When is Alton Towers open - is it true it is closed during the winter

Asks panda

A. Yes it is closed throughout the winter, which is bad news if you were planning a day trip over Christmas. In 2002 it will be open daily from 9.30am from 16th March until 3rd November.

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Q. Why is it such a popular theme park

A. It is popular because it is the biggest and best known in Britain and has some of the best fun-fair rides in Europe. It is also situated in the Staffordshire countryside so it is easy to reach from both north and south.

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Q. What are its most popular fun-fair rides

A. Alton Towers has more than 125 rides, some of the best include the following:

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Submission: is the newest white-knuckle ride at Alton Towers, introduced in 2001. Although this ride only lasts for 90 seconds it can feel like 90 hours as you are relentlessly spun around - the ride comprises two carriages that revolve vertically in opposite directions 15 metres from the ground then hover in mid-air and then plunge to the ground and up again. It is fantastic, but very scary indeed!

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Oblivion: is one of the favourite rides (you can queue for 2 hours to get on the ride in the height of summer such is its popularity) it is another white-knuckle ride that drops you from 200ft high at 70 miles an hour.

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Black Hole: is a very scary rollercoaster in the dark. It spins past all the planets in the Universe and hurls you down from 50ft at 45mph with a G-force of 2.5.

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Nemesis: is an extremely fast and weightless fall through the air - and just when you think it is all over you are spun back in the air into a vertical loop, which is reportedly at four times the force of gravity. This ride also only lasts 90 seconds, but feels like a life time if you have weak stomach - it is really difficult to keep your orientation as you are not standing on the ground, but rather sitting in ski-lift style chairs which means all concept of balance is thrown out the window!

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The Hex: is a haunted swing ride through a haunted room, and although frightening, when compared to those rides above it's a piece of cake.

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Other popular rides include the Energizer, the Thunderlooper, Ripsaw, the Log Plume, the Corkscrew, and the Congo River Rapids.

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Q. Are there any activities for younger children - too young or not tall enough for the big rides

A. There is loads to do for young children - they can visit Storybook Land with Squirrel Nutty and the Bookworm, go on a Toyland Tour or visit the Farm.

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Q. Does Alton Towers have any other facilities

A. It has restaurants, picnic areas, a gift shop, an aerial cable car and because the theme park is set in 80 hectares (200 acres) of glorious parkland you can also take a walk in the gardens which are full of plants and fountains that date back to the time when the estate was owned by the Earl of Shrewsbury.

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