Rides and Attractions
Sitting alongside the Grand Entrance of the Towers ruins, the Talbot Centre was situated where the Dark Forest currently stands. Before 1980, the main attraction in this area was the Adventureland Playground, a massive playground that filled almost the entire area.
All this changed in 1980 when the iconic Corkscrew was built in the area - something completely at odds with the sedate surroundings and accompanying attractions. This new headliner set the park on its way to the Alton Towers we know today - and the season it was installed in is regarded as the park's first year as an amusement park.
In 1984, the Talbot Centre became Festival Park, which saw the playground replaced by several flat rides, and a light festival-style overlay.
Adventureland Playground
1973 - 1993
In the years before Alton Towers became known as an amusement park, one of the major attractions for younger audiences was the Adventureland Playground, which sprawled across much of the Talbot Centre.
Most of the playground was removed to make way for Festival Park in 1984, but some of the equipment was relocated to Fantasy World, in various spots around the Black Hole.
Corkscrew
1980 - 2008
The ride that put Alton Towers on the map and changed the landscape of the theme park industry. It made the desert roar...
Rupert Bear Magic Show
1980 - 1986
Take a trip to Nutwood, where Rupert and his pals are enjoying all sorts of fantastic adventures for you to enjoy...
Mini Dragon
1983 - 2010
The park's smallest coaster arrived on park in 1983, when the Mini Dragon opened in the Talbot Centre. The coaster was originally located near where Th13teen's entrance is today.
The coaster remained in Festival Park for nearly a decade, before being relocated first to Thunder Valley and later Adventure Land as The Beastie.
The World of Nature
1977 - 1992
The Wildlife Museum was the first of the park's museums, displaying taxidermy of animals from around the world. The museum had a broad selection of animals and birds on display as well as cases of British butterflies, insects from around the world and also spiders.
The museum started out as The World of Nature in Talbot Centre, but was later moved to a standalone building at the end of Talbot Street.