The History of Brookfield – a talk by Emma Probert
Emma Probert will describe the history of Brookfield
Guided Tour of Dewsbury Arcade and West Yorkshire Victorian Society AGM
Our 2026 AGM takes place in Dewsbury, a fine West Yorkshire market town which was once the heart of the 'shoddy' wool recycling industry. Our AGM venue, the 1889 Holton and Fox designed Grade II* Town Hall, has recently been renovated and the Grade II 1899 Arcade (optional hard hat tour) is currently being repaired and refurbished.
Walk: Halifax ‘perhaps the best Victorian town centre in England’, Led by Mike Ashworth
Halifax has an incredible wealth of surviving listed Victorian public, civic, commercial and industrial buildings in and around a fairly compact centre.
Walk: Burley in Leeds, Led by June Diamond
See how the Leeds suburb of Burley emerged as a Victorian centre on this walking tour led by the Victorian Society's West Yorkshire group.
Talk: Chicago and Liverpool Architectural Links by Tony Murphy
This is a talk exploring links between Liverpool & Chicago in the 19th century and features that connect the skyscrapers of America with Liverpool.
Walk: West Bromwich Guided Walk led by Andy Foster
Walking tour of West Bromwich
Wednesday 11th March 2026 will take us down West Bromwich High Street, the longest one in the Black Country, and along neighbouring streets. The walk will be led by Andy Foster and starts at 10.45 a.m.
AGM of the Birmingham & West Midlands
AGM of the Birmingham & West Midlands at The Birmingham & Midland Institute on Saturday 14th February at 10.30 am
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘The Little Milliner’ by Duncan Campbell Scott
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.
Visit: National Liberal Club
Attendees will have a tour of the extremely fine interiors of this Grade 1 listed building and a fabulous afternoon tea.
Visit: Royal Albert Hall
This is a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of Grade I listed building and see parts of the Royal Albert Hall that are normally off limits to the public.
Talk: The Leicester School Board by Neil Crutchley
Neil Crutchley will discuss the architecture of the Leicester School Board.
Lunch: New Year Lunch at Browns
Our New Year Lunch will be at Browns in the Bull Ring, in their private dining area, The Mezzanine.
Visit: Manchester Group 60th Anniversary Celebration
A celebratory day to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Manchester Group of the Victorian Society, including the following: talks from a number of the specialists involved in the Rochdale Town Hall restoration project; guided tours of the building, the Square and Broadfield Slopes; a two course lunch; an opportunity to meet friends old and new.
Talk: Victorian Christmas in Leicester by Cynthia Brown
Join local historian Cynthia Brown as she explores what Christmas was like in Victorian Leicester.
AGM & Talk: Liverpool Regional Group AGM + The Albert Dock Talk, by David Roscoe
Liverpool Regional Group's AGM at 1:30 pm will be followed at 2:00 pm by the story behind the construction of the Albert Dock and its opening in 1846.
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.
Visit: An 1890s House in Clapham
This is a rare opportunity to see the colourful and atmospheric candlelit interiors of this house in Clapham.
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.
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.
Spring Lecture Series 2026 1: Philip Webb by Max Donnelly
Max Donnelly will discuss Phillip Webb’s works as a designer of domestic interiors.
Spring Lecture Series 2026 2: Gertrude Jekyll: ‘Artist Gardener Craftswoman’ by Caroline Ikin
Caroline Ikin will discuss Gertrude Jekyll’s decorative arts and interiors.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Visit: Special event at the Royal Academy of Music
Join us for privileged access to the Royal Academy of Music buildings and historical collections with Susana Caldeira, RAM’s Head of Collections, as our guide.
Talk: Thomas Harrison and the Greek Revival in the North West
A talk by Dr Debbie Challis, Creative Producer of the Portico Library Manchester on Thomas Harrrison (1744-1829) the influential architect and bridge engineer known for his contribution to the Greek Revival in the Northwest, including designing the Portico Library.
