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The small Staffordshire village of Alton was mentioned in the Domesday book and has a number of historical landmarks, including Alton Castle. But it is far and away renowned as the location of Alton Towers, one of the UK’s most-visited theme parks. Built on the grounds of an eponymous, 19th-century stately home that can still be viewed today, the family-friendly resort is one of the top things to do in Alton and features the Alton Towers Theme Park, Alton Towers Waterpark, CBeebies Land (a theme park for toddlers), Alton Towers Spa, and many other entertainment options.
After the long British winter, Alton and its surrounds burst into bloom with daffodils and bluebells in spring (April–May) when the weather tends to be mild and pleasant with showers. If you’re planning on visiting Alton Towers, try to visit the theme park in June before the schools break for summer—you’ll have a better chance of good weather and won’t have to contend with the July and August crowds.
Alton’s compact size means it doesn’t offer many public transportation options—the X52 shuttle bus runs from Nottingham and Derby to Alton Towers Resort, and there’s also an Alton Towers shuttle from Uttoxeter train station. The villages and natural landmarks of Staffordshire are scattered throughout the countryside, so renting a car is the best way to get around.
Roller coasters and rides aren’t all that Alton has to offer—the East Midlands is a mecca for hikers and natural landscapes. The Staffordshire Moorlands boasts walking routes such as The Roaches, where heather-smothered hillsides, rugged rock faces, and wildlife abound, and The Cloud, one of the highest points in the area. For a taste of ancient history, head to Thor’s Cave outside the village of Wetton—likely occupied by humans more than 11,000 years ago.
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Alton is a small village in Staffordshire best known for its proximity to Alton Towers—a theme park and resort set among 500 acres (202 hectares) of woodland. The village is characterized by sandstone houses and country pubs and serves as a gateway to the Staffordshire Moorlands and the Peak District.
...MoreAlton is located in Staffordshire, and it takes about three hours to drive the 150 miles (240 kilometers) from London via the M1 motorway. If traveling by train, take it from London Euston to Stafford, where you can take a taxi or catch the bus to the village itself.
...MoreAlton is a small village in the Staffordshire countryside, close to the United Kingdom’s largest theme park, Alton Towers. It dates back to the 11th century and is a great base from which to explore the Staffordshire Moorlands and the Peak District, famous for their rolling green landscapes and sandstone villages.
...MoreYou can stay on-site at Alton Towers. If you’re visiting with young children, opt for the CBeebies Land Hotel or Splash Landings, home to a waterpark, or opt for woodland splendor in one of the Luxury Treehouses, which come with private hot tubs.
...MoreAlton Towers has many kid-friendly attractions. CBeebies Land is for children ages 1–6 and includes a roller coaster and sensory garden, while the rest of the park has rides suitable for kids 6 and over. The maximum height restriction for the most intense roller coasters is 6.4 feet (1.96 meters).
...MoreThe quaint village of Alton is worth visiting for a snapshot of traditional English culture and countryside. It’s an ideal launch point for the family-friendly theme park of Alton Towers, the biggest in the United Kingdom, and the Peak District, a lush, green paradise for hikers and history buffs.
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