire, England.
Alton Towers was originally a privately owned estate, which opened its doors to the public in 1860 to raise funds for the estate. Alton Towers was named after the towers in the original mansion, which belonged to the Talbot family until 1924. By the 1970s the state started to become a theme park and opened its doors on 4th April 1980. In 2019, it was named second most visited theme park in the UK after Legoland Windsor.
In May 2007, Blackstone Group purchased The Tussauds Group, who owned Alton Towers, and the company was merged into Merlin Entertainments. Dubai International Capital also gained 20% of Merlin Entertainments.On 17 July 2007, as part of the financing for the Tussauds deal, Merlin sold Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, to private investor Nick Leslau and his investment firm Prestbury under a sale and leaseback agreement. Although it is owned by Prestbury, the site is operated by Merlin based on a renewable 35-year lease.
The park is home to some of the most iconic amusement rides in the UK including Nemesis, Oblivion, The Smiler, and Wicker Man. Among its attractions and facilities can also be found indoor and outdoor waterparks, ten rollercoasters, a crazy mini golf, a high rope course, the gardens, multiple restaurants, a spar and several hotels.
The Alton Towers Theme Park is divided into areas: Towers Street, Mutiny Bay, Katanga Canyon, Gloomy Wood, Forbidden Valley, Dark Forest, The Gardens, The Towers, The World of David Walliams, X-Sector and CBeebies Land.
The park also hosts an annual programme of events including concerts, Scarefest, Octobefest, the Mardi Gras and a season-ending fireworks extravaganza.
In March 2020, the resort's opening for the 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Found in 4 Collections and/or Records:
Frankie Roberto Collection
Photographs, programmes, plans, trade and advertising material, tickets, badges and other items of ephemera for British theme parks and attractions, including Alton Towers, Pleasure Land, Thorpe Park and Legoland.
Photographs, c1900 - 1999
Photographs and postcards of Alton Towers, Chessington World of Adverntures, Crystal Palace and Thorpe Park, showing sites, rides and other amusements.
Pin Badges, c1920 - 1999
Pin badges of varying sizes and designs from different attractions and theme parks including, 18 from Alton Towers, 3 from Chester Zoo, 3 from Paultons Park, 3 from Thorpe Park, 2 from Flamingo Park Zoo, 1 from American Theme Park, 1 from West Midland Safari Park, 1 from Drayton Manor Park, 1 from Woburn Abbey, 1 from Woburn Wild Animal Kingdom, 1 from National Railway Museum, 1 from British Museum, 1 from Science Museum and 1 from Techniquest.
Various, c1920 - 2006
A range of items from British theme parks and attractions such as zoos and museums including badges, pins and booklets.