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The Alton Towers Gardens
Entertaining new one from the resident old git gardener.
Gunnera, or giant rhubarb, those nice big leaves by the duckpond as you go towards the rapids...
Illegal!
Got banned from sale a couple of years ago and put on the invasive species list!
I love the stuff, very theme park, and have a big clump next to the national winning post.
Can't sell it or move it, and must ensure it doesn't escape into the wild.
Didn't know it had legs.
Nearly a triffid.
Gunnera, or giant rhubarb, those nice big leaves by the duckpond as you go towards the rapids...
Illegal!
Got banned from sale a couple of years ago and put on the invasive species list!
I love the stuff, very theme park, and have a big clump next to the national winning post.
Can't sell it or move it, and must ensure it doesn't escape into the wild.
Didn't know it had legs.
Nearly a triffid.
TedShatner10
TS Member
Visiting many National Trust gardens, etc, the Gunnera plants always gave me the 'effing creeps.
It is, in fact the gardens are Grade I listed, which is the highest grade - higher than the towers themselves. It is a legal requirement to upkeep historic assets.
DistortAMG
TS Member
I would assume that listing refers to the buildings within the garden, I dont think you can list plants and flower beds, hence why they have declined.
And the towers and gardens themselves are on the heritage at risk list, despite the actual listing.
Poor condition, no plans submitted for future repairs...whatever the legal obligation regarding upkeep.
The fact that two thirds of the grounds were fenced off about thirty years ago and not touched since speaks volumes.
Poor condition, no plans submitted for future repairs...whatever the legal obligation regarding upkeep.
The fact that two thirds of the grounds were fenced off about thirty years ago and not touched since speaks volumes.
Squiggs
TS Team
It's actually the other way round. Most of the buildings are actually Grade II listed, except for the major Garden features, which are Grade II* listed.
It's the Gardens and surrounding woods and parkland that are Grade I Listed. The listing is not so much about the specific plants, etc. but more to do with the layout and ambience of the place. It is recognised as being of importance due to its unique setting and historical importance.
venny
TS Member
I don’t believe there is any explicit legal obligation to maintain a listed asset. I think there are specific steps a local authority can take to attempt to compel upkeep/maintenance, but I’m not sure what SMDC have done about trying to compel Merlin to actually maintain their assets; perhaps they are satisfied by the individual projects which are rolled into many of the Resort’s planning applications. My personal belief is that the negligence of the gardens is appalling.
Of course, whether or not there is any legal obligation on Merlin to maintain their listed assets doesn’t take away from the fact that not doing so just being really bad form. Especially when they’re exploiting the faded beauty of said assets to build the Resort and brand around.
DistortAMG
TS Member
Very interesting, thanks for clarifying that.
Squiggs
TS Team
In my comments on my recent house and garden tour, I reflected on the dramatic difference, between the North and South sides of the Garden these days.
It does feel like the gardening team are doing the best they can within the budget allocated, but are fighting a somewhat loosing battle, as they clearly don't have enough hands to maintain a garden of this scale. The northern terraces for the most part are being nicely maintained, and you can see the care and attention they have put in, but there is a distinct line running through the garden where the budget runs out and nature is taking its course.
The tour route this year was notable because it has cut out the parts of the Garden that are in particular need of attention. The tour no longer goes round the Pagoda Fountain, along the canal or through the Rock Garden, and continues to steer well clear of the Swiss Cottage.
It is remarkable how much of the Cascade and Rock Garden have been completely swallowed in bracken and other weeds and invasive plants. This photo is not particularly angled downward, but you can see the sheer density of weeds. By my reckoning, none of the greenery in the bottom third of this picture is formal planting, just a sheer overgrowth of weeds.
That photo is taken from the raised walkway behind the Choragic Monument, which I would estimate is a good 1.5m above the flowerbeds below, so for the greenery to be at that level the bracken here must be over a metre in height. It's alarming because to a very large degree - it just needs weeding. (I know that a massive over simplification, but at the same time it is true).
And equally, the Canal still looks like a lawn - the Canal is in the above picture, but entirely indistinguishably because of just how green it is. I appreciate that they are battling with Himalayan Balsam down there, but unless I'm missing something, the way to handle this is... weeding it out. (paging @rob666, in case I'm missing some gardening secret).
The entire south side of the Garden is looking rather too jungle-like over all. The main paths are being kept clear, but it doesn't seem like much up-keep is occurring beyond the basics, to the degree that the Dolphin Lake has been completely swallowed in the undergrowth, and you could miss the entire lake, thinking you were looking at a bush.
It is also worth saying that the Swiss Cottage continues to look rather worse for wear, and both the Choragic Monument and Pagoda fountain are in need of at least a touch-up, as it is now a decade since their last refurb - though the Pagoda was working like an absolute treat, despite the dry spring.
It does feel like the gardening team are doing the best they can within the budget allocated, but are fighting a somewhat loosing battle, as they clearly don't have enough hands to maintain a garden of this scale. The northern terraces for the most part are being nicely maintained, and you can see the care and attention they have put in, but there is a distinct line running through the garden where the budget runs out and nature is taking its course.
The tour route this year was notable because it has cut out the parts of the Garden that are in particular need of attention. The tour no longer goes round the Pagoda Fountain, along the canal or through the Rock Garden, and continues to steer well clear of the Swiss Cottage.
It is remarkable how much of the Cascade and Rock Garden have been completely swallowed in bracken and other weeds and invasive plants. This photo is not particularly angled downward, but you can see the sheer density of weeds. By my reckoning, none of the greenery in the bottom third of this picture is formal planting, just a sheer overgrowth of weeds.
