Eclecticism defines 19th-century architecture. This course will look at key styles including neo-classical, gothic revival, early modernism and those rooted in design reforms, such as the arts and crafts movement.
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Arguably Victorian Britain never found its stylistic identity, particularly with regards to architecture. While the gothic revival dominated, other styles were simultaneously explored, largely due to experimentation with modern materials. This course will look at the variety of nineteenth century architectural practices.
Please note – there will be building visits as part of the afternoon study, and this will involve some walking between destinations.
What will we cover?
• A Variety of Victorian styles
• Materials and techniques
• Social & cultural context
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify and describe key visual characteristics of a variety of styles.
• Explain factors motivating architectural form and aesthetics
• Discuss architectural works within their context (e.g. social, political, religious, artistic)
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
In the classroom will be taught by lecture and slide presentation. Offsite, guided visits will also be part of your learning. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course and will be printed for you.
This course takes place at City Lit, in the classroom and offsite in London. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
This course will include offsite visits. Donations will be politely expected at the churches we visit. Please wear comfortable shoes.
You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
London Architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Palladian
Dr Rachel Sanders received her MA and PhD in History of Art from University College, London. She has taught at a number of institutions and currently lectures on the history of art and design at City Lit and Oxford Brookes University. Her research interest is early twentieth-century American political paintings and cartoons. She has published a number of articles on her research specialism and is currently writing a book on New Masses magazine.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/london-architecture-victorian-era281937London architecture: Victorian erahttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb742.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Architecture, design & material culture22851136117718981228511771136<p>Eclecticism defines 19th-century architecture. This course will look at key styles including neo-classical, gothic revival, early modernism and those rooted in design reforms, such as the arts and crafts movement.</p>002720391London architecture: Victorian era6969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb742_2.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-06-20T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB7426969London architecture: Victorian era554569Rachel Sanderslondon-architecture-victorian-era/vb742-2526<p>Eclecticism defines 19th-century architecture. This course will look at key styles including neo-classical, gothic revival, early modernism and those rooted in design reforms, such as the arts and crafts movement.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-20 00:00:00<p>Arguably Victorian Britain never found its stylistic identity, particularly with regards to architecture. While the gothic revival dominated, other styles were simultaneously explored, largely due to experimentation with modern materials. This course will look at the variety of nineteenth century architectural practices.</p><p>Please note – there will be building visits as part of the afternoon study, and this will involve some walking between destinations.</p><p>Eclecticism defines 19th-century architecture. This course will look at key styles including neo-classical, gothic revival, early modernism and those rooted in design reforms, such as the arts and crafts movement.</p><p>• A Variety of Victorian styles</p><p>• Materials and techniques</p><p>• Social & cultural context</p><p>• Identify and describe key visual characteristics of a variety of styles.</p><p>• Explain factors motivating architectural form and aesthetics</p><p>• Discuss architectural works within their context (e.g. social, political, religious, artistic)</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.</p><p>In the classroom will be taught by lecture and slide presentation. Offsite, guided visits will also be part of your learning. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course and will be printed for you.</p><p>This course takes place at City Lit, in the classroom and offsite in London. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.</p><p>This course will include offsite visits. Donations will be politely expected at the churches we visit. Please wear comfortable shoes.</p><p>You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.</p><p>London Architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Palladian</p>Art historyArchitecture, design & material culturevirtual556945VB742NONESat20/06/2611:00 - 17:0011:0017:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetRachel SandersBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-20T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities6969London architecture: Victorian eralondon-architecture-victorian-era/vb742-2526<p>Eclecticism defines 19th-century architecture. This course will look at key styles including neo-classical, gothic revival, early modernism and those rooted in design reforms, such as the arts and crafts movement.</p>0000-Available|2026-06-20 00:00:00<p>Arguably Victorian Britain never found its stylistic identity, particularly with regards to architecture. While the gothic revival dominated, other styles were simultaneously explored, largely due to experimentation with modern materials. This course will look at the variety of nineteenth century architectural practices.</p><p>Please note – there will be building visits as part of the afternoon study, and this will involve some walking between destinations.</p><p>Eclecticism defines 19th-century architecture. This course will look at key styles including neo-classical, gothic revival, early modernism and those rooted in design reforms, such as the arts and crafts movement.</p><p>• A Variety of Victorian styles</p><p>• Materials and techniques</p><p>• Social &amp; cultural context</p><p>• Identify and describe key visual characteristics of a variety of styles.</p><p>• Explain factors motivating architectural form and aesthetics</p><p>• Discuss architectural works within their context (e.g. social, political, religious, artistic)</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.</p><p>In the classroom will be taught by lecture and slide presentation. Offsite, guided visits will also be part of your learning. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course and will be printed for you.</p><p>This course takes place at City Lit, in the classroom and offsite in London. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.</p><p>This course will include offsite visits. Donations will be politely expected at the churches we visit. Please wear comfortable shoes.</p><p>You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.</p><p>London Architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Palladian</p>Art historyArchitecture, design & material cultureconfigurable
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