Go Back To: .Gloomy Woods. .Mutiny Bay.
Fearless families visiting Alton Towers this season will be able to brave a visit to the Haunted Hollow, if they dare to take the short-cut to Gloomy Wood. Following the root of the old Park Railway that closed in 1996, the hollow is located in an area of Alton Towers’ ancient and wild woodland.Entering the Haunted Hollow from Mutiny Bay, unwary guests are greeted with the Earl's Tomb, a reputedly haunted memorial to one of the park's previous owners. The years have not been kind to this old monument and the cracks along it's sides bare testimony to this, perhaps allowing foolhardy guests to take a peak inside.
Following the path along from here, visitors may be able to hear the ghostly quacking of the multitude of ducks which have lived and died at the park over the years, but this is soon drowned out by the guffawing of two of the park's friendlier spirits. These are Bernard Grumblebum and Edwin Mutterson, whose tombs can be found along the route, and who even beyond the grave enjoy a good bit of banter.You may choose to stay a while and listen in on these giggling ghouls, though the braver amongst you might venture on until you come across an abandoned hearse. Whilst you might wonder what has become of the driver, the much more pressing question is the whereabouts of his passenger, as the coffin inside lies empty for all to see. Perhaps the driver heard the call of the maiden and has taken shelter in her chamber just over the way? Dare you follow him?
Not far beyond the hearse you will emerge into a lakeside clearing, which houses the tombs of several of the musicians who have brought music into the estate over the centuries. Some say that if you stand at the foot of their graves you can sometimes still hear their ghostly music floating up from the ground below.
From here it is just a short walk up the hill before you can escape from the Haunted Hollow and into the relative normality of Gloomy Wood, however first you must pass between the monuments of those who have served within the Towers over the years. Tread quietly and they may just pass on a message from beyond the grave.
FactFile
Opened - 2007
Manufacturer - Tussauds Studios
Cost - £250,000
