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.

Thatched Cottage, Carlton Husthwaite

Cawood brickwork

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.

A Yorkshire datestone

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

Timber mullion window at Hooton Pagnell

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.

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.