Nemesis at Alton Towers

The opening of Nemesis in 1994 marked a change in direction for Alton Towers, kicking off its transformation into a haven for thrill-seekers and the UK's most popular theme park. Located in the Forbidden Valley area of the park, it was the first Bolliger & Mabillard inverted rollercoaster to open in Europe. It has since become one of the world's most highly-regarded coasters, regularly featuring in "top 10" lists put together by enthusiasts.

Due to the strict height restrictions imposed by planning authorities on Alton Towers, designer John Wardley opted to build much of Nemesis deep into a giant hole in the ground. The ride's storyline (which has rarely been referred to since it opened) is based around an alien that was discovered when the site was excavated, before being pinned into place by the steel coaster. Rivers of "blood" continue to flow down the inside of the pit, and the station is loosely themed as the monster itself.

Upon leaving the station, the train climbs to the top of Nemesis' lift hill, which peaks just below the tree line. It then turns 90 degrees and descends into the valley below, hitting a top speed of 50mph. Following the first drop are a barrel roll, downwards helix and inline twist, leading up to an intense vertical loop. The ride finishes with a further barrel roll before returning to the station.

Nemesis' strength is its use of its setting, with riders able to see the ground rushing close beneath their feet. This makes the coaster seem much faster than it actually is, making perfect use of the inverted coaster format.