Alton Towers with Kids: Tips, Rides, Queues and Planning Your Day

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Welcome to my guide on visiting Alton Towers theme park with kids – here’s everything that you need to know to help you plan your day. I’ve included ride information, queue times, tips, ways to save money on tickets, hotel options and more! For our most recent visit we also stayed on-site so check out my Alton Towers Hotel Review for details about our short break. If you’re looking for a fun family day out, Alton Towers is a great option – with loads of thrilling rides to amuse older kids and teens, alongside Cbeebies Land for the younger visitors. Here’s everything that you need to know about visiting Alton Towers with kids:

Visits: May 2024 + March 2026

Where is Alton Towers located?

Alton Towers is located in Staffordshire, set in a stunning 500-acre park. You can find the Alton Towers Resort at the following address: Alton Towers Resort, Alton, Staffordshire, ST10 4DB. It’s located between the M1 and the M6 – if you’re travelling there by car (depending on your direction) the nearest motorway exits are:

M1 Northbound – Junction 23a
M1 Southbound – Junction 28
M6 Northbound – Junction 15
M6 Southbound – Junction 16

There’s a £13 parking charge for the car park (2026), though there are lots of kid-friendly accommodation options (more on that below) and if you stay on-site in an Alton Towers Hotel parking is free. Once you arrive you can hop onto the monorail which will take you into the heart of the park, though if the queues are long you can walk the route too. If you want to make your way there without a car, the nearest train station to Alton Towers is Uttoxeter which is just 10 miles from the resort – from there you can grab a taxi or a bus.

Alton Towers with kids – which rides are suitable?

Alton Towers is famous for its big, high-thrill rides but let’s not forget about the little ones (and those of us who prefer a slower pace – like me! 😂). Luckily, there’s something for everyone, and toddlers and young kids will adore Cbeebies Land. The only thing to be aware of, if your kids are at an ‘inbetween’ age (perhaps age 7-9), is that there’s quite a jump when it comes to the height restrictions for the big coasters. Having said that, there are some rides that primary aged kids will love (such as the Runaway Mine Train and the Congo River Rapids) but they do need to be above 1.1m tall so check before you visit to avoid disappointment. Here’s my run down of which rides are best for kids of different ages at Alton Towers:

‘Big Thrill’ rides → best for big kids & adults (must be over 1.4m):

The Smiler: If you’re a fan of rollercoasters, this is the ride to go for – The Smiler is one of the world’s most intense coasters, with 14 inversions. I’m not brave enough to take on The Smiler but my kids think it’s amazing – though it’s definitely not one for the faint-hearted!
Nemesis Reborn: The Nemesis Reborn rollercoaster is an Alton Towers classic – it’s a suspended rollercoaster that twists and turns, and though it’s still a ‘big thrill’ ride it’s tamer than The Smiler if that one’s a bit much. If you’re into coasters, this is a must-ride.
Oblivion: Prepare for a stomach-dropping experience as you plummet down the vertical drop into the Oblivion. It’s a short ride, but it really does pack a punch – have a break after lunch before this one. 😂

‘Junior Thrill’ rides → best for older primary school children (must be over 1.2m):

Wicker Man: The Wicker Man is my favourite ride at Alton Towers – it’s a wooden rollercoaster with a fiery Wicker Man statue towering over it. If you’ve got a brave 7+ age child this is a great coaster, without it being as wild as the ‘big thrill’ rides.
Th13teen: Th13teen is an indoor/outdoor rollercoaster with a spooky twist. The ride features a series of drops, tight turns and unexpected elements, including a surprising free-fall drop halfway through the ride.
Spinball Whizzer: Spinball Whizzer is a spinning rollercoaster which is a family favourite, offering a fun combination of high-speed twists, turns and spins – my kids love this ride.

‘Little Thrill’ rides → best for for younger kids & families:

CBeebies Land is the best part of Alton Towers if you’re visiting with toddlers or younger kids. It’s bright, colourful and much calmer than the rest of the park with gentle rides, play areas and lots of familiar characters like Bing, the Teletubbies, Hey Duggee and the Octonauts. One of the biggest highlights now is the new Bluey rollercoaster, which is perfect for little ones who want something a bit more exciting without it being too scary.

You won’t find big thrill rides there but that’s the whole point – everything is designed so that younger children can join in without feeling overwhelmed. It’s also one of the easiest areas to manage as a parent, with shorter walking distances and plenty to do without rushing around. Cbeebies Land has it’s own toilets, there’s a coffee shop nearby and there’s a dedicated area for shows and character meet and greets – so you can get the full experience for the little ones all in one spot.

