The Gardens : Gothic Prospect
Tower
The Gothic Prospect Towers, sometimes referred
to as the "Chinese Temple", was built in 1824 on
Thompson's Rock, close to what is now the Forbidden Valley
Sky-Ride station. It was designed by Robert Abraham and Charles
Talbot, and manufactured by the Britannia Ironworks in Derby,
out of cast iron.
The building originally had its window frames
and decorations painted in gold leaf, though now it is totally
white.
For some time, it was possible to climb the
tower, and view the gardens and house from a very unusual
position, which gave an idea why the tower was positioned
there in the first place.
These days, the tower is closed to the public,
and is adorned with the scribblings of todays generation.
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