Surprising story behind the Swiss chalet in Manx glen

Surprising story behind the Swiss chalet in Manx glen56 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleRichard Baker,Isle of ManandAlex Blake,Isle of ManManx National HeritageThe original "Swiss Cottage" was built by a Liverpudlian businessman in the 1800sIt may come as a surprise to visitors to the Isle of Man to find nestled in a valley of waterfalls, rivers, and trees, a traditional Swiss style chalet. But if you wander into Glen Helen in the west of the island, that is exactly what you will find. While the facade of the building has changed from a cottage to a chalet in the past 200 years, its origins have a fascinating history.Planning permission has been recently granted for a farm shop and deli to make the chalet its home, with the owners hoping to revitalise one of the Isle of Man's beloved beauty spots.While many people on the island are familiar with the area, which is a popular place for walks and recreation, its history may surprise even the most knowledgeable of locals. Artificial originsMatthew Richardson from Manx National Heritage explained that the "lovely natural Manx glen" appears to date back to the 1820s, but all is not as it seems."The whole thing is artificial, even the name Glen Helen is an invented name," he said. It is thought the original name was "Glen Nelen" which was adapted over time. Richardson said the building, originally a 'Swiss Cottage' came about after the whole site was bought by "a Liverpool businessman named John Astley Marsden".Manx National HeritageThe now 'Swiss Chalet' began life as a 'Swiss Cottage' in the early 20th CenturyWho was John Astley Marsden?Marsden came to the island in the 1820s, after making his name in Liverpool as a brush manufacturer.Richardson described it as "quite a common thing", for people to "make your money in the smoke and grime of Liverpool but you don't want to live there, and instead move out...