Theme park review: Alton Towers

Getting there
Alton Towers is located in the middle of the UK between Derby and Stoke-on-Trent. If driving, the park is well signposted from the M6. The cheapest public transport option is a National Express coach to Stoke-on-Trent. Alternatively, Virgin trains offer an all-inclusive ticket to the theme park. For more information, go to www.virgin.com, or call: 08457 222 333.

Soak up the atmosphere
With ten differently themed areas, Alton Towers caters for all tastes. Daredevils will be enticed by big rides like Air, Oblivion and Rita - Queen of Speed; families can enjoy the Congo River Rapids and the Runaway Mine Train, while for the littlies, there's the new Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Ride! and the Squirrel Nutty Ride.

The different areas are imaginatively themed, from the prehistoric Ug Land, through medieval Merrie England to the futuristic X-Sector. Each area comes complete with sideshows so you're never far from a chance to win an oversized, garish teddy bear.

The Towers ruins (which date back to the 8th Century) lie in the middle of the park and are surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens - a nice contrast to the funfair atmosphere and a good place for a picnic lunch.