Latest
issue
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Features   Products   Company profilesProfiles   Press releasesProfiles   Magazine   Handbook   Advertise    Subscribe  
People profile
David Walliams

Comedian and children’s author


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

View contents of Spa Business 2019 issue 4
David Walliams has sold more than 33 million copies of his children’s books
David Walliams has sold more than 33 million copies of his children’s books
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]

Introducing Silent Loads: Wildsmith’s newest advancement in personalised wellbeing
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa guests with precision and depth. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Power Plate

Power Plate is owned, manufactured and distributed by Northbrook, Ill.-based Performance Health Syst [more...]
HPO.Tech Hyperbaric Systems

Founded in 2020 in Istanbul, HPO.Tech combines 15+ years of expertise in hyperbaric technology, divi [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
SPA BUSINESS
SPA OPPORTUNITIES
SPA BUSINESS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Uniting the world of spa & wellness
Get Spa Business and Spa Business insider digital magazines FREE
Sign up here ▸
News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
People profile
David Walliams

Comedian and children’s author


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

View contents of Spa Business 2019 issue 4
David Walliams has sold more than 33 million copies of his children’s books
David Walliams has sold more than 33 million copies of his children’s books
LATEST NEWS
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
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 offers ocean-themed yoga for Global Wellness Day
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).
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
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.
Hoshino Resorts combats summer heat with medically-supervised cool bathing programme for KAI onsen
Hoshino Resorts has developed a “Cool-down onsen soak” programme at properties with Japanese onsen facilities – those within the company’s KAI brand.
Rainforest immersion and mindfulness are on offer at The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, for Global Wellness Day
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 launches AI-powered platform to deliver longevity medicine at scale
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 announces new wellness destination in Hyderabad
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.
The Retreat Costa Rica debuts Vida Mía Longevity Centre
Luxury wellness resort, The Retreat Costa Rica, has introduced its Vida Mía Longevity Centre at the property’s Vida Mía Healing Centre and Spa.
Almost half of spa survey respondents are unaware cancer is a disability and not adapting treatments is discrimination
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
Solmar Hotels and Resorts offers Temazcal ceremony for Global Wellness Day
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 announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Healing sanctuary Tulah Clinical Wellness opens in Kerala
Tulah Clinical Wellness, a holistic wellness destination, has officially opened in the hills of northern Kerala, India.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. - bespoke means moving beyond the catalogue to delivering contextual design responses
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness environments. [more...]

Introducing Silent Loads: Wildsmith’s newest advancement in personalised wellbeing
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa guests with precision and depth. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
Power Plate

Power Plate is owned, manufactured and distributed by Northbrook, Ill.-based Performance Health Syst [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
09-12 Jun 2026

W3Spa EMEA

Hotel Cascais Miragem Health & Spa, Portugal
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS