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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Charlotte Hawes

The 12 lost Alton Towers rollercoasters as well-loved Nemesis comes to an end

When Alton Towers first opened its doors in 1960, it was a country estate without a rollercoaster in sight.

The site developed into one of the UK's largest theme parks 20 year later and millions travelled across the country to experience the thrill-seeking rides.

However, some of the UK's most popular attractions have sadly come and gone over the years, with the most recent being Nemesis.

According to Wales Online, the heart-racing ride was Europe's first inverted roller coaster, located in Alton, Staffordshire.

Although it has now closed, fans of Nemesis need not worry as it is set to return in 2024 with a new look following maintenance work.

As Nemesis as we know it joins a host of rides that once graced the Staffordshire attraction site, take a look at some of the other rides that may be gone from Alton Towers, but certainly haven't been forgotten.

Corkscrew

The Corkscrew at Alton Towers (Brian Bould/ANL/REX/Shutterstock)

Alton Tower's Corkscrew attraction opened for the first time back in 1980 and was well-received by thrill seekers.

This ride arguably put Alton Towers on the map alongside iconic UK theme parks including Thorpe Park in Surrey and Drayton Manor in Staffordshire.

The rollercoaster was an adrenaline rush for ride lovers and it wasn't unusual to leave feeling as though you've given yourself whiplash.

Sadly, the Corkscrew came to the end of its life in 2008 and it was fully removed from Alton Towers by 2010.

Thunder Looper

Thunder Looper attracted hoards of visitors during its six-year stint at Alton Towers as it hit a whopping 53 mph.

However, this ride also caused a bout of controversy over the years as its height was an issue of concern for residents as well as the noise which affected local wildlife.

The last known location of the ride was in Brazil's Hopi Hari park.

Black Hole

Some of the first reactions to the Black Hole ride (Mirrorpix)

Black Hole was very different to a standard theme park attraction.

Opening in 1983, Black Hole took riders into a space of absolute darkness as they were enclosed in a tent for the space-themed ride.

However, the ride was dismantled in 1988 and travelled to a new theme park in Europe, before reopening and changing its name to Black Hole II and the New Black Hole, before going back to its original name.

The ride was closed for the final time in 2005 and the remaining tent was dismantled in 2012 to make way for the Smiler.

Around the World in 80 Days

To younger visitors, Around the World in 80 Days was one of their first experiences of a 'dark ride'.

The rollercoaster was open between 1981 and 1992, and was known to take riders on a globetrotting route in a hot air balloon alongside animated character, Phileas.

During the ride, thrill-seekers experienced a trip from London to the likes of Thailand, Egypt and more.

Following the ride's closure, its structure was used for the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ride until 2019, when it was restyled as part of the Alton Towers Dungeon.

The Beast

Eddie the Eagle at Alton Towers in 1988 (Mirrorpix)

When the Beast opened many years ago, it was known to be one of the largest rollercoasters in the UK.

The encaptivating ride boasted the steepest of drops and attracted a number of thrill-seekers - including Eddie the Eagle.

Despite being a popular attraction, the Beast closed for the final time at Alton Towers in 1997.

In more recent years, the thrilling rollercoaster operated in 2010 at Tornado at Salitre Magico in Colombia.

The Beastie

If you remember the Beast ride, you'll be sure to remember the Beastie attraction.

It first arrived at the theme park in the 1980s and was initially known as the Mini Dragon Coaster.

The ride featured a tunnel and also performed two laps of the circuit each run.

Sadly, the Beastie operated for the final time in 2011 and was soon removed from the park.

The ride was eventually sold to an independent ride operator, who renamed the coaster as Dragon Challenge, which currently operates at Barry Island Pleasure Park in Wales.

Twirling Toadstool

Queues at Alton Towers on the opening weekend in April 1980 (Mirrorpix)

The Twirling Toadstool was loved by both adults and children, with riders being suspended from an animatronic toadstool on a seat hanging on by chains.

They would then rotate and the seats would swing further outward, before returning back to ground level.

The Twirling Toadstool first closed in 2016. And after not reopening for the 2017 season, Alton Towers confirmed it wouldn't return in 2019.

Ripsaw

Ripsaw was a main advert feature on children's TV when the ride opened in 1997.

The attraction was a top spin ride where riders sat in a 20 seat wide, two tier gondola which was rotated by a pair of robotic arms, allowing them to freely pivot while being suspended above jets of water.

Located in the park’s Forbidden Valley, it was closed 18 years later and then replaced by the carnival game Forbidden Sweep.

Energizer/Boneshaker

The Energizer struggled to find a permanent home whilst at Alton Towers and was often moved around the park.

Situated next to Corkscrew at one point, the ride first opened in 1995.

The ride then moved to the more family-friendly area of Ug Land and was renamed as the Boneshaker.

After under a decade at the theme park, the ride closed.

Magic Carpet Ride

Riders wait for rollercoasters at Alton Towers (Mirrorpix)

The Magic Carpet Ride was a staple in British theme parks in the 80s.

The classic attraction only lasted at Festival Park for two seasons, with it more than likely being sold after losing out to the 1001 Nights ride in its last season.

Submission

Submission was a two gondola ride which tilted and swung riders.

Built in 2001, years later, only one of the arms were running.

But by the early 2010s, theme park enthusiasts said goodbye to the whole ride.

However, the memories of Submission live on as many will remember how the ride doubled the boat and turned riders a full 360 degrees.

The Flume

Riders on the Log Flume at Alton Towers (Brian Bould/ANL/REX/Shutterstock)

Log flume rides are loved by thrill-seekers across the globe, with riders often posing for a picture before the log-shaped carriage plummets into a pool of water.

Opening in 1981, the Flume took you on a winding trip around the park, before passengers experienced three drops.

It remained standing, but not operating in 2016, before being demolished. The site later made way for popular wooden rollercoaster, the Wickerman.

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