Like most British cities, London has a diverse mix of architectural styles, from the elegant stucco Georgian houses surrounding Regent's Park to the ultra-modern developments lining the banks of the River Thames. I am. But have you ever wondered what era your period home was built in? Today we'll find out the answer and find out whether your property is Georgian, Victorian or Edwardian. We will help you check. We'll also share some expert insights from Melanie Buck-Hansen, a London-based house historian, television history expert and author.
georgia real estate
The Georgian period lasted from 1714 to 1830, and the Late Georgian period we consider is from 1830 to 1837.
Like those by famous London architects like John Nash, who designed the original Buckingham Palace, properties built during this period have grand proportions and enhance the sense of space and light, making them spacious and comfortable. It was built like this. 
This was in contrast to the smaller, darker architecture of the pre-Georgian era.
In Georgian times, it was common for the first and second floors of a house to be occupied by the owner and his family, with staff living on the top floor. For this reason, these rooms are usually smaller than the more elegant rooms on the lowest floors of the house, with lower ceilings and smaller windows. The kitchen was located on the lower ground floor, separate from the main house, and was the servants' area.
If you look closely at Georgian townhouses in London, you'll often see something strange: brick-covered windows. This unique feature was caused by a window tax imposed on homeowners from 1696 to 1851. Window taxes were used in place of income taxes. That is, the more windows a house has, the larger it will be and the wealthier its owners will be.
Therefore, in order to avoid paying high taxes, many homeowners bricked up some of their windows to reduce the tax rate they had to pay. Many owners choose to leave their windows in place after the tax is lifted rather than putting them back on.
“The Georgian period refers to the reign of George I to George IV.”
Expert insights
The Georgian period refers to the period of reign from George I to George IV. Broadly speaking, it covers the 18th century and is generally identified by a very simple facade. It's all about symmetry, and Georgian features often seem very simple. Often built of brick and stone, with sash windows, and later plaster.
The Georgian period spans over 100 years, so there are many nuances within that period. In the early 1700s they became simpler, then more ornate. By the time of the Regency period in the early 1800s, when the future King George IV served as regent for his father, it was further enriched with ornate iron railings and more exterior decorations.
The interiors of these properties include large rooms with high ceilings and decorative features such as roses and cornicing, dating back to the Victorian era. – M.B.H.
What are the main characteristics of real estate in Georgia?
Townhouses were arranged over three or four floors Sash windows with small panes – tall windows on the first and second floors and smaller windows on the top floor Symmetrical flat façade and Balanced interior layout The façade is plastered to the front, which means the building materials underneath are expressed in the plaster material. Early Georgian designs had the ground floor rendered and the rest of the exterior exposed brickwork, while later Regency designs had the house rendered from top to bottom. Paint it white or cream. Since the house did not have its own garden, it was built around a garden square.
Explore 10 stunning Georgian properties in London from £285,000.
victorian estate
The Victorian era, from 1837 to 1901 under the reign of Queen Victoria I, was a period of increased housing production and an expanding middle class.
Most homes built before the Victorian era were owned by the gentry, or at least wealthy landowners, but as Victorian wealth spread throughout society in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, homes became less luxurious. , now more accessible.
This meant that more houses needed to be built, which is why the Victorian era was characterized by terraced houses lining narrow streets.
Contrary to popular belief, terraced houses were common before the Victorian era, and many of London's Georgian properties were built within terraces. However, it was around the time of the Industrial Revolution that terrace houses, including “back-to-back,'' became popular. These terraced houses were built near factories to house workers, had no gardens, and were built cheaply and quickly. or proper hygiene.
In the late 19th century, 'back-to-back' building became illegal, leading to the by-law terraced houses seen today, mainly in former industrial areas of the Midlands and northern England. These ordinance terraces usually open straight onto the street and are very simple in design.
Internally, high ceilings and large windows were hallmarks of Victorian homes, but the rest of the layout was a little more cramped and had a more elongated footprint than previous Georgian designs. Many Victorian homes were either one room wide, with narrow hallways leading to various entertainment rooms, or they were two rooms above and below, with only two rooms on each floor.
“The Victorian era refers to the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901.”
Expert insights
The Victorian era refers to the reign of Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1901. Again, this is a very long period of time, and residential architecture within that period has indeed changed dramatically.
The style starts very simple and then becomes more decorative. By the end of the century, ordinary brick, plaster and sash windows had given way to red brick and terracotta with decorative features.
Victorian homes often have a mix of exterior features, as builders added flourishes based on taste as well as the size of the home and the wealth of the occupants. The Arts and Crafts movement encouraged more ornate decoration, which led to the Edwardian era, when King Edward VII ascended the throne in 1901. – M.B.H.
What are the main characteristics of Victorian real estate?
Colored brickwork High pitched roof Ornate gable trim Geometric tiled hallway Brick porch Front entrance next to facade Narrow hallway Stained glass windows Bay window with seating for reading and writing Dark furniture and wooden floors Fireplaces in each room Patterned wallpaper – usually heavy floral designs Elaborate design details that reflect the wealth of the owners and those in whom the “new” money comes
Check out 10 beautiful Victorian homes for sale in London from £365,000.
edwardian estate
The Edwardian era, from 1901 to 1910, was short and heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement. This movement promoted simple design and an appreciation for handcrafting in retaliation to the mass production of the Victorian era.
The property building boom of the Victorian era forced Edwardian house builders to build homes in suburbs where there was more space, giving rise to 'garden suburbs' such as Hampstead.
Therefore, unlike small, dark Victorian houses, Edwardian houses were squatter, wider and more spacious, with larger hallways and more windows.
“The Edwardian era came to an abrupt end with the outbreak of World War I in 1914.”
At the time, there was an increasing desire for privacy, so Edwardian mansions typically had front gardens set back from the pavement. There were windows at each end of the living room, and the outside was sometimes covered by a small pitched roof.
Expert insights
Edward VII's reign was certainly short compared to that of his mother, Queen Victoria. As for housing, this era came to an abrupt end with the outbreak of World War I in 1914.
Edwardian homes are known for their ornate decorations, including floor tiles, stained glass, and wood, as well as large rooms with high ceilings. After the end of the war, the 1920s and 1930s were the interwar period, culminating in World War II in 1939. – M.B.H.
What are the main characteristics of Edwardian buildings?
House built in straight lines Red brick wooden frame porch Mock Tudor cladding and timbers in the upper part of the house Wide hallway Parquet floor Large and bright rooms Simple internal decorative features
After reading this article, you'll discover the differences between Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian properties. But how well were you listening? Take our quiz and see if you can guess when these homes were built or find out how much your home is worth.
To find out more about House Historian Melanie Buck-Hansen, read her interview, visit her website www.house-historian.co.uk or follow her on Twitter: @HouseHistorian.
