Alton Towers Adventures in a Motorhome

The UK’s number one theme park, with over 50 rides and attractions, Alton Towers Resort is a fantastic place to visit on any caravan holiday or trip. Nestled in the heart of Staffordshire, the park is surrounded by plenty of stunning natural and historical attractions, while Alton Towers itself boasts everything from thrilling rides to a relaxing spa.

The huge popularity of Alton Towers Resort has also given rise to plenty of accommodation options, including an ample supply of caravan parks and campsites near Alton Towers. Travelling by caravan is possibly the best way to visit the park. Not only can you enjoy all the rides and attractions over as many days as you fancy, you can avoid that theme-park fatigue by using your wheels to explore the many other attractions in the surrounding area. There are plenty of options for campervan hire Staffordshire, so even if you don’t own your own motorhome, you can still enjoy all the perks of a campervan Alton Towers camping experience by pitching up at one of the many caravan parks near Alton Towers!

Roller Coasters:

Alton Towers has ten awesome rollercoasters dotted throughout the park, ranging from the exhilarating to damn near death-defying. Whatever your level of thrill seeking, there’s definitely going to be a roller coaster that hits the sweet spot.

The newest addition to the Alton Towers rollercoaster roster is the terrifying “Wicker Man”. It’s also probably the most extreme, crazy, and gloriously terrifying ride in the whole park. With over 2000 feet of drops, tunnels, a top speed of 44mph (which amazingly isn’t the fastest in the park), fabulous special effects and three passes through the six-storey high wicker man himself, it’s a ride with plenty going on. Oh, did we mention it’s on fire? Yep, each time your train burst through the wicker man the giant wooden effigy bursts into flames. We don’t know how the heck they do it; the ride is made out of wood!

Another fan favourite is Nemesis. The world’s first inversion roller coaster, Nemesis still feels groundbreaking and definitely gives you that adrenaline rush you crave. Twists, dips and those fabulous zero-g rolls will make you feel like you’re flying, FAST! It’s a must do on every Alton Towers rollercoaster list.

Then there’s the iconic “Oblivion”, The world’s very first vertical drop roller coaster; this ride has aged well. With a maximum speed of 68 mph, the third fastest roller coaster in the UK, plenty of turns, twists and “mini” drops leading up to the big one; you’ll soon heed the advice “don’t look down!”

The Smiler, the first 14 loop rollercoaster in the UK, combines loops, barrel rolls, dives, inversions and holds to leave you dizzy, delirious, screaming and definitely smiling.

Thirteen has a terrifying pitch black 5 meter freefall, Rita is the speed queen, accelerating from 0 to 61.1 mph in 2.5 seconds; Galactica is a flying air virtual reality thrill ride; the Spinball Whizzer will leave you feeling like a pinball; while Runaway Mine Train, the parks oldest roller coaster ride, still has a fair old chug of speed. Basically, you can’t go wrong when it comes to finding a thrill.

If you’ve got little kids just starting out on rollercoaster rides, the Octonauts Rollercoaster Adventure in the parks new CBeebies Land section is ideal. The ride combines a gentle rollercoaster with underwater-themed adventure, a perfect introduction to adrenaline rides.

Any experienced theme park visitor will know just how tiring a day spent on exhilarating rides can be, therefore - to make sure that nobody gets grumpy on the long commute back from the park, we recommend choosing a caravan park near Alton Towers.

Other Rides and Attractions:

The rollercoasters may be what Alton Towers is known for, but there’s plenty more to this fabulous resort. If you’ve still got adrenaline to seek, take on the other thrill rides Blade, a whizzing swinging pirate ship and Enterprise, a speedy big wheel. Alternatively, there’s a haunted house, bumper cars and all manner of adventure rides to enjoy across the park.

The Waterpark is fantastic on hot summer days, with fast water slides like the Rush ’N’ Rampage, Flash Floods and Master Blaster, as well as more relaxing watery experiences in the pho-volcanic springs of Bubbly Wubbly Pool. Back on dry land little kids can be entertained by the rides, games and entertainers at CBeebies Land, while every age can have a laugh hitting balls across the whacky mini-golf course.

