Vernacular Architecture of Yorkshire

Vernacular architecture is that which is typical for an area or a region. This may be seen in the building materials used, the layout, and the use of rooms. By the end of the nineteenth century improved transport and communications, and changing building techniques, led to less regional variation in new buildings.

Yorkshire has a wide variety of vernacular buildings, from the yeoman-clothier houses of the West Riding, to the field barns of Swaledale and Wensleydale, and the brick farmsteads of the East Riding.

By studying buildings in detail, and using documentary and oral evidence from a variety of sources, the Yorkshire Vernacular Buildings Study Group (formerly the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Vernacular Buildings Study Group) is building up a picture of the different styles of local architecture.

The group has recorded over 1900 buildings to date. For each building studied, the group produces a measured survey with plans, drawings and a written report. Visit our Building Reports page for a map showing the location of the buildings recorded.

About the group

The group is a wholly voluntary body, founded in 1972, with no connection to those concerned with listing or building regulations. Some of our members are architects, or work in the building industry, but the group does not accept paid commissions. We do, however, accept donations and encourage new members.

We aim to support all those interested in studying the vernacular architecture of Yorkshire and are keen to co-operate with local history and other groups in helping to understand the buildings of an area.

Please note that as the group is a voluntary organisation which is run by members in their spare time, we are not always able to respond to enquiries immediately, but will reply as soon as we can.

Wise Words

"Every book is a quotation; and every house is a quotation out of all forests, and mines, and stone quarries; and every man is a quotation from all his ancestors."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson