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. The next conference will be in January 2027. 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.

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 training and study conference took place at Sutton Courtenay Abbey in Oxfordshire on 4-5 October 2025. 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. This year's Members' Meeting took place in October 2025 and the talks were:

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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