Best Attractions Near Alton Towers: 10 Places to Visit

Planning a trip to Alton Towers? While the resort can easily fill an entire day — or even a full weekend — the surrounding area has plenty more to offer.

Alton Towers is located in the Staffordshire Moorlands, close to the edge of the Peak District, putting visitors within easy reach of wildlife parks, historic attractions, beautiful gardens, scenic countryside and family-friendly days out.

Whether you’re staying near Alton Towers for a few days, looking for something to do before checking into your hotel or simply want to make the most of a short break, there are plenty of attractions worth adding to your itinerary.

Here are 10 of the best attractions near Alton Towers.

1. Peak Wildlife Park

Peak Wildlife Park is one of the best choices for families looking to add another attraction to an Alton Towers trip.

Located near Winkhill, close to Leek, the wildlife park focuses on immersive animal experiences, with visitors able to walk through a number of animal habitats.

The park is home to species including lemurs, penguins, wallabies, red pandas and polar bears, with walkthrough experiences giving visitors the chance to get closer to some of the animals.

There are also indoor and outdoor play areas, making it a particularly good option for families with younger children.

Peak Wildlife Park describes itself as a conservation-focused attraction, participating in breeding programmes and supporting conservation work.

Best for: Families, animal lovers and younger children.

2. Trentham Estate

Trentham Estate is another excellent option, particularly if you’re looking for something completely different from a theme park.

The 725-acre estate combines award-winning gardens, woodland, a lake, adventure activities, shopping and places to eat.

The gardens are the highlight for many visitors, but families can also enjoy the adventure playground and other activities around the estate.

Trentham is also home to the famous Monkey Forest, making it possible to combine several attractions during the same visit.

The estate says more than 3.6 million people visited Trentham in 2024, with its gardens attracting more than 800,000 visitors.

Best for: Families, gardens, walking and a more relaxing day out.

3. Trentham Monkey Forest

Trentham Monkey Forest offers one of the more unusual experiences close to Alton Towers.

Located within Trentham Estate, the attraction is home to around 140 free-roaming Barbary macaques living across 60 acres of woodland.

Rather than seeing the monkeys behind traditional cages, visitors walk along designated paths through their forest habitat.

It makes a great contrast to the rides and rollercoasters of Alton Towers and can be particularly appealing to families with younger children.

Visit Stoke describes it as the UK’s only Monkey Forest.

Best for: Families and animal lovers.

4. Churnet Valley Railway

For something with a little more nostalgia, the Churnet Valley Railway is well worth considering.

The heritage railway runs through the Staffordshire Moorlands and offers visitors the chance to experience a traditional railway journey through the countryside.

The railway’s stations and surrounding scenery provide a very different experience from the thrills of Alton Towers.

It is particularly appealing to railway enthusiasts, families and anyone looking for a slower-paced attraction.

Staffordshire’s official tourism website highlights Churnet Valley Railway as one of the county’s major attractions.

Best for: Railway enthusiasts, families and heritage fans.

5. Dimmingsdale

If you’re looking for a free or low-cost way to escape the crowds, Dimmingsdale is a fantastic option.

This picturesque area of woodland and countryside sits close to Alton and provides a completely different experience from the theme park.

There are walking routes through the Churnet Valley, with woodland, streams and Staffordshire countryside providing plenty of opportunities to explore.

Dimmingsdale is regularly highlighted as one of the attractions around Alton, with visitors using the area for walking and enjoying the scenery.

It can be an excellent choice after a busy day at Alton Towers when you simply want some fresh air and a peaceful walk.

Best for: Walkers, nature lovers and anyone wanting a quieter day.

6. Thor’s Cave

Thor’s Cave is one of the most spectacular natural landmarks within reach of Alton Towers.

Located in the Manifold Valley, the enormous limestone cave sits high above the surrounding landscape and provides impressive views across the Peak District.

The cave itself is free to visit, although reaching it involves a walk, so suitable footwear is recommended.

For visitors who enjoy combining a theme park trip with outdoor adventures, Thor’s Cave is an excellent addition to an Alton Towers break.

Best for: Walkers, photographers and Peak District explorers.

7. World of Wedgwood

If you’re interested in history, design or pottery, the World of Wedgwood offers something very different from the usual theme park experience.

Located near Stoke-on-Trent, the attraction celebrates the heritage of one of Britain’s best-known pottery names.

Visitors can explore the Wedgwood story, discover more about pottery production and browse the wider visitor facilities.

Visit Stoke describes World of Wedgwood as offering shopping, dining, visitor experiences and hands-on learning.

It’s particularly useful as an option for a rainy day when outdoor attractions aren’t as appealing.

Best for: History fans, pottery enthusiasts and rainy days.

