18th Century England: Pleasures of Provincial Life

Short course

+44 (0)20 7942 2000
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Discover the elegant buildings and bustling towns that provided vibrant new social spaces for the English gentry during the 18th century. You will explore the stories of towns such as York, Norwich and Nottingham, as well as the rise of resorts such as Bath and Brighton. Provincial towns developed substantially over the 18th century, with elegant new buildings providing spaces for social life: assembly rooms for dances and card playing, theatres for plays and concerts, grandstands to watch races. In county towns especially, the gentry had houses for use over the winter and for special occasions, meaning families could socialise, shop and avoid the isolation of the country life.

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course photo
Portrait of Course Director Caroline Knight

Course Director
Caroline Knight

Caroline Knight is an independent architectural historian, trained at the Courtauld, specialising in 17th and 18th century British architecture and social life. She published London’s Country Houses in 2009, and has written many academic articles. She directed a year course at the V & A for several years, and now puts on occasional short courses.

V&A short courses have been one of the most interesting things I have ever done - it has been a delight. 2015/2016 Short Course Student

Course overview

This course will cover specific towns, such as York, Norwich and Nottingham, as well as looking at the rise of resorts, such as Bath and Brighton. You will consider various aspects of town life: silversmiths outside the capital, furniture making in Lancaster, portrait painting in Bath, and the rise of sea bathing in Weymouth and Brighton. These were vibrant places to live in or to visit, and before the coming of the railways were a magnet for local families.

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Further Information

This course has a Half Term break on 24 October • Refreshments served • Price reductions available for Seniors (60+), jobseekers (ES40 holders) and registered disabled people •

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Short course: 18th Century England: Pleasures of Provincial Life

3 October 2018 - 28 November 2018

£325.00 - £378.00

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Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:

+44 (0)20 7942 2000

Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)