Alton Towers

Alton Towers is a theme park in Farley, Staffordshire, England, built around a Gothic Revival country house. The site spreads across a wooded valley with multiple themed zones that range from roller coasters and water attractions to adventure areas.

The original country house was built in the early 19th century and later redesigned by Augustus Pugin in the Gothic Revival style. After the Second World War, the estate gradually turned into a public leisure site and eventually opened as a theme park.

The name honors the Talbot family, who guided the estate for centuries and whose gardens were celebrated as masterworks of English landscape design. Today visitors walk among historical ruins and modern rides, experiencing two eras in one location.

Arriving early in the day often means shorter waits at popular attractions and easier navigation around the site. Comfortable walking shoes are advisable, as the grounds are hilly and many paths cross uneven terrain.

The gardens are among the few in England to be classified as both a Grade I listed park and a site of national interest. Many visitors overlook the old pathways and terraces that wind through the grounds and still show the original layout today.

Location: Farley

Inception: 1814

Architects: Augustus Pugin

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Part of: Alton Towers estate, Alton Towers

GPS coordinates: 52.98640,-1.89347

Latest update: December 17, 2025 07:52