New walk dates, researching talks and return of The Hine Hike
Thanks to everyone who braved the weather for Deco in the Details Part 1 last weekend, and to everyone who came down to The Vat & Fiddle for my Watson Fothergill in the Park Estate talk. Your continued interest in Nottingham’s buildings and my own unique and “entertaining” take on them is much appreciated! Read to the end for new walking tour dates for April 2026.
Poster at The Vat & Fiddle, February 2026
I’m deep into the research for my new Nottingham’s Berni Inns and their Buildings talk. Sometimes you just have to follow the idea and see where it leads… Expect tales of old buildings given new life, familiar menus, retro adverts and maybe a little misty-eyed nostalgia for nights out gone by!
There are still a few tickets remaining for the date at
There will be another date for the Berni Inns talk at The Abdication Micropub, Daybrook, on Tuesday 21 April, 7 pm – email the pub for tickets or drop in to pay cash. All talk tickets are £10 each.
The Abdication, Coronation Buildings, Mansfield Road, Daybrook.
All walk tickets are £20 each. Click the links for full information.
A reminder: well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome on the walks.
I’m now taking bookings for private tours with availability on weekdays into the summer. Please drop me a line to organise a walk for your group of 6 or more (maximum group size: 20 people). Versions of all my tours are available for private bookings. If you’d like a personal tour for a smaller group these can be arranged to suit your requirements. Talks are also available for groups. Email me via my website.
Keep looking up! Fothergill’s Office on George Street, Nottingham. Photo: Lucy Brouwer
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Now called New Castle House, this building is one of Nottingham’s modern architectural marvels.
There’s another chance to join me for my Deco in the Details walks this October. Two complementary tours explore the architecture of the 1920s and 1930s in Nottingham, these walks examine the influence of Art Deco on the city’s buildings, as well as the expansion and modernisation of the Interwar period.
Each tour takes approximately 2 hours and tickets are £20 each.
Here’s a little more about one of the finest buildings to feature on Part 1, New Castle House, on Castle Boulevard, which was built as Viyella House, completed in 1933.
New Castle House (Formerly Viyella House) Photo: Jane Siddons
William Hollins & Co. with their trademarked Merino wool and cotton thread, Viyella (named for their original factory at Via Gellia in Derbyshire), expanded one of their Nottingham factories to become the company’s head office. Between 1931-1933, the new building by local architect Frank A. Broadhead was constructed on Castle Boulevard.
Frank Broadhead (1887-1967) had an office on Friar Lane, 2 Castle Place, and is also known to have designed houses in Wollaton. He was later in partnership with Eric Vernon Royle, who during the 1930s-1950s was diocesan architect working on churches including St John the Baptist in Carlton and St Martha the Housewife, Broxtowe. Incidentally, Broadhead’s home address, at least in the 1940s, was Holly Lodge, The Park Estate.
Viyella House is the only building I’ve been able to find in Broadhead’s name alone. The modern reinforced concrete construction of Viyella House was devised by (Sir) Owen Williams, who went on to design the famous D10 & D6 factory buildings for Boots at Beeston and the Daily Express Building in Manchester. The mushroom-headed concrete columns carry the load of the thin slab floors, allowing the Viyella building to support the weight of machinery inside.
The Architectural Review, September 1933 (which also included a feature on The Midland Hotel, Morecambe) published the plans for Viyella House and stated: “The new building comprises basement, mezzanine, ground and three other floors and is constructed in reinforced concrete of the flat beam mushroom column type. The internal horizontal bands, pilasters and the structure of the main entrance are in artificial stone. The horizontal curtain of windows contains 24,500 feet of glass.”
The article goes on to describe the interiors of the boardroom and hall, which were panelled in teak with furniture and rugs designed by Betty Joel.
Betty Joel (the professional name of Mary Stewart Lockhart) was an interior and furniture designer active in the 1920s and 1930s, and you can read more about her here on the Women Who Meant Business blog. My thanks also to Paul Evans, who shared some info on Betty Joel and her work with me.
Photos of the showroom were included in the Architecture Review article. Recently, another appeared in Dezeen as part of a feature about Art Deco designers, which included Betty Joel.
Viyella Showroom, decor by Betty Joel. Photo from Dezeen
The concrete mushroom columns were covered in stainless steel and their tops turned into lighting features. Joel also designed the rugs.
