A great deal of mystery surrounds Alton's Chained Oak, it has undoubtedly existed in it's present state for some considerable period of time but you will not find any information about it in any local history book or guide (or web site until now). The only source of information is word of mouth from the locals.

As can be seen from the photograph above. The tree is an oak of some considerable age with branches, for whatever reason, chained up to each other. The chains have been in place for some considerable period of time as the tree, in places, has grown around it. The tree also has a set of stone steps leading up to it. one thing is for sure, and that is, that someone has spent much in the way of time and resources to create what is now something of a mystery.

One story

Probably the most interesting story is one which has also been adopted by nearby Alton towers for one of their new (in 2000) attractions, "The Hex".

During a stormy night in 1821, Charles Thomas Talbot, the 15th Earl of Shrewsbury was making his way, via the baraby gutter, to Alton towers (his ancestral seat) in his carriage and was accosted on the way (at the site of the tree) by a beggar woman asking for money. The Earl refused and ordered his servants to drive on, at this the woman placed a curse on the Earl "for every branch that falls from this tree, a member of your family will die". That night the storm worsened and lightening struck the tree causing a branch to fall. Also that night a member of the Earls family suddenly, and inexplicably, died. The next day the Earl sent his workmen to chain up the remaining branches of the tree so that no more should fall and where the chains remain to this day.

It should be noted that on my last visit to the tree (early 2000) a branch had fallen (note the empty loop of chain in the centre of the picture above). Perhaps a descendant of the Earl has recently shuffled of their mortal coil?

So that's one story, take it or leave it. If you know of any other stories please let me know (e-mail)