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Events
Here you can find details of all our events including the brand new Pugin After Dark Festival coming in 2026. Join our mailing list here for even more updates.
Pugin After Dark Festival
Saturday 28th February - Sunday 1st March, Alton, Staffordshire
The first ever Pugin After Dark Festival will take place this year in Alton, Staffordshire, a village whose landscape and architecture have been greatly shaped and influenced by the work of AWN Pugin. We are incredibly honoured to dedicate Pugin After Dark and festival to the memory of Michael Fisher and thank his family for their kind support.
Pugin Exhibition - Free
​Alton Village Hall, Hurstons Ln, Alton, ST10 4AP
Saturday 28th February, 12 noon - 4pm
Showcasing Pugin displays, local history, the launch of the Alton Pugin Trail, photography and the work of local artists and groups. Plus the opportunity to take part in the Pugin Tile Project and meet the effigy of the man himself! Refreshments will be available from the Alton Bellringers. Free parking is available at the hall.
Exhibitors include: Cheadle Discovery Group, Martin Renshaw, author of ABC of a medieval church, and
Co-founder & Organ Advisor for Pipe Up for Pipe Organs, Amanda of AS Stained Glass, Alton Bellringers, Pugin After Dark Alton Towers restoration displays plus more!
Artists include: Lynn Cyples pottery, Lois Scragg painter, Young Munro Photography, Ruby Nixon's Mapping Myths project. plus an opportunity for you to get creative with interactive activities with the Pugin Tile Project and Urban Sketchers.
Plus: The launch of the Alton Pugin Trail, listen to spooky tales with Pugin's Ghosts of Past, Present and Future and even buy a bottle or two of Pugin's Gold beer from Peakstone Rock Brewery!!
On the Trail of Pugin
- Free
An evening of talks, music & art
Saturday 28th February, 7pm - 9pm
St Peter's Church, High Street, Alton, ST10 4AQ
Discover more about Pugin's life and work in the
Staffordshire Moorlands with two talks, Pugin's
connections with Alton Towers by David Slade and
On the Trail of Pugin by Louie Young. There will also be
musical entertainment the very talented Analogue Ethereal Ensemble, a 3-piece drone folk trio hailing from the Staffordshire Moorlands.
They cleverly use synths and drums to create ambient and evocative soundscapes overlaid with beautiful traditional vocals. AEE will also be joined by St Peter's Church's exceptional resident organist, Mark Goodhew. Do not miss the opportunity to hear this wonderful organist and organ in action and take part in our collaborative Pugin Tile Project whilst you listen.
This event is free to attend - Refreshments will be available
Parking - Please note that there is very limited on street parking in the vicinity of the church. Free public parking is, however, at the village hall on Hurston’s Lane.
Analogue Ethereal Ensemble
St John's Church - Free
Saturday 28th February & Sunday 1st March, 12.15pm - 5pm
Castle Hill Rd, Alton, ST10 4AJ
Pugin’s church, built for the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury as part of the hospital and castle complex, will be open between 12.15pm and 5pm to visitors, plus additional access to the cloister and Cotton Church displays.
Sunday 1st March
9am: Join St John's for mass on what would have been Pugin's 214th birthday.
11.15am - 12.15pm: Private mass St John's for mass
12.15pm - 5pm: The church will be open to visitors
St John's Church Tours - Booking required
We are also pleased to be offering free 20 minute guided tours of St. John's Church.
St John’s Church was constructed between 1840 and 1842 as part of the Alton Castle and hospital complex of buildings created by Pugin for the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury. Pugin designed St John’s church to provide not only a place of worship but also a place of education for the less fortunate children of the village. St John's is also the final resting place of the 16th Earl and his countess and the 17th Earl, Bertram Talbot.
Please note that places are limited - To book your free ticket through Eventbrite, click on a timeslot below.
Find out more about St Johns Church by visiting their website here
Alton Castle - Celebrate Pugin's 214th Birthday
Castle Hill Rd, Alton, ST10 4TT
Sunday 1st March - 4pm - 6pm
A wonderful opportunity to not only see inside Alton Castle's dining hall (aka the former chapel) but also Celebrate Pugin's birthday with a piece of cake and a cup or tea or coffee. Kindly hosted by the Kenelm Youth Trust. Free but donations to the trust are very much appreciated. Parking is available on site.
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This year’s festival will see the launch of the Alton Pugin Trail, which takes visitors around Alton to explore AWN Pugin’s work and hidden gems within this history-rich village.
Please note tickets for our guided walks of the trail
are now completely sold out.
Alton Pugin Trail - Free
Sunday 1st March
Further walks may be organised over the summer - Join our mailing list to be the first to hear about further dates and events.
Printed copies of the trail will be available at the festival and various venues throughout the village plus a digital version will also be available to download on the website here.
The Roundhouse - Free
Sunday 1st March, All day
Ever wondered what is inside Alton's Roundhouse? Now is your chance to see as the Roundhouse will open all day for visitors to explore and experience what it would have been like to spend some time in the village lock up.
St Peter's Church - Free
Sunday 1st March
10.45am - 11.45am: Join St Peter's Church for their Sunday service - All welcome
All day: Visit the picturesque 12th century parish church of St Peter's in the heart of the community. Not only does the church feature a Norman arcade but also Pugin designed oak panelling taken from the banqueting hall of Alton Towers and repurposed as an organ case and reredos of the north aisle.​​
Important visitor information: Please note a peal will be rung (approximately 3 1/2 hours of continuous ringing) at the church from 11.45am. While the bells are ringing, we invite you to enjoy the space in quiet reflection to ensure the ringing team can work without distraction.​​
Let's give the ringers our quiet support and ensure all electronic devices are switched to silent or off before entering the church.
Find out more about St Peters Church by visiting their a Church Near you page here
"We are incredibly honoured to be able to not only dedicate Pugin After Dark to the memory of the late Michael Fisher but also the festival itself and thank his family for their kind support."
A massive thank you to Outside who have generously awarded us Creative Community Commission this year, taking our idea of creating a festival from a dream to a reality - we couldn't do this without you.​
A big thank you also to Alton Community Events who will also kindly be supporting the festival.
If you are a group, organisation and or individual who would like to take part, contribute to the planning, have any suggestions or if you would simply like to find out more, please do not hesitate to contact us.
To receive the latest festival updates and hear about further events please join our mailing list here.
​​Talks &Workshops
If you are a group who would like to get involved with Pugin After Dark
we offer talks and creative workshops around Staffordshire and the neighbouring counties (further afield locations may also be considered).
For adults such as WI’s and other groups, we offer a 35 minute talks followed by a 15 -20 min colouring session for which materials are provided. Current talks we offer:
For you younger audiences we can provide a more hands on creative and interactive workshop.
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Alton Towers - Pugin House Tour
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The Hidden Secrets of St Giles
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Pugin's Ghost of Past, Present & Future
Talks and workshops can be tailored to your groups needs and prices start at £50 plus mileage. To book or to discuss a talk or workshop please contact us here.