In 1851 Alton, or Alveton, was described as a large and well-built village, picturesquely situated on the south-western side of the river and Churnet Valley Railway, on which it has a handsome station in the Italian style, four miles E of Cheadle, and seven miles NNW of Uttoxeter. Its parish contains 2390 inhabitants and about 7000 acres of land, divided into four townships: Alton, 2251 acres & 1168 souls; Cotton, 1270 acres & 519 souls; Denstone, 1690 acres & 231 souls; and Farley, 2221 acres & 472 souls. On the opposite side of the valley, in Farley township, is Alton Towers, the princely seat of the Earl of Shrewsbury.