G E Street St James the Less, Pimlico, 1861 © Neil Jackson

Events

The Victorian Society runs a diverse programme of events including visits, walks, online talks and weekends away. These are publicised to members below and in the ‘Blue Sheet’ which is mailed with our membership magazine, ‘The Victorian’, in February, June and October. Members receive priority booking.

The Victorian Society is an CPD provider recognised by The Institute of Historic Building Conservation. Our recorded online talks can be found in our shop here. This is a fantastic opportunity to discover over 80 lectures on Victorian and Edwardian architecture, architects, and related themes including railways.

November

Online Lecture: Matthew Digby Wyatt by Robert Thorne

The polymath Wyatt – architect, administrator, designer, writer and connoisseur – was project manager to the Great Exhibition of 1851.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Autumn Online Lecture Series 2025 | Online
Book now

Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘The Red Girl’s Reasoning’ by E Pauline Johnson & ‘The Epaulettes’ by Gilbert Parker

The Victorian Short Story Reading Group has regular meetings to explore some of the exciting material from the golden age of the British short story, which began during the latter part of the nineteenth century. The current theme is colonial short stories, with stories from Canada.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Wednesday, November 12th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm– 8:30 pm
Venue: Priory Gardens, London W4 1TT – View on map
Location: In Person | London
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Online Lecture: The Aesthetic Movement in Five English Interiors by Steven Brindle

This talk will examine five celebrated interiors of the Aesthetic Movement that involved Edward Burne-Jones and Morris & Co.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Autumn Online Lecture Series 2025 | Online
Book now
Ticket Price: £10.00
Date: Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
Time: 12.30-2.00pm
Venue: Max Fordham, 1st Floor Cottonopolis Building 14 Newton Street Manchester M1 2AF (short flight of steps to front door: lift inside) – View on map
Location: Manchester

Online Lecture: Toronto Edwardian: Frank Darling, Architect of Canada’s Imperial Age by David Winterton

Frank Darling (1850–1923), was employed in the office of George Edmund Street and became a leading exponent of Edwardian Baroque in Toronto.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Wednesday, November 26th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Autumn Online Lecture Series 2025 | Online
Book now

Visit: The Unitarian church and St Agnes Church, Sefton Park, Liverpool

Two Grade I listed Victorian churches in one day! Join retired architect Michael Davies to explore these two remarkable buildings.

More information
Ticket Price: £10
Date: Friday, November 28th, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Venue: Unitarian Church, 57 Ullet Road Liverpool L17 2AA – View on map
Location: In Person | Liverpool
Book now

December

Online Lecture: EW Godwin: Architecture into Art by Aileen Reid

Although his fame today rests on his distinguished Aesthetic Movement furniture, E.W. Godwin (1833–86) styled himself ‘architect’.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Autumn Online Lecture Series 2025 | Online
Book now
Ticket Price: £5
Date: Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Showroom 5, Paternoster Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BX – View on map
Location: Talk | South Yorkshire | In Person

Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘The Gerrard Street Mystery’ by John Charles Dent.

The Victorian Short Story Reading Group has regular meetings to explore some of the exciting material from the golden age of the British short story, which began during the latter part of the nineteenth century. The current theme is colonial short stories, with stories from Canada.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Wednesday, December 10th, 2025
Time: 7:00 pm– 8:30 pm
Venue: Priory Gardens, London W4 1TT – View on map
Location: In Person | London
Book now
Ticket Price: £10.00 pay on the day
Date: Wednesday, December 17th, 2025
Time: 7.15-9.00pm
Venue: Friends Meeting House Mount Street Manchester M2 5NS – View on map
Location: Manchester

January

Online Lecture: Mapping Dorset’s Victorian and Edwardian Buildings by Michael Hill

This talk reveals the Victorian and Edwardian architectural gems of Dorset.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Tuesday, January 13th, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Online
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Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘Do Seek Their Meat from God’ & ‘Strayed’ by Charles G D Roberts

The Victorian Short Story Reading Group has regular meetings to explore some of the exciting material from the golden age of the British short story, which began during the latter part of the nineteenth century. The current theme is colonial short stories, with stories from Canada.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm– 8:30 pm
Venue: Priory Gardens, London W4 1TT – View on map
Location: In Person | London
Book now

Visit:  Nineteenth-Century Furniture at the V&A. A Visit led by Max Donnelly

Max Donnelly, Curator, Furniture and Woodwork 1800-1915, will present a gallery talk at the V & A museum.

