It was the ultimate Alton Towers white-knuckle ride experience.

I was challenged to tame Oblivion, Air, Nemesis, Ripsaw, The Flume and Rita – Queen Of Speed – all in under 45 minutes.

But it wasn’t as stomach-churning as it sounds.

For this was Alton Towers’ new miniature golf course where the holes are based on the Staffordshire theme park’s iconic rides and attractions.

And the nearest I came to feeling sick was when I added up the scorecards at the end of the game and found the missus had beaten me.

The Extraordinary Golf course is separate from the main theme park and is open all year round. It’s floodlit so you can play a round late into the evening.

I’ve dragged my wife round countless crazy golf courses at home and abroad and this is one of the very best – despite the result!

Also new at Alton Towers this year is There’s Something In The Dung Heap – an adventure playground for younger children with interactive areas.

And there’s Haunted Hollow, a spooky stroll through woodland where gothic tomb-stones come to life and ghostly figures appear as if from nowhere.

This month there’s a special ‘Loony June’ offer whereby anyone who visits Alton Towers can return the next day for free.

You can stay overnight at either the quirky Alton Towers Hotel or the Caribbean-styled Splash Landings Hotel where family rooms sleep up to six.

Splash Landings is home to the Cariba Creek indoor tropical water park where the Master Blaster water-coaster shoots you up as well as down.

At Alton Towers Hotel you can indulge yourself at The Spa which offers a full range of pampering treatments plus a sauna, steam room and whirlpool etc.

Hotel guests can enter the theme park before day-trippers and can book a free pass which allows priority access to rides and attractions.

Hotel prices start from £33.50pppn, based on four sharing a family room. Packages are available allowing discounted entry to the theme park and waterpark. For more information and to book call 0870 458 6001 or visit the Alton Towers website to take advantage of the 5% online discount. Extraordinary Golf is located next to Splash Landings Hotel. You can play nine holes (£5 adults, £4 under-12s) or 18 holes (£8 adults, £7 under-12s). Combined tickets for the golf and Cariba Creek water park are available (£16.50 adults, £14.50 under-12s, £51.50 two adults two under-12s).

Cariba Creek is open every day from 10am until 6pm Sunday to Thursday and from 10am to 8pm Fridays, Saturdays and during holiday periods. To book a day in the waterpark call 0870 460 6545.

The theme park is open every day until November 11. Entry is £24 adults, £16 under-12s, £78 family of four, £88 family and five.