Staff Report | May 8, 2023
It’s another busy weekend for steampunk fans in the U.K. with events at Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire; the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway in North Devon; and Doncaster City Centre in South Yorkshire. Here’s a rundown.
Staff Report | Aug 17, 2022
The long wait for UK steampunk fans will soon be over as the world’s largest steampunk gathering takes place over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend, mostly in and around Lincoln Castle.
A look back at the year’s major steampunk gatherings as the world slowly returned to normal
Staff Report | Dec 20, 2021
After a year or so of pandemic-induced restrictions, steampunk gatherings in 2021 slowly returned to the real world, and it was clear from the enthusiasm surrounding the events that folks were eager to meet again in person. See the highlights in our gallery.
Lots of costumed spectacle at the Newark Free Steampunk Festival in the UK
Photos by Craig Jenkins | Sep 22, 2021
Hundreds of steampunks gathered in costumed splendor at the Newark Free Steampunk Festival, held Aug. 28 and 29 in Newark-on-Trent. The event was presented by the Ministry of Steampunk after the Asylum Steampunk Festival was cancelled.
Staff Report | Aug 3, 2021
In recent months, steampunk drama in Lincoln, UK has been more about government councils and COVID concerns than airships or sea monsters. But that appears to be over as the Ministry of Steampunk inked a deal with local authorities.
Scenes from the immersive steampunk gathering at Blists Hill Victorian Town in Shropshire
Photos by Craig Jenkins | Jul 27, 2021
Each year, steampunks in the UK gather at The Town That Never Was, a place where the Cthulhu Party rules, the 3rd Foot & Mouth regiment stands guard, and the Martian Expeditionary Force seeks recruits. We have photos to prove it.
Staff Report | Jul 11, 2021
The Ministry of Steampunk announced the news Sunday, citing the closure of Kelham Hall, the main venue for the event. The Ministry was unable to cut a deal with Kelham Hall’s new owners, and efforts to find a new location also came to naught.
Staff Report | Jun 26, 2021
The 2021 Asylum Steampunk Festival hit a major roadblock amid reports that the operator of Kelham Hall, the main venue, is in liquidation. The Ministry of Steampunk has suspended ticket sales for the festival.
Staff Report | Jun 11, 2021
The Asylum Steampunk Festival is moving to a new location this year, and some of the media coverage about the decision is raising hackles among steampunk enthusiasts.
Staff Report | Jun 4, 2021
The Asylum Steampunk Festival is moving to a new location in Newark-on-Trent this year due to concerns about large crowds in Lincoln, the usual home for the August gathering. Festival organizers hope to be back in Lincoln next year.
Staff Report | May 27, 2021
Steampunk fans in the UK gathered in person as the Ministry of Steampunk hosted Sanctuary II at Kelham Hall and Park. Ministry director John Naylor also offered new details about “The Town That Never Was.”
Staff Report | May 21, 2021
The Ministry of Steampunk has posted the schedule for Sanctuary II, the organization’s first gathering of the year. Held at Kelham Hall and Park, it will feature teapot racing, tea dueling, a Grand Promenade, and lots more.
Staff Report | Apr 30, 2021
The Ministry of Steampunk has announced its second in-person gathering for this year. “The Town That Never Was,” an immersive steampunk event, will return July 17 and 18 to Blists Hill Victorian Town in Telford, UK.
Staff Report | Feb 12, 2021
The Asylum Steampunk Festival is the world’s largest steampunk gathering, but what are the prospects for this year? Festival director John Naylor expressed optimism but warned that “it’s not a guarantee.”
Staff Report | Sep 4, 2020
Sanctuary happened online last weekend in place of the Asylum Steampunk Festival. In case you missed it, most of the program can be viewed on the Ministry of Steampunk YouTube channel.
