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.
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November
Talk: Solomon J Solomon’s Samson: a Jewish masterpiece in the Walker Art Gallery
An unmissable painting in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, Solomon J Solomon’s Samson created a sensation when first exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts in 1887, marking out its artist as a rising star.
More informationAutumn Online Lecture Series 2026 4: Women and the Re-making of Edinburgh’s Old Town in the late Victorian Era
This talk explores the way that women of all classes sought to re-make the urban environment in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
More informationAutumn Online Lecture Series 2026 5: Imperial Logistics: Victorian Architecture and Infrastructure
The lecture considers how buildings formed part of the material systems through which imperial and commercial expansion operated.
More informationDecember
Talk: Lead Poisoning Related to the Water Supply in Sheffield 1885-1890 with Mike Collins
In this talk, Mike Collins will explore the roles played by the MOH, the Corporation, the Water Board, the local newspapers and national medical press. This will conclude with a description of the parallels between the Sheffield experience and the lead poisoning controversy in Flint, Michigan in 2014 and ask the question: “could this happen again?”
More informationAutumn Online Lecture Series 2026 6: The Crimea Memorial Church in Constantinople from Competition to Completion, by Neil Jackson
This lecture follows the course of the design’s retrogression from a large, richly ornate vision to an English parish church.
More informationVictorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘The Disappearance of Lethan Crouch’ by Chas Owen
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 New Zealand
More informationAutumn Online Lecture Series 2026 7: Marble in the Making: From Quarry to Building in Victorian Ireland
This talk will discuss the use of native marble in buildings in Victorian Ireland.
More informationJanuary
Victorian Short Story Reading Group: ‘Married for his Money’ by Clara Cheeseman
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 New Zealand
More informationOnline Lecture: Architecture & Archives at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History
This talk will explore the history of the building itself, revealing how its architecture, and collections reflect Victorian ideas.
More informationVisit: An 1890s House in Clapham
This is a rare opportunity to see the colourful and atmospheric candlelit interiors of this house in Clapham.
More informationTen Day Visit: Meiji and Taishō Architecture in Japan
This ten-day tour will examine the best of the architecture remaining from the Meiji (1867-1912) and Taishō (1912-26) eras.
More informationVisit: St Augustine’s Church in Kilburn
This visit explores St Augustine’s Church, known as the Cathedral of North London.
More informationFebruary
Talk: From Balloons to Bleriots: Aviation and Sheffield 1823- 1914
This talk will examine how Victorian Sheffielders reacted to the novelty of man being able to fly.
More informationVisit: Watts & Co, Creators of Vestments and Church Furnishings
This visit to the combined showroom and workroom in Westminster is a rare opportunity to see unique and beautiful craftsmanship in action.
More informationMarch
Talk: Building Stories with Robin Hughes of Hallamshire Historic Buildings
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.
More informationApril
Talk: Mills Transformed with Neil Horsley
This talk describes the Mills Transformed project that document textile mill buildings which have been restored and repurposed.
More information