Talk: Henry Seebohm, Sheffield Steel Owner and Ornithologist, with Paul Hobson
Henry Seebohm was arguably the most well-known ornithologist in the late Victorian period, yet he has sunk into obscurity since his death in 1895. This talk looks at his life.
Talk: Building Stories with Robin Hughes of Hallamshire Historic Buildings – CANCELLED-This talk has been replaced by the talk on Robert Glassby with Marion Allen, also on 3rd March
Buildings are worth saving because they are great storytellers, but teasing out those tales can unexpectedly become an Odyssey in itself. Join Robin Hughes of Hallamshire Historic Buildings on his quest as he visits a pub with no beer, hears heavenly voices in a churchyard, seeks missionaries and moneymen in Mayfield and spins a yarn about a cotton mill in Kelham.
Talk: “Sheffield’s Globe Theatre & Cavern Club Combined” with Steve Wood
An introduction to the city's footballing heritage through the eyes of its surviving Victorian Buildings, with Steve Wood.
Walk: Duke Street: a tour of Liverpool’s merchant’s quarter with Marie Passey
Join Marie Passey's guided tour of Liverpool's Duke Street area, where merchants’ houses and warehouses were built to serve the Old Dock.
Talk: Solomon J Solomon’s Samson: a Jewish masterpiece in the Walker Art Gallery
Solomon J Solomon's Samson created a sensation when first exhibited. Julian Treuherz explores the Liverpool context of this iconic painting.
Talk: Thomas Brassey: World Railway Builder, Storeton Quarry Manager & Benefactor
Local history speaker David Casement will explore the work of Birkenhead-based civil engineering contractor Thomas Brassey
Walk: A Guided Tour of Highbury Hall, Birmingham
An afternoon tour of Highbury Hall, the former home of Joseph Chamberlain. Built in 1878 in the Venetian Gothic style, to the designs of J. H. Chamberlain, the house was both a private residence and a venue for political and civic gatherings.
Day School: Transport in Victorian and Edwardian West Midlands
A Day School at the Birmingham & Midland Institute looking at the new and rapidly developing transport systems and designs which affected day to day life for everyone in the Victorian and Edwardian West Midlands.
Walk: Austin Village Conservation Area Guided Walk led by Hazel Griffiths
Austin Village Conservation Area Guided Walk Wednesday on 20th August 2025, 10.30am – Noon led by Hazel Griffiths
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.
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘The Two Sisters’ & ‘The Siwash Rock’ by E. Pauline Johnson
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.
Visit: St Andrew, Kingsbury, London With introductory talk by Kit Wedd
Join Kit Wedd as we discover St Andrew’s church (Grade II*; 1844-47)in Kingsbury.
Talk: Late Victorian and Edwardian Furnishings in Kensington & Chelsea Churches by Fr Evan McWilliams
A lecture by Fr Evan McWilliams exploring furnishings such as altarpieces, font covers and stained glass in Kensington and Chelsea
Walk: The AMAZING architecture of Tooley Street! Led by Benedict O’Looney
An evening architecture walk the length of Tooley Street highlighting 700 years of riverside architecture.
Visit: St Saviour, Aberdeen Park, London
Explore the Grade I listed Victorian church by William White.
Visit: A Coach Trip to Banbury
We will visit 3 churches, have a short town walk in Banbury led by Dr David Low and visit a residential private school designed by G. E. Street. Cost £55
AGM Weekend: Oxford 5-7 September 2025
This year’s AGM weekend will take place in
Oxford, a treasure-trove of Victorian architecture.
Visit: Early Evening Walk in Birmingham City Centre
Birmingham city centre has a wealth of Victorian/Edwardian buildings, many of them around the Colmore Row area. This circular walk will allow us to discover and appreciate the architecture and design of some of them.
Cost £10.00. Led by Andy Foster
Visit: Lutyens, Flockhart, Waterhouse and Voysey Day – Visit to Goddards
A unique visit to explore the architecture of Goddards and surrounding buildings.
Walk: The Thames Path, from Tower Hill to Canary Wharf, Led by Steven Brindle
A chance to discover the Victorian heritage along the Thames path from Tower Hill to Canary Wharf.
