Planning a family weekend near Alton Towers? You’re in the right place. Whether it’s your first visit or a returning trip, the area around Alton Towers in Staffordshire has plenty to keep families busy beyond the theme park itself. From woodland walks and farm visits to quiet evenings in a hot tub while the kids sleep, this guide covers everything you need for a memorable two or three night break.
Where to Stay: Quarry Walk Park
Before you plan the days, you need the right base. And for families visiting Alton Towers, Quarry Walk Park is hard to beat.
Nestled in 46 acres of Staffordshire woodland and just 10 minutes from Alton Towers, Quarry Walk Park is an award-winning self-catering retreat offering log cabins, glamping pods, and lodges, all designed for families who want comfort in the countryside. It strikes the balance that many parents need: close enough to the theme park, but far enough away to feel like a proper break.
Accommodation options for families
Log Cabins are ideal if you are travelling with children who need their own space. Cabins like the Badger Plus Log Cabin and the Owl Garden Log Cabin offer generous layouts with fully equipped kitchens, meaning you can cook proper meals and keep costs down across the weekend.
Lodges with hot tubs are perfect for families who want a treat after a big day at the park. The Fox Lodge and Fox Plus Lodge include private hot tubs, so once the kids are in bed, parents can unwind under the stars.
Glamping Pods work well for families who want something a little different. The Daisy Plus Glamping Pod and Bluebell Plus are cosy, well-equipped, and surrounded by trees.
Pets also travel free for 2026 stays (use code PET26 at booking), so there is no need to worry about leaving the dog behind.
Ready to book your family break? Check availability and book your stay at Quarry Walk Park
Sample Family Weekend Itinerary
Here is a suggested two-night, three-day itinerary. Adjust it to suit your children’s ages and energy levels.
Friday Evening: Arrive and Settle In
Arrive at Quarry Walk Park in the late afternoon. Once you have checked in and the children have had a run around, take a gentle stroll through the woodland on-site. The park sits within 46 acres of Staffordshire countryside, so there is usually plenty of wildlife to spot, including foxes, deer, and woodland birds.
Get an early night if you are heading to Alton Towers the next morning. Pick up supplies on the way in, as the self-catering kitchens are fully equipped and cooking your own breakfast will save you a significant amount over the weekend.
Saturday: Alton Towers
This is the main event. Alton Towers is approximately 10 minutes from Quarry Walk Park by car, making it easy to head out early and get a full day in.
Tips for visiting Alton Towers with family:
- Book your tickets online in advance to avoid queues and save money at the gate.
- Arrive early. The first hour of the day is typically the quietest and the best time to tackle the most popular rides.
- CBeebies Land is perfect for younger children (under 7) and is often less crowded in the afternoons.
- Scarefest and Fireworks events run in autumn if you are visiting in October or November.
- Splash Landings is great for warmer months, but note it requires a separate ticket.
After a long day at the park, return to Quarry Walk Park and treat the family to a barbecue or a simple dinner in your cabin. If you have booked a lodge with a hot tub, this is the evening to use it.
Sunday: Explore the Local Area
One of the best things about staying at Quarry Walk Park is that it sits in a part of Staffordshire that has a lot more to offer than just Alton Towers. Sunday is the ideal day to slow things down and explore.
Ideas for Sunday:
- Trentham Gardens is about 25 minutes from the park and is a brilliant family day out. There is a large woodland adventure playground, boat hire on the lake, and formal Italian gardens to walk around. It is a welcome contrast to the theme park buzz of Saturday.
- Cannock Chase is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty roughly 40 minutes away. There are miles of walking and cycling trails, a Go Ape site, and plenty of open space for children to burn off energy. Deer are commonly spotted here too.
- Foxfield Colliery is a preserved steam railway about 15 minutes from the park. It runs on select weekends and is a genuinely unique experience, especially for children who love trains.
- Chesterton Windmill is a short drive and offers easy walks with views across the Staffordshire countryside. It is free to visit and a lovely quiet way to round off the weekend.
If your children are dog walkers too, the Staffordshire countryside around the park is laced with footpaths. Read more about the best routes in our blog post: The Best Dog-Friendly Walks in Staffordshire Near Alton Towers
Sunday Evening: Wind Down Before the Drive Home
If you are checking out on Monday, use Sunday evening to pack up, do a final load in the dishwasher, and let the children enjoy one last walk around the woodland. Many families find this quieter final evening is the part of the weekend the children remember most, away from screens and with nothing to rush for.
Why Quarry Walk Park Works So Well for Families
There are a few things that make Quarry Walk Park stand out for family trips in particular.
- Self-catering flexibility. Having a full kitchen means you can feed fussy eaters without restaurant stress, keep costs sensible, and eat at times that suit your family rather than waiting for a table.
- Space to roam. The 46 acres of woodland are accessible to guests, giving children somewhere to run, explore, and decompress after busy days.
- Private accommodation. Unlike hotels, your cabin, pod, or lodge is entirely yours. There are no shared spaces, no noise from neighbouring rooms, and no worry about children disturbing other guests.
- Sustainability. Quarry Walk Park takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. If that matters to your family, you can read more about their approach on the sustainability page.
- Award-winning. The park has been recognised at the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards, including a Gold win in 2026. You can read more about this in the blog: Quarry Walk Park Celebrates Gold Win at Staffordshire Tourism Awards
Practical Tips for Your Weekend
- Packing list essentials: Wellies or sturdy shoes for woodland walks, swimwear if your accommodation has a hot tub, a bag for wet clothes, and a few rainy-day activities (cards, a board game) in case the weather turns.
- Getting there: Quarry Walk Park is in Freehay, Cheadle, Staffordshire. It is well signposted and easily reached from the M6 or A50. Postcode for sat nav: ST10 1RF.
- Pets: Dogs are welcome and travel free in 2026 with code PET26. Keep them on leads around the woodland and bring their food and bedding.
- Catering: There are supermarkets in Cheadle and Uttoxeter nearby for topping up supplies. The park also provides a handy shopping list guide to help you plan.
- Holiday extras: Quarry Walk Park offers optional extras to add to your booking, such as welcome hampers and activity packs. Browse the full range on the holiday extras page.
More Inspiration from the Quarry Walk Park Blog
Looking for more ideas to plan your stay? These blog posts are worth a read before you arrive:
- Where to Stay Near Alton Towers: Lodges, Cabins and Glamping Options – a full overview of the accommodation types available.
- Discover Unique Places to Stay in Staffordshire – great if you are still deciding whether Quarry Walk Park is right for your family.
- The Best Dog-Friendly Walks in Staffordshire Near Alton Towers – essential reading if you are bringing the dog.
- Digital Detox Package at Quarry Walk Park – a genuinely lovely idea for families who want to reconnect without screens.
Book Your Family Weekend Near Alton Towers
Dates fill up quickly, particularly in the school holidays and over summer weekends. If you have a trip in mind, it is worth checking availability sooner rather than later.
Check availability and book your stay at Quarry Walk Park
You can also call the team directly on 01538 723412 or email quarry@quarrywalkpark.co.uk if you have any questions about which accommodation would suit your family best.
A family weekend near Alton Towers does not have to mean a budget hotel and a rushed schedule. With the right base, it can be genuinely relaxing as well as exciting, the kind of trip the whole family talks about on the way home.