Mechanical Memories Magazine

The Story of Alton Towers
DVD
This is the story of Alton Towers today and yesterday. We take a
privileged journey through images dating back to the 1870s -
through film dating back to the 1920s and through the eyes of the
present - to those who know and love Alton Towers today.
The Story of Alton Towers, as a place of fun, thrills and magic,
began when Charles, the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury, first flung open
the gates of his amazing ancestral estate to an awe-struck public -
as far back as the 1830s! As his monument in the garden testifies,
'He Made The Desert Smile', and his great vision of a 'wonderland'
with magnificent gardens and attractions such as the Chinese
Pagoda Fountain and Swiss Cottage saw Alton Towers as a themed
park - 120 years before Disneyland! All this set against an incredible
Gothic mansion - worked upon by the great Austine Pugin - and one
of the most splendid in the world!
Crowds have flocked to this magical place ever since - to the fairs,
wakes and fireworks extravaganzas in the 1890s - through to the
funfairs of the 1950s - and on to modern times, from the unveiling
of The Corkscrew in 1980 through to the present.
We take a special look and ride upon, the remarkable gravity
defying rides of today, such as Oblivion, Air, Nemesis and Rita
Queen Of Speed, with fascinating insights from those such as
Rollercoaster guru, John Wardley.
Re-live the magic and wonderment of nearly two centuries of Alton
Towers!
Classification: Exempt from classification
Region coding: Not region coded
Running Time: 60 minutes
Label: Beckmann Acquisitions
RRP : £15.31
Our Price: £9.99
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