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘Billy Skywonkie’ by Barbara Baynton
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 Australia.
Walk: Liverpool’s Waterfront, A Walking Tour with Peter de Figueiredo:
Discover Liverpool’s famous waterfront as we hear how the George's Dock became the site of the three monumental Edwardian buildings.
Talk: The History of Port Sunlight with Gavin Hunter
Leverhulme historian Gavin Hunter will explore the vision of Port Sunlight and its development as an early exemplar of urban planning.
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘The Golden Shanty by Edward Dyson
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 Australia.
Visit: Tour of Stanley Arts in South Norwood
Discover this delightful Grade II listed building hidden in the depths of south London.
Online Lecture and in person: The Magnetic Margot Gayle , by Joshua Mardell
This lecture will (re-)introduce the American metallurgist, politician and preservationist Margot Gayle (1908-2008), who co-founded the Victorian Society in America on the advice of Nikolaus Pevsner in 1966, and established the Friends of Cast-Iron Architecture in 1970.
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘Promotion’ by Guy Boothby
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 Australia.
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: The Cast-iron Canvasser’ by Banjo Paterson
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 Australia.
Visit: ‘The Cathedral of Sewage’ – Crossness Pumping Station
Witness this extraordinary interior on a steaming day at Crossness Pumping Station. Join us as we go on a tour of the site to discover the historical context and impetus for Bazalgette’s revolutionary sewage system for London
Visit: Woking, England’s First Crematorium: A Visit led by Prof Hilary J Grainger
A unique opportunity to visit the UK’s first crematorium, designed by Edward Francis Channing Clarke in 1885.
Visit: Makers of Modern Gothic: A.W.N Pugin and John Hardman Jr: Curators’ Tour
Join Angus Patterson & Max Donnelly, co-curators of Makers of Modern Gothic: for a exhibition talk at the V& A museum, London.
Visit: A Guided Tour of Two Temple Place, London
Discover this extraordinary Victorian building and its history.
Visit: Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington including a Visit to the Restored Chapel
Join us on a tour of Abney Park, one of London’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ cemeteries, as we discover its history.
Visit: A Guided Tour of Guildhall Art Gallery, London – Morning
Looking at one of the country’s best collections of Victorian art at the Guildhall Art Gallery, London.
Visit: A Guided Tour of Guildhall Art Gallery, London – Afternoon
Looking at one of the country’s best collections of Victorian art at the Guildhall Art Gallery, London.
Visit: Victorian Sudbury, Suffolk including a visit to a Functioning Brickyard
A unique opportunity for members to learn about the brickmaking process for historic buildings at a brickyard normally closed to the public.
Walk: A Lutyens walk in Mayfair, led by Paul Waite of the Lutyens Trust
Explore the buildings of Victorian architect Edwin Lutyens, and his associates, which can be seen in the Mayfair area of London.
Walk: Angel Islington to Smithfield Walk, Led by Alec Forshaw
Discover the stunning Victorian and Edwardian buildings to be found in the Angel neighbourhood during this evening walking tour.
Members’ Afternoon
Members and their guests are invited to bring a maximum of 6 images on a memory stick to explain and share.
Talk: The Manchester Art Workers’ Guild, by Barry Clark
Barry Clark will explore the Guild in the context of the Arts & Crafts movement in Manchester.
Walk: Westminster by Gaslight Walk, led by Elan Walks
Discover the magical gas lamps of Westminster and marvel at their fascinating history and world-changing legacy.
Artistic Houses: London’s Pre-Raphaelite Interiors by Jo Banham
The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood not only challenged conventional definitions of beauty within the fine arts, they also rejected many of the fashions associated with the mid and late Victorian home. This lecture explores the decoration and lifestyles associated with these and other famous Pre-Raphaelite homes.
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘The Drover’s Wife’ by Henry Lawson
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 Australia.
Visit: Day Trip to Walsall
A visit to Walsall town centre on Friday 7th March 2025
Cost: £23 to include morning refreshments, lunch and donations