Alton Castle Alton Castle is a Gothic - revival castle , located on a hill above the Churnet Valley , in the village of Alton , Staffordshire . The site has been fortified since Saxon times , with the original castle dating from the 12th - century . The current castle was constructed in the mid - 19th - century by John Talbot , 16th Earl of Shrewsbury , of near by Alton Towers . Since 1967 the castle has been designated a Grade I listed building . It is also a scheduled ancient monument . History . Alton Castle was founded by Bertram de Verdon and built on a rocky precipice overlooking the River Churnet in the 12th century , however the site had been fortified since Saxon times . The castle is also known as or referred to in historical documents as Alton , Alverton or Aulton . The 12th - century castle was substantially reconstructed during the 15th century and subsequently was damaged during the Civil War . Since 1442 , the castle was in the possession of the Earls of Shrewsbury , who from the beginning of the 19th - century made their home at nearby Alton Towers . By the mid - 19th - Century the castle was mostly in ruins . John Talbot , 16th Earl of Shrewsbury , commissioned Catholic architect Augustus Pugin , who was already working for the Earl at Alton Towers , to construct a new gothic castle / country house on the site . Most of the 12th - century ruins were demolished to make way for the new building which was designed to look like a French or German medieval castle . The earl also commissioned Pugin to develop the surrounding area on castle hill . A " replica of a medieval hospital , a guildhall and presbytery " were constructed ; dedicated to St . John the Baptist , the buildings served as a church and hospital ( almshouses ) and were designed to provide and care for the poor for of the parish . The church was also used as a school for local poor children . It is unclear why the 16th Earl had the castle rebuilt . It may have been intended for the Earl ' s cousin and eventual successor , Bertram Talbot ( 17th Earl of Shrewsbury ) ; or it may have been intended as a Dower House for the Earl ' s wife , if he should predecease her . Towards the end of the castle ' s construction , the earl suggested the castle could be a home for priests , but Pugin was " vehemently against the idea " . The site was taken over by the Sisters of Mercy in 1855 and the presbytery became their convent . The castle remained a private residence until 1919 when the Sisters of Mercy bought it for £3 , 500 to extend their boarding school . The school closed in 1989 and the castle was left empty until in 1996 . In 1996 it was established by the Archdiocese of Birmingham as a Catholic Youth Retreat Centre . Present Day . Alton Castle is now in its 15th year as a residential youth centre and UK registered charity working with children aged between 9 and 13 years . Over 8 , 000 children visit the Castle each year , mainly with schools , but also from other children ’ s organisations such as youth groups and charities who work with children with disabilities . Some of the children have suffered disadvantages , including disability , and many come from inner city areas of social and economic deprivation . Alton Castle aims to raise self - esteem , to strengthen and build friendships , and to help each child realise their potential as human beings . The children participate in a variety of activities during their stay including mountain biking , trekking , archery , rockclimbing and survival .