15 Adrenaline-Pumping Days Out in Staffordshire

It's #RollercoasterDay once again this weekend (Sunday 16th August), and there's nowhere better to get a rush than Staffordshire.

Here's 15 great ways for thrill-seekers to get their kicks in the adrenaline capital of the UK!

Rollercoaster Rushes

With two of the UK's top theme parks in Staffordshire, there's plenty of rollercoasters to choose from.

At Alton Towers Resort, Wicker Man is the first wooden rollercoaster built in the UK for 21 years, while Rita goes from 0-60 in 2.5 seconds, and The Smiler has a world record 14 loops. 

Meanwhile, Drayton Manor Theme Park boasts Shockwave, the first stand-up coaster in Europe, and Apocalypse - the UK's scariest ride according to Channel 5's The Gadget Show!

For younger thrill-seekers, try out CBeebies Land at Alton Towers, where you'll find rides themed around shows like In The Night Garden, Octonauts and Peter Rabbit.

And, at Drayton Manor Park, Europe's only Thomas Land is home of the Troublesome Trucks coaster, James and the Red Balloon, and more fun with Thomas and Friends.

Please be aware that booking in advance is required for Alton Towers and Drayton Manor, and you will be asked to wear a face covering too, in line with current Government and public health guidelines.

Challenging Climbs

The Staffordshire Peak District is a hotspot for climbing, with more than 700 climbs in The Roaches alone!

Ramshaw Rocks and Hen Cloud are popular, with named climbs which range in difficulty from beginner to expert.

Some, like Valkyrie, are renowned with rock-climbers because they are so challenging.

Away from The Roaches, you could test yourself on Beeston Tor in the Manifold Valley, while Dovedale Craggs on the border with Derbyshire is also a popular spot.

If you're new to climbing, try Kilnworx in Stoke-on-Trent, the ideal training ground offering top rope and lead climbing on 13m high walls!

Please note, booking in advance is required for Kilnworx.

Mountain Bike Mayhem

There are some inviting trails at Birches Valley on Cannock Chase for mountain bikers.

For beginners there is the Follow the Dog Trail, complete with the 'Stegosaurus Rock Garden' and the 'Tackeroo Blast'.

For the more daring rider, The Monkey Trail is more demanding, with black options, jumps, drops and the epic 'Lower Cliff' descent.

The Cannock Chase mountain-bike trails are so challenging they have been chosen to host the MTB racing events at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Image: Andy McCoy

High ropes heaven

With no fewer than four in the county, Staffordshire has to be the UK capital for zip-wires!

Fly through the trees on the zip-wires at Go Ape Cannock Chase, or rise to the challenge at Planters Sky Trail Adventure.

Brave the tight ropes, mid-air jumps and loads more obstacles at Treetop Adventure at The Trentham Estate.

And in the Adventure Playground at Weston Park, you'll find one of the longest double zip-wires in the country!

Slides, Spins and Switches

There are plenty of indoor, all-weather thrills to be had in Staffordshire too!

For some chilled craziness, zoom around the ice rink and hurtle down the slopes on real snow on your snowboard or skis at the SnowDome.

If you prefer your fun at the other end of the temperature scale, you could try a wet and wild adventure in the tropics at Waterworld in Stoke-on-Trent.

Dare you take on The Nucleus, the water rollercoaster, or one of the four new rides of Tornado Alley, including the exhilerating Thunderbolt, the UK's first-ever trap door water flume?

Other adrenaline attractions in Staffordshire

If you prefer your kicks on four wheels, head for Drive Me near Stafford, and have a blast around the track in a supercar, motor-racing madness in the Formula Renault single seaters, or an off-road thrash in a rally car!

Experience outdoor karting at its best at Midland Karting or take your own supercar for a spin at Curborough Sprint Course!

Or why not bounce off the walls at Flip Out, Staffordshire's leading trampoline park, home to 123 trampolines, three wall runners, an inflatable assault course and even a jump tower?

Please note, some of the areas at Flip Out may still be closed due to Government COVID-19 regulations.

More things to do in Staffordshire

For everything you need to know about theme parks, zoos and animal attractions, and family-friendly days out, head to our Things To Do section.