Victorian Home Tour | Explore the homes of the working class in 1900

[@tonymcfeisty2478]

I commend you Lucy on you're dedication to providing such high class output through your channel on such a cold day, wonderful once again.

[@amelia2656]

The outdoor drop toilet, flag floors, black leaded range, single cold tap and rag rugs all remind me of my childhood home. We were one of the exceptions on our street because we actually had some electricity in the house. The terraced homes on the other side of the street still had gas mantles and the street lights were gas, lit by the lamplighter in the evening and extinguished by the knocker upper in the morning. Then you would hear the clatter of clogs on the cobbles as people rushed to begin their shift at the mill. My mother worked on the clog sellers stall in the local market hall.

[@sisutytto2563]

Oh,,I would love to be there then

[@wandering_in_the_woods]

Henry has a big smile on his face and wants to say thank you 😊 another brilliant video Lucy 😄

[@JohnDoe-px4ko]

I know a lady, now in her eighties, who, up until 10 years ago had to use a “thunder box” toilet in an out house behind her small cottage. She finally had an extension built with a bathroom. Can you believe it?! I couldn’t, until I had to use it!

[@LACEDONLINE]

Love how much your channel has grown, you deserve it!!!!

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

The squatters cottage, possibly you would always be aware that you could be kicked out, I could just about imagine the family life, forever trying to make a living. Since working on my Family tree I am so aware of how they lived and possibly they would have had a similar dwelling as most were agriculture workers, also so very grateful that 2, 3 and 4 generations back they came out to New Zealand, some paid for by the poor union. That house was the one that caught my attention this week. Thanks Lucy, you have possibly given me more info on how my ancestors lived. Take care =-)

[@babiy609]

It always blows my mind too to think of the changes in such a relatively short period. People in the future will probably think the same of us! 😂

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

My Mum is 95 in March, born 1930. The changes through her life have been many. She is up with it though as she uses cellphone, does emails, buys online lol etc. So encouraged by her grit.

[@JulieSkeltonUK]

Your mum sounds amazing! My mum died 6 years ago and for about 6 years I had been trying to get her to have Internet and shop online. She would not do it and I'm sure she would have enjoyed it because she was always out shopping when she was able. You can lead a horse to water but... Best wishes to your lovely mum 😊

[@sabrinamarriott-b3k]

Good for her I am 71 seen many changes and lived in houses like those on the video it must seem like a different world to her it certainly does to me.

[@jacquelinetaylor8683]

Looking at and living in a pre central heated house is a lot different. Anyone who grew up in a home with only the living room and kitchen heated during the hours the family were awake will be able to explain how cold it was getting up in the morning before the fire was lit. Brrrrrrr.

[@sherrymccauley7311]

Hi Lucy! Thank you for another great video! I loved all the cottages, but for some reason the Victorian workers Terraced house looked so cozy and comfortable. I don’t think I would have survived in those times though. So cold, and the outside toilet! Sheesh! I just love coming along with you for a good snoop! Canada is such a young country, some of those cottages are just about the same age! Thanks again Lucy. Sending hugs, Sherry❤❤❤

[@rachelanderson5025]

I look forward to these every week. ❤️

[@julieyaxley7591]

I loved the first cottage. My great grandparents lived in and I remember using their toilet just like the first cottage, with squares of news paper for toilet roll hung up with string. They had a well they shared for their water and heating and cooking was done on the range. I'm 58 and they lived in the country two up , two down and the stairs went up behind the range. A little door to the left of it. Xx

[@GailBurt-wn8oj]

How lovely of you to say hello to Henry. Loved all the houses. My favourite was the toll house. There are couple near here and I’ve always fancied living in one. I love the way you bring the places to life by saying who lived there. Another really lovely one. Thanks 😊

[@mpersad]

Thank you for another fascinating video of past life and homes in the UK. Lucy, you're a star!

[@rosemarypalmer3603]

Theses houses were better built than most houses today. All that you show is so familiar. My generation, those born in @ 1940’s is a transitional one, that bridges the way of life in the Victoria to nowadays. We are quite resilient and have inherited skills from our grandparents for survival in a world without modern conveniences and technology, not to mention the lack of abundance in almost everything. Also we are privileged to have lived through such interesting changes.