Click here to see a full list of all the rides available at Alton Towers and the height restrictions.

Staying on-site vs nearby hotels

To make your theme park adventure run smoothy, bundling in accommodation can be a great idea and the Alton Towers Resort has some fabulous themed hotels that are absolutely magical for the kids. However, all of that can be a bit pricey so staying nearby and travelling in can be more budget-friendly. Here’s a quick glimpse at the different accommodation options, both on and off-site, and you can head to my full Alton Towers Accommodation Guide for more info.

Which Alton Towers hotel is best for families?

If you want the full themed experience for the kids, or a multi-day visit, there are lots of different accommodation options on-site at the Alton Towers Resort and they vary quite a lot in both price and experience. For short break packages, with a hotel stay included, check out the Alton Towers website for the best deals. Staying on-site can actually be a cost effective option if you want a few theme park days with the kids – Alton Towers often run ‘second day free’ deals when you stay on the resort. Check out my Alton Towers Hotel Review for all the details about our stay and here’s a quick overview:

👶 CBeebies Land Hotel → best for toddlers and younger kids
🌊 Splash Landings Hotel → best for primary-age kids and waterpark stays
🏨 Alton Towers Hotel → best all-round option
🌲 Enchanted Village Lodges → best for a quieter stay
⭐ Stargazing Pods → best budget option
🌳 Luxury Treehouses → best for a premium, special occasion stay

Where can I stay near Alton Towers?

Alton Towers is close to the Peak District (it’s around a 50 minute drive) so it’s great for a blended holiday. We’ve previously spent the week at Knights Lodges (about 35 minutes away from Alton Towers) enjoying a hot tub break. Ashbourne Heights Holiday Park is also about a 25 minute drive from Alton Towers – with budget-friendly accommodation options, an indoor pool and kids’ facilities. For family hotel stays near Alton Towers, here are some off-site options:

The Bridge House Hotel: 3km from Alton Towers.
Peakstones Inn: 1.7km from Alton Towers.
The Duncombe Arms: 10km from Alton Towers.
Travelodge Ashbourne: 10km from Alton Towers.
The Izaak Walton Country House Hotel: 10km from Alton Towers.
Premier Inn Uttoxeter Hotel: 9km from Alton Towers.

Planning your day

How many days do you need at Alton Towers?

For most families, one full day is enough to cover the main rides, especially if you arrive early. If you want to include the waterpark or take things at a slower pace with younger kids, two days can be a better option.

What is the quietest time of year at Alton Towers?

The quietest times are usually midweek during term time, particularly in spring and early autumn. Summer holidays and weekends are the busiest, with much longer queues across the park.

What are the queues like?

The queues can be long so I’d recommend downloading the Alton Towers app to keep track of ride times and plan your day. Aim to hit the most popular rides first thing in the morning, over lunchtime (when people are busy eating) or not long before the park closes. If you book an Alton Towers Short Break you can typically get into the park early to get a head start! For little ones, break up the queueing by catching a show, wandering through the SEA LIFE Centre or taking a break in the playground.

For our May 2024 visit (weekday, term-time): We got on lots of the rides straight away, or after just a 5-10 minute queue. I think the longest queue was around 30 minutes so it wasn’t too bad at all – and we used the app to plot our day around the shortest times.

For our March 2026 visit (weekend): We visited the park right of the start of the season and on the opening day of the new Bluey Rollercoaster so, as you can imagine, the park was busy. Average wait times were around an hour+ but we were fortunate to have been gifted fast-track passes for our trip which made our day so much easier! They are fabulous but can be pricey – though you can purchase them just for your favourite rides which can be useful at peak times. Particularly over the summer months and during the school holidays, expect queue times of 1 hour+ for the most popular rides.

Can you bring your own food?

Alton Towers is flexible when it comes to picnics – you’re welcome to take your own food, which is a big win for families on a budget. Pack up a rucksack with sandwiches, snacks and drinks to keep the kids happy throughout the day. There’s a sheltered picnic area, with toilets nearby, and you can rent a locker if you want to ditch your lunch while you’re enjoying the rides. You can refill water bottles for free throughout the park, so don’t waste money buying bottled water.

How much does food cost at Alton Towers?

If you’d prefer to buy food in the park, keep an eye out for meal deals or combo offers. There are plenty of food outlets throughout the park, offering everything from burgers and pizza to healthier salads and wraps. Food can be quite expensive, especially for a family. (Expect to pay typical theme park prices – I noted a few down during our 2026 visit. Example prices: Loaded spuds: £12, loaded nachos: £9, hot dogs: £9.)

What are the opening times for Alton Towers?

