Description:Interior view of the Octagon taken shortly before the remaining fixtures and fittings were stripped and sold in 1952. Alton Towers was the home of the Talbot family, Earls of Shrewsbury. It was built between about 1810 and 1852.
The Octagon was built in about 1824 but was extensively remodelled by A.W.N. Pugin in 1841-1842. He increased its height and based its design on a medieval chapter house. By the 1830s it was used to house the Earl's sculpture collection.