More information
Ticket Price: £16
Date: Tuesday, January 20th, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Venue: Victoria and Albert Museum – View on map
Location: Visit | In Person | London
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Visit: An 1890s House in Clapham

This is a rare opportunity to see the colourful and atmospheric candlelit interiors of this house in Clapham.

More information
Ticket Price: £20
Date: Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Venue: Address available closer to the date. – View on map
Location: Visit | In Person | London
Book now
Ticket Price: to be confirmed
Date: Saturday, January 24th, 2026
Time: 11.00am-5.00pm (to be confirmed)
Venue: Bright Hall, Rochdale Town Hall, The Esplanade, Rochdale OL16 1AZ – View on map
Location: Manchester | In Person

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026: Heroines and Heroes of the Arts and Crafts Movement – 7 talks for 6

Our speakers will be drawing on a large amount of new research, much of which is highlighting the often-neglected role played by women.

More information
Ticket Price: £36 for members, £48 for non-members, £18 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

Spring Lecture Series 2026: Heroines and Heroes of the Arts and Crafts Movement – 7 talks for 6

Our speakers will be drawing on a large amount of new research, much of which is highlighting the often-neglected role played by women.

More information
Ticket Price: £66 for members, £90 for non-members, £33 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | London | In Person
Book now

Spring Lecture Series 2026 1: Philip Webb by Max Donnelly

Max Donnelly will discuss Phillip Webb’s works as a designer of domestic interiors.

More information
Ticket Price: £11 for members, £15 for non-members, £5.50 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | London | In Person
Book now

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026 1: Philip Webb by Max Donnelly

Max Donnelly will discuss Phillip Webb’s works as a designer of domestic interiors.

More information
Ticket Price: £6 for members, £8 for non-members, £3 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, January 28th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

February

Ticket Price: £ 5
Date: Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Showroom 5, Paternoster Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BX – View on map
Location: Talk | South Yorkshire | In Person

Spring Lecture Series 2026 2: Gertrude Jekyll: ‘Artist Gardener Craftswoman’ by Caroline Ikin

Caroline Ikin will discuss Gertrude Jekyll’s decorative arts and interiors.

More information
Ticket Price: £11 for members, £15 for non-members, £5.50 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | London | In Person
Book now

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026 2: Gertrude Jekyll: ‘Artist Gardener Craftswoman’ by Caroline Ikin

Caroline Ikin will discuss Gertrude Jekyll’s decorative arts and interiors.

More information
Ticket Price: £6 for members, £8 for non-members, £3 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, February 4th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026 3: Lutyens and the Arts & Crafts Movement by Clive Aslet

Join us to hear Clive Aslet as he discusses the work of Edwin Lutyens and the Arts & Crafts Movement.

More information
Ticket Price: £6 for members, £8 for non-members, £3 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, February 11th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

Spring Lecture Series 2026 3: Edwin Lutyens by Clive Aslet (In-Person)

Join us to hear Clive Aslet as he discusses the work of Edwin Lutyens.

More information
Ticket Price: £11 for members, £15 for non-members, £5.50 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, February 11th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | London | In Person
Book now

Visit: Lambeth Palace Library and Church of England Archives

Discover the variety of archival material in Lambeth Palace covering churches, cathedrals, housing and other buildings.

