Britain's biggest family were welcomed to Alton Towers Resort this week to put the Theme Park and themed hotels to the test.
Ahead of the first half-term without restrictions in more than a year, the Radford family from Morecambe, were invited to take on Britain’s Greatest Escape as England opened up its indoor attractions for the first time this year.
Escaping their home after months of being cooped up indoors for the ultimate family staycation, Sue and Noel Radford along with 15 of their 22-strong brood packed up five suitcases, two pushchairs, and loaded a 17-person minibus to visit Alton Towers Resort in their first family outing since lockdown restrictions eased across England on May 17.
In newly released pictures, the Radford family, who live in Morecambe, can be seen putting all areas of the Staffordshire Resort to the test: waiting with bated breath at the famous Oblivion ‘drop’; shrieking as they spin on The Smiler; ordering a whopping 17 hot dogs on Towers Street; and playing a large-scale game of hide and seek in the historic gardens.
The Radford's outing made them the biggest ever family to simultaneously ride some of the UK’s most iconic rollercoasters.
Mum, Sue, was the designated height checker and head counter for the day, ensuring as many of the Radford clan could enjoy each rollercoaster and ride as possible.
Throughout the visit, 17 members of the family put Britain’s greatest escape to the test – riding rollercoasters, making a splash in the waterpark, laughing with the Teletubbies in CBeebies Land and taking a stroll in the expansive gardens, all before dining at the Resort’s Rollercoaster Restaurant and then spending the night in the iconic themed rooms of the Alton Towers Hotel.
With members of the family ranging from the age of eight months to 50, everyone in the Radford family also enjoyed Alton Towers Resort’s newest attraction, Gangsta Granny: The Ride, along with other family favourites Runaway Mine Train and Wicker Man, giving all three the Radford stamp of approval.
Members of the family that were brave (and tall) enough also enjoyed the thrill of Nemesis and Oblivion.
Commenting on their adventure, Sue and Noel Radford said: “Alton Towers Resort has been the best family escape we could have hoped for, especially after such a challenging year.
"With a brood as big as ours, it’s often tricky for us to find somewhere we can all go that everyone will enjoy.
“The noise the kids made when we told them we were going to Alton Towers Resort was almost as loud as when they all tried the Runaway Mine Train for the first time.
"It feels amazing to be out and about as a family after 18 months locked-up, and the Resort was definitely a big enough escape for our whole clan.
"Alton Towers has it all, we’ve had a brilliant time.”
The family stayed at the Alton Towers Hotel, which offers more than 16 unique and themed rooms, from a moon voyage, arctic expedition, pirate cove adventure or an entire Cadbury chocolate suite.
Guests can choose to sleep in a bed like a bathtub, a hot air balloon, princess carriage or even one of four brand new Gangsta Granny inspired rooms.
Outside of the Alton Towers Hotel, the family were also able to explore the Enchanted Village with fairy-themed woodland lodges and the bright lights of the UK’s only CBeebies Land Hotel on their way to and from the Theme Park.
Best known from starring in the Channel 5 documentary, '16 Kids and Counting', the Radford family now have 22 children.
Through their YouTube and Instagram channels, the family connects with fans and shares vlog content from their busy household.
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