Our aim is to give members the opportunity to enjoy the experience of looking at old and historic buildings, both locally and further afield. Enjoyment is the Group’s primary objective. But it’s hoped that, at the same time members will develop their appreciation of the importance of old and historic buildings in understanding our cultural and artistic heritage.

Where we can we arrange out of hours expert-guided tours of the old buildings we visit so we can get maximum value from the trip. We usually travel by carshare but don’t worry if you aren’t able to drive - drivers are always reimbursed.

We try to visit a broad and varied range of old and not so old buildings. The emphasis is on history and architecture rather than just old buildings. If it is of interest we'll make the effort to visit it. As well as stately homes, castles and museums we explore old mills, gentry houses, libraries, civic buildings, follies, abbeys, schools, churches and agricultural buildings. We'll visit any building with architectural or historic interest, or both. We've even visited a signal box and a nuclear bunker!

For more information about the Old Buildings Group and its activities contact the group leader, Les Chandler, via this link.

Latest news

For its May meeting the group travelled to beautiful unspoiled Littondale to visit Higher Foxup Cottage. As its name suggests the cottage sits proudly overlooking the tiny village of Foxup and enjoys panoramic views across the valley. The name Foxup derives from the Old English fox hop - ‘hop’ being a narrow, enclosed valley. Foxup and its near neighbour Halton Gill have a rich history and are home to a number of historic buildings including the 17th century Foxup Manor and, of course, Higher Foxup Cottage. The cottage was built in 1673. An inscription ‘TMAE’ over the blocked porch door indicates that the house may have been built by, or for, Thomas Metcalfe and his new bride. An outshut porch and stone newel staircase were later added but at some stage in the 18th century the cottage was vacated. For the next 200 years it lay empty and was used as a sheep shelter until the 1990s when it fell out of use altogether. By the end of the 20th century the abandoned building was derelict but then it was rescued and restored to its original condition. Now - with its narrow, rectangular ground plan, shallow-pitched slate roof and small mullioned windows - it is one of few remaining unaltered examples of the traditional ‘Dales style’. The interior of the cottage is much as it would have looked all those years ago before the sheep moved in but provides cosy and surprisingly spacious living space. Every member of the group who visited the cottage told of their delight at its rustic charm and expressed their thanks to Tim, the owner, for allowing us the opportunity to look around. They also thanked Bill and Dave who spent our visit ensuring that everyone was able to negotiate the twisting stone stairs without mishap. As a mark of our gratitude group members contributed to Tim’s chosen charity and by the end of our visit we had collected £131.00. To put icing on the cake group members Mark and Sue laid on post-visit refreshments for the group at their beautiful 400 year old cottage in nearby Halton Gill. And group members were very grateful for that too!