Abandoned

[LoopinLiam]

Welcome to my newly-created topic - Abandoned. Ever wondered why the abandoned toilet block is there? Or why part of the Nemesis queue isn’t used? Well, here is the place to post about that. If you’ve been to some of the abandoned places, why not share what it was like? You could post videos or pictures of the abandoned area, or just chat. 

[Liam.W]

Went to the abandoned toilet once. It was very abandoned and smashed up. As an abandoned toilet block should be.

Part of me thinks that the Nemesis extension queue never gets used because the queue is never long enough to warrant opening it... Just a wild guess.

[Tom]

The original queue for Nemesis was absolutely enormous, way larger than is necessary these days to cater for it's queues. There used to be another extension which more recently formed part of the queue line for Nemesis Sub Terra and prior to that Dynamo. The part that ran around the vertical loop pit I believe has been disused since the construction of Air, perhaps due to the proximity of the ride?

The abandoned toilets obviously come from an era when the gardens were a bigger part of the average visitors day to the park, there were several walks advertised and also a number of places to get refreshments so it would only be logical for there to be toilet facilities. I would make the assumption that demolishing the toilet block was seen as an unnecessary waste of money when they could simply just leave it disused, it is of course in an area that most visitors to Alton Towers would never visit. Generally the only people who do come across it are deliberately looking for it or are those who like to have a bit of an adventure.

[LoopinLiam]

I wonder if anyone has been to the bear cave at Alton Towers. No one ever talks about it, but it was quite an important part of the entertainment offerings during the 1800s. I found a website that said this about it:

“Beneath Prospect Tower on the Forbidden Valley side of the Gardens you’ll find a small, dark, slightly damp cave, open on two sides. This small cubby was once home to a live black bear, who would entertain visitors throughout the 1850s. Following his death he was stuffed and moved to the Towers themselves. His current fate is unknown.”

[Chris]

Never knew that. How fascinating and cruel!

[PhNx Survivor]

Abandoned toilets?

I've walked through the gardens plenty of times and never found the toilets.. will definitely need to try and find it this season coming!

[Harry347]

I've wondered about that little cave for ages! How interesting!

[Morgan]

The Bear Pit is really fascinating, well worth a look if you get the time and don't mind getting a little muddy. Unfortunately I've only got the one image of it (I know what I'll be doing once the park reopens!)

[LoopinLiam]

Has anyone got the directions to the abandoned toilet block? And if possible, provide pictures for every step of the way? Thank you!

[Dachshund]

Has anyone got the directions to the abandoned toilet block? And if possible, provide pictures for every step of the way? Thank you!

I went a few years back, I remember it being pretty easy to find. It's on a bank just on the far side of the Swiss Cottage.

[LoopinLiam]

Anyone know if there is anything still inside the Swiss Cottage? I heard that all the furniture was ripped out after the Swiss Cottage Restaurant closed, but my curiosity led me to ask here.

[Mr_Gibson]

Last time I went and explored the Swiss Cottage it looked like it was being used as storage. I believe it was used as offices at one point but I looked pretty unused when I went.

[garfielf]

Does anyone have any aerial images of Nemesis' Extended Queue from back before Air opened? Would be interesting to see exactly where this queue went, I have about 3 images as of now, however there's a lot of unanswered questions I have about it. 

Another thing is the theming under that turnaround just before the loop. I've seen it in only one youtube video and its not clear at all, so if you have any photos of it that'd be great.

[towersofalton]

Anyone know if there is anything still inside the Swiss Cottage? I heard that all the furniture was ripped out after the Swiss Cottage Restaurant closed, but my curiosity led me to ask here.

Type into YouTube “Alton Towers Abundant house” (yes... for some reason it’s “abundant” not abandoned ) and hopefully that will give you a better insight )

[towersofalton]

Has anyone got the directions to the abandoned toilet block? And if possible, provide pictures for every step of the way? Thank you!

Take the path below the Swiss Cottage that snakes down towards the pagoda. Assuming you are walking in the direction of the fountain, look to your right. You’ll see a set of old stone steps. Walk up those and then scramble up the bank. The toilets are practically bang on to the left of the cottage (as you’re looking at it.) You can see the toilets from the path during the winter months but they become a little more hidden during summer. Hope this helps!