An international organisation for all those interested in lesser traditional buildings

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. The next spring conference will be based in Stirling on 9-13 June 2026. Conference enquiries: please email spring-conference@vag.org.uk

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. Conference enquiries: please email winter-conference@vag.org.uk.

Winter Conference 2026

The next winter conference will be held on 10 and 11 January 2026 at the University of Nottingham, on the theme Vernacular buildings in urban contexts: the study of urban building types and integration with urban studies. Over the past 25 years a number of notable studies have demonstrated the huge potential of studying vernacular buildings in urban areas - studies both of specific towns and cities and of urban building types more generally. Many of these have illustrated the value of multi-disciplinary approaches to the subject of urban buildings, but it is also clear that there is more to do in making vernacular buildings a key part of wider urban historical studies. This conference aims to bring together those studying vernacular urban buildings and those from different disciplinary backgrounds, to consider vernacular urban building types and their contribution to urban studies more generally.

We invite papers looking at urban buildings of all types, particularly non-domestic, and also studies of specific towns and cities. Papers considering this subject from a different disciplinary background, or taking a multi-disciplinary approach, are particularly welcome. For full details, please see the Call for Papers which is open until 31 August 2025.

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. Conference enquiries: please email training-conference@vag.org.uk.

Training Day and Study Day in Oxfordshire - 4-5 October 2025

This year we are again offering a short weekend conference at Sutton Courtenay Abbey in Oxfordshire aimed at those who are new to looking at vernacular buildings and/or would like the opportunity to learn more. The format will be slightly different from previous conferences, as we are combining the event with a study day open to all VAG members.

The cost will be £45 for each day (£50 for non members). There is an option for lunch at £5 a day. There will be a limited amount of accommodation onsite, for those attending both days. This is in the garden lodge at the abbey, with single occupancy rooms and shared bathrooms. This will be at a cost of around £90 per person on the Saturday night (final cost tbc, depending on numbers booking). There is an option on the booking form to indicate that you would like accommodation, but accommodation is not guaranteed.

If you're interested in booking a place, please email webmaster@vag.org.uk to request a link to the form. Please note that completing the form does not automatically guarantee a place, as numbers are limited and priority will be given to those attending the training day. An email confirming places will be sent after the closing date (Sunday 14 September).

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. This year's Members' Meeting will take place on Saturday 25 October 2025.

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.

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