Hertes of England
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Joseph Pickford’s Ashbourne Villas

October 10, 2019

by Hertes of England

Joseph Pickford’s Ashbourne Villas

When we use the adjective or prefix ‘Georgian’ to describe a town or city, that…

Sidney R. Jones

March 5, 2019

by Hertes of England

Sidney R. Jones

One only has to travel over the mountains and moors of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire…

Elements: Walling

February 7, 2019

by Hertes of England

Elements: Walling

Walling in vernacular or traditional buildings is commonly referred to, and recognised, by the nature…

Looking back through History

April 5, 2018

by Hertes of England

Boxed timber-framed cottage in Hill-Ridware, Staffordshire

In the last decade or so, the Midlands has become a significant reference point in…

About

Welcome to the Hertes of England historic building resource. We specialise in exploring the traditional buildings and vernacular architecture of the English Midlands. From timber-framed cottages to Victorian town houses and factories, we investigate a range of historic buildings and the skills, techniques and crafts that were used to create them.

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Herefordshire Technology Eliza Acton John Gerard Derbyshire Henry Issac Stevens Warwickshire East Midlands British Charcuterie R.W.Brunskill Dishley Grange Lunar Society Good King Henry English Midlands John Evelyn Stichelton Vernacular Birmingham Martin Heidegger Architecture History Mutton Renaissance William Youatt West Midlands Leicestershire Robert Bakewell Welbeck Estate Black Country

Journal

  • John Speed "Therein groweth a stone softer than Alablaster, but being burnt maketh a Plaister harder than..."

    John Speed
  • Sidney R. Jones "One only has to travel over the mountains and moors of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire..."

    Sidney R. Jones
  • Martin Heidegger "Whoever builds a house or a ship or forges a sacrificial chalice reveals what is..."

    Martin Heidegger
  • Carole Ryan "Vernacular building tradition is one based upon time-immeriorial building techniques and the use of materials,..."

    Carole Ryan

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The geological materials of the English Midlands a The geological materials of the English Midlands are predominantly limestone and sandstone. Both materials have historically been used in abundance for both religious and domestic buildings throughout the region. However, the material extracted from the limestone beds that we know as Lias or Blue Lias (stretching from Dorset to Yorkshire) is perhaps harder to find in buildings these days as it was thought that it weathered particularly badly! Fortunately, its poor reputation as a building material has not affected this mid 16th Century private chapel, built in the former grounds of Bede House in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Constructed of Lias rubblestone and ashlar, it has weathered particularly well over the last 450 years! Perhaps the good Lord looked upon it more favourably than other, less obvious, religiously motivated buildings! Those that have not been officially ordained have prescribed the chapel a designation of Grade II. #heritage #conservation #stone #limestone #newark #nottinghamshire
This is thought to be the first of three houses th This is thought to be the first of three houses that Joseph Pickford designed and built in the Derbyshire town of Ashbourne in the latter half of the 18th Century. Known locally as 'The Grey House’, it is situated next door to the former Elizabethan Grammar School (1585) at the west-end of Church Street. Despite the obvious use of one of Pickford’s signature motifs (central composition of Venetian and Diocletian windows above a pedimented porch), it is unusual in that it exploits two symmetrical full-height canted bays, flanking either side of the main entrance, with balustrade detailing to the parapet wall (thought to be unique in his portfolio). It is currently designated as Grade II*. #heritage #derbyshire #josephpickford
At the northern extremities of Nottinghamshire is At the northern extremities of Nottinghamshire is the Welbeck Estate, which is the home of Welbeck Abbey and many other significant historic buildings. In the mid 19th Century, the 5th Duke of Portland embarked on a unique building programme across the estate that produced some of the most valued agricultural assets in the county. The Holbeck Riding School was completed in 1869 and was the second of the estate’s extremely important quadrangle plan stable blocks. Built with ashlar stone and cast-iron over two storeys, this structure, now used as a warehouse, comprises of 19 bays on the north and south elevations with projected central and outer bays that are symmetrically flanked by blind rusticated arches. It currently possesses a Grade II* designation. #heritage #welbeck #nottinghamshire
Situated at the west end of the street that Pevsne Situated at the west end of the street that Pevsner once described as ‘one of the finest streets in Derbyshire’ is the former 16th Century Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Ashbourne. It was constructed in the period from 1585 to 1603 using local ashlar sandstone (Triassic), which is thought to have been quarried at nearby Mayfield. Built over two storeys, the symmetrical facade consists of six gables (four smaller gables, flanked by two larger variations), all topped with obelisk finials. The two main doorways (originally for the Master and the Usher) have four-centred arches and enriched spandrels which are flanked with fluted pilasters. The fenestration elements are both mullioned and transomed, with three and four light variations on the upper storey and six and eight light variations on the lower. The building retained its original use for nearly 400 years, up until the late 20th Century when it was used as a boarding house, after which it was converted into a variety of luxury dwellings. Despite its importance being identified in the very early years of the listing programme (1951), it has had to survive a number of near misses with demolition! It is currently designated as Grade I. #heritage #conservation #historicbuildings #architecture #sandstone #derbyshire
While out in Nottinghamshire earlier this week, we While out in Nottinghamshire earlier this week, we made a pilgrimage to this sublime structure! It is a 14th Century dovecote located in the medieval village of Sibthorpe on the outskirts of Newark-on-Trent. Originally part of a medieval college settlement, it now stands as the centre piece to a much larger Scheduled Ancient Monument. Built around the mid 1300s, it is constructed of rubble stone with a conical, clay tiled roof and is the oldest and largest dovecote in the county. It was restored during the latter half of the 20th Century and has a Grade I designation. #heritage #nottinghamshire #medieval #sheduledancientmonument
Within the hierarchy of historic, ancillary farm b Within the hierarchy of historic, ancillary farm buildings, the tithe barn can perhaps be considered as one of the most important. Given their volume, size and status throughout the medieval period and the fact that very few survive today, the remaining examples are tasked with telling a diverse tale of both the historic power of the Church and how local agricultural practices and economies functioned. One of the most significant tithe barns that has survived from the period is Ashleworth Tithe Barn in Gloucestershire. Built on behalf of John Newland of Bristol (circa 1500), the barn is mainly constructed of blue lias limestone with an elaborate 10 bay, queen post truss roof (with curved wind braces) covered with stone tiles. The main structure has two large porches and diagonally set buttresses at its four corners. Inside, there are six units which are mostly covered by a stone tiled floor. The internal fabric also bears many historic ‘graffiti’ scars from the 17th, 18th and 19th Centuries. The barn is currently owned and maintained by the National Trust and can be viewed daily outside of the current restrictions. It is, quite rightly, designated as a Sheduled Monument. #heritage #conservation #architecture #timberframe #agriculture #limestone #nationaltrust #gloucestershire
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