Alton Towers and Gardens

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Date:1920 - 1930 (c.)

Description:A general view of Alton Towers and the gardens, showing the Choragic Monument or Monument to Lysacrates in Athens (compare with the Lanthorn of Demosthenes at Shugborough), also the cascade, colonnade/loggia and the conservatory with its seven glass domes, built in about 1820 and designed by Robert Abraham. The gardens were created by the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury between about 1810 and 1827.

Alton Towers was the home of the Talbot family, Earls of Shrewsbury. It was built between about 1810 and 1852.

The 15th Earl began adapting an existing 16th or 17th century house, Alveton (Alton) Lodge, in about 1810. A number of architects were involved, including Thomas Hopper, William Hollis and Thomas Allason. The new enlarged house was known as Alton Abbey by the 1820s.

The 16th Earl succeeded in 1827, and over the next 25 years greatly expanded the house which became known as Alton Towers. His architects included Thomas Fradgley of Uttoxeter, Joseph Potter and A.W.N. Pugin. After the Earl's death in 1852 a great sale of the contents took place in 1857. The Chetwynd-Talbots lived at the house and partially refurnished it until they left in 1924, and another sale followed. A group of local businessmen bought it and developed it as a tourist attraction. During the Second World War, until 1951, it was occupied by the Army as an Officer Cadet Training Unit. In 1952 all the remaining fixtures and fittings were stripped and sold, leaving the house in a semi-derelict condition.

In 1990 the Tussauds Group purchased the house and grounds and began developing it into the hugely successful Adventure Theme Park it is now. Some of the interiors are gradually being restored.


Timeline

The timeline shows resources around this location over a number of years.

1890s
Coach Service at Alton Towers
Coach Service at Alton Towers

The 20th Earl of Shrewsbury in the driving seat of his 'Greyhound' coach, in front ...

1910s
Talbot Gallery, Alton Towers
Talbot Gallery, Alton Towers

The Talbot Gallery at Alton Towers. Alton Towers was the home of the Talbot family, ...

1950s
Chapel, Alton Towers
Chapel, Alton Towers

This postcard view was taken looking from the south-east. On the left is the Armoury ...

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Donor ref:01_020r (214/36311)

Source: Mr Jake Whitehouse

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.