Swiss Cottage
The Swiss Cottage is found on the south slope of the valley and is prominent from many views within the Gardens. It was also known as the Harper's Cottage, as the home of a blind Welsh harpist called Edward Jervis, who was employed by the 16th Earl to play music in the Gardens and the Towers. It is not clear, however, if the cottage was preceded Edward's residence, or if it was built specially for the harpist.
Despite being a working house, the Swiss Cottage's primary purpose was decorative and it was built in a Tudor-Gothic style to mimic an alpine lodge when viewed at a distance, as intended. It was originally thatched but was tiled at some point during the later years of the 1800s.
When Alton Towers became a tourist attraction in the 1920s, the Swiss Cottage became a tearoom, a roll it continued into the war years, but by then serving officers-in-training, rather than tourists. It continued as a Tea Room after the war, until the 1980s, when it was extended into a restaurant, with new extensions to the side and back of the building, along with the terrace we see in front of the building today.
The restaurant ceased operation during the 90s, after which time the building was used as offices, but has sat empty since around 2013. In 2019 the roof collapsed on the rear extension (where the restaurant's kitchen had been added), leading to the demolition of the rear 80s additions and restoration of the back wall of the cottage. No further work was done beyond this limited restoration and the building remains vacant.
Then and Now
| Then (c. 1980s): | Now (2020): |
|---|---|
 |  |
In the 1980s, the Swiss Cottage was a fine dining restaurant, and the view seen here would be familiar to diners making their way into the garden for their meal. Whilst the outside of the Swiss Cottage looks relatively similar today, the building is now disused and the view has been obscured by the undergrowth which has grown up in the intervening years.
View of the Swiss Cottage
Then (c. 1920s):
Now (2020):
During the Earls' times and for many years beyond, The Swiss Cottage was clearly visible from the north terraces of the Gardens, such as this view from the Dutch Garden. This presented the cottage in an alpine setting, on the steep slope opposite. Today the trees are much more mature, so now only a glimpse of the Swiss Cottage's roof can be seen from the Dutch Garden.
View from the Swiss Cottage
| Then (c. 1871): | Now (2020): |
|---|---|
 |  |
In the 1800s, the Swiss Cottage offered one of the best views of the Gardens, looking over the array of impressive buildings built on the North Terraces of the Gardens. These views were later enjoyed by diners at the Swiss Cottage Restaurant. Today, one particularly unfortunately placed tree has grown to such a size that the view is largely obscured.
