Gothic Revival

The nineteenth century revived the use of the Gothic style of architecture. Probably the two UK buildings that most celebrate the "Gothic Revival" are the Houses of Parliament (though this has a classical plan onto which Pugin applied Gothic decoration) and the railway hotel at St Pancras. The latter, which opened in 1873 as the Midland Grand Hotel, was the work of George Gilbert Scott. He was one of the most prolific of Victorian architects, known mainly for his churches, but also for many notable public and commercial buildings. My photograph shows one of the pedestrian tunnels that connect the outside front of the hotel with the platforms of the station. It is a splendid example of Scott's mastery of brickwork, terracotta detailing and light.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Victorian brickwork

A sunlit subject under a dark threatening sky always appeals to me. Even the most familiar subject such as a dying tree, a rooftop, or the St Pancras hotel can be elevated by such a juxtaposition. This terrace of houses on Mill Street, Hereford, dating from 1881, has benefited with attention being drawn to the decorative Victorian brickwork that enlivens the main facades.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100

Georgian brickwork

The building shown above was built for the master of St Katharine's Hospital, Ledbury, in about 1488. A significant portion of this building exists inside (particularly its arch-braced roof and on the north elevation (timber framing). It was remodelled in 1588 with further extensive modernisation in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In recent years it has been sensitively restored and now holds the town library. The Georgian doorcase shown above marks the main entrance. Much of the brickwork in this south elevation dates from the eighteenth century and is laid, quite typically, in the Flemish bond (alternating headers and stretchers). The white pointing is probably lime mortar. It is a fine example of the Georgian bricklayer's art.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100