We think of the Victorians as a stuffy and conservative lot, but when it came to their homes they were probably more adventurous than we are today. Late nineteenth century builders would have thought nothing of recreating a medieval cottage, fitting gothic shaped windows to a suburban terraced home, or spending a considerable proportion of the total build cost on a sweeping staircases or fancy fireplace. The Victorians were deeply in love with their homes, and we can see why on this edition of Y Ty Cymreig.

The "anything goes" spirit of the Victorian age can be clearly seen in their houses. The designers’ penchant for grotesque and exaggerated architectural detail had the old guard condemning the new styles as vulgar, but in some cases rules are made to be broken..

Palaces in the Suburbs

Llandudno is heaven for fans of Victorian architecture, yet despite the hundreds of Victorian buildings there, very few retain an atmosphere suited to the wealthy resort it once was. Osborne House is the exception, and has been restored over the past decade or so to reflect the atmosphere of a palace.