The house from a circa 1902 postcard
The House from the 1880s book "Morris's Views of Seats"
The house from a circa 1895 photograph
House & Family History: In 1924 Alton Towers was sold by its ancestral family, the earls of Shrewsbury, to a group of local businessmen who formed Alton Towers Ltd. and began to restore the gardens as a tourist attraction. Beginning in the 1950s more and more attractions were added to the Park, including a fairground. In April 1980 it formally became a theme park in the Disney mold; in 1990 Alton Towers was acquired for £60 million by The Tussauds Group (today Merlin Entertainments Group).
Garden & Outbuildings: Robert Abraham created conservatories and garden buildings for the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury.
Architect: Thomas Allason
Designed: Additions to House, garden buildings for 15th EarlArchitect: William Hollins
Date: Circa 1813-17Architect: Thomas Hopper
Date: Circa 1813Architect: John Buonarotti Papworth
Date: 1818-22Architect: James Wyatt
Date: 1811-13Architect: Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin
Date: 1837John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 127, 1855.
John Preston (J.P.) Neale, published under the title of Views of the Seats of Noblemen and Gentlemen in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. IV, 1821.
Country Life: CXXVII, 1304, 1960.
Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - SOFTBACK
Author: Colvin, Howard
Year Published: 1995
Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
ISBN: 0300072074
Book Type: Softback
House Listed: Grade II*
Park Listed: Grade I
Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSE: Theobald de Verdon, 13th century. Thomas, Lord Furnival, 14th century? SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: John Talbot, 10th Earl of Shrewsbury and 10th Earl of Waterford, 17th century; Talbot family here from the 16th century until the 1920s.
Current Ownership Type: Corporation
Primary Current Ownership Use: Visitor Attraction
Ownership Details: Owned by Nick Leslau's Prestbury Group; leased to The Tussauds Group, which operates it as an amusement park. Tussauds is owned by Merlin Entertainments.
House Open to Public: Yes
Phone: 08712-223-330
Website: http://www.altontowers.com
Historic Houses Member: No