Vernacular Architecture Group
@varchgroup.bsky.social
The Vernacular Architecture Group was formed in 1952 to further the study of traditional buildings, originally those of the British Isles. Today the VAG also reflects a growing interest in buildings from other parts of the world. https://www.vag.org.uk
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A recording of a recent YVBSG talk by Philip Sands on the history of Woodsome Hall near Huddersfield can now be viewed at youtu.be/2PGeqLuA0jg?.... Philip takes us on a virtual tour of the building which has a complicated and fascinating history and has been dendro-dated to 1462.
November 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A recording of a recent YVBSG talk by Philip Sands on the history of Woodsome Hall near Huddersfield can now be viewed at youtu.be/2PGeqLuA0jg?.... Philip takes us on a virtual tour of the building which has a complicated and fascinating history and has been dendro-dated to 1462.
Interested in a free place at the VAG Winter Conference? The topic is 'Vernacular buildings in urban contexts: the study of urban building types and integration with urban studies', 10-11 Jan 2026 in Nottingham. Bursaries are available - more info at www.vag.org.uk/conferences.....
November 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Interested in a free place at the VAG Winter Conference? The topic is 'Vernacular buildings in urban contexts: the study of urban building types and integration with urban studies', 10-11 Jan 2026 in Nottingham. Bursaries are available - more info at www.vag.org.uk/conferences.....
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
Visited the Ancient High House in Stafford today. I was particularly taken with the juxtaposition of apotropaic burn mark, fire extinguisher, and fire safety sign 😁🔥🕯🧯
More on burn marks in historic buildings here:
triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
More on burn marks in historic buildings here:
triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
November 19, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Visited the Ancient High House in Stafford today. I was particularly taken with the juxtaposition of apotropaic burn mark, fire extinguisher, and fire safety sign 😁🔥🕯🧯
More on burn marks in historic buildings here:
triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
More on burn marks in historic buildings here:
triskeleheritage.triskelepublishing.com/mediaeval-my...
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
We all like to do a bit of showing off and those working on the Hall in the 14th century were no exception.
The carpenters were given the resources (money and beer, so say our archives) to embellish and generally do some woodwork showboating as can be seen here.
The carpenters were given the resources (money and beer, so say our archives) to embellish and generally do some woodwork showboating as can be seen here.
October 17, 2025 at 9:50 AM
We all like to do a bit of showing off and those working on the Hall in the 14th century were no exception.
The carpenters were given the resources (money and beer, so say our archives) to embellish and generally do some woodwork showboating as can be seen here.
The carpenters were given the resources (money and beer, so say our archives) to embellish and generally do some woodwork showboating as can be seen here.
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
Ed Lorch will tell us the story of local man James Quantock, an 18th century polymath who specialised in what we today call surveying. There will be details on how his intricate 100-page notebook was found which gives instructions and data on surveying, carpentry, husbandry, building costs and more.
October 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Ed Lorch will tell us the story of local man James Quantock, an 18th century polymath who specialised in what we today call surveying. There will be details on how his intricate 100-page notebook was found which gives instructions and data on surveying, carpentry, husbandry, building costs and more.
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
New *draft* text from @vch-oxon.bsky.social, which completes the draft for their 22nd (and penultimate, for the historic county) volume which covers the area around #Chadlington.
The new drafts are for #Chilson, with Shorthampton and Walcot.
All comments, corrections, etc., gratefully received. 🗃️
The new drafts are for #Chilson, with Shorthampton and Walcot.
All comments, corrections, etc., gratefully received. 🗃️
Oxfordshire vol. XXII - Chadlington and Area
This volume will cover a swathe of west Oxfordshire rural parishes from Chastleton on the west through to Spelsbury, Enstone, and Kiddington on the east
www.history.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 8:43 AM
New *draft* text from @vch-oxon.bsky.social, which completes the draft for their 22nd (and penultimate, for the historic county) volume which covers the area around #Chadlington.
The new drafts are for #Chilson, with Shorthampton and Walcot.
