This page gives an insight into the design and build of the Haunted House; it also highlights the people involved and their roles.

The Haunted House came about when Alton Towers realised that the perceptions of the park by the visitors showed that it was seen as a teenager and young adults' entertainment venue. The management decided that this image had to change and a new direction to family entertainment was required. Also Disneyland Paris was due to open and Alton needed to introduce a new area to help keep them a head of the game. Originally a wooden rollercoaster was planed, through the gardens but this was rejected by planners and from this the runaway mine train and haunted house were built in its place. The plan was huge and would be developed in phases. Phase one would be to incorporate a Runaway Mine Train into an area around the Congo river rapids and flume, and this area would be rethemed into an African mining township called Katanga Canyon. It was also thought important to add gloomy wood to an area located between Katanga Canyon and Thunder Valley. The Haunted House ride would become a jewel in the Alton Towers crown for theming and experience. The ride took just over two years from ride design to opening day.

Haunted House Year of Design 1990

Haunted House Year of Opening March 1992

Haunted House Year of Closure 2002

Haunted House Reopens as Duel the Haunted House Strikes Back 2003

Director of Tussauds Park Development

John Wardley

Alton Towers Haunted House Designer

The great man behind the design of the Haunted House.

Originally John's idea to create the Haunted House was to link up the Katanga Canyon and Forbidden Valley. John thought it was important that the dark ride was situated in this particular place. To help people move between the areas and allow people to reach the Thunder Looper. After the Haunted House was built it was discovered that the Thunder Looper had to go due to planning issues. This meant that Thunder Valley needed a new attraction and this is how Nemesis came about.

For people who do not know the background of John Wardley a full biography can be found on his website, which can be visited through the links page. Johns' fascination for the world of rides stems from his family upbringing. His Auntie and Uncle were illusionist and he spent time with them getting to know how to create trick props. He began at an early age to recreate some of these props and this sparked his imagination to find work doing the thing he loved. He went to drama school and learned about stage management and then went from there to work as a stage manager at the Theater Royal Windsor. Whilst there he began working for Bray studios and Pinewood studios developing props and special effects. From here John went on to develop parts of Barry Island amusement park. This was his springboard into the world of theme parks and ride development.

Directors
Sparks Group/Sparks Creative Services

Keith Sparks		Kevin Finn

 

Creator of the theming company Sparks Creative Services based in Colchester. Alas the company closed shortly after completing the Haunted House Attraction.

Project Manager

Nick Pudney

Technical Director Sparks Group

Graham Owens

Technical design, lighting, sound, control systems and special effects.

Creator of the POD control system and multiview CCTV system. Now runs the electrical company Technovations based in Colchester.

Technical/ Wiring

Sparks

Mick Walsh

Techinical Wiring

Sparks

Nick Owens

Electrical

Subcontractors

Main Electrical Supply
RG Woodward

Workshop and Site Manager Sparks Group

Charles Cave

Designed and built scenery to the haunted house.

Scenic Construction
Subcontractors

Bruce Carter

Scenic Artwork UV Artwork and Sculpture
Head of REX Studio
Sculpture

Scenic Subcontractor

Donald Owens

Created the original model of the haunted house and many of the sculptures.

Artwork
Subcontractors

Alan Harvey

Nigel Webb

Portraits and UV Paintwork

Sculpture

Gravestones

Tussards Art Department

 

Sparks Group Designer

Barry Lee

Also redesigned the ghost corridor into the skeleton corridor.

Engineering Sparks Group

Jeremy Bloomfield

Engineering
Subcontractors

MC Seton
Mike Seton

Terry Lloyd

Andrew Harworth

 

External Construction

Subcontractors

Mike Blackman's Scenic Construction Company

Haunted House
Transit System

Mack

Kurt Even

Herr Hans Drier

Audio and Visual
Director

Kevin Finn
Keith Sparks

Videography

Peppers Ghost Effect

Audio and Visual

Subcontractor

Robin Garton

Visuals

Actors

Sir Henry Alton

Kieth Sparks

Emily Alton

Lucy Webb

Audio
Subcontractor

Haunted House Score

Graham Smart

Beulah Studios Cardiff

Haunted House Sound Effects
Director

Kevin Finn

Engineer

John Franklin

Emily Alton Vocal

Lucy Webb

Are you Scared of Spider?' Sound Effect
Victoria Webb

Haunted House

Foggers

Mist Machines

Peasoup

Development and Estates Maintenance Manager

Alton Towers

Damian Varley

Divisional Director of Operations

Alton Towers

Alan H Brown

Director of Presentation

Alton Towers

Martin Barrett

Manager of Presentation

Alton Towers

Clive Stevens