More information
Ticket Price: £20
Date: Thursday, February 12th, 2026
Time: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Venue: Lambeth Palace – View on map
Location: Visit | London | In Person
Book now

Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘Krag, the Kootenay Ram’, by Ernest Thompson Seton

The Victorian Short Story Reading Group has regular meetings to explore some of the exciting material from the golden age of the British short story, which began during the latter part of the nineteenth century. The current theme is colonial short stories, with stories from Canada.

More information
Ticket Price: £6
Date: Wednesday, February 18th, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm– 8:30 pm
Venue: Priory Gardens, London W4 1TT – View on map
Location: London | In Person
Book now

Visit: Old Bailey

Discover the architecture of the Old Bailey.

More information
Ticket Price: £32
Date: Thursday, February 19th, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Venue: Old Bailey – View on map
Location: Visit | In Person | London
Book now

Spring Lecture Series 2026 4: Phoebe Anna Traquair by Elizabeth Cumming

Our speaker, Dr Elizabeth Cumming, has documented Traquair’s life and art for nearly half a century, and will discuss her findings tonight.

More information
Ticket Price: £11 for members, £15 for non-members, £5.50 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: London | Spring Lecture Series 2026 | In Person
Book now

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026 4: Phoebe Anna Traquair by Elizabeth Cumming

Our speaker, Dr Elizabeth Cumming, has documented Traquair’s life and art for nearly half a century, and will discuss her findings tonight.

More information
Ticket Price: £6 for members, £8 for non-members, £3 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, February 25th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

Visit:  Tour of the Linnean Society of London

Join expert staff for a tour of the Linnean Society of London, the world’s oldest learned society devoted to biology and natural history.

More information
Ticket Price: £20
Date: Thursday, February 26th, 2026
Time: 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Venue: Linnean Society of London – View on map
Location: Visit | London | In Person
Book now

March

Ticket Price: £ 5
Date: Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Showroom 5, Paternoster Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BX – View on map
Location: Talk | South Yorkshire | In Person

Spring Lecture Series 2026 5: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald by Robyne Calvert

Their partnership will be analysed by Robyne Calvert, a cultural historian specializing in the art, architecture and design.

More information
Ticket Price: £11 for members, £15 for non-members, £5.50 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: London | Spring Lecture Series 2026 | In Person
Book now

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026 5: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald by Robyne Calvert

Their partnership will be analysed by Robyne Calvert, a cultural historian specializing in the art, architecture and design.

More information
Ticket Price: £6 for members, £8 for non-members, £3 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

Spring Lecture Series 2026 6: May Morris and the Art of Embroidery by Lynn Hulse

May Morris (1862–1938), was well-known in her lifetime for her pioneering expertise in ‘art embroidery’.

More information
Ticket Price: £11 for members, £15 for non-members, £5.50 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: London | Spring Lecture Series 2026 | In Person
Book now

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026 6: May Morris and the Art of Embroidery by Lynn Hulse

May Morris (1862–1938), was well-known in her lifetime for her pioneering expertise in ‘art embroidery’.

More information
Ticket Price: £6 for members, £8 for non-members, £3 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, March 11th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

Spring Lecture Series 2026 7: Christopher Whall by Peter Cormack

Whall’s achievement will be discussed by Peter Cormack, a noted scholar of post-medieval British and American stained glass.

More information
Ticket Price: £11 for members, £15 for non-members, £5.50 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: New York University London, 265 Strand, London WC2R 1BH. – View on map
Location: London | Spring Lecture Series 2026 | In Person
Book now

Spring Online Lecture Series 2026 7: Christopher Whall by Peter Cormack

Whall’s achievement will be discussed by Peter Cormack, a noted scholar of post-medieval British and American stained glass.

More information
Ticket Price: £6 for members, £8 for non-members, £3 for Young Victorians
Date: Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Venue: Online – View on map
Location: Spring Lecture Series 2026 | Online
Book now

April

Ticket Price: £ 5
Date: Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
Time: 7.30 pm
Venue: Showroom 5, Paternoster Row, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 2BX – View on map
Location: Talk | South Yorkshire | In Person