If you’ve ever found yourself fascinated by the rich history behind Alton Towers, there’s a brand-new reason to venture into the historic Towers ruins this summer.
A limited-time Alton Towers Exhibition has opened inside the beautifully restored Chapel, offering guests a rare opportunity to explore more than 200 years of Alton Towers history through an impressive collection of artwork, memorabilia and archive artefacts.
Best of all? Entry is completely free with your theme park ticket.
What is the Alton Towers Exhibition?
Running from 18th July until 28th August 2026, the exhibition has transformed the historic Chapel into a miniature museum celebrating the incredible story of Alton Towers, from its days as a grand country estate through to its evolution into one of the world’s most famous theme parks.
Visitors can browse a carefully curated selection of items taken from the resort’s archives, including:
- Historic paintings and artwork
- Vintage promotional posters
- Original attraction signage
- Rare memorabilia
- Archive photographs
- Treasured artefacts spanning generations of Alton Towers history
Many of the exhibits have rarely, if ever, been displayed publicly, making this a must-see for enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Over 200 Years of History
While many guests know Alton Towers for its world-class rollercoasters like Nemesis Reborn, Wicker Man and Oblivion, the site’s history stretches back centuries.
Long before the first coaster arrived in 1980, the estate was home to the Earls of Shrewsbury, featuring magnificent gardens, gothic architecture and one of Britain’s most recognisable country houses. Throughout the years the estate evolved from stately home to pleasure gardens before eventually becoming the UK’s premier theme park destination.
The exhibition celebrates every chapter of that journey, making it just as interesting for history enthusiasts as it is for thrill-seekers.
A Perfect Home Inside The Chapel
The exhibition couldn’t have found a more fitting location.
Situated within the historic Towers ruins, the Chapel is one of the estate’s most beautiful surviving spaces. Its gothic architecture provides the perfect backdrop for showcasing the resort’s extensive archive and creates an atmosphere that simply couldn’t be replicated elsewhere.
For many guests, it’s also a fantastic excuse to spend more time exploring the Towers themselves—an area that often gets overlooked in favour of rushing between rides.
Practical Information
Location: The Chapel inside the Towers ruins
Dates: 18th July – 28th August 2026
Opening Times: Daily from 11:00am
Admission: Included with all standard Alton Towers theme park tickets.
Our Thoughts
As lifelong fans of Alton Towers, it’s genuinely fantastic to see the resort embracing its heritage and opening more of its archive for guests to enjoy.
Alton Towers has one of the richest histories of any theme park in Europe, yet much of that story has remained hidden away for years. Seeing original artwork, classic attraction memorabilia and historic artefacts displayed together helps tell the remarkable story of how the estate has evolved across more than two centuries.
We hope this proves popular enough to inspire a permanent museum or heritage exhibition in the future. Judging by the reaction from enthusiasts already visiting the exhibition, there’s certainly an appetite for it.
If you’re visiting Alton Towers before 28th August, we’d highly recommend taking half an hour away from the rides to experience this unique exhibition. Whether you’ve been visiting the park for decades or you’re discovering it for the very first time, it’s a wonderful reminder that there’s so much more to Alton Towers than just rollercoasters.
