Alton Towers opens historic gardens as a walking park
During England's lockdown, Alton Towers was allowed to open its historic gardens as a walking area while the rides stayed closed. From 13 November 2020, visitors could book a weekend walk through the original heart of the resort.
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Alton Towers was allowed to welcome visitors in November 2020, but not as a full theme park. While amusement parks in England had to remain closed, the historic gardens could reopen from Friday 13 November as a walking area without rides. The resort pointed to the government rules in force at the time, which allowed gardens and other outdoor attractions to admit guests for essential exercise. Opening was initially limited to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10.00 to 15.00. Visitors had to book online in advance; adult tickets cost 12 pounds, children aged 3 to 11 paid 5 pounds, and passholders could enter free of charge. For fans, this was a striking moment because The Gardens usually act as the calm landscape between the major rides. For a short period, they became the main reason to visit. The story also says something about the identity of Alton Towers itself: the estate began in the nineteenth century as a grand garden and only later developed into the modern theme park. Together with the ruins, the Alton Towers Gardens still form the historical heart of the resort.