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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March
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.
More informationVisit: A Guided Tour of Two Temple Place, London
Discover this extraordinary Victorian building and its history.
More informationApril
Online Lecture: The London Dustheap – Sifting through the Victorian Imagination
London’s dustheaps were mountainous. For centuries they shaped the city’s skyline and spoke of the societies and industries that made them. This lecture examines the (literal) rise and fall of these lost landscapes, their associated industries and the people who made them.
More informationVisit: 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.
More informationVictorian 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.
More informationVisit: Tour of Stanley Arts in South Norwood
Discover this delightful Grade II listed building hidden in the depths of south London.
More informationVisit: 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.
More informationVisit: 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.
More informationTalk: 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.
More informationMembers’ Afternoon
Members and their guests are invited to bring a maximum of 6 images on a memory stick to explain and share.
More informationOnline Lecture: Restoring the Doulton’s Carrara Ware Façade at Findlater’s Corner
This talk, by Benedict O’ Looney, looks at the restoration of the Beaux Arts shop at Findlater’s Corner at London Bridge.
More informationMay
Online Lecture: The Victorian Society Top Ten Endangered Buildings 2025
Join our caseworkers and Director as we discuss this year’s top ten endangered buildings and structures.
More informationVictorian 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.
More informationWalk: 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.
More informationWalk: 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.
More informationWalk: 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.
More informationVisit: 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.
More informationJune
Online Lecture: 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.
More informationVictorian 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.
More informationVisit: 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.
More informationVisit: ‘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
More information