The George Inn, Norton St Philip: Wine, Wool & Worship
There is something evocative about the idea of a medieval inn. Perhaps it stems from Chaucer’s Canterbury tales conjuring up images of The Tabard inn in Southwark, London – with ‘mine host’, tasty pies and pilgrims telling stories whilst sat beside a warm fire,...
HARRY CLARKE: Genius of Stained Glass – The Eve of St Agnes, Salome’s Shoes and Sturminster Newton
Harry Clarke (1889-1931) I have a hope that all young artists (and in particular illustrators and graphic artists) study the work of Harry Clarke. A superb illustrator, colourist, designer, draughtsman and graphic artist. Costume and shoe designers could also learn a...
An Architectural Pilgrimage – The Nativity Façade of Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
I believe that every student of architecture and architectural history should make at least one pilgrimage to the truly astonishing basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona (also known as Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family). It is beyond compare in terms of...
Kingston Lacy: A Civil War Heroine, The Philae Obelisk & Tortoises
Situated near Wimborne Minster in the Dorset countryside in an incongruous site. An ‘Italian Palazzo’ which would possibly be more at home in the Veneto. Light, Italianate and airy, whilst still retaining something of England. Perhaps it is the large double-hung sash...
The English Country House Development: Windows, Staircases & Wallpapers
The changing architecture of the English country house demonstrates the evolution of arrangement in how people used and circulated within them. Fashion and educated taste combined with developments in technology provides a fascinating history of country house design....
Clothier John Lane at Cullompton Church
With churches closed this year, I have been taking the time to look at their exteriors (when allowed out!). One church that has fascinating carvings that take the viewer back to the early 16th century is St Andrew's at Cullompton in Mid Devon. On the south side of the...
Exploring Building History
Exploring Building History is a website and blog dedicated to establishing a resource of historical information related to the built heritage of England. The regular blog posts aim to provide the reader with a diversity of architectural history subjects. This could be a particular building, individual, monument, subject area, architectural element or historical source. Downloadable factsheets, produced on a regular basis, provide a snapshot of relevant historical data for building history study.