That photo is taken from the raised walkway behind the Choragic Monument, which I would estimate is a good 1.5m above the flowerbeds below, so for the greenery to be at that level the bracken here must be over a metre in height. It's alarming because to a very large degree - it just needs weeding. (I know that a massive over simplification, but at the same time it is true).
And equally, the Canal still looks like a lawn - the Canal is in the above picture, but entirely indistinguishably because of just how green it is. I appreciate that they are battling with Himalayan Balsam down there, but unless I'm missing something, the way to handle this is... weeding it out. (paging @rob666, in case I'm missing some gardening secret).
The entire south side of the Garden is looking rather too jungle-like over all. The main paths are being kept clear, but it doesn't seem like much up-keep is occurring beyond the basics, to the degree that the Dolphin Lake has been completely swallowed in the undergrowth, and you could miss the entire lake, thinking you were looking at a bush.
It is also worth saying that the Swiss Cottage continues to look rather worse for wear, and both the Choragic Monument and Pagoda fountain are in need of at least a touch-up, as it is now a decade since their last refurb - though the Pagoda was working like an absolute treat, despite the dry spring.
BarryZola
TS Member
Agree with most of that. Only thing I would add though is that they did appear to give the Choragic Monument at least a fresh paint job over the closed season. I remember them being up on the lifter or scaffolding doing it (I think I saw it on the opening day of this season although I could be wrong and had seen it in a social media post or something). They definitely did something though.
Edit - After having a quick search, it appears it was actually in 2024. These years all fade into one these days, I'm getting too old.
Edit - After having a quick search, it appears it was actually in 2024. These years all fade into one these days, I'm getting too old.
Lovely couple of reports there thank you.
The sad state of the gardens puzzles me.
The simple use of a couple of volunteer open days to clear the weeds, (hypericum, or st johns wort, seeded sycamores, ferns and common brambles make up 90% of the perennial weeds) could improve things no end.
At least four of the paths have gone into the overgrowth on one side.
Five minute H&S chat, sign a safety waver, free tea and coffee after the first hour...simple.
They could get a hundred willing volunteers in there quickly and easily, no rocket science, just spade out the naughty stuff, and prune up the shrubbery.
Quick, safe and easy, just sit down on a rock and clear the square metre around you.
Times that by a hundred happy punters, and the whole job could be done in a few days.
The whole rockery valley could be completely transformed in two or three winter weekends, or off peak weekdays with an offer of the last couple of hours on the rides for free.
No weedkiller, no power tools, no special skills, one trained weedkiller sprayer on the staff could finish the job off in a single day...and it would be very easy indeed to get the free labour out.
But it isn't the focus anymore, and dealing with voluntary labour can be a bit like herding wasps.
So they won't bother.
Oh but if they did, I would be in the shed volvo before sunrise.
The sad state of the gardens puzzles me.
The simple use of a couple of volunteer open days to clear the weeds, (hypericum, or st johns wort, seeded sycamores, ferns and common brambles make up 90% of the perennial weeds) could improve things no end.
At least four of the paths have gone into the overgrowth on one side.
Five minute H&S chat, sign a safety waver, free tea and coffee after the first hour...simple.
They could get a hundred willing volunteers in there quickly and easily, no rocket science, just spade out the naughty stuff, and prune up the shrubbery.
Quick, safe and easy, just sit down on a rock and clear the square metre around you.
Times that by a hundred happy punters, and the whole job could be done in a few days.
The whole rockery valley could be completely transformed in two or three winter weekends, or off peak weekdays with an offer of the last couple of hours on the rides for free.
No weedkiller, no power tools, no special skills, one trained weedkiller sprayer on the staff could finish the job off in a single day...and it would be very easy indeed to get the free labour out.
But it isn't the focus anymore, and dealing with voluntary labour can be a bit like herding wasps.
So they won't bother.
Oh but if they did, I would be in the shed volvo before sunrise.
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Mi-Nigle
TS Member
My family and I would picnic on the benches of that raised walkway on every visit between 1999 and about 2008. It was a little known nook and only a handful of times were we joined there by other guests.
The view was spectacular. All vegetation was maintained, shaped and cared for. You could easily make out the different layers of garden as it dropped down into the valley towards the little bridge over the canal. As kids we'd explore pathways, race to the bridge, find the stepping stones (from the above photo I doubt this is possible today!), play hide and seek... mostly all in view of parents up on the benches.
Most days we'd see and chat to the gardeners roaming around. It was noted by us all how great it was that the park kept the gardens to such a high standard, especially considering most people don’t visit Alton Towers for the gardens.
It was a very beautiful and relaxed space and for me, it was what truly set AT apart from other parks.
It’s honestly heart-breaking to see it in it's current state.
The view was spectacular. All vegetation was maintained, shaped and cared for. You could easily make out the different layers of garden as it dropped down into the valley towards the little bridge over the canal. As kids we'd explore pathways, race to the bridge, find the stepping stones (from the above photo I doubt this is possible today!), play hide and seek... mostly all in view of parents up on the benches.
Most days we'd see and chat to the gardeners roaming around. It was noted by us all how great it was that the park kept the gardens to such a high standard, especially considering most people don’t visit Alton Towers for the gardens.
It was a very beautiful and relaxed space and for me, it was what truly set AT apart from other parks.
It’s honestly heart-breaking to see it in it's current state.
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