#altontowers — Public Fediverse posts

Alton Towers £68 day passes reduced to £34 in huge flash VAT cut summer sale

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/money-saving/alton-towers-68-day-passes-34416741

Alton Towers £68 day passes reduced to £34 in huge flash VAT cut summer sale

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/money-saving/alton-towers-68-day-passes-34416741

Alton Towers £68 day passes reduced to £34 in huge flash VAT cut summer sale

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/money-saving/alton-towers-68-day-passes-34416741

Alton Towers £68 day passes reduced to £34 in huge flash VAT cut summer sale

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/money-saving/alton-towers-68-day-passes-34416741

The Chained Oak – The Curse That Refused to Die

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself sitting beneath one of Britain’s most famous cursed trees sharing a picnic with my three grandsons.

James, the eldest, had already claimed the biggest sandwich before the twins, Jackson and Jordan, could mount much of an argument. We’d found a shady patch of grass beneath the old oak itself, its ancient branches still wrapped in heavy iron chains that have puzzled visitors for generations.

The July sunshine was again relentless beyond the woodland, but here beneath the trees the air was deliciously cool. It was easy to forget that one of Britain’s busiest tourist attractions lay only a few hundred yards away. Until the silence broke.

Click.Click.Click.

The unmistakable sound of a rollercoaster climbing towards its summit drifted through the trees. Seconds later came the screams. Not frightened screams. Excited ones. The echoes of Alton Towers floated across the woodland before fading back into birdsong and rustling leaves. It struck me as wonderfully surreal. Few places in Britain allow the modern world and ancient folklore to exist quite so comfortably side by side. One moment you’re listening to Nemesis roaring overhead. The next you’re looking up at a tree that local legend insists has carried a curse for more than three centuries. Naturally, I told the boys the story. Their eyes never left the chains.

After lunch we wandered deeper into the woods. Within minutes, Jackson and Jordan were hunting werewolves. James had armed himself with a sturdy fallen branch that instantly became a knight’s sword. The woodland transformed around them. Every fallen tree concealed a dragon. Every shadow hinted at adventure. Then James spotted an even better stick.

Unfortunately, it lay just beyond a patch of thick mud. Ignoring every sensible instinct, he lunged for it. Predictably, he became magnificently stuck. A rescue operation followed, involving much laughter and one rather muddy grandson who nevertheless emerged triumphant, sword held high. Later, he wandered towards one of the still woodland pools, its surface hidden beneath a blanket of duckweed.

“Careful,” I called.

“That’s exactly where Jenny Greenteeth lives.”

He froze. Perhaps folklore still has its uses.

I smiled as we continued our walk because that’s how stories survive. Not through dusty books or museum displays.Through afternoons in ancient woods. Through grandparents telling tales. Through children carrying sticks that become swords. Long after the facts have been forgotten, the stories remain. And nowhere is that truer than beneath the branches of the Chained Oak.

The legend begins in the early nineteenth century with Charles Talbot, the Fifteenth Earl of Shrewsbury. The Talbot family had long been one of Staffordshire’s most influential noble families, their seat at Alton Towers overlooking the surrounding countryside. According to local tradition, the Earl regularly travelled through these woods on his way home. One evening, his carriage was stopped by an elderly woman begging for alms.

Accounts differ on what happened next.

Some claim he ignored her entirely. Others say he mocked her. Either way, she was refused. As his carriage rolled away, the old woman is said to have raised her hand and uttered words that would echo through generations.

“For every branch that falls from this old oak, a member of your family shall die.”

It is one of those wonderfully chilling curses that folklore does so well. Simple. Memorable. Impossible to forget. The Earl reportedly laughed and continued home.

Soon afterwards, a violent storm swept across Staffordshire. By morning, a branch had fallen from the ancient oak. Not long afterwards, a member of the Talbot family died.

Coincidence? Perhaps.

Then another branch fell. Another death followed.

And so the story continued.

Terrified, the Earl is said to have ordered every branch of the old oak wrapped in iron chains. If no branches could fall, the curse could never be fulfilled. Today, those chains remain. Heavy. Rusting. Almost impossibly incongruous.

At first glance they appear absurd.

Then you remember why they’re there.

Whether they ever served any practical purpose hardly matters. Their real function has always been symbolic.

In folklore, iron possesses extraordinary power. Across Britain and Europe it was believed to repel witches, bind restless spirits, imprison demons and keep the fairies at bay. Iron horseshoes hung above doors. Iron nails were buried beneath thresholds. Iron scissors were placed beside newborn children. Even ghosts, according to some traditions, struggled to cross iron.So perhaps chaining an ancient tree wasn’t quite as irrational as it first appears. Not if you lived in a world where curses were every bit as real as storms.

