For some basic information to help people work out the costs, here are prices on tickets that combine entrance fee & train tickets.

Trains going from places around the Midlands/north of England are here:

http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/templates/Page.aspx?id=1673

People going from sort of Midlands to southern parts of England, look here:

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/altontowers/default.aspx

Anyone in any doubt, look at both and see which seems best for you. I think the prices listed may well be for select starting points as examples only and not the full list. I'm not sure.

Ticket prices only for those who drive, or for whom getting a separate train ticket & entrance ticket is cheaper, the ticket prices for Alton towers are listed here:

http://www.altontowers.com/content.php?areaid=6&pageid=136

If this is a weekend thing, then the next bit of information I am going to post will be the results of what I find when I am looking at Hotel and B&B prices. They will *NOT* be recommendations, but just the results of my googling for information.

If it is just a day thing, then all the information required has already been posted.

Other people are free to do the same and let everyone know what they come up with.

Ok if we are definiitly saying alton towers one day is best for me but if we were to do blackpool the whole weekend would be better. No-one's really said what they want to do so maybe people can help dave to make a real final decision.

is the Black Dog pub still there? i have fond memories of being thrown out of that place lol

I'm leaning more to blackpool now and you cant chicken out Han i've gotta have some company

Another site I occasionally go in is having a meet in Blackpool on 25 August, which I said I might go to. So if anyone wanted to go to that, it could be done.

...and I'll buy you a drink if I see you mjt

i'd go but knowing my passion for the "black stuff" id never get home

What we doing then dave? And ill be in blackpool that time as well mini and susie

Well if a certain person is going on the 25 i shall not

The 2nd weekend in sept is no good for me either as i am going to be the only girl on a "lads" holiday

at bandcamp?

Davey is this gonna be in Aug or sept, you firming it all up?