Alton Towers is one of the UK's most popular theme parks with thousands of people visiting each year to take on its many heart-racing roller coaster rides. Yet to get to the theme park, visitors have to navigate the winding roads of the picturesque village that lies next door.
The small village of Alton is neighbours to the busy attraction and has a population of 2,500. The Staffordshire village is surrounded by rolling hills and the River Churnet. During the summer months, park goers drive through the village to make their way to Alton Towers.
Derbyshire Live reports that residents in Alton even include a couple who deliberately moved to the village so they could be near Alton Towers because they love rollercoasters. Kim Greenwood, 55, has lived on the corner of the main road going through Alton since 2004.
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She said: "Me and my husband initially moved here because we wanted to be close to the park. When we came here, it seemed that no-one wanted to live here but now everyone seems to. And the traffic; we are not bothered about because like I said, we love rollercoasters and most people who travel through here are happy, leave no litter and respect the village."
Yvonne Matthews, 77, has lived in Alton since she was a child. She said: "It has changed so much since I was a little girl. The village used to be so small you wouldn't even know you was here, but now, of course, it's famous all over the world. I do miss the village how it once was as it can get very busy in the summer months, but it's not all bad as the shops and facilities in Alton now make my life a lot easier."
Damien Young, 24, grew up in Alton and said: "I've only ever known Alton to be what it is today. I love living here as we're out in the sticks but also close to the best theme park in the country and near to Uttoxeter with all that it's got to offer for people my age."
Janette Pickford, general manager of The Bridge House Hotel and Restaurant in Alton, said: "The theme park impacts greatly on our business greatly where we need extra staff in the summer months for all the extra customers.
"We are also part of a great community which also helps and living here people forget that there is so much more than just the theme park. There are some excellent walks and castles around here which we all love and people don't know about.
"We have a large beer garden which can get very busy with tourists in the summer. But overall I think you ask most people in the village and they love living here because of the community and beauty that surrounds you."
Margaret Boot, 75, owns Wisteria Cottage B&B in the village and has lived in Alton for 51 years. She said: "The park ultimately benefits us because I do a bed and breakfast service.
"The village hasn't changed too much other than the new houses being built. And for people who live away from the main road, the traffic down here doesn't bother us that much and we're just used to it."
Property
Properties in Alton went for an average of £444,500 last year, according to estate agent Rightmove. Prices in Alton over the last year were 31 per cent up on the previous year and 25 per cent up on the 2017 peak of £355,214.
The most expensive property sold in the village the last year on Rightmove was a four-bedroom detached house with a large garden and driveway which sold for £585,000. The cheapest was a three-bedroom detached bungalow costing £267,750, boasting a stylish conservatory and large back garden.
Within Alton, there are 63 listed buildings that are recorded on the National Heritage List for England. Of these, one is listed at Grade I, the highest of the three grades, six are at Grade II*, the middle grade, and the rest are at Grade II, the lowest grade, with most of the listed buildings being houses and associated structures, cottages, farmhouses and farm buildings.
Pubs, food, shops and other facilities
Alton residents have a collection of facilities, including numerous pubs and hotels, a Londis convenience, a newsagents, independent businesses, a village hall and several youth centres, including Alton Castle.
The village also has three churches, St Leonard's, St Peter's, St John's and Alton Methodist Church. The first three churches are listed buildings and still serve the people of Alton in their religious beliefs.
Transport
Alton has direct access to Alton Towers in the north via Farley Lane, where 670,000 people travel each year with many using the thin country road and Denstone to the east on the B5032. Cheadle is also within direct access to the west on the same road.
As for public transport, Alton is not connected by rail, but there is a bus route that connects the village to Uttoxeter and Stafford on the X41 Chaserider. The village was once served by the Alton railway station which was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway on July 13, 1849, but it has been closed since January 1965 and is now used as a walking path.
Schools
Alton doesn't have any secondary schools, however there is a primary school in the village in St Peters Church of England School. In its most recent Ofsted report in 2017,it was rated as 'good'.