8. Waterworld Stoke

Waterworld is another good choice for families who want more water-based fun during their Staffordshire break.

The indoor tropical water park in Stoke-on-Trent offers slides, pools and water attractions, making it suitable for days when the British weather isn’t cooperating.

It also works particularly well as an alternative activity during an Alton Towers short break.

Instead of spending every day outdoors, families can mix rollercoasters, wildlife, gardens and indoor water-based attractions across their trip.

Staffordshire’s official tourism website describes Waterworld as a year-round tropical indoor aqua park.

Best for: Families and rainy-day entertainment.

9. Biddulph Grange Garden

For visitors who want somewhere peaceful and scenic, Biddulph Grange Garden is another option to consider.

The historic garden features a collection of themed areas, unusual planting and landscaped features, creating an experience that feels very different from a conventional public park.

It is a good choice for couples, families and anyone who enjoys gardens, photography and exploring historic landscapes.

A visit here can also work well as part of a wider Staffordshire or Peak District itinerary.

Best for: Garden lovers, photographers and quieter days out.

10. Dovedale and the Peak District

One of the biggest advantages of staying near Alton Towers is the surrounding countryside.

Dovedale is one of the Peak District’s best-known beauty spots and is famous for its dramatic limestone scenery, river and walking routes.

For theme park fans, it provides the perfect contrast to a day of rollercoasters.

You could spend one day experiencing rides such as Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler and Wicker Man at Alton Towers and the next exploring the countryside.

The wider Peak District also offers countless opportunities for walking, cycling, sightseeing and exploring traditional villages.

Best for: Walkers, couples, photographers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Which Attractions Are Best for Families?

If you’re visiting Alton Towers with children, some attractions stand out from the rest.

Peak Wildlife Park is one of the strongest choices because of its combination of animals, walkthrough experiences and play areas.

Trentham Monkey Forest is another great option, particularly for children who enjoy animals.

For a wet-weather backup, Waterworld provides an indoor alternative.

And if your children love trains, Churnet Valley Railway can make an excellent second-day activity.

Best Attractions Near Alton Towers for Adults

Adults visiting without children have plenty of options too.

If you’re interested in the outdoors, Dimmingsdale, Thor’s Cave and Dovedale are great choices.

For something more relaxed, Trentham Estate offers gardens, shopping and places to eat.

History and culture fans may prefer World of Wedgwood, while railway enthusiasts should consider the Churnet Valley Railway.

Can You Visit Alton Towers and Another Attraction on the Same Day?

You can, but it’s worth being realistic.

Alton Towers is a huge resort, and trying to combine a full theme park day with another major attraction could leave you rushing from one place to another.

For most visitors, the better option is to turn an Alton Towers visit into a two- or three-day Staffordshire break.

For example:

Day 1: Alton Towers Resort

Day 2: Peak Wildlife Park + Dimmingsdale

Day 3: Trentham Estate + Trentham Monkey Forest

Alternatively, couples could combine Alton Towers with a Peak District walking day.

Why Stay Longer Than One Day at Alton Towers?

Alton Towers is often treated as a single-day destination, but the surrounding area makes it easy to turn a visit into a proper short break.

You’re close to the Staffordshire Moorlands, Peak District and Stoke-on-Trent, meaning there is a surprisingly large choice of things to see and do.

Staffordshire’s official tourism organisation highlights Alton Towers alongside attractions including Peak Wildlife Park, Churnet Valley Railway, Trentham and other major destinations across the county.

That means you don’t necessarily have to spend your entire trip inside the theme park.

Instead, you can combine thrills, wildlife, countryside, history and relaxation into one holiday.

Our Pick: The Best Attractions Near Alton Towers

If we had to narrow the list down, these would be our top choices:

Best for families: Peak Wildlife Park

Most unusual: Trentham Monkey Forest

Best for nature: Dimmingsdale

Best for railway fans: Churnet Valley Railway

Best for scenery: Dovedale

Best natural attraction: Thor’s Cave

Best for a relaxing day: Trentham Estate

Best for history: World of Wedgwood

Best rainy-day option: Waterworld

An Alton Towers trip doesn’t have to begin and end at the theme park gates.

The Staffordshire Moorlands and surrounding Peak District are packed with attractions, countryside and experiences that can turn a simple theme park visit into a much bigger getaway.

Whether you’re travelling with young children, looking for something to do after a busy day on the rides, or planning a longer Staffordshire stay, there is plenty to discover.

So next time you’re planning a trip to Alton Towers, consider staying for an extra night or two and exploring what else the area has to offer.

UK Theme Park Spy tip: Alton Towers makes a great base for exploring the wider Staffordshire and Peak District area, so don’t be afraid to make your theme park trip part of a bigger adventure.

Information, opening arrangements and attractions can change. Always check the attraction’s official website before travelling.