Alton Towers Permanently Closes Its World of David Walliams Attraction

The World of David Walliams, an attraction at Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire, has permanently closed. The closure took effect on Tuesday 3 November 2026.

The area opened in 2021. It turned characters from David Walliams' children's books, including Gangsta Granny, into rides and scenes for visitors to walk through. The resort's own website describes Gangsta Granny: The Ride as an immersive ride based on a jewel heist in the story. The resort has also offered a Gangsta Granny overnight package at its hotel and a shop called Raj's Shop, both linked to the books.

Alton Towers is owned by Merlin Entertainments. A Merlin spokesperson said the decision to close the attraction for good followed a regular review of rides and attractions, carried out as the 2026 peak season ended. Deadline first reported the closure.

Walliams is best known to British audiences as the co-creator, with Matt Lucas, of the sketch comedy show Little Britain. He was also a judge on Britain's Got Talent for a decade, sitting alongside Simon Cowell. He left the programme in 2022, after comments he had made about contestants were leaked to The Guardian. Alton Towers' own press material has described him as the UK's biggest-selling author in 2018, for the second year running.

Since then, his professional ties have been cut. The Daily Telegraph published accusations about his behaviour, and Walliams has denied any wrongdoing. HarperCollins, his publisher, dropped him as an author following misconduct allegations and halted publication of his back catalogue. The talent agency YMU says it no longer represents him, and his profile has been removed from its website.

Merlin's explanation concerns its routine review of the park's rides and attractions. For the families who visited the World of David Walliams, the change is simple. The area that once carried the author's name on its gates is now shut for good.