Hex – The Legend of the Towers

Alton Towers

General info

Category

Show Ride
Type

Madhouse
Status

Operating
Opened

2000

Description

Hex is a dark ride located in part of the Alton Towers house ruins, part of the original Alton Towers estate and former seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury.

The story of Hex is based on a local legend about the Earl of Shrewsbury encountering a witch on return to the house in 1821. Legend says that he was cursed by an old beggar, which caused one of his relatives to die every time a branch fell from an old oak tree near the grounds. To prevent this, the earl chained all branches of the tree and was driven to madness.

The indoor queue area and pre-show scenes take place in the Armoury and Octagon of the house, before the route transitions into a themed building next to the house where the ride is located.

History

The attraction opened in March 2000 in a very different iteration. This included a different preshow video, voiceover and show in the Octagon, however the Vault (madhouse) remained the same.

The change to the best known version was carried out in response to negative feedback, in time for the summer season, with new media produced by JWT.

In 2017, the ride received a minor refurbishment after a period of closure. In 2024, the attraction reopened after a technical and engineering refurbishment, following another period of extended closure, including complete new lighting design and altered effects carried out by the park internally. The original AV design and installation was by Tussauds Studios.