Interiors from the Showroom and Boardroom. B&W pics Architectural Review Sept. 1933. Colour pic Decorative Arts Journal 2013.
The pattern on the doors is a reworking of the Viyella Day & Night logo as seen on the front of the building.
Viyella’s Day & Night Wear Logo in print and on Castle Blvd.
William Hollins & Co. left the building in 1961.
Thanks to Richard Thorpe for contacting me to tell me about working for James McArtney Architects in the 1980s when the building was listed and restored. The large manufacturing floors provided flexible office space for Bass who had taken over the building, and the interiors were brought up to date while “retaining the Art Deco theme”.
Modernisation of New Castle House by JMA. Thanks to Richard Thorpe, formerly of CPMG Architects, Nottingham
Hello all. I’m back from my trip to Devon, where I attended some events at The International Agatha Christie Festival(such fun!) and visited a couple of excellent National Trust properties. I am now much better informed about seafood, scones, and murder mysteries.
Murder on the Torquay Footbridge. Photo: Lucy Brouwer
If you’re ever down that way, I’d recommend a visit not only to Agatha Christie’s house, Greenway, but also to Coleton Fishacre, the gorgeous Arts & Crafts meets Art Deco holiday home of the D’Oyly Carte family.
Coleton Fishacre (I had the best weather of the week at this National Trust property near Brixham, Devon) Photo: Lucy Brouwer
To continue celebrations of the Art Deco centenary year, I’m running both parts of my Nottingham Deco in the Details tour again this October.
These tours look at the architecture of the 1920s and 1930s in the city centre, searching for elements of Art Deco style in pubs, shops, dancehalls, and civic buildings. It’s in two parts because it’s too far to walk in one go, but you can do either or both in any order.
This walk starts and ends at TC Howitt’s Council House and takes in Montegue Burton – The Tailor of Taste, the Viyella building, a streamlined Deco Woolworths, and more.
This walk starts outside the Victoria Centre to view the YMCA building, then looks at shops, the Palais de Danse, Hockley, and Sneinton Market, ending with a look at The Bath Inn.
Both these routes, as well as my Watson Fothergill Walk are also available for private groups of 6 or more people. Please drop me a line to organise a private tour.
Here I am at Clawson Lodge at the end of the Carrington Crawl the other week. I’ll be back doing this walk again in 2026. Photo: Louise Hunter
Speaking of the Watson Fothergill Walk, the next one is on Sunday 12 October, 10am and I doubt there will be time for another before the Festive Markets on the square get underway,. There are limited places remaining, so if you’ve been putting it off, please book now!
Extra dates for my new projects! Plus more Watson Fothergill Walks this summer.
Hello to new subscribers, and thank you to everyone who has already joined me for a walk or talk so far…
I’m lining up to repeat my new Art Deco Pubs talk at The Abdication on 22 July. This one is now SOLD OUT, so I’m staging it again, this time at The Vat & Fiddle in their Golding’s Room, on Tuesday 19 August, doors 6.30 pm. Tickets £10 (including fees) from Eventbrite or from the pub if you’d like to pay in cash.
The Vat & Fiddle, Architect WB Starr & Hall, 1937-8, previously known as The Grove, Miami, Ziggy’s, Tom Hoskins… Photo: Lucy Brouwer
I’m also offering a shorter version of Watson Fothergill Walk in honour of the 184th anniversary of his birth on Saturday 12 July, 2 pm. This was organised to coincide with a talk about architect George Gilbert Scott at Bromley House Library. We will explore some of Scott’s influence on Fothergill’s work and take a leisurely stroll back to the Library to look in the garden. It was initially only open to Bromley House Library members, but if you’re not a member and would like to join in, you can visit as my guest (as long as you’re on your best behaviour!)
After the amazing response to the release of tickets for The Mansfield Meander, I’ve added a new date – Sunday, 3 August, 3 pm. Tickets here. We will explore some of Fothergill’s early buildings and look for traces of his work on the streets of his home town.
The next Carrington Crawl – a look at the work of Fothergill and his chief assistant LG Summers in Mapperley Park, Sherwood Rise and Carrington is on Saturday, 27 September, 1 pm. This finishes up Clawson Lodge Ukrainian Cultural Centre with a chance for a cuppa and a look at their turret!