If you’ve had enough excitement for one day, then take a break and explore the estates’ stunning gardens. Or, to really relax, hit up the Alton Towers Spa for a soothing massage, spa treatment, or soak in the jacuzzi.

Attractions Near Alton Towers:

Just 10 minutes from Alton Towers resort is the magical Hawksmoor Wood, a haven for nature lovers with its beautiful wildflowers, ancient trees and abundance of wildlife; it’s the perfect way to unwind. If you want to get up close and personal with some adorable animals, Peak Wildlife Park is the spot for you with walks through the enclosures of adorable species like penguins and wombats and enthralling animal encounters.

For something slightly more sophisticated visit the areas historic buildings, from the medieval hall Old Manor, a National Trust site, to the poignant 12th-century ruins of Croxton Abbey, both only a 10-minute drive from Alton Towers. You can travel back in time yourself with a trip on Churnet Valley Railway, an old steam train that still runs on a special schedule and hosts charming events from public tea parties to gin tasting rides. The station is just a 15-minute drive from the resort.

The Southern tip of the Peak District National Park is also just a 15-minute drive away from the campsites near Alton Towers and with it a whole new world of natural beauty, quaint historic towns, and fantastic outdoor activities. Stroll through the beautiful area of Dovedale, hiking up Thorpe Cloud or wandering through the valley from the famous stepping stones to Milldale. Hire a bike and explore the many cycle trails or simply hit the road in your caravan and get gloriously lost in on of the UK’s most beautiful national parks.

If you haven’t managed to sate your adrenaline appetite at Alton (and we find that hard to believe), then get your heart pumping with an aerial adventure at Go Ape Buxton. Located right in the heart of the Peak District National Park and just over half an hours’ drive from Alton Towers, tackling the wobbly bridges, zip lines, climbs and various elevated obstacles will have you screaming like Tarzan.

If you want something more urban, the vibrant city of Manchester is an hour and a half away but well worth the drive. Head there for a day to take in the galleries, museums, and phenomenal arts and music scene.

How to get to Alton Towers:

The resort is an hour’s drive from Nottingham, just over an hour and a half from Manchester and 2 hours from Leeds and Liverpool. Getting a train to these major cities and then hiring a caravan and driving the rest of the way is one of the easiest ways to reach the resort. Plus, it sorts out your accommodation and gives you the ability to explore the attractions of the local area.

The resort is located between the M1 and M6, making it easy for visitors to access the resort by road, particularly if they stay at one of the campsites near Alton Towers. Use the Postcode: ST10 4DB in your SatNav but make sure you use the signs as you get close to the resort, the satellite tries to take you down a farm track instead!

Campsites and Caravan Parks:

There are all sorts of caravan parks and campsites near Alton Towers, from those sitting minutes up the road to some further afield, with a variety of different facilities and features. With so much choice, you’ll find one perfect for your Alton Towers camping needs.

For ultimate access to the park, you could opt for Alton, The Star camping and caravanning club site. Literally a 5-minute drive from Alton Towers, this site is perfect if you want your holiday to revolve around the resort. All the basic facilities are there for you, including electric hookup, wifi and washing facilities. Denstone Hall Farm Shop and Café serves up local food and produce, including divine fresh baked cakes, just 500 yards from the entrance of the site.

If you’re more interested in incorporating Alton Towers into an exploration of the wider area, pitch up at Mount Pleasant Campsite! Located just on the outside edge of the Peak District, the campsite is under 20 minutes drive from Alton Towers but feels like it’s far from the modern world. A working farm benefitting from phenomenal views and unrivalled access to the natural beauty of the Peak District, it’s a stunning base to explore the wider area. There is no hard standing, but there are electrical hookups as well as toilet and shower facilities.

If it’s something more luxurious that you seek, then Hales Hall Caravan and Camping Park is just 10 minutes drive from Alton Towers and makes an ideal springboard for exploring the rest of Staffordshire. The site has some charming features, such as a Grade 2 listed building, Hales Hall, which now serves as a bar, to a children’s play areas and beautiful lake. If you’re a newbie to the campervan world and utilised a campervan hire Staffordshire specialist - it’s worth noting that this may be one of the easiest options due to the ease of parking!