[@rosemarypalmer3603]

PS really enjoyed your video, so well presented.

[@tracysmith-yv5lt]

I would like to live in a house like that any day these new builds are so tiny only just put in a bed and a bed side table if you are lucky enough i always think where do they put all there stuff??

[@shellygreen734]

Love your channel. So informative you definatly deserve more subs!

[@tresilewis5925]

Lovely video, Lucy.. I may never see Blist Hill, and you have taken us on a lovely tour. Thanks for taking us and braving the cold!

[@filenotfound6203]

I just finished Ruth Goodman's book about the Victorian era, so this video was perfect timing! It's fascinating to be able to see so many things that I just read about.

[@tritonb.1746]

great video! thanks Lucy. Wishing you well😊

[@janetsides901]

Your videos are wonderful for history. Also I’ve always wanted to visit England,well Great Britain. And you show me so many interesting places. If I ever am lucky enough to visit I’ll pay you to be a tour guide 😊❤

[@throughlucyslens]

... I would happily do it for free!! thanks for coming with me on this little explorations, it's so appreciated!

[@caroleharris3450]

Thank you Lucy, I loved your census searching for extra info, and stories 🐿

[@stephnewman1357]

Loved seeing these houses and hearing all the history. All ads to the atmosphere on a cold winters day. If I moaned about the cold when staying in my nans maisonette she used to say "go stand outside for 5 minutes and come back in and you will soon see its warmer inside". Even though her house had one fire in the front room and just an oil heater in her bathroom.

[@Genseago]

I love the squatters cottage ❤

[@lauralake7430]

Lovelly visit! I have been a subscriber since i first saw your videos! Those stone floors look cold. Stone floors are very uncommon in the USA. We almost always have wood floors.❤❤

[@GeoffreyMoore-i9k]

I have to confess, I've had to watch this one twice lol so much to take in HUGE thank you for the mention, I truly hope more viewers subscribe, to help promote your channel further and educate more people and share the joy of your videos The first cottage and comments, remind me of Saltaire, West Yorkshire, a town built by 19th century industrialist Sir Titus Salt, not only controlled his workers in the workplace, but their homes, entertainment, education and religion. I hope that fire warmed you through, bless ya, definitely suffering for your art. My late father, born 1930, remembers his ore, when as a youngster possibly just into teens visiting London relatives and discover electric light switch, they were from Norfolk and still on oil lamps. I'd love more information on the squatters cottage, how that system works. I think of squatters as illegally tenanted. You'd think with the lack of privacy, families wouldn't expand at the rate they did Toll houses and lodge gates always struck me by their architectural design and detailing, guess gate houses were the "first impression" for guests. Your comment on the heart of the home, just struck me, add an H and you get hearth !! Beauty of subscribing also gets you notified of new uploads, so viewers don't miss an episode, well done Lucy, know that push took some doing. The stories contained in each property, and the way you bring them to life is super amazing. All your updates are chilled, but oh so entertaining Looking forward to your next update Take great care Lucy Geoff

[@bonnie7898]

My family migrated to Australia from Europe in the late 1950's . We arrived with not much more than the shirts on our backs. After a couple of years my parents were able to buy a 3 room wooden cottage. There was an unlined wooden shed at the back which served as both laundry and bath room. - a stone sink, copper and tin tub being the facilities. Water had to be heated in the copper and decanted into the tub for our weekly bath. Other days it was a wash in a basin. Attached to the shed was the wooden outhouse, consisting of a wooden bench like in your videos. However, underneath was a large can, which gradually filled up until collected and replaced once a week, under cover of darkness by the "night soil man." Huge spiders lurked in the corners under the roof and being Australia, there was always the possibility of a venomous red back spider lurking beneath the seat. Blow flies buzzed around. In Australia it gets hot 🔥in the summer and we know what happens when blowflies lay their eggs in organic matter -nuff said. To my boundless relief after a few years, by working all hours, my parents were able to build a state of the art new home. Drawbacks notwithstanding it was a lovely free country childhood roaming the bush near home. Hope you get your dream to come here one day. Don't be put off by our scary wildlife. It's very shy and most people never see it in the wild. I really like your meticulous research. I've subscribed.