How much of the story is actually true? That depends which part you ask about.

The Chained Oak certainly exists. So do its chains.The Talbot family undoubtedly owned Alton Towers and the surrounding estate. But contemporary records describing the curse itself are conspicuously absent.

Most historians believe the tale developed during the Victorian era, when Gothic fiction and medieval romance were immensely fashionable. Alton Towers itself embraced that atmosphere, becoming a place where architecture, fantasy and storytelling merged effortlessly. Like so many great legends, the curse probably grew with each retelling. Every generation added another detail. Another death.Another coincidence. Another reason to believe.

Standing beneath the tree, I found myself wondering why stories like this survive at all. Perhaps because they transform an ordinary landscape into something extraordinary. Once you’ve heard about the Chained Oak, you never simply see an old tree again. You see a curse. A warning.

Exactly the same is true of Jenny Greenteeth lurking beneath duckweed. Or dragons hiding behind fallen trunks. Or werewolves stalking the shadows.The woodland itself doesn’t change.We do. Folklore colours the world around us. It encourages us to look more closely. To imagine. To wonder. And perhaps that is its greatest gift.

As we walked back towards the car, the boys were still arguing about whether dragons would defeat werewolves. James proudly carried his muddy sword. The screams from Alton Towers echoed through the trees once more before fading into the distance. I glanced back at the old oak one final time.

Maybe the curse was never real. Maybe the chains were only ever iron. But if, years from now, Jackson, Jordan and James bring their own children here and tell them about the day they picnicked beneath a cursed tree, rescued a sword from the mud and narrowly escaped Jenny Greenteeth…Then the oldest magic in the forest will still be alive.

Not the curse. The storytelling. Because that has always been the true enchantment of the Chained Oak.

I took my kids to Alton Towers’ CBeebies Land hotel – here’s my honest review

Alton Towers is a hit with families and its CBeebies Land has been popular with young kids for…
#Liverpool #UnitedKingdom #UK #GB #England #Headlines #News #Europe #EU #altontowers #Britain #GreatBritain
https://www.europesays.com/uk/1081910/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/1081910/ I took my kids to Alton Towers’ CBeebies Land hotel – here’s my honest review #AltonTowers #Britain #England #GreatBritain #Liverpool #UK #UnitedKingdom

Time running out to book £95 stay at Alton Towers and get unlimited free Cadbury or Legoland entry all year

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/time-running-out-book-95-34111623

Time running out to book £95 stay at Alton Towers and get unlimited free Cadbury or Legoland entry all year

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/time-running-out-book-95-34111623

Time running out to book £95 stay at Alton Towers and get unlimited free Cadbury or Legoland entry all year

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/time-running-out-book-95-34111623

Time running out to book £95 stay at Alton Towers and get unlimited free Cadbury or Legoland entry all year

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/time-running-out-book-95-34111623

On Friday I did my second "Oblivion" walk. I love walking up rollercoasters.

When I arrived at the coaster to do my walk (at the end of the day) it turned out I was the only walker!

Because of a problem with my Merlin Pass when I originally booked onto the walk I was left paying full price rather than the heavily discounted Merlin platinum pass holder price.

However... When we got to the station the VIP experiences guy was rather saddened to hear I overpaid; and because I had Tom and Charlie with me he asked if one of those guys would like to do the walk too - for £37 (a huge saving). I treated him to it.

Charlie didn't want to risk it but Tom leapt at the chance.

He's now got his certificate and badge too!

#oblivion #rollercoasterclimb #altontowers

On Friday I did my second "Oblivion" walk. I love walking up rollercoasters.

When I arrived at the coaster to do my walk (at the end of the day) it turned out I was the only walker!

Because of a problem with my Merlin Pass when I originally booked onto the walk I was left paying full price rather than the heavily discounted Merlin platinum pass holder price.

However... When we got to the station the VIP experiences guy was rather saddened to hear I overpaid; and because I had Tom and Charlie with me he asked if one of those guys would like to do the walk too - for £37 (a huge saving). I treated him to it.

Charlie didn't want to risk it but Tom leapt at the chance.

He's now got his certificate and badge too!

#oblivion #rollercoasterclimb #altontowers

On Friday I did my second "Oblivion" walk. I love walking up rollercoasters.

When I arrived at the coaster to do my walk (at the end of the day) it turned out I was the only walker!

Because of a problem with my Merlin Pass when I originally booked onto the walk I was left paying full price rather than the heavily discounted Merlin platinum pass holder price.

However... When we got to the station the VIP experiences guy was rather saddened to hear I overpaid; and because I had Tom and Charlie with me he asked if one of those guys would like to do the walk too - for £37 (a huge saving). I treated him to it.

