Alton Towers Rides 2026: Complete Guide by Age, Thrill Level and Height

Every ride at Alton Towers organised by who it is for. Check height requirements, typical queue times, and our notes on each ride so you can plan your day before you arrive.

New for 2026

Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies opened in CBeebies Land in March 2026. Based on the hugely popular children's TV show, it is the first Bluey ride in the UK. No height restriction, making it accessible for all young children.

Toxicator (opened March 2025 in Dark Forest) is still relatively new. A spinning flat ride with intense forces, aimed at thrill seekers.

Extreme Rides (1.2m-1.4m+)

The headline coasters. These are what Alton Towers is famous for.

Ride	Min Height	Type	Peak Queue	Notes
Nemesis Reborn	1.4m	Inverted coaster	45-90 min (peak)	Reopened 2024 after full rebuild. The UK's most iconic coaster. Intense inversions over a pit.
The Smiler	1.4m	Record-breaking coaster	45-75 min (peak)	14 inversions, a world record. Disorienting and intense. Not for those who get motion sick.
Oblivion	1.4m	Vertical drop coaster	30-60 min	The world's first vertical drop coaster. 87-degree drop straight into a tunnel. Short but unforgettable.
Wicker Man	1.2m	Wooden coaster	30-60 min	The UK's first new wooden coaster in 20 years. Real flames during the ride. Smooth and intense.
Rita	1.4m	Launch coaster	20-40 min	0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds. Short but brutally fast. No inversions, just pure speed.
TH13TEEN	1.2m	Psycho coaster	20-40 min	Coaster that drops into darkness underground. Themed around a haunted forest. Surprise elements.
Galactica	1.4m	Flying coaster	20-40 min	You ride face-down in a flying position. Smooth and swooping rather than intense. Unique experience.
Toxicator	1.4m	Flat ride	15-30 min	New for 2025. Spinning flat ride with intense g-forces. Located in Dark Forest.

Family Rides (0.9m-1.2m)

Fun for the whole family. Moderate thrills that work for mixed-age groups.

Ride	Min Height	Type	Peak Queue	Notes
Runaway Mine Train	1.0m	Junior coaster	15-30 min	Perfect first coaster for children. Gentle enough for nervous riders, fun enough for adults.
Congo River Rapids	1.1m	Water ride	20-40 min	Circular raft ride through rapids. You WILL get soaked. Bring a change of clothes.
Gangsta Granny: The Ride	0.9m	Dark ride	15-30 min	Based on the David Walliams book. Interactive elements and surprises. Good for all ages.
Spinball Whizzer	1.2m	Spinning coaster	15-30 min	Small coaster cars that spin as they travel the track. Moderate thrills.
Hex	None	Illusion ride	10-20 min	A room that appears to rotate around you. Indoor. No height restriction. Genuinely disorienting.
Duel	1.1m	Interactive dark ride	10-20 min	Haunted house ride where you shoot targets. Scores displayed at the end.

CBeebies Land (No height restriction or 0.9m)

Designed for children aged 1-6. A dedicated area of the park with gentle rides based on CBeebies TV shows.

Ride	Min Height	Type	Peak Queue	Notes
Bluey the Ride: Here Come the Grannies	None	Family ride	20-40 min	New for 2026. CBeebies Land headline addition. Based on the hit TV show Bluey.
In the Night Garden Magical Boat Ride	None	Boat ride	10-20 min	Gentle boat ride through scenes from the TV show. Perfect for toddlers.
Postman Pat Parcel Post	None	Tracked ride	10-15 min	Ride in Postman Pat's van and deliver parcels. Interactive and gentle.
Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride	None	Spinning ride	10-15 min	Gentle spinning ride in the Vroomster. Fun for young children.
Hey Duggee Big Adventure Badge	None	Playground ride	10-15 min	Interactive play area with gentle ride elements.

Key Height Thresholds

If your child is near one of these heights, measure them at home before you visit. Finding out at the ride entrance is disappointing for everyone.

0.9m

Most CBeebies rides and Gangsta Granny

1.2m

Most family rides, Wicker Man, TH13TEEN

1.4m

Big coasters: Nemesis, Smiler, Oblivion, Rita

Top 5 Rides to Prioritise

If you only have time for 5 rides, make it these:

1.
Nemesis Reborn - The ride that defined Alton Towers. Rebuilt in 2024, better than ever. Intense inversions.
2.
Wicker Man - The UK's only wooden coaster with fire effects. Smooth, fast, and atmospheric.
3.
The Smiler - 14 inversions. A world record. You will be dizzy and grinning.
4.
Oblivion - Staring down into the hole before the 87-degree drop is an unforgettable moment.
5.
TH13TEEN - A coaster with a surprise drop into darkness. Unique to Alton Towers.

Family must-dos: Runaway Mine Train and Congo River Rapids. These are the rides everyone can enjoy together.

Wet Rides Warning

Congo River Rapids: You WILL get soaked. Not damp. Soaked. Bring a full change of clothes or accept being wet for the rest of the day.
Battle Galleons: Water cannons that drench riders and bystanders. Spectators get wet too.
Dryers: Available near wet rides for £2 per use. They work, but a towel from home is cheaper.

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