A chance to see the newly restored Alton station with its range of impressive Minton and Hollins tiles, owned by The Landmark Trust and recently conserved. The day will start with a demonstration of the tile making process at The Firing Line in Stoke on Trent. It’s a short car journey to Alton Station (please let us know if you need a lift), where we will hear from The Landmark Trust about the history of the station. We will have the chance to see the tiles in situ and hear from Michael about the restoration work (more info about Michael’s work can be found at www.rieveleyceramics.co.uk).

After a pub lunch (cost not included), we will visit St John’s Church and Alton Castle, designed by A.N.W. Pugin. The church is part of St John’s Hospital designed by Pugin for the Earl of Shrewsbury. Its little chapel is now St John’s Church and has a pavement of Minton encaustic tiles. Alton Castle, now a youth centre, was also designed by Pugin for the Earl in 1844. The steeply pitched roof of its chapel is clad in yellow and green ceramic tiles, well restored.

If there is time, and no weddings taking place, we can visit the glorious St Giles Church in Cheadle (TBC). Another Pugin project for the Earl, all colour, ornament and pattern from the encaustic tiles manufactured by Minton, which cover the entire floor area as well as the nave dados, to the gilded and painted roof.