'The Corkscrew' Closing

Alton Towers Resort is saying good-bye to an old friend, Europe's first double loop rollercoaster, 'the Corkscrew', is to be disassembled.

The Corkscrew has been thrilling families for 28 years. Many of us here at the Play and Stay® office have some very fond memories of the iconic coaster which opened in 1980. Designed by Arrow Dynamics and manufactured by Vekoma, the ground-breaking coaster cost £1.25 million to produce and erect.

Since it opened Corkscrew has carried over 43 million riders and covered 820,000 miles - the equivalent of going to the moon and back almost four times! With a still impressive 3.1G of G force and a thrilling 23 meter drop the Corkscrew will certainly be missed.

Russell Barnes, Divisional Director for the Alton Towers Resort said: “The Corkscrew has played a key part in the heritage of the Alton Towers Resort, and I am sure millions of our guests will look back with fond memories of the first time they were inverted upside down twice within 3 seconds! We are extremely proud to have hosted Europe’s first double helix rollercoaster, but it is now the right time to say goodbye to the attraction as we look forward to continuing to pioneer fantastic family entertainment of the future”.

Alton Towers Resort are holding a special event to commemorate the coaster's impressive 28 year life on the 9th November 2008.