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Best known for his comedy partnership with Matt Lucas on Little Britain and as a judge on the ITV show Britain's Got Talent, David Walliams has also become a successful children's author, selling more than 33 million copies of his works worldwide.
Adapted into Christmas specials, TV series, musicals and more, Walliam's works are now set to enter the world of attractions, with a new addition coming to the Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire, UK.
"I've been working with Alton Towers on a brand new ride inspired by my children's books," the author says.
Set to open in Q2 2020, Walliams has been working with HarperCollins Children's Books and Merlin Magic Making on the project for the last two years. The development will centre around Alton Towers' existing Cloud Cuckoo Land area, complementing the existing CBeebies Land, which opened in 2014.
Known as The World of Walliams, the addition will feature a "ground-breaking, unique headline attraction", as a number of attractions and characters, which will be brought to life across the theme park and within the wider resort’s hotels. The new ride is already under construction, with work starting earlier this year.
Walliams wrote his first children's book in 2008 and has since gone on to publish 12 kids' novels, as well as a number of collections of short stories and picture books. In 2018, he was named the UK's best selling author for the second year.
Among Walliams' most popular titles are The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink and The World's Worst Children. All of these titles and more could be part of the attraction, though Alton Towers is remaining tight-lipped about what will actually feature.
"It’s a huge thrill for some of my favourite characters to be getting their own attractions at Alton Towers," says Walliams. "I can’t wait to experience them for myself, and from all the work that has gone in, I think people are going to love it. All will be revealed next year."
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Yves Pépin
A man whose spectaculars have been
witnessed by billions, Yves Pépin
speaks about his trail-blazing career
Rides: Supersonic
We take a look at some of the most
significant ride openings around the world
Preview: Rulantica Rising
Germany’s top theme park is about to
launch a €180m addition with the opening of its long-awaited second
gate. Attractions Management looks
at Rulantica and how the new
waterpark addition is taking shape
Theme Parks: Parisian Magic
Daniel Delcourt and David Wilson
share more about Disney’s €2bn
expansion of Disneyland Paris
Promotional feature: Simworx Ltd
CEO, Terry Monkton, takes
us through the development of two unique projects, from conception to creation
Waterparks: Water World
Debrecen in Hungary is gaining an iconic
new addition – a US$30.1m waterpark
Promotional feature: WhiteWater
WhiteWater’s Una deBoer tells us
how the company maintains elite safety standards
in waterparks and the steps operators can take
to improve safety across the entire industry
Operations: Disaster Management
What can be learned from the experiences
of those unfortunate operators who have
had to react when disaster strikes?
Exhibitions: World Tour
Kath Hudson looks at the potential of the
pop-up and touring exhibition market
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
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Best known for his comedy partnership with Matt Lucas on Little Britain and as a judge on the ITV show Britain's Got Talent, David Walliams has also become a successful children's author, selling more than 33 million copies of his works worldwide.
Adapted into Christmas specials, TV series, musicals and more, Walliam's works are now set to enter the world of attractions, with a new addition coming to the Alton Towers theme park in Staffordshire, UK.
"I've been working with Alton Towers on a brand new ride inspired by my children's books," the author says.
Set to open in Q2 2020, Walliams has been working with HarperCollins Children's Books and Merlin Magic Making on the project for the last two years. The development will centre around Alton Towers' existing Cloud Cuckoo Land area, complementing the existing CBeebies Land, which opened in 2014.
Known as The World of Walliams, the addition will feature a "ground-breaking, unique headline attraction", as a number of attractions and characters, which will be brought to life across the theme park and within the wider resort’s hotels. The new ride is already under construction, with work starting earlier this year.
Walliams wrote his first children's book in 2008 and has since gone on to publish 12 kids' novels, as well as a number of collections of short stories and picture books. In 2018, he was named the UK's best selling author for the second year.
Among Walliams' most popular titles are The Boy in the Dress, Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink and The World's Worst Children. All of these titles and more could be part of the attraction, though Alton Towers is remaining tight-lipped about what will actually feature.
"It’s a huge thrill for some of my favourite characters to be getting their own attractions at Alton Towers," says Walliams. "I can’t wait to experience them for myself, and from all the work that has gone in, I think people are going to love it. All will be revealed next year."
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Interview: Yves Pépin
A man whose spectaculars have been
witnessed by billions, Yves Pépin
speaks about his trail-blazing career
Rides: Supersonic
We take a look at some of the most
significant ride openings around the world
Preview: Rulantica Rising
Germany’s top theme park is about to
launch a €180m addition with the opening of its long-awaited second
gate. Attractions Management looks
at Rulantica and how the new
waterpark addition is taking shape
Theme Parks: Parisian Magic
Daniel Delcourt and David Wilson
share more about Disney’s €2bn
expansion of Disneyland Paris
Promotional feature: Simworx Ltd
CEO, Terry Monkton, takes
us through the development of two unique projects, from conception to creation
Waterparks: Water World
Debrecen in Hungary is gaining an iconic
new addition – a US$30.1m waterpark
Promotional feature: WhiteWater
WhiteWater’s Una deBoer tells us
how the company maintains elite safety standards
in waterparks and the steps operators can take
to improve safety across the entire industry
Operations: Disaster Management
What can be learned from the experiences
of those unfortunate operators who have
had to react when disaster strikes?
Exhibitions: World Tour
Kath Hudson looks at the potential of the
pop-up and touring exhibition market
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
RKF Luxury Linen RKF Luxury Linen, established in the East of France for several decades, owns an artisanal know-how [more...]
