How good is the location of Alton Towers?
Teacher Instructions
This activity aims to get the students to look at the location factors for Alton
Towers and to consider it in comparison to other attractions in the Merlin Group.
Starter – Students should start by making a list of location factors which are
important to a theme park (large local population, good transport etc..)
Main Activity – Students will need the data collection sheet and access to maps,
either in an Atlas or online. They will be rating attractions based on the location
factors listed, scoring each feature from 1 (Poor) to 5 (Excellent). They should
complete this for each attraction. An additional line on the table has been
included for any additional factors from the starter.
Students can then display this data, to show which attraction has the best location.
The sheet provided can be used to show how stacked bar charts or radar graphs
can be used in data presentation.
Plenary – It is unlikely that Alton Towers will have the best location of the
attractions shown, yet it is one of the most popular in terms of visitor numbers –
why do students think this is? Is location the only important factor in the success
of a business?
How good is the location of Alton Towers?
Data Collection Sheet
For each of the attractions listed score their location factor from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent).
Address
Large Local Population
Do many people live near the
attraction?
Transportation - Motorways
How close is the attraction to the
nearest motorway junction?
Transportation-Main Roads
How close is the attraction to main
roads?
Transportation – Rail
How close is the attraction to a
railway station?
Established Tourist Area
Are there other tourist attractions in
the area?
Total
Alton, Staffordshire,
ST10 4DB
Chertsey, Surrey
KT16 8PN
Blackpool, Lancashire
FY1 4BJ
Windsor, Berkshire
SL4 4AY
How good is the location of Alton Towers?
Data Presentation 1 – Stacked Bar Charts
How good is the location of Alton Towers?
Data Presentation 2 – Radar Graphs