We are in the VERY early stages of planning a trip to the UK next spring (hopefully). The travelers are the usual suspects (Me 52, DH 53, and DS 23) and at least a fair chunk of this enterprise will involve a road trip around chunks of England and Wales.

We are planning to visit at least one theme park (and yes, we know we have them at home). We like the idea of both of these parks, but think two parks in one trip with a bunch of other agendas (some of them very weird) might be too much.

Of the two, we're leaning towards Alton Towers but it's probably a bit out of our way given some of our other definite destinations (unless we need to make a stop in Birmingham, which will swing us farther north than we otherwise would be, but still isn't next door).

We are operating on the assumption that DH is comfortable driving on the other side. He is comfortable with manual transmission, which should make car hire easier.

>>Of the two, we're leaning towards Alton Towers but it's probably a bit out of our way given some of our other definite destinations <<

That seems confusing to me that Alton Park is out of the way. It is MUCH nearer to Wales than is Thorpe Park. If you are going to be in/near London Thorpe Parks make more sense, if Wales, especially North Wales, then Alton Park. But a lot depends on where else you will be

Our actual plans are still a little hazy, but the Wales portion is likely to be south, possibly near Swansea or Tenby. Right now it's looking like a very southern east/west loop.

DH is very insistent on Wales, but he doesn't really care WHERE in Wales, and our current plan is to book several days in a holiday park or other self-catering accomodation and take some day trips.

The Dad's Army museum in Thetford is another absolute must, as is Stonehenge and the Bovington Tank Museum. I want to go to Bath, although it could be cut if necessary, also Brighton.

And we may or may not need to go to Birmingham (related to my job, not a tourism thing).

I was really trying to figure out if Alton Towers was enough "better" than Thorpe Park to justify a substantial detour.

>>but he doesn't really care WHERE in Wales, <<

There is quite a bit of difference between South Wales, the Pembroke coast and North Wales . . . But looking at your other wish lists/musts -- then South Wales and Thorpe Park make most sense.

I'd only fit in Alton Towers IF you end up going to B'ham.

He's of Welsh heritage, and has never been to Wales, and would like to go. He doesn't know where his relatives were from (and it's nearly impossible to do meaningful record searches for people named things like George and Thomas Williams). If you made me guess, I'd say South Wales, since they were coal miners when they got to Pennsylvania, but that's really all we've got to go on.

So Wales is a must, but location is unimportant (as long as it's scenic and fun, anyway).

Alton Towers seems to be a little larger/has more facilities, and we're entranced by the idea of their new Wicker Man coaster (which I will not be riding), but Thorpe Park does also seem to a quality attraction but that's a long way out of the way.

We have ruled out Thorpe Park. I spent a little more time on their website and came to the conclusion that it's small and coaster heavy, which isn't really us.

Alton Towers is still very much on the table, since it really does seem to not only be larger, but much more immersive, which is us.

Birmingham is still very much up in the air, but certain members of the party have decided that they simply must ride the largest car ferry in the world, which has added Holyhead to Dublin on the Ulysses to our itinerary. I have no idea exactly how we're going to work that logistically, but it is definitely a bucket list item.

Whatever you do, don't cut Bath. It is architecturally beautiful and historically and socially very interesting. Throw in the amazing Roman Baths and you have a wonderful, complex mix of things. The Abby is lovely and Cotswolds are close by.

It's not on the chopping block yet, but I'm the only party member with a serious investment in it, and I've been once, although it was a while ago. I'm sure DS and DH would like it, but they don't write Regency historicals, so it's less of a thing for them.