[@gillianbrookwell1678]

My Grandma was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire in 1892, and I can remember as a very young child how intrigued I was when she used to tell me about her life as a young girl. She had a coal fire burning and I remember how she had to clean the soot from the flues every morning. I must have been about eight years old. Thankyou Lucy, I love your videos.

[@annereidy7981]

I couldn't make my mind up Lucy, each one had something special about it! So I settled for the Scarecrow. He was there at the beginning and caught my eye! Thank you, I loved all of them.

[@annawarner7516]

Despite being basic by today's standards, they look cozy and welcoming! 😍

[@wendypickford8965]

As a child I remember going back to Burnley for Christmas from the West Country to be with Grandparents and other family. I remember the outdoor toilets that were always white washed but the walls were ringing wet... You only went out of necessity. My Great Aunt still had an old Victorian range in the 1970's though she didn't use it to cook. My great Grandad was a landowner but sold the land to be developers. He built 3 houses in the same area for family members. The houses had small brick yards, very steep steps to the bedroom and baker light light switches. Grandma & Grandad E were posh they because they had an upstairs bathroom (thanks to great Grandad). So in a way Dad was punching above his weight when he started courting our mother. However, dad was ambitious and not only went to Grammar school but also University where he succeeded in gaining a BA and MA and elevating his family from his humble working class background.

[@christine0nowell757]

Thoroughly enjoyed this video, yet again another great time travel back in the day. Thankyou again xx

[@MB-io8tf]

I always look forward to your videos. Thank you for another great video Lucy 😊

[@sarahf325]

Been to Blisst Hill - it is amazing and plan to go again as it's so extensive anddidn't get to see everything. Lovely to see the beautiful fires burning

[@throughlucyslens]

I was SO SO glad to see those fires! The one in the Toll house in particular was music to my ears I stood warming myself up for ages - nothing like it. I need to go back too, maybe when the weather is a bit brighter! I like to see places in different lights / seasons. They always feel so different!

[@viviennewilliams7510]

Super visit Lucy! Sorry you had technical problems and t was so cold the day you visited …but you are right ,it did add atmosphere and a greater understanding of what people did to keep warm….not just tapping the Smart Control App on an IPhone to set the heating on the way home to have a warm house then eh? Watching the video …I wondered what saving of current houses might happen? The home now super smart controls , for everything in the house ! Just talking to an Alexa or similar to organise one’s life whilst sitting on a sofa ! And some eating a Pizza ordered and delivered hot to the front door ( not me actually …deliveries to my village? No! ) Yes ,life is very different , better? Maybe? Community though? Blists Hill on my list now to revisit after some years. Thanks Lucy for the interesting visit .

[@norajeanjacoby5885]

Dear Lucy, The effort and history you put in all your videos keep me so intrigued and wanting more. You are amazing….. and your narration is a plus. Thank you. Hugs

[@KathyGutierrezlythauslvr]

What a lovely video, I thoroughly enjoyed your tour Lucy♡ I liked the "Toll House", very inviting, quaint, and comfortable.

[@josiethornton7049]

I loved all the houses but the toll house is special, to me, because it was built as one thing and changed into something els. Thank you.

[@Dutch_Gonneke]

Such a treat! Thank you🙏🌷

[@julieyaxley7591]

I love watching you Lucy xxx

[@nicknikipediacaulkin5943]

Fascinating video, Lucy! Loved the tour of those cottages. Life was very hard back then and makes you grateful for what we have today! I’m so glad that museums like Blists Hill exist since they bring the past to life and serve as a reminder of the harsh conditions people had to endure.