Extra turret! Clawson Lodge. Photo: Lucy Brouwer
There are a couple of summer dates scheduled for the original Watson Fothergill Walk, these are Sunday mornings, in an attempt to beat the rush of Nottingham city centre in the holiday period… Sunday, 17 August, 10 am and Sunday, 7 September, 10 am. All ticket links and info here. I hope you can join me.
I’ve got limited availability for private weekday walks this summer – so send me a message if you’d like to bring a group of 6 or more on The Watson Fothergill Walk, Hine Hike or Deco in the Details.
Mansfield & Art Deco pubs sell out! More dates coming up in August & September.
Thank you so much to everyone who has shown an interest in my new events.
My new Nottingham Art Deco Pubs talk at The Abdication Micropub has sold out both nights and I’m looking for a venue to hold another performance! More news as it is confirmed.
The Mansfield Meander on 31 August is now full up… so I’m going to squeeze in another one on Sunday 3 August – this will probably fill up fast so don’t delay. I’m also hoping to do this walk for private groups, so if you have 6 or more people who’d be able to do it on a weekday or evening then please, get in touch.
I’m also doing a shortened version of the Watson Fothergill Walk to mark the anniversary of the Architect’s birth on 12th July 1841. Starting at 2 pm outside Bromley House Library (following on from Nigel Lowey’s sold-out talk about architect George Gilbert Scott). I will lead a shorter than usual walk to look at some of Watson Fothergill’s buildings in Nottingham city centre and explore his use of Nottingham bricks, the influence of George Gilbert Scott and the Gothic Revival on his work. At the end of the walk, there will be an opportunity for a short visit to Bromley House Library (as my guest) to see the wonderful hidden garden. Tickets: £15 with a discount for Bromley House Library Members.
There will be another chance to join me for The Carrington Crawl looking at houses by Fothergill and his chief assistant Lawrence George Summers in Mapperley Park, Sherwood Rise and Carrington. Carrington Crawl, Saturday 27 September, 1 pm
The Hine Hike, Sunday 27 July, 2 pm is just over half full so get your skates on if you’re thinking of joining us. Tickets for all these walks are £20 each including booking fees.
Look out for more dates coming up in July and August.
After much prevaricating, I’ve decided to organise a walk in Mansfield!
Introducing The Mansfield Meander! This walk will look at the remaining buildings built by Fothergill in his home town, and we will search for traces of some of his earlier work. There will also be a chance to look at Mansfield’s massive viaduct and to stay for a drink or a meal at Ciao Bella Italian Restaurant (booking required). More details and tickets at the special introductory rate of £15 plus fees via this link:
After an overwhelming response, there will now be two “performances” of my Art Deco Pubs talk at The Abdication in Daybrook (24 June & 22 July) These are now both full. If you’d like me to present my illustrated talk for your group or club then please get in touch via my website.
Thanks again to Lamar for collaborating on our Smartphone Photography Workshop Walk looking at some of Nottingham’s public art last week. Lamar knows so much about how to get the best out of even the smallest camera and we got some great shots. If you’re interested in taking part in one of these events in the future we’d like to hear from you – it might be possible to organise private sessions for small groups. Drop me a line to express an interest.
Nottingham Playhouse & Sky Mirror through filters… as taken on the Smartphone Photography Workshop Walk. Photo: Lucy Brouwer
Finally, Sunday 22 June is The Park Garden Trail – the best time to see the architecture (and gardens) in Nottingham’s Park Estate. Explore the heart of Victorian Nottingham and benefit a host of local charities… I will be there wandering around with my flyers, probably pointing out the Fothergill buildings… see you there!
The Park Garden Trail 2023, 5 & 7 Lenton Road, (1873, Fothergill Watson). Photo: Lucy Brouwer
Here are all the tours that currently have tickets available
Saturday, July 12 marks the anniversary of Watson Fothergill’s birth in 1841 – and I’m doing a special shorter version of my walk to look at some highlights and explore the influence of George Gilbert Scott on the architect’s work (in conjunction with Bromley House Library) Walk start 2 pm outside Bromley House Library and lasts for approx 1 hour TICKETS HERE
Some of my walk events are also available to book on Yuup. Subscribe to their events mailing list for £10 off bookings of over £50. Please use this direct link to book on Yuup.
The return of Deco in the Details and another chance to do The Carrington Crawl
Dates coming up in May & June 2025
There is still some availability for Watson Fothergill Walk on 25 May, 10 am. (It starts early so we can enjoy Nottingham while it is slightly quieter than later on in the day – it’s worth getting up for!)
