August 10, 2008: War of the Worlds
 

Woking, England, is H.G. Wells’ hometown, and the area in which the first martian "Cylinder" landed, in Wells' War of the Worlds.
In 1998, to celebrate the centenary of War of the Worlds, Michael Condron built this 23ft high sculpture of the "Tripod"

http://cellar.org/2008/tripod.jpg

Next to the tripod, is the "Cylinder", and there are also 11 types of bacteria represented by designs on surrounding stones,
some of which continue up the legs of the "Tripod".

http://cellar.org/2008/tripod2.jpg

Woking seems to be a stable business town (city?), of 91,000, but doesn't look to me like much of a tourist destination.
I think the "Tripod" is a cool thing to have in the middle of town, but I wonder if this art, in itself, will draw a lot of tourists to Woking?

Neatorama points to this link

They could've made it look a lot cooler, but I loved the book and next time I'm around Woking I'll check this out.

Sure doesn't look like much of a tourist attraction to me. It doesn't look like much at all really.

Ulla!

I doubt it's so much a tourist attraction, as it is a piece of artistic branding and an exercise in civic pride. The area will attract its share of tourists because of WotW, and little details like that help add to the atmosphere. Mainly though, this sort of thing is usually about the feel good factor for the citizenry. I wouldn't be suprised if it had lottery funding.

You mean it isn't woking yet?

I like it, though I don't remember the original cylinders..

I would've liked the new WOW better if it hadn't had Tom Cruise ruining it. The effects were great. The original chilling assault was great too.

Wow!
I think it's fantastic - in both meanings of the world.
Good for them.

I agree with Dana, this has nothing to do with tourism. It's a Woking thing for Woking people.

I love how massive it looks in the first picture. That's how big it should be - it should loom, and dominate and terrify. I can understand why they scaled it down though :)

All I can say is that had better turn into a street light at night:)

It would make a perfect place for a security camera, but I think it's whimsical. If not a tourist attraction, then at least it is a photo opportunity for any who pass by.