[@lilykatmoon4508]

All these homes were charming in their own way. I also like the daring spirit of the squatters who took a chance to eke a life out for themselves rather than be subjugated by a landlord. They were taking a chance on themselves. What may seem squalid to some was their pride and joy and a symbol of their determination. At least that’s what my romanticism says. It may have very well been different. I also am drawn to the toll booth house because I like the repurposing of a building. It seems a wonderful tiny house for one person today if you don’t mind an outhouse, but all those people in those two rooms seems a lot. I love the make do spirit of people back then. Great video as always. I subscribed after the first video of yours I saw. Your passion for history, especially that of the working class is something I share. I love seeing places I will probably never visit through your eyes. Thank you for taking us on these journeys with you ❤

[@ksweet696]

LOVE that iron bed in the tollhouse. In college, I slept in one very like it that a good friend was kind enough to loan me. It came complete with a feather bed that was covered with old-fashioned blue-and-white ticking. I had to return it to him when I graduated. I really loved that bed.

[@darladellana4961]

Very enjoyable. I appreciate that you scan the objects and rooms in a slow and steady way. Makes me feel like I am actually there myself. Thanks.

[@elaine58100]

Another fantastic tour. Thank you so much Lucy for taking us along with on such a cold day. I just loved all the cottages. The bit made me laugh were the toilet remains were used for fertilizer. Talk about eating your own s**t Sorry but I just couldn't resist that 🤣🤣

[@amandak.8629]

Love the video! My Great Grandmother was born in 1900, and passed in 2000…so much she seen change in her lifetime…it always amazes me to think of.

[@annescott2748]

Thank you for going out in the frigid air to give us a tour! My favorite was the toll house. It looked so cosy.

[@JulieSkeltonUK]

Keep the stink in sync 😂 brilliant 😅. I loved them all, although for the investment of it the squatters cottage is appealing. Thank you for another excellent peek into history 😊

[@anitamackinnon7975]

Absolutely love the Toll House! Great tour! Thanks Lucy!!❤️🇨🇦

[@mariamogaburu2765]

Thank you, Lucy for driving us throuh the tunnel of time❤

[@karenebarker9244]

Again! Another wonderful stroll with you through the homes. Your commentary adds so much to my enjoyment of the video . The Terrace Home seems very livable but cozy. I liked the children's voices in the background. That made it even more authentic .

[@pamelawright1369]

Lucy, fabulous video, narration is spot on, so enjoyable and interesting, thank you for sharing 😊

[@jop5243]

Thank YOU. I just love your videos, you do them so well. I too ponder over how people used to live and find it so interesting and humbling. Thanks for the pleasure you give.

[@melaniesmith1007]

Thanks for this interesting video. Looking forward to the next one x

[@deforestbearse3136]

I could happily live in the first and the fourth houses - be still my heart! Marvelous video. Thanks so much.

[@julsjewels3185]

So fun!!! It is amazing to see how my ancestors lived.

[@nadiabarrett5195]

We're staying in a Toll House when we visit Ironbridge! Thanks for another wonderful video, Lucy!

[@janetnash]

So enjoyed the visit thank you Lucy for braving the cold. Loved all the houses, wow the Union Jack rag rug would love to make one of those. ❤

[@lynneleverton8825]

It looks as though Blists Hill has been extended quite a lot since I visited 30 plus years ago! Thanks for taking me along, as I doubt I'd have visited again! It looks wonderful! I loved the first cottage. The exterior looks idyllic!

[@joanfreestone1707]

Thank you for sharing these lovely old places. Each house has its own charm, but I did like the toll house. I've always had an interest in social history, too. It's fascinating to see how people used to live. Their lives seem unbearably hard to us, but I guess they knew nothing else.

[@kimbarnetson3297]

What a great video. I'm adding Blists Hill to my bucket list. We live in a Victorian terraced house, but with wooden floors as our area has no natural stone deposits. Even now we keep one room warm, especially during the winter evenings.

[@hawkeye3372]

Nice video again Lucy loved it and as for the squirrel I reckon he thought to himself if I can hang around here for 60 years I'll have myself a new home it sounds nuts but it's a very good idea nice one squirrel. 😂😂👍

[@ireneanderson7699]

Wonderful video! I loved the squatters cottage!

