2017 Heritage Stuff (The Real TLC)

[BarryZola]

Do we know if there is a similar clause in SW8's planning application, that requires them to spend money on the grounds, to that of The Smiler?

I havn't heard anything about that myself. It might be worth someone asking the question. To be fair, I'm very happy that they have restored not only the Grand Conservatories and the Prospect Tower, but also the Pagoda Fountain (one of my favourite garden features/follies in the whole country to be honest). The work on the window in the Music Room is excellent, and the work on the archway between the house conservatory and drawing room is absolutely fine and gives a good impression of what it would have been like originally. It does make me sad though that we still cannot enter that wing of the house with the Music Room window and Poets Corner. They could do with more gardeners too, to maintain the gardens better generally. But yeah, some fine restoration has been done in the last several years, especially in the gardens. No mistake.

 

[bluesonichd]

The sad thing is, we're going to be the next generation who saw the Grand Conservatories looking so beautiful, then be appalled at the fact that they were neglected and vandalized in the next 20 years. Can't wait to get a closer look. The work looks great from what I've seen so far. Love it.

Closer look. ? You think they will let anyone within 100 foot of them. They will be all fenced off.

 

[rob666]

Great! Now they just need to re-employ all those gardeners they sacked off so that the surroundings of that magnificence no longer look overgrown and untended. Wonder what the likelihood of that happening is?

...or bring in a minor army of volunteer gardeners for early morning shifts, sending them away after a three hour shift with a free packed lunch and a fast track for Wickerman.
PLEASE.

 

[Moley]

I havn't heard anything about that myself. It might be worth someone asking the question. To be fair, I'm very happy that they have restored not only the Grand Conservatories and the Prospect Tower, but also the Pagoda Fountain (one of my favourite garden features/follies in the whole country to be honest). The work on the window in the Music Room is excellent, and the work on the archway between the house conservatory and drawing room is absolutely fine and gives a good impression of what it would have been like originally. It does make me sad though that we still cannot enter that wing of the house with the Music Room window and Poets Corner. They could do with more gardeners too, to maintain the gardens better generally. But yeah, some fine restoration has been done in the last several years, especially in the gardens. No mistake.

Couldn't agree more. Whether they were nudged in that direction by the planners or not, they've certainly brought in the right people and the results don't look like they've been done on the cheap. Do we know if this current batch of restorations was decided by the park or a heritage group of some description? If it was the park, it might give us an indication that they want to make more use of the features which would be great news for their future upkeep.

 

[ringo]

Couldn't agree more. Whether they were nudged in that direction by the planners or not, they've certainly brought in the right people and the results don't look like they've been done on the cheap. Do we know if this current batch of restorations was decided by the park or a heritage group of some description? If it was the park, it might give us an indication that they want to make more use of the features which would be great news for their future upkeep.

I thought this was all pre agreed work for previous planning applications - the sign by the bridge i’m sure stated they’ve spent X millions from 2014?- 2018 on the restoration works in the gardens.

 

[Rick]

...or bring in a minor army of volunteer gardeners for early morning shifts, sending them away after a three hour shift with a free packed lunch and a fast track for Wickerman.
PLEASE.

You wouldn't turn up if there was even a minor chance of drizzle.

 

[ChristmasPud]

Do we know if this current batch of restorations was decided by the park or a heritage group of some description? If it was the park, it might give us an indication that they want to make more use of the features which would be great news for their future upkeep.

Bit of both depending how you look at it. It's part of an overall agreement with the planners and English Heritage as others mentioned, that the park pay for restorations in turn for developing the grounds as a theme park.

There is a board of heritage architects and the like who co-ordinate what gets restored, researched and how, so actually it's not a project managed by Alton Towers directly, but paid for and in conjunction with them. Then an actual architects practice is commissioned (in all the recent cases this has been CTD Architects in Leek) to create the project.

So it's really no indication that Alton Towers want to do anything with the gardens. However it doesn't stop them from applying for permission to make use of them again in the future, now that they've been so beautifully restored. I'm sure there's at least one Merlin representative who has input in the heritage meetings too

The last time Alton Towers were directly in charge of restorations in the 80s (I think), we saw old smashed windows blocked up with breeze-blocks, buildings painted over in flaking white paint, water features getting bunged up with stuff, etc - not such a good idea!

They were last restored properly in the late 70s I think? And then not looked after so well under Broome

 

[rob666]

You wouldn't turn up if there was even a minor chance of drizzle.

You are one of my customers in disguise aren't you.
...And I would turn up in gales and storms...shorter queues, faster coasters.

 

[Moley]

More on the Pagoda Fountain restoration can be found on Calibre Metalwork's website.
http://www.calibremetalwork.co.uk/projects/alton-towers-chinese-pagoda-fountain

Looking ahead, it'll be interesting to see what is next on the list of restorations. The Orangery is the most obvious candidate, though with the Towers in the state they are, they're never going to be short of options.

 

[PeteB]

Would be nice to get the rest of the ruins covered over with roofing and also perhaps getting actual windows put in the rest of the building so its weather tight. Once that's done they would essentially have a fully operational weatherproof building that can actually be put to some use, instead of just half of it used for Scarefest.

 

[Moley]

That would be great but, as it would almost certainly be a multi-year project I can't see it being a priority for those focused on heritage unless there is a risk of collapse. Overall I think these smaller projects that have a turnaround of one to one and a half seasons will be much more appealing to both parties. AT/Merlin keep the planners in their good books for a relatively small fee and the heritage groups get to cross things off their to-do list.

Unless of course they have plans to put those sections to a bigger use than simply letting people access them.

 

[Moley]

The heritage theme to this year's TLC continues.

 

[Moley]

 

[DiogoJ42]

While it's great that this stuff happens, it's a shame that all this work is being put in to something that the vast majority of guests don't even know exists, never mind will ever see.

 

[Moley]

And another one...

 

[ChristmasPud]

I'm a huge fan of these garden restorations. Although it's a relative few proportion of guests who venture in, they are still visited by many people daily. Even if as just a cross valley cut through, people go in and discover them. It's not as if stately gardens are my cup of tea, just Alton Towers' valley is so weird and wonderful, I've been amazed since I first went in.

 

[Altonadvocate1]

I spend an hour in the gardens on every trip. The towers, gardens and backdrop are what make AT great rather than merely good.

Would love to see them do something spectacular with the former Swiss cottage restaurant though. If AT had just one premier eaterie, this should be it.

 

[GaryH]

I spend an hour in the gardens on every trip. The towers, gardens and backdrop are what make AT great rather than merely good.

Would love to see them do something spectacular with the former Swiss cottage restaurant though. If AT had just one premier eaterie, this should be it.

Not sure it has the space inside for a decent eatery - however, it would be a fab place for a coffee outlet particularly in the summer when you can sit outside and admire the views over the valley.

 

[Olivus Prime]

Seeing how run down the gardens were from the Skyride, I was never keen to venture into them, but I randomly wandered in last year and was surprised at how nice it felt. These restorations ought to bring them closer to how picturesque they should be.

 

[Rob]

The Sentinel are reporting something that I think will please a few people here. Alton Towers are looking at how they can use the newly refurbished Garden conservatories, with wedding celebrations and afternoon tea both options under consideration.

They have water and electicity supplies to the conservatories, and are looking at making sure they have the facilities and licences in place to be able to host certain events.