Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs   News   Features   Products   Magazine      Advertise  
NEWS
Alton Towers creates 'gravity-free zone' at home of astronaut Tim Peake
POSTED 19 Feb 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station Credit: Alton Towers
Alton Towers has turned UK astronaut Tim Peake’s home street into a ‘gravity-free zone’, also announcing a new space education programme to promote the upcoming launch of its virtual reality rollercoaster Galactica.

Temporarily renaming the street Gravity Avenue, the stunt took place in Peake’s hometown of Westbourne in Sussex. The marketing effort made the street “completely weightless” using a range of illusion and trickery to make people, cars, post boxes, parking cones and benches seemingly float in mid-air.

The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station (ISS), where he has been for the past two months and will remain until June this year.

The Galactica coaster will be the UK’s first VR rollercoaster, leading the way for the sector in 2016 as several more are expected to pop up in the coming months. Launching in April, the new ride experience combines Alton Towers’ Air rollercoaster with the virtual experience of travelling through space.



Alton Towers has also marked the launch of Galactica by partnering with the National Space Centre in an effort to support its mission to give young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the mysteries of space.

As part of this new initiative, the theme park will host a series of interactive shows for kids over the Easter period, where children can go on their own “mission” to learn about rockets, how astronauts live in space and the risk of space travel, with talks delivered by experts from the National Space Centre.

“The nation has been captivated by Tim Peake and his mission to the ISS, so what better place to bring the experience of space travel to life than his home street,” said Gill Riley, marketing director for Alton Towers.

“We want to help make space exploration a reality for the next generation of British space enthusiasts, which is why we have partnered with the National Space Centre. Over the next year, we will support their education programme so more children get the chance to learn about the universe and its hidden wonders.”

RELATED STORIES
  Derek Zoolander turns famous attractions into catwalk runways with viral marketing stunt


In a move benefiting both the visitor attractions industry and Hollywood, Ben Stiller has hit some of the world’s most well-known attractions as he markets the new Zoolander film under the guise of its main character, Derek Zoolander.
  Astronaut Tim Peake to call Liverpool's World Museum from space


British astronaut Tim Peake is set to hold a live Q&A session with schoolchildren in Liverpool’s World Museum while on board the International Space Station (ISS).
  Alton Towers confirms plans for UK's first virtual reality rollercoaster


Alton Towers has confirmed plans to launch the UK’s first ever virtual reality rollercoaster, rebranding its Air ride as Galactica for the all-new space-themed VR experience.
  Is Alton Towers about to unveil a VR coaster?


With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
MORE NEWS
Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
+ More news   
LATEST JOBS
GP Exercise Referral Instructor
Everyone Active
Salary: £33,000pa + benefits
Job location: Harrow, Middlesex , United Kingdom
Self Employed Personal Trainer
Everyone Active
Salary: Competitive
Job location: Enderby
+ More jobs  

FEATURED SUPPLIERS

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]

Supporting long-term health: why whole body vibration belongs in clinical settings
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay active, independent and feeling good for longer. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
PSLT Ltd

PSLT Fitness Solutions manufacture, remanufacture and buy back commercial gym equipment. [more...]
Safe Space Lockers

We provide a full turn-key solution for clients from design and consultation, through to bespoke man [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ More diary  
 
ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
 
HCM
LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES
HEALTH CLUB HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026
Get HCM digital magazine and ezines FREE
Sign up here ▸
Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
Alton Towers creates 'gravity-free zone' at home of astronaut Tim Peake
POSTED 19 Feb 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station Credit: Alton Towers
Alton Towers has turned UK astronaut Tim Peake’s home street into a ‘gravity-free zone’, also announcing a new space education programme to promote the upcoming launch of its virtual reality rollercoaster Galactica.

Temporarily renaming the street Gravity Avenue, the stunt took place in Peake’s hometown of Westbourne in Sussex. The marketing effort made the street “completely weightless” using a range of illusion and trickery to make people, cars, post boxes, parking cones and benches seemingly float in mid-air.