Charlie didn't want to risk it but Tom leapt at the chance.

He's now got his certificate and badge too!

#oblivion #rollercoasterclimb #altontowers

On Friday I did my second "Oblivion" walk. I love walking up rollercoasters.

When I arrived at the coaster to do my walk (at the end of the day) it turned out I was the only walker!

Because of a problem with my Merlin Pass when I originally booked onto the walk I was left paying full price rather than the heavily discounted Merlin platinum pass holder price.

However... When we got to the station the VIP experiences guy was rather saddened to hear I overpaid; and because I had Tom and Charlie with me he asked if one of those guys would like to do the walk too - for £37 (a huge saving). I treated him to it.

Charlie didn't want to risk it but Tom leapt at the chance.

He's now got his certificate and badge too!

#oblivion #rollercoasterclimb #altontowers

On Friday I did my second "Oblivion" walk. I love walking up rollercoasters.

When I arrived at the coaster to do my walk (at the end of the day) it turned out I was the only walker!

Because of a problem with my Merlin Pass when I originally booked onto the walk I was left paying full price rather than the heavily discounted Merlin platinum pass holder price.

However... When we got to the station the VIP experiences guy was rather saddened to hear I overpaid; and because I had Tom and Charlie with me he asked if one of those guys would like to do the walk too - for £37 (a huge saving). I treated him to it.

Charlie didn't want to risk it but Tom leapt at the chance.

He's now got his certificate and badge too!

#oblivion #rollercoasterclimb #altontowers

The view from the top of #oblivion at #Altontowers

The tree in the foreground is a giant redwood. It was planted to allow Alton Towers to build Oblivion as planning rules are very strict in Staffordshire Moorlands and they are not allowed to breach the tree line; hence Alton Towers being virtually invisible from outside the park.

The view from the top of #oblivion at #Altontowers

The tree in the foreground is a giant redwood. It was planted to allow Alton Towers to build Oblivion as planning rules are very strict in Staffordshire Moorlands and they are not allowed to breach the tree line; hence Alton Towers being virtually invisible from outside the park.

The view from the top of #oblivion at #Altontowers

The tree in the foreground is a giant redwood. It was planted to allow Alton Towers to build Oblivion as planning rules are very strict in Staffordshire Moorlands and they are not allowed to breach the tree line; hence Alton Towers being virtually invisible from outside the park.

The view from the top of #oblivion at #Altontowers

The tree in the foreground is a giant redwood. It was planted to allow Alton Towers to build Oblivion as planning rules are very strict in Staffordshire Moorlands and they are not allowed to breach the tree line; hence Alton Towers being virtually invisible from outside the park.

The view from the top of #oblivion at #Altontowers

The tree in the foreground is a giant redwood. It was planted to allow Alton Towers to build Oblivion as planning rules are very strict in Staffordshire Moorlands and they are not allowed to breach the tree line; hence Alton Towers being virtually invisible from outside the park.

So I wasn't here for #totp last night. Here's why.

I did a repeat of my 2024 roller coaster climb up #Oblivion at #altontowers

So I wasn't here for #totp last night. Here's why.

I did a repeat of my 2024 roller coaster climb up #Oblivion at #altontowers

So I wasn't here for #totp last night. Here's why.

I did a repeat of my 2024 roller coaster climb up #Oblivion at #altontowers

So I wasn't here for #totp last night. Here's why.

I did a repeat of my 2024 roller coaster climb up #Oblivion at #altontowers

So I wasn't here for #totp last night. Here's why.

I did a repeat of my 2024 roller coaster climb up #Oblivion at #altontowers

The 'brilliant' family activity cheaper than Alton Towers for half-term

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/brilliant-family-activity-cheaper-alton-33859778

We were first on new Bluey rollercoaster at Alton Towers - this was our verdict

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/were-first-new-bluey-rollercoaster-33678098

Families race to book Alton Towers Easter breaks for just £70 in deal ending soon

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/families-race-book-alton-towers-33664984

Gawd I'm a thirst trap 🤣

That one guy in #altontowers today in full #leather

Gawd I'm a thirst trap 🤣

That one guy in #altontowers today in full #leather

Gawd I'm a thirst trap 🤣

That one guy in #altontowers today in full #leather

Gawd I'm a thirst trap 🤣

That one guy in #altontowers today in full #leather

Gawd I'm a thirst trap 🤣

That one guy in #altontowers today in full #leather

#altontowers today with @captainlibrary

Everyone follow him. I'm trying to get him to use #mastodon more.

#altontowers today with @captainlibrary

Everyone follow him. I'm trying to get him to use #mastodon more.

