Alton Towers Past and Present
by Michael J Fisher
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ISBN Number: 9781843064091
Format:
Paperback
Number of Pages:
192
Publication Date:
2010
Publisher:
Horizon Editions Ltd

Reputed to have been the largest privately-owned house in Europe, Alton Towers is now known to millions as the picturesque backdrop to one of Europe's most popular theme parks. Researched from original sources and complemented with nineteenth-century drawings and photographs, this book traces the amazing history and development of this great Gothic-revival mansion and its fabulous gardens. It discusses the growth of the house from a small hunting lodge to its completion as the principal residence of the Earls of Shrewsbury, crammed with costly furniture and works of art.

A key figure in the development and extension of the house was the celebrated architect and designer AWN Pugin. He was employed by the 16th Earl from 1837 to 1853. The extraordinary relationship between earl and architect is revealed through their correspondence; yet another original feature of this book which explores the achievements and limitations of Pugin as a domestic architect.

This is a new edition of Michael Fisher's earlier publication Alton Towers: A Gothic Wonderland (1999), taking account of his more recent studies of Pugin and the Gothic Revival and the programme of conservation and restoration of the Towers buildings which began in 2000. It also includes a new section on the on-going important restoration by the owners of the theme park.

Condition: Very good, with small crease to bottom right hand corner of cover. (Click on photograph for close up of the cover of the book that we are currently selling).

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