• ℹ️ Heads up...

    This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks.

Talbot Street Tuesday

Whilst a peek at the Corkscrew back in its heyday is always welcome, here at TowersStreet we couldn't help but get a bit excited by the glimpse of another classic attraction in the Derby Telegraph's photos.

And so today, for Talbot Street Tuesday, we thought we'd take another look at the Adventureland Playground, which once sprawled over the Talbot Centre (Dark Forest today).

Who remembers the time when this classic playground neighboured the mighty Corkscrew? Or even further back, when this was the only attraction in the area in the 1970s?
51855710692_9477e0c7f5_c.jpg
 
The Swan Boat Ride glided onto the Ingestre Lake in 1987.

This week for Talbot Street Tuesday, we're taking a look at this iconic ride, which came to life in the magical adverts for Alton Towers from the 90s.

Were you a fan of the Swan Boats? Or perhaps you preferred the fast-paced Splash Kart Challenge or the interactive Battle Galleons, which found a home on the Swan Boat lake in more recent years?
51870878065_dab5d2a7f7_c.jpg
 
Who remembers when Tatty Teddy arrived at the resort in 2007?

This week for Talbot Street Tuesday, we're heading back for a look at the original concept art for the Dreamy Den and Hidden Hideaway rooms in the Alton Towers Hotel.

You can still stay in these rooms today, but the original quaint 'hand drawn' style is sadly long gone, these days replaced by a comfy chic aesthetic.

Did you ever stay in the Tatty Teddy rooms? Or do you perhaps prefer the more modern version of the rooms?

tattyteddy.jpg dreamyden_big.jpg hiddenhidaway_big.jpg
 
Squiggs said:
Who remembers when Tatty Teddy arrived at the resort in 2007?

This week for Talbot Street Tuesday, we're heading back for a look at the original concept art for the Dreamy Den and Hidden Hideaway rooms in the Alton Towers Hotel.

You can still stay in these rooms today, but the original quaint 'hand drawn' style is sadly long gone, these days replaced by a comfy chic aesthetic.

Did you ever stay in the Tatty Teddy rooms? Or do you perhaps prefer the more modern version of the rooms?

tattyteddy.jpg dreamyden_big.jpg hiddenhidaway_big.jpg
Click to expand...
Alton towers have had loads of different themed rooms over the years, this was one I wasn’t aware of. Looks like an interesting original concept.
 
It's February Half Term and this year the pirates have invaded the resort once again!

Today's Talbot Street Tuesday, however, is for anyone who prefers their half-term thrills a little more steamy. This week we return to a time of steam powered rides - 2007, when Carters Steam Fair arrived at the park as part of Towers, Treats and Trails.

For one year only, the park offered a truly unique line-up of antique rides alongside a selection of their own attractions. It was also the last time the park offered free entry - with guests paying per ride.

Did you get a chance to experience all the thrills of the fair? Or perhaps you were saving up your tokens to re-ride Oblivion (at 3 tokens per ride)?
51898265970_a2e68ec193_c.jpg
 
Squiggs said:
It's February Half Term and this year the pirates have invaded the resort once again!

Today's Talbot Street Tuesday, however, is for anyone who prefers their half-term thrills a little more steamy. This week we return to a time of steam powered rides - 2007, when Carters Steam Fair arrived at the park as part of Towers, Treats and Trails.

For one year only, the park offered a truly unique line-up of antique rides alongside a selection of their own attractions. It was also the last time the park offered free entry - with guests paying per ride.

Did you get a chance to experience all the thrills of the fair? Or perhaps you were saving up your tokens to re-ride Oblivion (at 3 tokens per ride)?
51898265970_a2e68ec193_c.jpg
Click to expand...
An event like this would be amazing in present day. Could do well for the Christmas event actually.
 
Long before the Retrosquad arrived, a very different interplanetary invader from the 1980s landed at Alton Towers.

For this week's Talbot Street Tuesday, we submit a photo from the late 80s, when a disembodied animatronic alien floated above a stage in the queueline of the Blackhole.

He would chat with random guests as they queued, responding to their comments in real time. And, unless we're very much mistaken, here he's performing alongside two members of Red Sun, the park's old house band.
Black Hole Queue.jpg
 
Is this the animatronic from the alleged story that it got removed due to staff members not realising the mic was still on and they said things they shouldn't? Do we know if there's any truth to that?
 
It is indeed that animatronic. But whether the story is true or not is hard to know. It certainly sounds like the sort of thing that could have happened, but that doesn't mean it did. :smile:
 
Derby Telegraph have delved back into the archives this week and dug out some images from the Monorail's opening day.

So for this week's Talbot Street Tuesday, let's take a look back at that historic day when William Shatner came to Alton Towers (along with George Takei... eventually).

Do you miss the old days, when the park had star-studded ribbon-cutting ceremonies when a new ride opened?
0_William-Shatner-at-Alton-Towers.jpg
 
Some great shots there, love the fact they had the monorail burst through the entrance, what a photo that is. Wonder if they'd still have a ceremony like that these days.
Hopefully the monorail gets the refurbishment it deserves at some point with a grand reopening.
 
Last edited:
They barely do anything for new rides now, you’ll generally get a press night the week before or what ever, and depending on the ride they’ll also invite some Z List people to come ride it and post it on their socials. But you don’t tend to get anyone officially open a ride anymore.
 
The new season is nearly upon us and this year CBeebies Land is getting a bit of a refresh. But who remembers when the area looked like this?

For this week's Talbot Street Tuesday, we're taking a trip back to Britannia Farm, which opened in 1989. This map of the farm featured in the area's education pack.

Back then, Sheep and Red Deer roamed in paddocks, where Duggee and Dinosaurs will find a new home this year!
map.jpg
 
I have memories of seeing cows being milked in the barn.

..and now it’s where people fire foam balls at each other.

Times change!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top