Vernacular Architecture Group
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varchgroup.bsky.social
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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Tewkesbury.
November 9, 2025 at 7:16 PM
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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.
October 17, 2025 at 9:50 AM
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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
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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. 🗃️
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
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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
October 3, 2025 at 7:26 PM
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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
#AdoorableThursday Barn door at Sherford, Devon.
October 2, 2025 at 6:44 AM
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You've got to admire an expert knapped-flint wall - St Mary's Priory Church, 😮 Bungay, #Suffolk

📷 Yesterday
September 30, 2025 at 12:45 PM
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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
September 30, 2025 at 5:55 PM
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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
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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
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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
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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...
September 25, 2025 at 3:03 PM
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September 11, 2025 at 12:41 PM
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#AdoorableThursday Doorway in the range of farm buildings at Birthwaite Hall, near Barnsley.
September 18, 2025 at 7:31 AM
#AdoorableThursday The Guildhall, Whittlesford, Cambridgeshire.
September 18, 2025 at 7:45 AM
#WindowsOnWednesday Window at Overhouse, Tisbury, with the mullions narrower than their heads.
September 17, 2025 at 6:47 AM
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
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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/...
September 14, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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Worth a read! Alfie Robinson interviewing the brilliant Dr. Tim Meek, @limefinishes.bsky.social - THE expert on lime finishes…

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
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Vine Cottage, #Looe #Cornwall

18th Century set of buildings. Part of small house & coach house grouping.

#AdoorableThursday #LocalHistory
September 11, 2025 at 7:10 AM
#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
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Chancel #StMichaelBrentKnoll #Somerset on #WoodensDay

Pristine roof. Trusses with queen posts, braces and openwork trefoils between post and purlin (also a pub for roofers). If finials extend upwards what do you call something that extends downwards? This has four of them
September 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
#WindowsOnWednesday Ordsall Hall, Salford.
September 10, 2025 at 7:23 AM
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Two day buildings bonanza in Nantwich with Jeremy Lake. What a fabulous place for late 16th century timber framed buildings. Can't wait to go back
August 29, 2025 at 8:29 AM