All comments, corrections, etc., gratefully received. 🗃️
The new drafts are for #Chilson, with Shorthampton and Walcot.
All comments, corrections, etc., gratefully received. 🗃️
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
Sketched on my way to a series of talks organised by @varchgroup.bsky.social & Oxford University in 2019 on recording historic urban buildings. The Sheldonian Theatre & townhouses on St Giles.
#ArchitecturalIllustration
#sketchbook #drawing
#ArchitecturalIllustration
#sketchbook #drawing
October 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Sketched on my way to a series of talks organised by @varchgroup.bsky.social & Oxford University in 2019 on recording historic urban buildings. The Sheldonian Theatre & townhouses on St Giles.
#ArchitecturalIllustration
#sketchbook #drawing
#ArchitecturalIllustration
#sketchbook #drawing
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Really looking forward to speaking at the 'Counting Chimneys - The Hearth Tax in Lincolnshire' conference on the 25th. Everyone is welcome, book in now! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/counting-c...
October 2, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Really looking forward to speaking at the 'Counting Chimneys - The Hearth Tax in Lincolnshire' conference on the 25th. Everyone is welcome, book in now! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/counting-c...
#AdoorableThursday Barn door at Sherford, Devon.
October 2, 2025 at 6:44 AM
#AdoorableThursday Barn door at Sherford, Devon.
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Courtyard of the Golden Cross, Oxford. An inn with a long history, claimed as 1193 on the wall of Pizza Hut. On the left is a long 16th-17th century timber frame with wall paintings, to the rear an 18th century range. Sketched when I was in town to give a lecture, 2019.
#UrbanSketch
#drawing
#UrbanSketch
#drawing
September 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Courtyard of the Golden Cross, Oxford. An inn with a long history, claimed as 1193 on the wall of Pizza Hut. On the left is a long 16th-17th century timber frame with wall paintings, to the rear an 18th century range. Sketched when I was in town to give a lecture, 2019.
#UrbanSketch
#drawing
#UrbanSketch
#drawing
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#WindowsOnWednesday Some workroom windows, including dairies and cheese rooms, were exempt from window tax if clearly labelled as such.
October 1, 2025 at 6:37 AM
#WindowsOnWednesday Some workroom windows, including dairies and cheese rooms, were exempt from window tax if clearly labelled as such.
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Found this 17th Century farm near in Cumbria last week. Date on the front is 1692. Not listed. Very modified. Changed doors and windows. New roof? No chimneys. I wonder if it’s owned by a water company as it’s close to Thirlmere.
September 28, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Found this 17th Century farm near in Cumbria last week. Date on the front is 1692. Not listed. Very modified. Changed doors and windows. New roof? No chimneys. I wonder if it’s owned by a water company as it’s close to Thirlmere.
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
Join us on Saturday 18 October at our follow-up day to hear about buildings we recorded in the south Bradford area in May. We'll also have a walk around the historic buildings of Wibsey. Everybody welcome! Booking details at www.yvbsg.org.uk/events.html.
September 26, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Join us on Saturday 18 October at our follow-up day to hear about buildings we recorded in the south Bradford area in May. We'll also have a walk around the historic buildings of Wibsey. Everybody welcome! Booking details at www.yvbsg.org.uk/events.html.
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
A while back Historic England asked for my opinion on which was the oldest pub in London. The result is a new online article that outlines the variables, busts some myths, and points to a couple of genuinely ancient pubs in and around the city...
heritagecalling.com/2025/09/25/w...
heritagecalling.com/2025/09/25/w...
September 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A while back Historic England asked for my opinion on which was the oldest pub in London. The result is a new online article that outlines the variables, busts some myths, and points to a couple of genuinely ancient pubs in and around the city...
heritagecalling.com/2025/09/25/w...
heritagecalling.com/2025/09/25/w...