[@elaine58100]

Thanks

[@SusanYoung-z2l]

Great video this week. Enjoyed seeing all the displayed items of that time period which inspires me to add to my vintage collectables. The toll house was my favourite, although all four were interesting. Thanks Lucy, braving the cold, look forward to next wks video. X 😊

[@Aethelu1975]

The fact that 6 yo Henry watches your videos proofs yet again your talent to captivate audiences. ❤ Not so long ago I met a squatter through my work. He was a refugee who spoke a bit of French. My mother tongue is Dutch but I grew up near Brussels and our dialect contains a lot of French (sounding) words. Despite that I didn’t know that the French call it ’un squatteur’ (or ’une squatteuse’ when it is a woman). And the place they call ’un squat’.

[@melanieframe45]

Could you do port sunlight maybe in the spring? Unless you already have and I missed it.😊

[@cindysteffens8065]

So very interesting. I loved them all. I can't imagine living in them until the 1970s. Living in America, we had a 3 bedroom 2 bath home in the 1970s. I can't imagine living that primitive then. 😢 I have subscribed! I love looking at old historic homes. ❤

[@SN-sz7kw]

Fascinating as always. Thank you. My ancestors hail from England, Ireland, Denmark, & Germany. It’s always sobering to realize the much harsher conditions of their lives. I love the simple charms of the past, but I am wholly attached to the indoor plumbing and heating of the present. 😂

[@traceywoodall6937]

Dear Lucy what an amazing video. Loved this so much. The Squatters cottage was my favourite too perhaps it’s partly because I could see myself doing that in those circumstances and partly through admiration of guts it took to do it in the first place. I have to mention those quarry tiled floors, I remember these with dread, there is nothing nice about them at all just freezing even in the summer and I for one am glad to see the back of em lol. It amazes me how many people buying expensive houses want tiled/stone flooring and bare brick walls I wouldn’t want to go back to that way of living and am glad we live in much cosier times. I can’t thank you enough for all your research it’s a real eye opener. Keep going and thank you so much 🥰

[@elwanderer7903]

Thanks Lucy another totally enjoyable upload ❤ I loved the mention to your younger viewer too! I always try to imagine the people you mention in these places going about their daily lives as you pan the camera across. I hope you enjoyed the Beamish documentary 😊 x

[@SallyMavin-lo3hr]

I think the toll house was my favourite. It had a multi purpose. A really interesting video, as always Lucy. You put so much work into your videos. I really do appreciate you and them. Until the next one 😊

[@cabbagetownrose5931]

Thanks Lucy for another great visit. I like the Toll-keepers Cottage as well. We actually have a volunteer run Toll-Keepers Cottage museum here in Toronto. It’s a lucky and unlikely survivor of the Victorian era in a city that doesn’t value its history. I live in what was originally a two up, two down terrace house from the 1870s. We have the list of tenants for the first 50 years or so. As many as 15 people lived in what is now considered a “condo alternative” for a professional couple.

[@anotherswan]

Loved them all. Numbers 1 and 4 were most like mine as mine was built in 1839 for the local silver lead mine captain and his family. Love history... xx

[@lindac3395]

Lucy that was great! Brrrrrr! Brrrrrr! 🥶🥶 It looked cold indeed! I was thinking also during the hot and humid Summer months how miserable it must have been to be down in the mines, in a factory then go home to a sorta stinky home because of the close proximity to the Privy. Take care of yourself, keep having fun filming your beautiful country! ox 💖Linda C. 🇺🇸

[@CarterKey6]

When I visit from the US I want to visit here. So fascinating

[@marylawrence8470]

Another interesting stroll, thanks

[@sharynkhan1104]

Absolutely fantastic I love coming with you Lucy. We all love a Victorian/Edwardian house. I live in a double fronted Edwardian house in London we are trying to bring it back to it's period without the coldness of course we have central heating whereas it would have been coal fires all over the house. I love the high ceilings and the space of the rooms in other words the nostalgia with modern day living.

[@jeannemillsom9300]

Another very interesting video Lucy, thankyou I do enjoy your enthusiasm.

[@tracym9225]

Well done! Just love it. The toilet pig stye combo reminded me of Edwardian Farm, Ruth talks about it. Can't wait to see where you take us next!

[@dianethompson2458]

Thanks so much, I loved this. I am looking forward to seeing the next episode. ❤from Canada 🇨🇦

[@pat_an466]

Thank you, Lucy, that was really interesting. I think I liked the toll house best, perhaps because of the combination of the toilet and the pigsty!

