Joyland Books

[furie]

Okay, I've been having a discussion on CoasterForce with another member about how old Alton Towers are.

Now, as far as I can tell, the Towers weren't constructed until around 1820. I've done some reading up in books about Alton and the surrounding area, but there's no mention of anything in them about what was at the Towers before that time.

Now, a local Staffordshire County Council tourism piece (a single paragraph) mentions that the site has been in use for over a thousand years, was the site of an old fort, a battle field and a castle. Apparently the Earls of Shrewsbury took over the castle and land when they married into a local family.

This seems to have been repeated a few times around the internet, but I've never seen any "independent" reference to this.

On searching through records about Alton Castle though, it appears that the castle site has been there over a thousand years, was a medieval castle and was owned by the family the Talbots married into. I suspect that the SCC piece mixed up the Alton Castle history and the Towers history. Certainly if you go to visit Alton Castle, you can see the remains of the medieval castle, there is nothing older than 1820 at the Towers site (unless it's hidden under a ride somewhere ).

Anyway, does anyone have any further, well sourced information regarding the Towers? I know there is the Gothic Wonderland book (sold by Joyland Books), but I'm not interested in the Gothic years, but earlier, and I don't know if that book actually covers any of that (I've looked for a copy of the book all around Stafford and Alton Towers itself, but I think it's out of print and not stocked any more).

This all came from a conversation regarding the chained oak. The chained oak does exist, and it's old, but the stories regarding the oak seem to go back much further than the 1820's, and I think the tree is well over 200 years old (but I'm no expert).

So, if anyone can help at all (without regurgitating the rubbish Alton Towers spews out) it would be massively appreciated
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Furie and the lop-eared lagomorphs of Lucifer

Failed to Save the Cyclone

[EAS]

A pic:

http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/reference.asp?index=1&main_query=Alton%20Towers&theme=&period=&county=&district=&place_name=&imageUID=77149

Some info, don't gurantee its accuracy at the moment:
http://towersnerd.com/history/general/

http://uktv.co.uk/history/britainsbest/site/id/237


The Pevsner guide to the area will probably have more information.

[furie]

Thanks EAS, that's helped a lot. It's pointed me towards Alveton lodge, which was the hunting lodge of the Earls of Shrewsbury. It's confirmed as being present in 1731 from an engraving of Alton Castle, so that's the first confirmed date. I suspect it's likely the lodge was built by the medieval Earls though in the 14th/15th Century, but that's really just a good guess

I still can't find any references to the site being any more ancient. Lots of confusion over if it was a fortress in the 8th Century, or if that was the castle site. Lots of people adding one and one together and making 2.5 I think, confusing Alton Castle for the Towers.

The lodge certainly is recorded though, and was probably integrated in the renovation of the lodge into "Alton Abbey", which then became the Towers in 1821 or so. The Earls moved in in 1831.

All that just from being pointed at Alveton lodge, so many thanks
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Furie and the lop-eared lagomorphs of Lucifer

Failed to Save the Cyclone

[EAS]

Well, many places have older origins that the buildings currently on site, with landowners updating as the centuries went on, to keep up with current fashion.

http://forums.towersalmanac.com/index.php?showtopic=14012

http://www.achome.co.uk/places/alton.htm

http://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B9C82078-7C8D-49D9-8F2D-B70B9C1C5418/23620/AbbBrad.pdf

[furie]

Yep, they're the references I've seen today following the Alveton lodge lead.

The real detail just isn't present prior to 1731 though
_________________
Furie and the lop-eared lagomorphs of Lucifer

Failed to Save the Cyclone

[EAS]

It will be available somewhere.

Victoria County History?

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/catalogue.aspx?gid=30

[Nick]

The Michael Fisher books contains some early history:

http://www.joylandbooks.com/books_new/alton_towers.htm
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Nick
www.joylandbooks.com
The Home of Amusement Park Books

[alexis]