Pugin Trail - thedms

Augustus W N Pugin is regarded as one of the greatest architects
of the nineteenth century. Although famous for his work at the
Palace of Westminster in London, many believe his finest work is
found here in Staffordshire.
www.enjoystaffordshire.com
Begin your tour walking from the Pugin Heritage Centre (Lulworth House), Cheadle to:
ST GILES’ CATHOLIC
CHURCH CHEADLE
‘Cheadle, perfect Cheadle, my
consolation in all my afflictions’
A W N Pugin.
St Giles’ Church is affectionately
known as ‘Pugins Gem’. Working
with almost unlimited funds, Pugin
was commissioned in 1840 by John
Talbot, the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury,
to create a church that ‘would have
no rival’. St Giles’ epitomises Pugin’s
work in its grandest form with a richly
decorated interior and is one of the
finest examples of Victorian Gothic
architecture in the country. St Giles’
is open daily. On entering the church,
put a £1 in the meter to light up this
church and enjoy its beauty in all its
magnificence.
www.stgilescatholicchurch.co.uk
COTTON COLLEGE
NEAR OAKAMOOR
With the original building
dating back to 1630, The Earl
of Shrewsbury bought Cotton
Hall in 1843 and the following
year, Pugin was commissioned
to make alterations. Following
the Earl’s death, large debts
had accumulated and the
building was sold. Pugin’s son,
Edward Welby, was involved in
later alterations.
Pugin also designed St Wilfred’s
Church adjoining the college
(built 1846-8), which remains
today much as he planned it.
The building is now closed and in private ownership but can be
easily viewed from the roadside or see this beautiful building
nestling in the valley by the following Woods & Ways countryside
walk downloaded from: www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk
The finest examples of
Victorian Gothic Architecture
ALTON TOWERS
ALTON
Although known today as the UK’s favourite theme park, Alton
Towers has had a rich and varied history. Originally home to the
Earls of Shrewsbury, Pugin’s influence was increasingly felt when
he was given contracts to build the Great Hall and decorate the
Chapel. But unlike St Giles’, Pugin, although employed at Alton
Towers for many years, was never given full control. Following a fire
Alton Towers was abandoned, then in the 1920s it was occupied by
the military as a hospital. Finally, it was left deserted as a romantic
backdrop, before becoming home to the theme park.
In recent years much restoration work has been carried out to
both the Chapel and Great Hall.
www.altontowersheritage.com
ALTON CASTLE
ALTON
The fairytale Alton Castle towers majestically over the Churnet
Valley. Designed by Pugin, work commenced on the castle in 1847
on the grounds of the ruined fortress. Sadly, Pugin died before its
completion and the castle was never finished in its original form.
It is believed that his son Edward Welby carried on after his
father’s death.
The Castle Chapel roof is embellished with sparkling gilded tiles.
Adjoining the Castle is a group of Pugin buildings: chapel, hospital
and school. www.altoncastle.co.uk
Enjoy spectacular views across the
Churnet Valley and see the outside of
the Castle. Please note the Castle is
now a Catholic Retreat and closed to
visitors. It does have an open day each
year. For further information, please
see website or contact Alton Castle.
Tel: 01538 703224
If time allows, there are many old stone cottages and an ancient
parish church in the village of Alton.
ST MARY’S CHURCH
UTTOXETER
St Mary’s was one of Pugin’s
earliest designs. From working
on this church, he would learn a
lot that would then influence his
later work. Consecrated in 1839
it was built with money donated
by the 16th Earl of Shrewsbury.
The exterior was extremely
plain and inside the roof darkly
stained The focus of the church
was eight angels in niches lit by
three windows.
St Giles’ Church is one of the finest buildings
built by A W N Pugin, and is commonly known
as ‘Pugin’s Gem’. Set in the historic town of
Cheadle, Staffordshire, it is the starting point for
this trail which takes you on a journey through
the beautiful Churnet Valley, often referred to
as Staffordshire’s ‘Little Switzerland’.
We hope you enjoy the trail to some of Pugin’s greatest
buildings, and, of course, to the finest of them all – St Giles’
Catholic Church in Cheadle, Staffordshire.
The Pugin Trail can be followed either by car or 32a bus,
hourly in high summer and 2 hourly for the rest of the year.
A51
17
16
A50
A500
BIDDULPH
KIDSGROVE
NEWCASTLE
-UNDER
-LYME
A519
A34
15
STOKE
-ON-TRENT
STONE
LEEK
UTTOXETER
For more information contact:
Leek Tourist Information Centre,
1 Market Place, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 5HH
Tel: 01538 483741
Email: tourism@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk
Web: www.enjoystaffordshire.com
A527
A53
A51
PEAK
DISTRICT
CHEADLE
Photo Credits:
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Thomas Eivers, Mark Titterton.
A520
A50
A53
A523
A522
A518
A52

The finest examples of
Victorian Gothic Architecture
TO FROGHALL
COTTON
DELL
NATURE
RESERVE
COTTON
COLLEGE
OAKAMOOR
Follow the Pugin Trail starting from 1 at
St Giles’ and ending at 5 in Uttoxeter. The
trail is approximately 20 miles; by car
allow at least one hour, plus time to enjoy
the sites and Staffordshire walk. By bus
you can comfortably do the entire route
with stops in a day.
HALLES HALL
NATURE RESERVE
ST GILES’
TO
FROGHALL
CHEADLE
B5417
OLD FURNACE
River Churnet
ALTON TOWERS
THREAPWOOD
ABBEY WOOD
B5032
CHURNET VALLEY
ALTON
CASTLE
ALTON
A522
B5032
DENSTONE
B5031
Hollington Road
UPPER TEAN
ROCESTER
River Dove
TO UTTOXETER
Hollington Road
TO
UTTOXETER
B5030
Woodland
Nature Reserve
Parking
Telephone
Road
Pugin Trail
Picnic Area
Camp Site
Tea Room
Pub
River
CONTINUE TO UTTOXETER FOR
ST MARY’S
CATHOLIC CHURCH