What it was really like to take the last ride on Nemesis at Alton Towers

The iconic Alton Towers rollercoaster Nemesis closed for the last time until 2024 on Sunday evening (November 6) - here’s what it was like to take the final ride
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Thousands of thrillseekers flocked to Alton Towers Resort for one last chance to brave the Nemesis rollercoaster, which closed on Sunday (November 6).

Fans gathered at the Resort to experience the twists and turns of the famous ride for the final time, until it reopens again in 2024 following a transformation.

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This closure is so that Nemesis can undergo a major overhaul which will see majority of the current track being replaced. Details of the transformation are being kept under wraps for now with more information to be revealed nearer the time. Nemesis fans rode rollercoaster for one last time.

What was it like to ride Nemesis for the final time until 2024?

One of the lucky last riders, Ben Clarke from Sheffield said: “What an amazing experience. Nemesis is an incredible rollercoaster and I’m so happy I got to ride it one final time before it’s given a revamp.”

Ben rides Nemesis on average 700 times a year. He proposed to his fiancee on the ride in March 2022. It holds such a special place in their hearts, they’ve even got matching Nemesis tattoos. He added: “It truly means the world to be part of history on our favourite coaster. The theming, the near misses and intensity all add up to it being the world’s greatest coaster. I will miss Nemesis more than anything.

“Especially my favourite seat - row 8 back right - that seat really is something else. I honestly don’t know what we’re going to do next year without it. Few rides provide so many thrills. I can’t wait for it to return.”

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Hundreds turned up at Alton Towers to ride Nemesis for one last time on Sunday. Some of them posted on Twitter about riding Nemesis for one last time.

One Twitter user wrote: “It was an honour to join John Wardley on the final ride on Nemesis at Alton Towers last night, an incredible experience. Yes we could hear the cheers over the roar. Goodnight Nemesis.”

One Twitter user wrote: “Man, leaving Forbidden Valley this evening was not easy… Peace out Nemesis, thanks for the memories.”

Another wrote: “Thank you @altontowers for the lovely Nemesis send off, next year will be sad… but looking forward to her coming back in 2024 she was perfect.”

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Another said: “Nemesis has just closed its gates for good, I had an amazing back row night ride as my last i’m so heartbroken.”

Nemesis rollercoaster at Alton TowersNemesis rollercoaster at Alton Towers
Nemesis rollercoaster at Alton Towers

When exactly will it reopen?

Nemesis will stay closed until 2024. Kate McBirnie, Head of Guest Excellence at the Alton Towers Resort, said: “It was wonderful so many people came for Nemesis’s big send off.

“The legendary rollercoaster has been thrilling fans and visitors since 1994 so it’s understandable so many wanted to take one final ride before it undergoes its exciting revamp. We can’t reveal too much at the moment but more details will be revealed ahead of its spectacular return in 2024.”

Nemesis cost £10m and was crowned Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster when it opened in 1994. Riders experience 3.5 G-force as they race past the rocks and rivers of the theme park’s Forbidden Valley at speeds of up to 50mph.

It carries dangling thrillseekers along numerous twists and turns and four inversions and has attracted people from across the globe to the Staffordshire theme park.

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