An exploration of the garden at Alton Towers inevitably leads a visitor to walk down the layers to the bottom most point of the garden. When you are there the paths lead to the Chinese Pagoda Fountain, which is an impressive structure.
It is very difficult to find information on the details in the garden. However, here is a little bit of the history of the Pagoda Fountain:
The pagoda was intended to be eighty-eight feet high. It is placed on an island, in the centre of a small pond, and was to have been approached by a Chinese bridge richly ornamented. The diameter of the base of the pagoda is forty feet, and there were to have been six stories, the lower one of stone, and the others of cast iron. From the angles were to have been suspended forty highly enriched Chinese lamps, and these were to be lighted by a gasometer fixed in the lower story. Besides the lamps, there were to have been grotesque figures of monsters projecting over the angles of the canopies, which were to spout water from their eyes, nostrils, fins, tails, &c.; a column of water was also to have been projected perpendicularly from the terminating ornament, on the summit of the structure, which, from the loftiness of the source of supply, would have risen to the height of seventy or eighty feet.
However, the eventual design and build was by Robert Abraham, and was made by the Coalbrookdale Company, which, at this time had moved into the construction of ornamental iron works. It would eventually have, not the six storeys envisaged by Loudon, but three, and have ornamental bells suspended from its roofs, instead of lanterns. Its most impressive feature would become its fountain, which is still maintained, and delights visitors today.
PS: I just updated this post 02/11/11 22.20. A couple of the photos had disappeared….
It’s a real beauty Cherie!
It is quite a surprise the first time you see it
Beautiful in itself but what a pity to fall short of the original design.
It does leave to wonder how spectacular it would have been with those extra layers towering above…
Very nice photos!
Thanks Victoria
I remember seeing The Pagoda at Alton Towers, for the first time, when I was fourteen and on a church choir annual outing. Even then I was taken aback by it’s beauty. Must say, I don’t like the Pleasure Park there, totally out of place at such a lovely setting.
Di.xx
In amongst the gardens you can almost forget the theme park surrounds them. I am not a fan of the theme park either and wish they would do a discounted entry for people who do not wish to go on the theme park attractions.
It is beautiful and I very much like the second photo, it stands out with all that great reflection.
It is very unusual lighting down in that dip, it all seems green and shady even the pagoda.
Stunning!
Most people don’t expect to see this at Alton Towers…
It is nice to surprise people
Like Di, I saw it for the first time when I was in my teens. I went on a school trip and the theme park was nowhere near as developed as it is now.
a very lovely fountain ..!
It is quite amazing!!
This place is full of surprises and a good one too at that. Great reflection.
Thank you
The reflections in that part of the garden were quite fascinating.