In celebration of National Rollercoaster Day, enthusiasts and collectors are battling it out in a rare charity auction to own genuine ride parts from Alton Towers Resort.
Within mere hours of the auction launching on August 13th, bids for two iconic pieces of theme park memorabilia – the original Nemesis ride operators panel and a retired log flume Boat – surpassed £2,000 each.
All proceeds from this highly anticipated auction will be donated to Merlin’s Magic Wand, a children’s charity dedicated to bringing joy and connection to children around the world who are facing illness, disability, or adversity.
A Growing Trend in Theme Park Memorabilia
This auction follows in the footsteps of a growing trend within the UK attractions industry. For a number of years, other major destinations including Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Paultons Park, and Thorpe Park have successfully sold off items such as used ride parts, train carriages, and original signage online. These sales have proven incredibly popular, offering dedicated enthusiasts a unique opportunity to preserve authentic pieces of their favorite attractions while often raising funds for good causes.
Collectors currently have the chance to bid on two unique items from Alton Towers history:
Lot 1: Original Nemesis Ride Operators Panel
Designed by renowned ride creator John Wardley and opening in 1994, Nemesis revolutionized the industry as Europe’s first inverted rollercoaster and is widely regarded as one of the world’s most iconic thrill rides. Following the retirement of the original Nemesis ahead of its recent transformation, this operator’s control panel was preserved as a rare piece of theme park history, used in its day-to-day operations until 2023. The winning bidder will receive the original control panel alongside a signed certificate of authenticity from legendary ride designer, John Wardley.
Lot 2: The Flume Boat
The Flume was a beloved staple at Alton Towers. Opening in 1981, it held the title of the longest log flume attraction in the world at the time. Famous for its 2004 bath-time retheme and its three thrilling drops, the ride eventually closed in 2015, making way for the Wicker Man roller coaster. Owning an original boat from the attraction offers fans a deeply nostalgic connection to a bygone era of the park.
Supporting Merlin’s Magic Wand
While the auction offers a dream opportunity for dedicated coaster enthusiasts, its ultimate goal is to support Merlin’s Magic Wand Children’s Charity. As the official charity partner of the Merlin Entertainments Group, the organization delivers three core programs to those in need.
Magical Days Out provides free tickets and unforgettable adventures at Merlin attractions for children and families who need it most.
Magic On Tour serves as a community outreach initiative that brings the wonder of Merlin to children in hospitals, hospices, and schools, utilizing Merlin Volunteer Days to create joy-filled experiences.
Merlin’s Magic Spaces focuses on designing and creating attraction-themed environments in treatment centers, orphanages, and special educational needs schools.
Merlin Entertainments generously donates 100 percent of Magical Days Out tickets to the charity and makes an annual contribution toward operating costs. This ensures that more of every donation—including the proceeds from this auction—goes directly toward delivering these vital charitable programs worldwide.
Get your bids in
For those looking to secure their piece of theme park history while supporting an incredible cause, the auction is currently live on eBay. The auctions close at 8 PM on Sunday, 23 August 2026.
