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Original poster

Alton towers

26 replies

SUPerSaver721 · 13/01/2022 14:00

Hi I'm thinking of bringing my children to alton towers this summer. We live in northern Ireland and I think the best airport to go to is Manchester. I've priced hotels near alton towers as the ones on site are very expensive. As I'm flying I won't have my car does anyone know if there's a bus or train from Manchester Airport to Stoke on treat and what the buses are like to alton towers. Any hints and tips are welcome. Thank you 😊

OP posts:
memememe · 13/01/2022 14:12

alton towers is really really hard to get to on public transport. youd be better off hiring a car or getting a taxi

Pumpkinstace · 13/01/2022 14:25

The buses are a bit rubbish. A taxi from Stoke-on- Trent Stationis probably best (Uttoxeter might be closer to alton)

There is so much to do there we went last summer for 3 days and it wasn't long enough (we did 2 days on park and one day in the waterpark)

The rollercoaster restaurant is not worth the money imo. Neither are platinum fastracks but getting the gold ones one day would be worth it if you could afford to.

thickthighs73 · 13/01/2022 14:27

Disneyland Paris might be a better option IMO

ZenNudist · 13/01/2022 14:29

Not a place to go on public transport unfortunately. My dc love it but there are better connected theme parks. The onsite hotels are also awful.

gunnersgold · 13/01/2022 14:36

It's in the middle of nowhere , we always stay in a travel lodge in uttoxeter . Maybe try some air bnb's bery nearby .

Original poster
SUPerSaver721 · 13/01/2022 14:43

Thank you very much everyone. I was looking to go to Disney land Paris but worried about France locking down again or having to isolate when we get home. I had priced the boat to go from Belfast to Liverpool but it was near £500 while I can take the aeroplane for £150.

OP posts:
MrsDeaconClaybourne · 13/01/2022 14:46

There's lots of lovely, rural places around Alton Towers. I'd definitely look at Airbnb and hire a car if that's at all possible.

Pumpkinstace · 13/01/2022 14:58

The chained oak b&b is within walking distance of the gates. It's the only one I can think of that is though.

Comefromaway · 13/01/2022 15:00

Alton Towers isn't in Stoke-on-Trent. It's in the middle of nowhere in the Staffordshire Moorlands. There is an Alton Towers bus the X32 which goes from Hanley town centre (so you'd have to get a bus from Stoke to Hanley) or the X41 which goes from Stafford or Uttoxeter station. The buses take over an hour.

underneaththeash · 13/01/2022 15:02

Going to Chessingtin, Thorpe Park and/or legoland would be easier. Uber and public transport are better.

ZenNudist · 13/01/2022 15:03

To be fair we've enjoyed it so much we will be going back this year. They screwed up the Christmas trip so much I've got free tickets.

I've looked in the countryside nearby and think there are some nice caravan parks or "lodges" the countryside is lovely.

AT resort itself you have to do a full day at the theme park, a good long time at the water park, then could go back and do extraordinary golf one day and get lunch at the roller coaster restaurant. I know it's overpriced but my dc are desperate to go!

ZenNudist · 13/01/2022 15:04

Also there is water world in Stoke if you wanted to do 2 water parks in the same trip!

trumpisagit · 13/01/2022 15:31

I am having a look at Alton Towers now as kids have never been. 2 days seems quite good value. Has anyone seen any vouchers or offers (we usually find some sort of deal with legoland).

DaisyDaisydoo · 13/01/2022 15:55

We have always loved going there as part of a longer holiday in the peaks (air bnb) as there lots of lovely stuff to do around there. we have our car with us though.

Didisquat · 13/01/2022 15:59

Don’t go water world at Stoke 🤮

rbe78 · 13/01/2022 16:23

There's a train to Stoke from Manchester, but as others have said, I'd hire a car as Alton Tower is pretty rural. I also wouldn't book a hotel in Stoke (it's not the nicest of towns). If you want a town, Leek is a twenty minute drive away from Alton (there's some nice independant places, Airbnbs and a Premier Inn). Alternatively, the countryside surrounding Alton Towers is beautiful, and there will be plenty of little villages with pubs with rooms and Airbnbs.

rbe78 · 13/01/2022 16:23

@trumpisagit Carex handwash often has offers.

ChimChimeny · 13/01/2022 16:25

@Pumpkinstace

The chained oak b&b is within walking distance of the gates. It's the only one I can think of that is though.
We stayed here, was lovely and we left the car there all day to avoid paying for parking. I definitely think it would be easier to hire a car from the airport
ChimChimeny · 13/01/2022 16:25

[quote rbe78]@trumpisagit Carex handwash often has offers.[/quote]
Also kellogg's and I think Dr Oteker pizzas

AdditionalCharacter · 13/01/2022 16:40

What age are your DC?

DH went with 2 teen DS last year for two days and they only managed to get on 7 rides that whole time due to ridiculously long waiting times (and they stopped on site for the extra hour)

mummyof2boys30 · 13/01/2022 16:55

We went last year at the end of our trip, down through Scotland, then to Blackpool and then Alton towers. We just stopped plenty on the way back to boat at Stranraer. Tho if flying definitely need a car. This year we are flying Belfast to London and doing Legoland, chessington and thorpe park. Then leaving hire car back and spending few days in London

Jedimindreader · 13/01/2022 17:05

The nearest airport to Alton Towers is East Midlands and it's about a 40 min drive away.

You can get a train to Uttoxeter station which is probably the nearest station and get a taxi. Alton Towers website should have details of the bus route. You should be on the train route from Manchester airport to Nottingham via Stoke and Uttoxeter if you did go to Manchester

Original poster
SUPerSaver721 · 13/01/2022 17:43

My children are 6 and 9. I've looked up legoland and I might do there instead as you can use public transport. You have all been a great help. Thank you

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 13/01/2022 17:48

At 6 & 9 Legoland and Chessington would be better for them and probably a little less queueing.

Pumpkinstace · 13/01/2022 17:56

@ZenNudist

Also there is water world in Stoke if you wanted to do 2 water parks in the same trip!
We went here after enjoying the AT one so much.

It was horrible. I'm not a snob.

Too many people so actually swimming, using a stroke was impossible. It was freezing, the water was green, there was a poo on the floor... you get the idea.

Don't go there.