Europe's biggest steampunk festival in pictures

Weekend at the Asylum 2014: Europe's biggest steampunk festival – in pictures

Weekend at the Asylum is an annual gathering held in the cathedral city of Lincoln. Now in its sixth year, it has become the biggest steampunk event in Europe. Throughout the weekend devotees dress up in elaborate costumes, attend lectures, balls and markets, and compete in a variety of idiosyncratic sporting pursuits. Taking its inspiration from the technology of the Victorian era and the novels of HG Wells, Jules Verne and Mary Shelley, steampunk is a vibrant, imaginative and fast-growing culture. The movement’s motto is simple: ‘Be splendid!’

Steampunk aficionados were not hard to spot on the Lincoln streets at the weekend.

Mark Green, who works for DHL, wears a leather plague doctor’s mask and bunches of gypsophila.

Michael Anthony Young is a regular at steampunk events.

Debbie Ashdown from Lincoln makes jewellery and hats, including her own headdress. She wears vintage Victorian clothes.

Wherever there are steampunks, tea and cake is not far away.

Father and daughter David Wasser and Tori Cameron travelled from Frankfurt to attend the weekend.

A market runs throughout the weekend and is a meeting point for steampunks and local residents.

Weekend at the Asylum includes a large market where one can buy essential items such as brass goggles.

Julia Scott, a singer and musician, lives just outside Lincoln.

A street scene near the open market in the Bailgate area of Lincoln.

Steampunk takes its inspiration from Victorian-era innovations including dirigibles and submarines.

A man wearing an automaton costume made entirely out of carved wood.

Martin Wyatt, from Cumbria, in full dress uniform, including a kraken medal.

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