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekKforKaraoke
#AdoorableThursday
#UrbanGaze
Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townshend
#PhotographersOfBluesky
#BlueskyPhotography
#Broviravo #Art
#EastCoastKin
#AdoorableThursday
#UrbanGaze
Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townshend
#PhotographersOfBluesky
#BlueskyPhotography
#Broviravo #Art
#EastCoastKin
September 11, 2025 at 12:41 PM
#AlphabetChallenge #WeekKforKaraoke
#AdoorableThursday
#UrbanGaze
Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townshend
#PhotographersOfBluesky
#BlueskyPhotography
#Broviravo #Art
#EastCoastKin
#AdoorableThursday
#UrbanGaze
Let My Love Open the Door – Pete Townshend
#PhotographersOfBluesky
#BlueskyPhotography
#Broviravo #Art
#EastCoastKin
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
#AdoorableThursday Doorway in the range of farm buildings at Birthwaite Hall, near Barnsley.
September 18, 2025 at 7:31 AM
#AdoorableThursday Doorway in the range of farm buildings at Birthwaite Hall, near Barnsley.
#AdoorableThursday The Guildhall, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire.
September 18, 2025 at 7:45 AM
#AdoorableThursday The Guildhall, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire.
#WindowsOnWednesday Window at Overhouse, Tisbury, with the mullions narrower than their heads.
September 17, 2025 at 6:47 AM
#WindowsOnWednesday Window at Overhouse, Tisbury, with the mullions narrower than their heads.
Should be good - we visited some amazing buildings in Wiltshire!
Wed 17 Sep, Michelle Hilborne & Fergus Dowding on the vernacular architecture of South Wiltshire. Michelle & Fergus will discuss buildings they visited during the @varchgroup.bsky.social Spring Conference, illustrating similarities & differences to Somerset buildings. 7.30pm, Parish Rooms, Somerton.
September 16, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Should be good - we visited some amazing buildings in Wiltshire!
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A Lost Gem: The Demise of Parlwr Mawr
In the heart of Conwy, a building full of history was demolished in the 1950s. Parlwr Mawr, the "Great Parlour," was a magnificent townhouse dating back to the late 16th century.
1/...
In the heart of Conwy, a building full of history was demolished in the 1950s. Parlwr Mawr, the "Great Parlour," was a magnificent townhouse dating back to the late 16th century.
1/...
September 14, 2025 at 11:25 AM
A Lost Gem: The Demise of Parlwr Mawr
In the heart of Conwy, a building full of history was demolished in the 1950s. Parlwr Mawr, the "Great Parlour," was a magnificent townhouse dating back to the late 16th century.
1/...
In the heart of Conwy, a building full of history was demolished in the 1950s. Parlwr Mawr, the "Great Parlour," was a magnificent townhouse dating back to the late 16th century.
1/...
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
Worth a read! Alfie Robinson interviewing the brilliant Dr. Tim Meek, @limefinishes.bsky.social - THE expert on lime finishes…
open.substack.com/pub/alfierob...
open.substack.com/pub/alfierob...
Beneath the Surface? An Interview with Dr Timothy Meek
The skins of buildings
open.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Worth a read! Alfie Robinson interviewing the brilliant Dr. Tim Meek, @limefinishes.bsky.social - THE expert on lime finishes…
open.substack.com/pub/alfierob...
open.substack.com/pub/alfierob...
Reposted by Vernacular Architecture Group
Vine Cottage, #Looe #Cornwall
18th Century set of buildings. Part of small house & coach house grouping.
#AdoorableThursday #LocalHistory
18th Century set of buildings. Part of small house & coach house grouping.
#AdoorableThursday #LocalHistory
September 11, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Vine Cottage, #Looe #Cornwall
18th Century set of buildings. Part of small house & coach house grouping.
#AdoorableThursday #LocalHistory
18th Century set of buildings. Part of small house & coach house grouping.
#AdoorableThursday #LocalHistory
#AdoorableThursday Let's hope the residents of this house in Silver Street, Ely, know which keyhole to use.
September 11, 2025 at 7:05 AM
#AdoorableThursday Let's hope the residents of this house in Silver Street, Ely, know which keyhole to use.