Alton Towers is in Straffordshire and is basically the Great America of Derbyshire with a twist. Alton Towers has a dual personality. On the one hand it comprises the enormous, mainly ruinous former home of the Earls of Shrewsbury with beautiful rock and rose gardens, tree-lined valley slopes, rhododendron walks, woodland walks, follies, a pogoda and conservatories.

On the other hand, out of sight of all this beauty is another world - "Where wonders never cease". Here is the famous "Corkscrew" - a thrilling double loop. And there were many others that we got to enjoy, including a sky ride where one can pass from one aspect of Alton Towers to the other far above for a bird's eye view.