Alton Towers theme park is typically open from March through to November each year, with the main season running through spring, summer and Halloween. The waterpark is open all year round, so that can be a good option for a winter or rainy day visit with the kids. Rides usually open from around 10am, but you can often enter the park earlier, so it’s worth arriving early and being ready to go. Closing times vary throughout the season depending on daylight hours and demand, so it’s always worth checking the times for your specific visit date. There are also special events like Scarefest and selected festive experiences, although the full theme park isn’t typically open over winter.

Do you need to book Alton Towers tickets in advance?

Yes, it’s usually cheaper to book online in advance rather than paying on the day. Tickets can be more expensive at the gate, and booking ahead also guarantees your entry on busier dates.

Does Alton Towers close in the rain?

The park remains open in the rain, so there’s no need to worry about a few showers. However in cases of extreme weather – such as thunderstorms or high winds – certain rides may be temporarily closed for safety reasons. Pack a rain coat so you can still make the most of it whatever the weather and visit indoor attractions like the SEA LIFE Aquarium if you need to wait for the sun to reappear.

How much are Alton Towers tickets and where can I find discounts?

Pre-booked standard Alton Towers tickets typically cost around £30 per person. Avoid buying your tickets on the gate as they will be dearer – though children under 90cm can enter for free. Luckily, Alton Towers theme park also take part in lots of discount schemes – so keep your eyes peeled to save some money on your entrance tickets. Here are some of the deals and discounts that I’ve come across for one day tickets to Alton Towers:

Cereal boxes: Cereal brands like Kelloggs often run promotions where you can find discounts or even free tickets (things like 2 for 1) for Alton Towers by purchasing specially-marked boxes.
Kids Pass: Kids Pass is a subscription service that offers discounts on family days out – including theme park tickets – you can trial it for £1 so it’s worth signing up if you’re planning some days out with the kids.
Love to Visit: The ‘Love to Visit’ website offers discounted tickets for attractions all over the UK – so it’s well worth a look to see their current Alton Towers deals.

Tesco Clubcard: Tesco shoppers can use their Tesco Clubcard points to get some money off Alton Towers tickets, or pay for them in full and enjoy a free day out.
Alton Towers website: Alton Towers run offers on their own website, so make sure you check there first!
Merlin Annual Pass: If you’re a regular thrill-seeker, you can access absolutely loads of attractions with a Merlin Annual Pass including: Alton Towers, Chessington, LEGOLAND Windsor and Thorpe Park; indoor fun like SEA LIFE centres, Shrek’s Adventure!, The London Eye and Madame Tussauds; and historical and immersive experiences like Warwick Castle, The Dungeons and even Cadbury World. Kids under 90cm go free and you can check out all of the pass options and what’s included here: Are Merlin Annual Passes worth it and which pass is best?

Alton Towers Annual Pass: Merlin also recently introduced annual passes that are cheaper and park specific – you can get an annual pass for Alton Towers from £64.

Which is better – Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, LEGOLAND or Chessington?

Choosing the best theme park for your day out depends on your family’s interests and the ages of your children:

Thorpe Park is best suited to teenagers and older thrill-seekers. It has fewer rides for younger children and its focus is firmly on high-speed / high-intensity attractions, as well some awesome water rides. My teens LOVE Thorpe Park – check out my Thorpe Park Guide for all the details.
Alton Towers, while still offering major coasters like The Smiler, balances thrill rides with a more rounded family experience – it offers a variety of rides for kids of all ages as well as CBeebies Land for toddlers and little ones.
LEGOLAND Windsor is absolutely fabulous for younger children with tamer rides, interactive LEGO-themed attractions, live shows, water play areas and impressive Miniland displays made from millions of LEGO bricks.
Chessington World of Adventures is a great family-friendly theme park. It combines gentle rides, a zoo and a SEA LIFE centre, making it ideal for children under 10 years old. Check out my Chessington Guide or my Chessington Hotel Review for more information – it’s a brilliant place for a short break – we loved it!

Final thoughts

Alton Towers offers a fantastic family day out and, with a little bit of planning, it’s possible to enjoy your day without it being too expensive. Hunt out discounts and ticket offers, pack up a picnic and shop around for affordable accommodation. For multi-day visits it’s worth looking at the short break offers – they often offer the ‘second day free’ with on-site stays so it can work out to be more cost effective. My Alton Towers Hotel Review has details about our stay and the different accommodation types. Whether you’re into heart-pounding rides, or you’ve got little ones who will adore Cbeebies Land, it’s a brilliant theme park for a day out with the kids. For more information, and prices for your tickets or stay, click here to check out the Alton Towers website.