The Best Rides at Alton Towers

Here are some of my top Alton Towers rides. There's everything from hardcore thrill-seekers rides to some much less scary ones here - so there should be something for everyone!

Air
Designed to give you the feeling of actually being able to fly, Air at Alton Towers is an amazing experience. When you first get on the ride you are lifted off your feet, and tilted forward facing the ground. Then, you fly through the air, as the ride swoops, turns and does barrel rolls. If you want to get closer to flying than this, you're going to need a hang-glider.

Rita, Queen of Speed
This ride has a drag-racing theme, complete with the starting lights. Once the commentator has counted down, you'r catapulted from 0-60 in just 2.5 seconds. It's an amazing feeling.

Congo River Rapids
This isn't a scary ride - unless you're frightened of getting wet - but it is a lot of fun. You sit in a circular "boat" and ride down the swirling rapids between two concrete walls. It's brilliant fun, but you'll sometimes end up soaking wet.

Nemesis
Opened in spring 1994, Nemesis is still rated by many people as one of the best Rollercoasters in the world. Apparently it cost about £10m to build Nemesis, which is a lot, but it IS one of the most popular rides in the park so it was probably worth it.

Oblivion
If you don't like rollercoasters with big drops, you won't want to try Oblivion. It looks like quite a big drop, into a hole in the ground - but what many people don't realise is that the drop is just as big below ground, as it is above. Local residents took Alton Towers to court and complained that Oblivion made people scream too much!

Runaway Mine Train
Not one of Alton Towers' biggest rides - but it's great fun all the same. It only does about 22mph (though it feels faster), doesn't go upside down, or drop you into a hole in the ground - but it's brilliant fun.

The Flume
Another water ride - a gentle boat ride through the woods in a bathtub - but look out, there are two drops (one small, one bigger), waterfalls and power showers to liven up your journey. Perfect on a hot summers day.

Don't forget, if you're planning a visit to Alton Towers, check their opening times before you travel. They sometimes have some late night opening!