Patterned tiles, or tiles making up patterns, were mass-produced by machine during the Victorian era and were hugely popular. They were hard-wearing but gave a distinctive look and style that retains its popularity today. Both the Gothic Revival and Arts and Crafts movements favoured decorative floor tiling. You can read our blog to find out how to get the  Arts and Crafts look in your home or this one to discover how to furnish your home in the Gothic revival style.  A tile manufacturing revolution The industrial revolution saw the introduction of factory-manufactured tiles for the ..read more

It’s difficult to replicate a historic Victorian paint finish in your home. That’s because Victorian paint surfaces were uneven in colour and texture owing to the topcoat glaze and brushes which left their mark on the painted wall.  The pigments used in paint made before 1875 were coarse and were mixed through the paint by hand.  They loved a glossy finish in grand Victorian homes Dry pigments were ground in oil to form a paste, which was then thinned with oil and turpentine to create a liquid ready for application. It was the oil that created the glossy surface so loved by the Victo ..read more

When we think of Victorian Homes, our minds instantly wander to beautiful architecture with inspiration drawn from a variety of styles. However, in reality, some aspects of Victorian buildings are nothing much to write home about.  Here the Victorian Home insurance experts at Adrian Flux reveal the good, the bad and the ugly bits of Victorian homes.  The good bits of Victorian houses There are plenty of positives for living in a Victorian home. 1. High ceilings In comparison to modern houses, many Victorian properties feel as if they were designed for giants.  2. Sash windows If ..read more

An easy way to spend a small amount on making a big difference to the Victorian vibe in your house is to hunt for antique glass that harks back to the era. From cake stands to fruit bowls, cream jugs to drinking glasses, Victorian pressed glass can be picked up in charity shops and car boot sales for pennies and can be used in a whole host of ways to bring some period charm to your home.  Pressed glass made products cheap and accessible Before the 1820s, glass was incredibly expensive and was only used by the upper classes as glass vessels had to be blown individually. When  pressed ..read more

In these diet-conscious days, many of us struggle to reach our five portions of fruit and veg a day. In contrast, our Victorian counterparts regularly smashed fruit and veg targets by consuming as many as eight portions a day. What’s more, they were all seasonal, all organic and mainly grown at home, along with a generous mix of herbs and spices. Read our blog about planting a Victorian herb garden. Root veg was a daily staple Root vegetables, such as potatoes, Jerusalem artichokes, swede, turnips and carrots, were daily staples, as were onions, watercress, beetroot, and cabbage. Many of these ..read more

The Industrial Revolution inspired during the prosperous Victorian era  had a huge effect on Leicester’s development and influence as a regional centre.  The population grew from 40,000 to more than 200,000 and the town evolved with a new-found city status. Many of Leicester’s most iconic buildings were built during this time as wealthy Victorians strived to make their marks on the city and in history. Here are six of Leicester’s most iconic Victorian landmarks. 1. Campbell Street Station and London Road Station The Midland Counties Railway Act of 1836 led to the building in 1840 of ..read more

Like many towns, Leeds grew exponentially during the industrial Victorian age. It went from being a small town to being a successful manufacturing city and, by 1881, it had a population of almost 90,000.  Back-to-back terrace houses were built to accommodate the growing workforce, statement homes for wealthy merchants and businessmen sprang up in the city’s leafier suburbs, and the city centre underwent dramatic change with the construction of grandiose buildings and public buildings.   Many of the city’s most iconic and recognisable buildings were built during this Victorian pe ..read more

Birmingham had to grow rapidly during the industrial revolution to accommodate the countless newcomers who arrived to fill jobs in the factories and workshops that sprung up in the city.  The conurbation’s growth and economic importance led to it being granted city status by Queen Victoria in 1889. At that stage it was the third most populated area in the UK behind Glasgow in second and London in first place.  As a consequence, today Birmingham boasts many wonderful examples of Victorian architecture that continue to pay tribute to the period of unbridled prosperity for employers and ..read more

In 2002, the then-chairman of English Heritage, Sir Neil Cossons, described Liverpool as “Britain’s finest Victorian city.” The masterful Victorian storyteller Charles Dickens was a big Liverpool fan and a frequent visitor to the city, where he performed extracts from his latest novels. This blog identifies seven Liverpool landmarks which are a lasting legacy of the Victorian influences in the city. Royal Liver Building The Royal Liver Building is a Grade I listed building at the Pier Head of the famous River Mersey. Along with the neighbouring Cunard Building and Port of Liverpool Building, i ..read more

Blackpool Illuminations draw millions of people to the Lancashire seaside resort each year, but few realise the plan for a spectacular light display was first conceived during the Victorian era. With the advent of cheap railway journeys, seaside towns such as Blackpool expanded rapidly in the late 1800s but their attractions were generally restricted to the summer season and they reverted to ghost towns during the autumn and winter. Read our blog to find out more about the development of seaside towns during the Victorian era.  Blackpool Illuminations aimed to extend the tourist season In ..read more