Conferences
The Group's conferences are where members meet to study buildings and discuss their findings. Conferences are normally open to members only, although guests may be accepted if space is available - please see the Membership page for details of how to join the group.
Lists of past VAG conferences can be found on the Previous Conferences page.
Spring Conferences
In the spring members and guests meet in a different part of the country each year to visit a selection of buildings in the local vernacular tradition. Local experts are on hand to explain the background and more experienced members help others to interpret them. In the evenings, lectures and discussions allow the day's findings to be explored further. Bursaries are usually offered each year to enable a registered student or a professional in the early years of his or her career to attend the spring conference. Conference enquiries: please email spring-conference@vag.org.uk
The next spring conference will be based in Wiltshire on 29 April to 3 May 2025 and will explore the south of the county. The staff and volunteers of the Wiltshire Buildings Record have been instrumental in organising this event and will be our hosts in Salisbury. On Wednesday and Thursday, we will be exploring a wide variety of buildings in the Nadder and Wylye valleys to the south-west. On Friday we will be on foot in Salisbury looking at selected buildings in private occupation in the Cathedral Close, as well as the rich heritage in the city. Evening talks will include an overview of Wiltshire's vernacular buildings, early settlement patterns in the county and the history of Salisbury. Accommodation will be Sarum College in Salisbury's beautiful Cathedral Close.
Three bursaries are available - if you are interested in applying, please see the bursary information. The closing date is 21 March 2025.
Winter Conferences
The winter conference takes a theme of current interest and explores it in depth through papers given by experts in the field. Bursaries are normally available for students or early career professionals to enable their attendance at the conference. The next winter conference will be held in January 2026. Conference enquiries: please email winter-conference@vag.org.uk.
Training Conferences
The Vernacular Architecture Group offers occasional short weekend conferences aimed at those who are new to looking at vernacular buildings and/or would like the opportunity to learn more. The format is based on visits to buildings rather than papers. There is an emphasis on introducing people to examining buildings, covering basic vocabulary, some of the typical forms of vernacular buildings and how we go about investigating them. The latest course was based in Sutton Courtenay Abbey, Oxfordshire, on 21-22 September 2024. It took a slightly different form this year, focusing on a single building with the second day providing training in recording, in conjunction with the Oxford Buildings Record. Conference enquiries: please email training-conference@vag.org.uk.
Members' Meetings
Since 2021, we have held an online members' meeting annually in October. This takes the format of 10-20 minute papers being given over Zoom, on any topic related to vernacular buildings of members' choosing, perhaps highlighting a specific building, raising a problem or question, or exploring a theme. The latest Members' Meeting took place on Saturday 5 October 2024.
Other Conferences and Visits
Other VAG visits include trips to Maine in France in 2016, Denmark in 2014, Norway in 2011 and North America in 2004.
