Theme park adds German twist to 40th celebrations

ALTON Towers has unveiled an exciting new family event which will include live acts and food and drink with a German twist, writes LOUISE ELLIOTT.

Oktoberfest is taking place each afternoon from mid-September and will see the park turned into a Bavarian-themed venue, complete with lederhosen-clad hosts and an oompah band.

The event, which will run until October 4, will be followed by Alton Towers’ hugely popular Scarefest, which this year has new attractions as well as old favourites.

Thrill-seekers can visit Freak Show: Toxic Junkyard, an outdoor maze full of surprises with a psycho clown and a new family-led attraction Garden Lights Walk: Whispering Souls which will give guests the chance to enjoy the Alton Towers gardens.

This year, there will also be a welcome return for The Attic: Terror of the Towers – a chilling experience set in the eaves of tower ruins which is rumoured to be haunted by ‘the Governess’.

Darkest Depths will invite guests to board the infamous ghost ship The Mutiny and journey into the darkest depths to earn their piece of eight, while treacherous Sirens will try to lure guests into the ocean as they dodge the swords of the mutinous ghost pirates and come face to face with the sea’s meanest legend of all … the Kraken!

Another favourite to return is Altonville Mine Tours: Uncover The Legend of the Skin Snatchers which offers a tale with a not-so-beautiful twist.

Those brave enough can also head to ‘Altonville’, a recently re-opened mine at the resort, which holds a deep dark secret.

The damp, disused mine is believed to have once been home to a family of village outcasts.

Nicknamed the ‘Skin Snatchers’, their spine-chilling secret is about to be unearthed.

As part of Scarefest, guests of all ages can experience the theme park’s rollercoasters and family attractions in the dark with the rides opening until 9pm.

James Walker, marketing director at Alton Towers Resort, said: “We are really excited to be able to offer something brand new for our guests in 2020, as well as stage the return of our much-loved Halloween event. This year marks the theme park’s 40th anniversary and it was always the plan to make it a year of celebration for our guests.

“As well as brilliant live entertainment for Oktoberfest, we are working with partners to offer unique food and drink options for the event to ensure we create a memorable, exciting and family-friendly atmosphere all with a German twist. It will be a first in the theme park’s history and not to be missed.”

For tickets and more information about the events, visit altontowers.com