Alton Towers is a popular theme park located in Staffordshire, England. It is known for its thrilling rides, attractions, and entertainment. However, there have been claims and stories about the park being associated with witchcraft. These claims are rooted in the history of the area where Alton Towers is located. The park sits on the grounds of what was once Alton Towers, a stately home that dates back to the 16th century. The history of the area is filled with tales of witch trials and witchcraft.
A complaint was made by Wendy McCann, a frequent customer at Merlin attractions, including Alton Towers, after her 23-year-old son returned to Alton Towers with friends and found to his amazement that the self-described “family-friendly” resort was now selling Ouija items.
Both Ouija boards and Ouija skulls were recently available to purchase in the Halloween display at Gloomy Wood, a small gothic area of the Staffordshire theme park. From the frantically funny to the seriously spooky, each show will introduce you to a real historical person from a key moment in Staffordshire s history.
The history of the area is filled with tales of witch trials and witchcraft. One story that is often mentioned is the tale of the "Witch of Burslem." It is said that a witch named Molly Leigh lived in the nearby town of Burslem and was accused of practicing witchcraft.
Alton Towers defends sale of Ouija boards in ‘Spooks R Us’ range
Alton Towers Resort has defended its sale of Ouija boards and other occult items after a formal complaint was made.
Both Ouija boards and Ouija skulls were recently available to purchase in the Halloween display at Gloomy Wood, a small “gothic” area of the Staffordshire theme park.
A complaint was made by Wendy McCann, a frequent customer at Merlin attractions, including Alton Towers, after her 23-year-old son returned to Alton Towers with friends and found to his amazement that the self-described “family-friendly” resort was now selling Ouija items.
Wendy McCann said to the Catholic Herald that, “knowing that mental health issues are big news these days, and good mental health is so important especially for our youth, I feel it quite inappropriate for such items to be sold and so readily available”.
“I really thought more people would be horrified at these things being sold in a family resort shop,” she said. “Surely I am not the only person who thinks that this is unacceptable?”
McCann added that she enjoyed celebrating Halloween, “but not to dabble with the occult or try to conjure up dead people or demons. These boards are not to be taken lightly”.
Ouija boards, often commercially known as “spirit boards” after Hasbro trademarked the name “Ouija”, were originally intended by Spiritualists as a way to contact spirits, including demons and the dead, by spelling out messages with a planchette.
The spirit board on sale, part of Nemesis Now’s “Witchcraft Collection”, is advertised online as being “one of the most powerful occult tools there is.”
The Nemesis Now website includes a “warning to use with caution,” because “the power of the spirit world is not something to take lightly”.
Though McCann is still awaiting a response from Merlin’s Head Office in Poole, Dorset, she did receive a letter from Kate McBirnie, Head of Product Excellence at Alton Towers, who defended the resort’s sale of the Ouija boards.
In the letter obtained by the Catholic Herald, McBirnie said that “Alton Towers Resort endeavours to sell a wide-range of souvenirs and merchandise to appeal to a variety of interests and guests during their visit.”
“The Spirit Board is part of our extensive ‘Spooks R Us’ range,” she explained. “This item is only sold to guests over the age of 18 and is labelled with a suitable warning. Spirit Boards are legal and widely available from numerous brands and high-street retailers. We understand that what is acceptable to one customer may not be to another and are sorry to learn this item has caused offense.”
Poundland similarly came under fire recently on social media for selling £1 Ouija boards in their stores’ Halloween sections.
One person tweeted that the “last thing we needed in 2020 was poundland to start selling Ouija boards”, whilst another commented: “open the gates to hell why don’t ya?”
Poundland initially brushed off the criticism: “Poundland is the home for Halloween and the Spirit Board is part of this year’s extensive Halloween Decoration range. We understand the spirits shook in disbelief when they were told it was only £1. Just wait until people see the Voodoo dolls.”
But on October 4, Poundland stores in Northern Ireland removed the item from all their displays. A spokesman said at the time: “We had a message from the spirits to make the handful that were left vanish.”
DUP MP Gregory Campbell, who has campaigned in the past for Ouija boards to be regulated, said: “I’m glad [Poundland] did withdraw them after complaints, but it’s a lesson for retailers to examine the product they put on their shelves before they have actually made it for sale.”
“Any responsible retailer has an obligation to look at the product they have for sale, especially if they believe young people might see something that would be attractive to them and could possibly be used to bring upon them an influence to dabble in other material that would be unsafe for them.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Photograph of Ouija items on sale at Alton Towers, provided courtesy of Wendy McCann.
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You are guilty! So you are going on a little trip down the black river beneath Alton Towers. Step into the boat and take in the sights and… errr… smells of the Alton Towers Dungeons. Say hi to some of the Dungeons residents… don’t worry if they don’t wave… they’re a little tied up!
Some believe that her spirit haunts the grounds of Alton Towers, bringing with it a sense of spookiness and supernatural occurrences. Another story that adds to the witchcraft lore of Alton Towers is that of "Old Mother Letheringham." According to local legends, she was a healing witch who lived in the area in the 18th century. It is said that her powers and rituals can still be felt in certain parts of the park, adding an eerie ambiance to the surroundings. While these stories are fascinating and add to the mystique of the park, there is no concrete evidence to support the claims of witchcraft. Alton Towers is a modern theme park, and any spooky occurrences can be attributed to the park's ambiance and design rather than actual witchcraft. However, Alton Towers has capitalized on the witchcraft theme by including it in some of its attractions. The park has a haunted house ride called "Hex - Legend of the Towers," which incorporates elements of witchcraft and mysticism. This ride is popular among visitors who are seeking thrills and a touch of the supernatural. In conclusion, while Alton Towers has been associated with witchcraft due to the historical tales and legends of the area, there is no concrete evidence to support these claims. The park's popularity and success lie in its thrilling rides and attractions rather than any supernatural forces. Nonetheless, the myth and allure of witchcraft add a certain mystique to the Alton Towers experience, making it an intriguing destination for thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike..
Reviews for "The Witches of Alton Towers: Legends and Lore"
1. Emily - 1/5 Stars - I was extremely disappointed with the Alton Towers Witchcraft experience. The scares were predictable and lacked originality. There were hardly any actors throughout the attraction, and the few that were present seemed unenthusiastic and bored. The storyline was also confusing and hard to follow, leaving me feeling disconnected from the experience. Overall, it was a complete letdown, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a thrilling and immersive scare.
2. James - 2/5 Stars - Alton Towers Witchcraft fell short of my expectations. The set design and atmosphere were decent, but the scares were minimal and unimpressive. I anticipated more intense moments and creative surprises, but it felt like a lackluster walkthrough with no real thrills. Additionally, the ticket prices were relatively high for what it had to offer. I left feeling underwhelmed and wishing I had chosen a different attraction for my day at the park.
3. Sarah - 2/5 Stars - I found Alton Towers Witchcraft to be quite underwhelming. The hype surrounding it led me to believe it would be a chilling and intense experience, but it turned out to be quite the opposite. The scares were extremely predictable, and the limited number of actors did not enhance the atmosphere. The only positive aspect was the set design, which was visually appealing, but that alone couldn't make up for the lack of substance in terms of scares and overall excitement.
4. Mark - 1/5 Stars - Alton Towers Witchcraft was a complete waste of time and money. The scares were incredibly tame, and the whole experience felt uninspired and lacking in creativity. It seemed like the attraction was thrown together without much thought or effort. The actors were unconvincing, and the storyline was confusing and poorly executed. Save your money and opt for a different haunt that will actually provide a thrilling and memorable experience. This one is not worth the visit.