Alton Towers is known to millions as the picturesque backdrop
to one of Europe's most popular theme parks. Yet the story of this great house has lain
hidden in archive repositories and picture collections - until now.Michael Fisher brings to life the amazing story of
Alton Towers from its origin as a mere hunting lodge to its completion as the largest
privately-owned house in Europe, crammed with costly furniture and works of art.
Researched from original sources, the text is illustrated with nineteenth-century drawings
and photographs of this 'Gothic Wonderland' created by the 15th and 16th Earls
of Shrewsbury. A set of watercolours recording a tour of the house in 1870 is shown here
for the first time.
A key figure in the completion of Alton
Towers was the great architect and designer AWN Pugin, who worked for the 16th Earl from
1837 to 1852. The extraordinary relationship between earl and architect is explored
through their correspondence; yet another original feature of this book which explores the
achievements and limitations of Pugin as a domestic architect.
Condition: Good. Used. Crease on bottom right hand corner of cover
and first page inside book. For close-up of cover, click on the
cover image above. |