Deco in the Details
I’m trying out an evening version of Deco in the Details parts 1 & 2 – these tours look for traces of Art Deco in Nottingham’s architecture of the 1920s and 1930s.
This is a circular walk from Nottingham’s Council House down to the Broadmarsh area and back. You can do these tours in any order – I hope to stage them again later in the year.
This second part of the walk starts outside Victoria Centre and finishes at Snienton Market (where there is an opportunity to call at The Bath Inn).
Deco in the Details Architecture of the 1920s and 30s.
The Carrington Crawl
Lawrence George Summers, Fothergill’s talented chief assistant architect, was recently commemorated with a new grave marker in the Church Cemetery.
The young LG Summers and the new grave marker, commissioned by Andrew Paris. Church Cemetery Photo: Lucy Brouwer
On the Carrington Crawl, I tell Summers’ story, talk about Fothergill’s family home and search for the houses they designed in Mapperley Park, Sherwood Rise and Carrington.
This walk starts at the junction of Mansfield Road and Mapperley Road and ends at the Carrington end of Mansfield Road with a chance to explore Clawson Lodge (now the AUGB Ukrainian Cultural Centre) where you can enjoy a hot drink (for a small donation).
Father’s Day tour
And finally, for this newsletter, a Watson Fothergill Walk for Father’s Day.
There will be a Watson Fothergill Walk finishing up at Fothergill’s gastropub where you can enjoy the special Father’s Day menu. Book in early if you’d like a table after the tour. I’ll endeavour to finish on time but book for 12.15 pm to be on the safe side! A pleasant 2-hour stroll will build up your appetite.
Hello! Here’s a message from my new Substack newsletter…
If you’ve not yet been on one of my walks, I’m Lucy, a tour guide and researcher. Here’s an invitation to sign up for my re-booted newsletter on Substack.
I’ve been leading walking tours looking at Nottingham’s historic architecture for about six years now (blimey!), and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response, but trying to find new people to take part in events IRL is increasingly becoming a challenge…
Me and my mate Left Lion, Council House, Nottingham. Sculptor Joseph Else, 1927-9. Photo: Christine Gaukroger
Why Substack?
Mailing list websites are a chore; Facebook is full of videos of women putting their cardigans on backwards, and the less said about the site formerly known as Twitter, the better. I’m at the point where anything I actually want to see is getting lost in the noise, and you might feel the same way.
Bluesky is (so far) a friendly place, but even though it’s nice to have your favourite authors reply to outpourings of gratitude for their work, it doesn’t seem to be very good for finding people who’d like to (hopefully) pay for my skills and services.
So, I’ve decided it’s time to give Substack a go. A cross between a mailing list and a blog, with the option to add videos and podcasts (and make paid content available when I’m ready), a one-stop-shop for all things walks-related should make it easier for me to send out news or other interesting stuff that would get engulfed on other platforms.
Join a new community
There are over 900 people on my email subscription list, (hello again!) and most have been on at least one of my walking tours (thank you!), but there’s plenty of room for even more to join in – if only they knew I was here… (If you were already signed up then your email address will transfer automatically to the new platform – you are free to unsubscribe at any time.)
So the plan is to post about things that might be of interest if you like architecture, eccentric architects, Nottingham history, and photos of details that often hide plain sight.
There are lots of things that I want to share that might not fit into a regular walking tour but would certainly be enjoyable as an online amble or something you’ll be able to follow at your own pace by opting in to see as much (or as little) as you’d like.
Here’s Watson Fothergill’s office on George Street in Nottingham, one of the highlights of my Watson Fothergill Walk. I love how this building tells a story, of architecture, of Nottingham and of the man who is still a huge part of both. Want to know more? Just follow me…
My other tours, The Hine Hike, The Carrington Crawl and Deco in the Details Parts 1 & 2 will be back over the summer. Sign up to be first with the new dates.
I have some capacity for private tours on weekdays in April and May – rates start from £100 for up to 4 people. Drop me a message via this link to check availability.
– Lucy, Watson Fothergill Walk Tour Guide.
Former Express Offices, Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham. Photo: Lucy Brouwer
*Don’t just take my word for it!
“Best 20 quid I’ve spent this year, theWatson Fothergill Walk, walking around Nottingham city centre looking at this amazing architect’s work. Lucy was an amazing guide, extremely knowledgeable with added humour!” – Tim, Facebook review, March 2025
