AT'03
Created | Updated Feb 15, 2003
This page is moving to A900073This event is fast becoming the highlight of my DNA meets calendar.
For the previous 2 years we have arranged a weekend long meet (Friday - Sunday) to Alton Towers, camping near by, making use of the Star Campsite, and the ever so hospitable Star Inn, for food and 
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's
We usually go for a date in September. Avoiding the peak period at the Towers, but with weather still forgiving enough for camping. No specific date set yet, but it's likely to be somewhere in that window. Any preferences? Let us know.
Useful Info
This map shows the Alton Towers area, including theme park, campsite, and pub. Alton Towers theme park is to the lower right of the map, the campsite is shown to the north and slightly west of AT, just below a place called Cotton, and the pub is literally just south-west of the campsite.
For anyone travelling by rail, a list of local stations is shown in the left hand box of this link, but main stations are Uttoxeter and Stoke-on-Trent. Last year, those travelling by train arrived at Stoke station and were taxied to the campsite by fellow researchers.
There is a bus service available, offering a service from Stoke Station to the Pub. Using this site for journey planing, closer to the expected time of travel. Choose the Stoke link, your journey will probably be from 'Stoke Station', the final destination is 'Cotton', you want to get off at the 'Star Inn'
For the insider info on what's happening (and happened) at Alton Towers, take a look at the Alton Towers Almanac.
What Happened in 2002?
Friday 13th - Sunday 15th September
Most of the group arrived late Friday afternoon, meeting at the campsite and pitching tents before leaving for the Star Inn pub1 Where we spent our evening (and some of our morning
). Some researchers were kind enough to stay sober long enough to pick up late arrivals from Stoke Station on Friday evening2.
Saturday began with an on-camp cooked breakfast of bacon butties 3, before heading off to Alton Towers, seeking thrills and spills aplenty.
On leaving the Park some of us headed back to the campsite to stoke up the BBQ's while others went supply hunting at the local supermarket. Saturday evening was then spent in the grounds of the campsite, with all enjoying a candle lit dinner under the stars, with music compliments of the BBC proms.
We returned to the Park on Sunday determined to get on everything we hadn't been on the day before, finally coming to grips with the "Virtual Queuing system" which we fully recommend you make use off as much as you can!
The Star Campsite
We stayed at The Star Caravan and Camping Park, which has pitches for tents and touring caravans, and also mobile homes to let. The campsite has free showers, a play area
and all the usual facilities. However the shop was not available to us last year, so any essentials (tea, coffee, sugar and other breakfast items) are best purchased before arrival, or brought from home.
The charge in 2002 was £4 per night per tent/caravan (unoccupied), plus £2 per person. The gates to the site close at 11.30pm and re-open at 7.45am.
Ticket Prices (2002)
Prices for 2003 are yet to be published by Alton Towers4. Last year, standard ticket prices were £22 for a day, and £31 for a pre booked 2-day ticket for. However, before leaving the park on the first day, you had the option to buy a return ticket for the next day for just £10. This is an additional bonus to any discounts got off the first day.
In 2002, we managed to acquire brochures which allowed us to get a second ticket free, when paying full-price for a day/weekend pass. There are also often special offers to be found, such as BOGOF5 vouchers.
Generally speaking, unless you really want to, there doesn't seem much need to pre-buy tickets. The one advantage of pre-buying is that you can get into the park half-an-hour earlier, assuming you are awake that early!
AT'03
If you are interested in attending, please subscribe to this page, and post your name in the forums below. You can also mail us.
Potential Attendees
If you need transport from the railway station, or are not in possession of a tent, why not post below and state your requirements. Of course, individuals are welcome to make their own accommodation arrangements, if they prefer.