The gravity-defying stunt aimed to replicate the conditions astronaut Peake is currently experiencing on-board the International Space Station (ISS), where he has been for the past two months and will remain until June this year.

The Galactica coaster will be the UK’s first VR rollercoaster, leading the way for the sector in 2016 as several more are expected to pop up in the coming months. Launching in April, the new ride experience combines Alton Towers’ Air rollercoaster with the virtual experience of travelling through space.



Alton Towers has also marked the launch of Galactica by partnering with the National Space Centre in an effort to support its mission to give young people from all backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the mysteries of space.

As part of this new initiative, the theme park will host a series of interactive shows for kids over the Easter period, where children can go on their own “mission” to learn about rockets, how astronauts live in space and the risk of space travel, with talks delivered by experts from the National Space Centre.

“The nation has been captivated by Tim Peake and his mission to the ISS, so what better place to bring the experience of space travel to life than his home street,” said Gill Riley, marketing director for Alton Towers.

“We want to help make space exploration a reality for the next generation of British space enthusiasts, which is why we have partnered with the National Space Centre. Over the next year, we will support their education programme so more children get the chance to learn about the universe and its hidden wonders.”

RELATED STORIES
Derek Zoolander turns famous attractions into catwalk runways with viral marketing stunt


In a move benefiting both the visitor attractions industry and Hollywood, Ben Stiller has hit some of the world’s most well-known attractions as he markets the new Zoolander film under the guise of its main character, Derek Zoolander.
Astronaut Tim Peake to call Liverpool's World Museum from space


British astronaut Tim Peake is set to hold a live Q&A session with schoolchildren in Liverpool’s World Museum while on board the International Space Station (ISS).
Alton Towers confirms plans for UK's first virtual reality rollercoaster


Alton Towers has confirmed plans to launch the UK’s first ever virtual reality rollercoaster, rebranding its Air ride as Galactica for the all-new space-themed VR experience.
Is Alton Towers about to unveil a VR coaster?


With Merlin bosses hoping to rekindle interest in Alton Towers after a poor summer, the UK theme park has revealed a teaser for “Something Exciting!”, rumoured to be the addition of virtual reality to its Air rollercoaster.
MORE NEWS
Les Mills calls on the industry to support UNICEF
Global group exercise specialist, Les Mills, is inviting operators to sign up to its Workout for the World event on 20 June, in support of UNICEF.
HUM2N opens longevity clinic at Six Senses London
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider, HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
KX Chelsea invests £15 million to upgrade its wellness offering
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining training, recovery and relaxation.
Researchers identify a drug which reduces muscle loss when using GLP-1 medications
Researchers in the US have identified an antibody which could greatly reduce the loss of lean muscle mass in people who are taking weight-loss medications.
Peloton signals potential move into reformer Pilates with Skop acquisition
Peloton has made the strategic acquisition of the Pilates start-up, Skōp, to support the expansion of its strength ecosystem.
Crunch Fitness creates more affordable reformer Pilates concept
Crunch Fitness has announced the launch of Crunch Reform Pilates – its own reformer concept designed to bring this fast growing, but rather expensive, modality into the mainstream.
+ More news   
 
FEATURED SUPPLIERS

CoverMe extends matching service to personal training, rewriting how members and personal trainers connect
CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right client in under 10 seconds. [more...]

Supporting long-term health: why whole body vibration belongs in clinical settings
As healthcare continues to shift towards prevention, there’s a growing focus on helping people stay active, independent and feeling good for longer. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers  
COMPANY PROFILES
PSLT Ltd

PSLT Fitness Solutions manufacture, remanufacture and buy back commercial gym equipment. [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  

DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

13-13 Jun 2026

Global Wellness Day

Worldwide, Various,
15-18 Jun 2026

HLTH Europe

RAI Convention Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
FREE DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS