Description:Dimmingsdale Lodge was built in the late 19th century in an Italianate style as an entrance lodge for Dimmingsdale, which part of the Earl of Shrewsbury’s Alton Towers estate. Dimmingsdale now belongs to Forestry England, part of the Forestry Commission.
Since 1981 this building has been the Rambler's Retreat, a popular walker's tearoom and cafe.
The man in the photograph is William Marson Davall (1855-1933), son of farmer Thomas Davall (1825-1894), originally from Fulford, who farmed at High Shutt. William M Davall was a farm labourer. At some point between 1901 and 1911 William and his family moved from Basford Grange, Cheddleton to Alton village.