The Victorian Apiary

Samantha PillingHistory, The Gardens

victorian apiary

One of the more unusual features of any well-to-do Victorian estate was an apiary, and Grim’s Dyke was no exception. W.S. and Lady Gilbert had (along with a vinery, farms and an orchard), an apiary at Grim’s Dyke – but what is an Apiary and why was it so popular? What is an Apiary? An apiary is a bee yard … Read More

Life of a Victorian writer

Samantha PillingHistory, Latest News

Victorian Writers

The Victorian era has bought us some of the most famous writers in history – Charles Dickens, William Makepeace Thackeray, the Bronte sisters, W.S. Gilbert, Robert Browning and George Bernard Shaw. These playwrights, poets and authors created works that continued to delight us, long after their deaths – but what was it really like for the Victorian writers? Victorian Literature and Overnight Celebrity It was … Read More

The Victorian British Parlour – A Room with Status

Samantha PillingHistory, Latest News

victorian parlour

When it came to selecting the most ornate room in a Victorian house, chances are it was always going to be the Parlour. It was the only room in a traditional Victorian house that was created predominantly to illustrate your wealth and status in society. And this made it the ideal place to entertain your guests. The word ‘parlour’ originated from the Latin … Read More

What would a Victorian Wedding have been like?

Samantha PillingLatest News, Weddings

Victorian Wedding

A Victorian wedding was a most important celebration. The day was an important one, not only for the bride and groom, but also the bride’s mother – as she’d been preparing and planning for this day since her daughter first arrived in the world. When it came to Victorian weddings, EVERYTHING was important! The attire of the bride and groom … Read More