Corkscrew (Alton Towers)

The Corkscrew was a steel roller coaster located at Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire, England. It operated from 1980 to 2008 and was notable for being the first roller coaster in the United Kingdom to feature three inversions. Designed by Anton Schwarzkopf, the ride was a prominent landmark within the park for nearly three decades.

The layout consisted of a lift hill, followed by a series of drops and turns leading into the signature double corkscrew element, where the track spiraled riders upside down twice in rapid succession. After the corkscrews, the ride concluded with a final turn and brake run.

Over its lifespan, the Corkscrew became synonymous with Alton Towers and was a popular ride amongst park visitors. However, advancements in roller coaster technology and the introduction of newer, more innovative attractions led to its eventual closure and removal. The ride was dismantled and sold for scrap metal. Although no longer present, the Corkscrew is fondly remembered by many as a significant part of Alton Towers' history and a pioneering coaster in the UK amusement park scene.