#altontowers today with @captainlibrary

Everyone follow him. I'm trying to get him to use #mastodon more.

#altontowers today with @captainlibrary

Everyone follow him. I'm trying to get him to use #mastodon more.

#altontowers today with @captainlibrary

Everyone follow him. I'm trying to get him to use #mastodon more.

#Smiler at #altontowers has the most memorable music.

#Smiler at #altontowers has the most memorable music.

#Smiler at #altontowers has the most memorable music.

Don't forget to follow @live for all stream updates:

Here's my updated schedule (correct as of 12th of March)

15/03 - 6pm to 9pm I'll be playing The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker on GameCube
17/03 - 7pm to 9pm is more Windwaker
22/03 - Currently TBA but likely Windwaker
24/03 - No Stream - my first #altontowers trip of 2026 although there will be regular updates here

Don't forget, #valheim fans, I'm on the #valcon team and the main event is 17th to 19th of April.

You can watch *** all *** broadcasts at https://nomenloony.tv with no apps or accounts required. You can, if you wish, validate your chat to your mastodon though.

I'm very aware I'll be needing a new photo soon as I've now lost a little weight.

#owncast #zelda #windwaker #gamecube #streamer #nintendo #valcon2026

Don't forget to follow @live for all stream updates:

Here's my updated schedule (correct as of 12th of March)

15/03 - 6pm to 9pm I'll be playing The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker on GameCube
17/03 - 7pm to 9pm is more Windwaker
22/03 - Currently TBA but likely Windwaker
24/03 - No Stream - my first #altontowers trip of 2026 although there will be regular updates here

Don't forget, #valheim fans, I'm on the #valcon team and the main event is 17th to 19th of April.

You can watch *** all *** broadcasts at https://nomenloony.tv with no apps or accounts required. You can, if you wish, validate your chat to your mastodon though.

I'm very aware I'll be needing a new photo soon as I've now lost a little weight.

#owncast #zelda #windwaker #gamecube #streamer #nintendo #valcon2026

Don't forget to follow @live for all stream updates:

Here's my updated schedule (correct as of 12th of March)

15/03 - 6pm to 9pm I'll be playing The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker on GameCube
17/03 - 7pm to 9pm is more Windwaker
22/03 - Currently TBA but likely Windwaker
24/03 - No Stream - my first #altontowers trip of 2026 although there will be regular updates here

Don't forget, #valheim fans, I'm on the #valcon team and the main event is 17th to 19th of April.

You can watch *** all *** broadcasts at https://nomenloony.tv with no apps or accounts required. You can, if you wish, validate your chat to your mastodon though.

I'm very aware I'll be needing a new photo soon as I've now lost a little weight.

#owncast #zelda #windwaker #gamecube #streamer #nintendo #valcon2026

Don't forget to follow @live for all stream updates:

Here's my updated schedule (correct as of 12th of March)

15/03 - 6pm to 9pm I'll be playing The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker on GameCube
17/03 - 7pm to 9pm is more Windwaker
22/03 - Currently TBA but likely Windwaker
24/03 - No Stream - my first #altontowers trip of 2026 although there will be regular updates here

Don't forget, #valheim fans, I'm on the #valcon team and the main event is 17th to 19th of April.

You can watch *** all *** broadcasts at https://nomenloony.tv with no apps or accounts required. You can, if you wish, validate your chat to your mastodon though.

I'm very aware I'll be needing a new photo soon as I've now lost a little weight.

#owncast #zelda #windwaker #gamecube #streamer #nintendo #valcon2026

Don't forget to follow @live for all stream updates:

Here's my updated schedule (correct as of 12th of March)

15/03 - 6pm to 9pm I'll be playing The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker on GameCube
17/03 - 7pm to 9pm is more Windwaker
22/03 - Currently TBA but likely Windwaker
24/03 - No Stream - my first #altontowers trip of 2026 although there will be regular updates here

Don't forget, #valheim fans, I'm on the #valcon team and the main event is 17th to 19th of April.

You can watch *** all *** broadcasts at https://nomenloony.tv with no apps or accounts required. You can, if you wish, validate your chat to your mastodon though.

I'm very aware I'll be needing a new photo soon as I've now lost a little weight.

#owncast #zelda #windwaker #gamecube #streamer #nintendo #valcon2026

Alton Towers launches £29 family tickets as Hey Duggee themed hotel rooms revealed

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/alton-towers-launches-29-family-33527223

Alton Towers makes 'world first' Hey Duggee addition for spring 2026

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/alton-towers-makes-world-first-33527711

Alton Towers makes 'world first' Hey Duggee addition for spring 2026

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/family-kids-news/alton-towers-makes-world-first-33527711