For wanting to know what trains go from Alton Towers / Uttoxeter?

[HamPieQueen]

I’m hoping to take DD12 to Alton Towers next month (“hoping” interchangeable for “dreading” in this instance 🤣)

I don’t drive, so will be getting the train to and from Bristol. Nearest train station to Alton Towers is Uttoxeter.

I’d quite like to stay over on Saturday night, but the first train to get us on our way on Sunday is not until 1457!! I’m willing to get a train ANYWHERE earlier, go up north to go south, even, but I can’t find a way of finding out what trains leave Uttoxeter on a Sunday morning without entering a destination. So annoying.

Can anyone help? And is this such an unreasonable ask?!

Wait what??? OMG I've just checked and it doesn't. OP ignore me about the 32X they've bloody changed the buses again and the X doesn't seem to even stop at AT, it's the 32A, and it doesn't run on a Sunday! Sorry! 🤬

i have free cancellation at the hotel so will look again at other options but tbh I think I’m probably going to look and see if Thorpe Park or Chessington World of Adventures are any more accessible.

Is there no buses from Newcastle to AT on Sunday

Get a train to Stoke-on-Trent, there is a hotel literally opposite the train station. Next Sunday there are 22 trains to catch to get to Bristol starting at 9am ish, you do have to change but only once or twice depending which train you get.

You have to change at Birmingham which has a great shopping centre if you want to do a spot of shopping or stop for lunch.

Or you could stay in Stafford, there is a bus direct from the train station to Alton Towers.

@sashh The Stafford bus is the other Uttoxeter bus and it doesn't run on a Sunday either anymore apparently. https://www.dgbus.co.uk/bus-services/x41/

OK I didn't realise. I'm fairly sure there is a bus from Stoke, but I've not been there for a couple of years.

there are two Whistons. Whiston is about a ten minute drive from AT. Presume OP is looking at Whiston Hall Hotel.

Op if it’s this whiston you will be fine getting a local taxi or uber, (I’m also local) no chance of bus. As pp said stoke would be a better train station enjoy whatever you do!

I've just had to google to find any other Whiston and I really don't think anyone local to Alton Towers thought she meant some random place near Liverpool.

Alton towers itself is quite isolated, thorpe park is right in the middle of things so plenty more buses and routes available.
Tbh you may be best looking at Alton towers website itself, you can book hotels at the same time and not just their own. It is worth checking prices independently from the website too in case they are cheaper but with offers may not Be
Out of Alton, Thorpe, Chessington and Legoland I do prefer Alton, it does depend on age/height and fear level though!

Just noted the above and agree. I'm not a theme park fan but have been to all three over the years ( thorpe park, Chessington and Alton towers). The ones on London train lines seem much easier to get to without a car. I went as a teenager and we didn't even plan ahead. Alton towers is not as accessible by public transport. Would you consider one of those or does it need to be Alton towers?

There's a bus from
Stoke to AT at 8.30am from outside the station. Bus back is around 5.30pm. Number 32A I think. I've done it before a couple of times.

It all seems too difficult. It’s DD’s first theme park so doesn’t need to be AT. She asked to go there but obviously had no idea of the logistics or any awareness that other theme parks even existed. We’re going to do Thorpe Park instead. It’s more accessible by a country mile and I’m sure has sufficient thrills to either delight her or put her off theme parks forever! And we’re staying at a nice hotel with a pool and going home whenever we feel like it on Sunday. Winner.

Thanks so much for all the advice and helpful hints.

No the train searches are rubbish - you have to know where the lines go - if you ask to go just from x to y it can send you a faffy way - it won't say that you could get a better journey going to x station a mile away

The trains to & from Uttoxeter are intermittent and they don't go to Alton Towers, or they didn't when we lived there!
There used to be a bus that went from the town centre to A.T. but again not lived there for over 10 years.
Have you considered staying in Alton itself and walking into the park? There used to be loads of B&B's there.