[@MacheteMB1775]

Ok first of all well done for getting this vid done i know you endured some problems But you got there .i liked both homes each with there own character and story i find my mind Gently produces images of the people you describe who lived and worked there thats a great complement to your story telling skill something i enjoy listening to from you Lucy .one last thing I find your vids making great pre bedtime viewing i feel very relaxed and content afterwards and good sleep i get so thank you Lucy x

[@sheepieness-UK]

Wow! My era completely! The squatters house was interesting and I did love it but the toll house, was my favourite! I think back then having so many family members in a house made it even so much more loved and not many had much, far cry from today, which made them more careful with their belongings. I agree with Jeff, subscribe! Great Lucy, thank you ❤

[@Justsomeguy99012]

Thanks for todays video

[@SylviaMuller-rx3hf]

Das war ein interessanter Rückblick in die Geschichte des Wohnens um 1900. Vielen Dank und bis nächsten Sonntag! Liebe Grüße Sylvia aus Thüringen/Deutschland, wo es auch einfache Wohnhäuser aus dieser Zeit noch gibt, aber keine Reihenhäuser, sondern mehrere Etagen übereinander...

[@craftybarb6220]

I loved your video looking round the Victorian houses, my favourite was the Toll House, patchwork cushion on the chair and on the two beds. My first journey into patchwork was The Hexagon. The last item I made with this shape was a round coffee table cloth Christmas theme, double sided. Started 2018 finished about 2022. Then last year I changed my round coffee table for an oblong one. I may make another change one day and go back to a round one.

[@martintabony611]

The rugs are called "Proggy Mats" up here. We used to see them every where. I think they were made long after they were actually needed, a bit like quilts.😀 Great videos.

[@petpilgrimgoose]

Fantastic as always Lucy!

[@frankiefranklin9761]

Thank you again for your content- it's fully up there in my self soothe channels!

[@tashaimpressions]

Thank you so much Lucy!

[@christinaridder1451]

My nana and mom grew up in a row house on Sedgley Road in Tipton. My uncle bought (?) the one nextdoor at #32. I remember visiting and being fascinated by it all, particularly the outside toilet. My experience was a suburban ranch style home in Louisville, KY. From what I understand, those houses on Sedgley Road have all been demolished.

[@CarolM1968]

Only part way through but I have to say the Christmas tree would not have been colour coordinated and wouldn't have had half as many "baubles" on it, that and the LCD lights annoyed me a little. I do love your videos though Lucy and as a keen amateur social historian I find them very informative.

[@wrichard11]

Thanks for another great video Lucy. I suppose by 1900 a lot of the stuff we have today had been invented although very few people would have had it. For example telephones and motorised transport. Recorded music available in the first house. I was struck by the poverty of the squatters cottage. I suppose if squatting was the only option available that's what you did. I think I liked the toll house best because it looked cosy. You wouldn't need many fires to keep that place warm 😊

[@bullethill9383]

Oh thank you for such a great videos, I love your tours! I'm enjoying it from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the US

[@davidshaw8757]

Just bear in mind that if you had what was called “a tied cottage/house” the owner who was usually the boss or master could evict families with little or no notice! This behaviour persisted up to the 1950s. My Father & Mother were in a tied house, Father had to go into hospital - the lady at the Hall told my Mother that if she didn’t do both her & father’s job she could get out of our cottage, afterwards described as a ‘hovel’ and find somewhere else to live & work!

[@catherinemunds4887]

Brilliant as usual 😊

[@joanmatchett8100]

I love the Victorian cottage, l have the same sink in my garden, l have a Staffordshire mantle dog, I'm on the hunt for a matching one. I hope your enjoying the new job.

[@lynnedayer8474]

Been to Blist Hill, it was a few years ago. My paternal ancestors lived in Dawley and were mining families. My great grandparents moved from Dawley to Salford, Lancs I assume to find work.

[@OzzieJayne]

Thanks for another lovely outing, love those homes 💜 You'll have to do a travel vlog to check out Cultybraggan Camp!

[@tashaimpressions]

My maternal grandparents had a warming pan very similar to the one in the toll house.