Quick answer: Visitors can hire single or double buggies near the Alton Towers entrance, subject to availability. Children must meet the height rule, the buggies are not suitable for babies, and rentals do not include rain covers or storage compartments.
Can you hire a buggy at Alton Towers?
Yes. Alton Towers Resort offers a limited selection of single and double pushchairs for hire at Towers Trading Co, near the main entrance. The official guidance says these cannot be reserved before your visit, so availability depends on what remains when you arrive. Hiring can be useful if a young child tires of walking, but do not assume every visiting family can obtain the size they want. If having a buggy is essential, consider whether bringing a suitable one from home would provide more certainty. Check the current park opening arrangements and ask a team member to direct you to the hire shop.
How much does buggy hire cost?
The resort's published help page currently lists single buggy hire at ten pounds per day and double buggy hire at fifteen pounds per day, with an additional ten-pound refundable deposit. You must keep the receipt to help the team process the return of that deposit. Treat the amounts as the resort's published terms at the time of checking, not as a permanently guaranteed tariff. Confirm the current price, accepted payment method and return instructions before paying. If more than one buggy is needed, calculate the full expected deposit and hire cost rather than just the daily rental figure.
Age, height and suitability
Alton Towers states that its hired buggies are not suitable for babies. Children must be under 1.1 metres in height, and staff require the child to be present for a height check when the buggy is hired. This is not simply a recommendation about preferred ages: the specified height requirement affects eligibility. If you are bringing an infant who requires a supportive pram or a buggy with special features, plan to use suitable equipment of your own. The resort's hire buggies are basic push-along models and are intended to give younger children somewhere to rest their legs.
Single versus double models
The official specifications show a single buggy with a maximum carrying weight of around twenty-seven kilograms and a double with a maximum of around forty-five kilograms. Both have their own dimensions, with the double notably wider than the single. Do not assume a double is appropriate for any combination of children without checking their weight and height against the actual buggy provided. Staff can explain the model available. Families should also think about steering a wider buggy around busy paths, restaurant entrances and queues; a different size can make a real difference over an entire day.
What equipment is included?
The resort describes its rental buggies as simple push-along equipment that may vary slightly in appearance or design. They do not come with built-in rain covers or additional storage compartments according to the official help page. A hire buggy should therefore not be treated as a substitute for a carefully equipped travel pushchair. Pack a small weatherproof bag for nappies, snacks and spare clothing and be prepared for changeable Staffordshire weather. Keep essential belongings with an adult instead of expecting a secure compartment underneath the buggy.
Where can you leave a buggy near rides?
Alton Towers provides buggy parks close to many family rides and within CBeebies Land. The official park map marks these with a buggy park symbol. When a child wants to walk or ride, use the designated parking location where possible rather than blocking an attraction entrance or queue walkway. The resort warns that items left in buggies are at the owner's risk and that it does not take responsibility for loss or damage to unattended belongings. Take valuables with you or investigate the park's lockers if you need secure storage.
Planning a comfortable family route
Buggies can make a large theme park easier to explore, but the best day still includes realistic rests and time for feeding or changing. Pick a few attractions that suit the children, check the closest buggy parking area and decide where everyone will regroup after a ride. If a parent is riding a thrill attraction, the other adult should supervise the children and belongings rather than leaving young visitors alone. Check the official height restrictions before queuing. If your child's needs go beyond the basic hire models, contact the resort about accessibility and consider appropriate specialist equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I reserve a buggy online? No, the resort says hire is first come, first served. Where are the buggies collected? At Towers Trading Co near the main entrance. Are infants eligible? The resort says its hire buggies are not suitable for babies. Is there a height rule? Yes, the child must be under 1.1 metres and present for a check. Does the hire include a rain cover? No, not under the published description. Where can I leave a buggy when riding? Look for buggy parks on the resort map, and never leave valuables unattended.
Related visitor planning
Official sources: Buggy hire details and limits; Buggy parking policy. Confirm availability and prices with the resort.
Photo: Historical Cloud Cuckoo Land by Paul Harrop, CC BY-SA 2.0, unaltered. This archive photograph shows a former family area, not the current hire location.
