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Alton Towers
IT may seem a little far for a day out but it can be done in one day - just! The country boasts a number of fantastic theme parks but Alton Towers is the one for thrill-seekers.
The park quite literally sweeps you off your feet and spins you around on ride after ride of exhilarating roller coasters.
I recently visited with my nephew and two of his adrenalin junkie friends to see if they had what it takes to take on some of the fastest rides in Europe.
We went on a busy weekend, so as soon as we arrived we grabbed a map and headed straight for one of the big rides' - Nemesis.
This was the first ever leg-free roller coaster in Europe when it opened in 1994 and still packs a fearful punch. Scary music and blood-dyed waterfalls give a taste of what's to come as you queue. The ride itself reaches speeds of up to 80kph.
Next up was the ground-breaking AIR. This had the longest queue at one hour - this was clearly a must!
As the ride starts, your chair tilts so you're left hanging horizontally, flying' face-down to the ground.
It's fast too, leaving you with your adrenalin pumping and your heart in your mouth.
After so much excitement it was time to cool down on one of the many water rides.
Calm restored, we took on the next challenge: Oblivion. The world's only vertical drop roller coaster is not for the faint-hearted. After climbing a steep incline the ride leaves you hanging face first over the abyss, before plummeting 60 metres into a pitch black hole at 110kph.
The park is full of rides for the whole family not just thrill seekers.
Whichever rides you choose you will definitely leave with a smile on your face - we certainly did.
3:19pm Friday 11th July 2008
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