The UK’s first new wooden roller coaster in 21 years opens at Alton Towers this year, and we were invited to the press launch event on 16th March to experience it for the very first time.

The park has invested £16 million into the creation of Wicker Man, which has been in development for the last 4 years. Here's our review of the new ride...

Our excitement levels were very high as we first spotted the ride through the trees. On arrival, actors and performers were there to greet us, welcoming us to their ancient ritual and inviting us to take part.

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The queue line features some themed elements and an eeire soundtrack, but the best part is the superb views of the ride that it offers from different perspectives.

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Once riders reach the holding area, they must give up their personal possessions and wait to ‘be chosen’ by The Beornen.

The pre-show uses video, sound and projection mapping developed by Holovis, to introduce the backstory for the ride... The Beornen are a secret community living in the woods around Alton, who worship the Wicker Man and every year they gather and provide a sacrifice. That sacrifice, is you!

Riders then enter the station and prepare to board a train with 12 rows seating 2 across. To experience the special effects at their best, aim for seats from the middle to last row, or try the front row for a clearer view of the track ahead.

The station itself resembles a barn made of stone and wood, with the illusion of a fire raging behind the wicker screen along one side. The trains themselves are comfortable with lots of padding (essential for all wooden coasters!) and the front car features a 'wicker' rams head.

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Once the necessary checks have been completed it's time to set off, and the coaster drops from the station into a sharp curve and through a building filled with smoke and red lighting (similar to Nemesis Inferno at Thorpe Park) before starting to ascend the magnetic lift hill.

Upon reaching the top, the coaster quickly descends into the first drop, enclosed in a tunnel with more smoke and light effects. The ride proceeds through many twists and turns, drops and delivers plenty of airtime.

It's a fairly intense coaster with greater forces towards the back row, the distinctive feel of a wooden coaster, but perfectly suitable for families as anyone over 1.2m can ride.

The giant flaming Wicker Man stands 6-stories high, and uses a clever combination of video screens, lighting, smoke, mist and real fire to create a really spectacular centerpiece for the attraction.

The coaster passes through the structure three times, each time triggering the effects. There was also a chain of flame throwers timed with the passing coaster on another section of the track but these may have been just for the event.

The ride then comes to a stop in a dark building before returning to the station. It does feel as though there could have been something added here, as a finale to the experience.

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Great Coasters International have done a great job with the 2,000ft of wooden track, cleverly landscaped into the excavated site that was once home to The Flume.

Wicker Ride is incredible in the dark, so it will be a fantastic addition to the Scarefest and Fireworks events later in the year. It's a shame that the theme park isn't open for rides in the dark more frequently. Due to the freezing temperatures the following day we were unable ride again in the daylight so can't comment on how the experience differs.

There are on-ride photos available at the exit and an impressive shop is stacked to the rafters with every souvenir you could possibly want.

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The nearby Courtyard Tavern has become the Welcom-inn and is suitably themed. Here we were treated to food and drinks plus live music.

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Previously known as SW8, the ride follows a long line of Secret Weapon projects including SW3 (Nemesis), SW4 (Oblivion), SW5 (Air), SW6 (Thirteen) and SW7 (The Smiler).

It's a brilliant addition to Alton Towers, a genuinely world class roller coaster experience, so we do thoroughly recommend visiting the theme park this year to experience it for yourself!

Wicker Man will officially open on 24th March.