Ideas please of what to do whilst children in Alton Towers.

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Hi.
My DH and I have a very rare luxury of two child free days whilst our teens/children are going into Alton towers for two consecutive days. We will be dropping them off and picking them up. Any ideas of places the two of us could visit locally whilst they are there?? We like museums, stately homes, parks etc etc but don't know the area at all.
Any ideas greatly received.

Hi Alton itself is quite far from anywhere so you will probably have an hour or so drive to anywhere. Also the queing system just to get into the car park is ridiculous so allow an hour or so for that as that will be the earliest drop off point (the kids will get a train from the car park). So where to go - Trentham Gardens is great, wonderful Italian gardens, monkey walk, shopping area, huge garden centre with restaurants, lake boat trips.

If you like pottery there is the wedgwood museum in Barlaston. Also if you like gardens/stately homes it is worth taking a look round alton towers and the gardens.

Thankyou sherbetpips for the Alton Towers advice!!! and ideas for places to visit.