Alton Towers in a day?

[youcannotbeserious]

Is it possible to drive from London to Alton Towers and back in one day? How long would it take? We're just at the M1 / M25 interchange....

(Pedants: I appreciate that it is perfectly possible but want to know if it's possibe to actually have enough time to enjoy the park!)

Or would it be preferable to stay over for 1 night?

Opinions please!!!

Been to Alton Towers twice - you really need a very full day from opening to closing as there is SOOOOOOOOO much to do there (never mind the time you spend in queues!)

Never spent 2 days there but it's the one park in UK where I think you possibly could justify it

I would say that if you are travelling all that way, you are better off staying over rather than starting so early and getting home too late, have 2 half days rather than one crazy long day, IYSWIM?

I live in the outskirts of Birmingham and it takes me over an hour to get there, once you get close a lot of it is windy roads.

I guess it depends who you are taking and if you want to walk leisurely and have a slow lunch or if you want to race round.

Def. one to stay over for....

thanks, !