The Surprising Fact About Many London Buildings

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London Yellow Stock Bricks: A Cornerstone of British Architecture
London Yellow Stock bricks are an iconic element of British architecture, particularly in the capital.
Their distinctive yellowish hue has contributed to the city's architectural identity, shaping the appearance of many historical and contemporary buildings.
London Yellow Stock bricks originated in the 18th and 19th centuries and were predominantly used to construct residential and commercial buildings.
The production of these bricks was closely tied to the clay and chalk-rich subsoils found in the Thames Basin.
The raw materials' specific geological composition and the unique firing process resulted in bricks with a characteristic yellow colour and varied tones, ranging from pale cream to a deeper buff.
One of the key factors behind the widespread use of London Yellow Stock bricks was their durability.
These bricks were fired in traditional clamp kilns, which allowed for a range of temperatures and created a dense and hard-wearing structure.
This robustness suited them to London's weather conditions, offering excellent resistance to the damp and frost typical of the British climate.
The aesthetic appeal of London Yellow Stock bricks is another reason for their enduring popularity.
Their mellow, variegated tones lend a distinctive warmth and texture to buildings, creating a visually appealing contrast with other materials such as red bricks or stone.
This aesthetic quality has made them a favourite among architects and builders, contributing to their use in numerous notable structures, including Georgian terraces, Victorian townhouses, and various public buildings.
In addition to their aesthetic and practical qualities, London Yellow Stock bricks have historical significance.
They are closely associated with the period of rapid urban expansion and industrialisation in London during the 19th century.
Many buildings from this era, including working-class housing, factories, and warehouses, were constructed using these bricks.
As such, they are an integral part of the city's architectural heritage, reflecting its industrial past and the evolution of its urban landscape.
Today, the demand for London Yellow Stock bricks continues, driven by their historic value and unique appearance.
They are often used in restoration projects to maintain the authenticity of period properties.
Modern manufacturing techniques have also produced new bricks that replicate the traditional look and feel, ensuring their continued relevance in contemporary architecture.
The enduring appeal of London Yellow Stock bricks lies in their practicality, aesthetic charm, and historical significance.
They are more than just a building material; they symbolise London's architectural heritage, embodying the city's history and contributing to its unique urban character.
Whether in old Victorian houses or modern restorations, these bricks are a testament to traditional craftsmanship's timeless quality.
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#londonwalk #londonarchitecture #building
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Опубликовано:

4 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 1,5 тыс.

@surfcitiz 12 дней назад

It's probably the most interesting video ever made about London stock bricks, told by an experienced builder with fantastic storytelling skills. Thank you!

@SkillBuilder 12 дней назад

Wow, thanks! I am never sure about these type of videos. I record them and then I am full of self doubt as I watch them back. I am glad that some people like them.

@grahamrankin 12 дней назад

@@SkillBuilder Superb Roger---really interesting and an important record of history and development in our capital city. Thank you so much.

@kendom33 12 дней назад

Completely agree

@josephclift3662 11 дней назад

You brought back fond memories for me of playing on bomb sites in London. I can still smell the cement dust and see the holes in the ground that were once basements. We would throw masonry at each other, recreating WWII battles. Lol. No one thought to tell us off or tell us not to go on the bomb sites. Or maybe they did and we didn't listen. On a side note, my gran would describe any untidy room as looking like a bomb site or as if a bomb had hit it. Thanks for this gem of a video

@williamdrabble8781 11 дней назад

The roaming videos are my favourite

@spanishjohn420 12 дней назад

Never would have thought I would watch a 20min video about bricks but that was bloody interesting mate actually

@willevans429 8 дней назад

yeah me too, after five minutes i was hooked lolol

@mickc7388 8 дней назад

A brilliant vid, cant whack a yellow stock brick.

@TS-1267 7 дней назад

... Indubitably So Old Bean 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿✌️ 7:53

@chimster1234 7 дней назад

Yes same here😂

@iansmalley7215 7 дней назад

spanish was a key ingredient for London Stock bricks

@sharonclaridge 8 дней назад

This is the sort of thing that should be on the tele instead of all that celebrity stuff. Really interesting, thanks Roger :)

@kathyschreiber9947 5 дней назад

A gentleman and a scholar. Thanks for the education!

@amethyst1826 4 дня назад

I second that, @sharonclaridge Those programmes are a whole load of rubbish while this is true history and very informative!!

@annaavramenko9123 4 дня назад

Agreed!

@TelBil2010 2 дня назад

Couldn't agree more

@neilmac991 День назад

That's why I only watch RU-vid

@thomaschapple4749 11 дней назад

A few years ago this would have been a BBC Documentary with a big budget. Nowadays all it needs is a phone, a selfie stick and a talented narrator.. with a bit of post production on a home computer. Great video.

@andrewshore2898 8 дней назад

That was surprisingly engaging. There was no waffle. The man obviously knows his subject, and he was straight in there!

@neild2148 11 дней назад

My Great grandfather was a brick maker in Gillingham Kent. I have his note book dated 1896 recording his daily make. The typical gang was 1 maker, 1 labourer and a boy/young person (age11 to 18). My great grandfathers note book sets out the regulation for employing the boy/young person. It also records that from March to September his gang produced 937,766. The days output depended on the weather, their daily output was typically 30,000 to 50,000. For this they were paid 4 shillings per thousand. They would draw 3 shillings and 8 pence per thousand and hold back the remainder for the winter months when the brick fields were likely frozen and the weather extremely bad.

@mikmerl1 9 дней назад

I am an architect in Greece and I absolutely loved your video. We don't have many bare brick buildings in my country and I'm always fascinated by the beautiful buildings I see when I visit London

@haplessasshole9615 6 дней назад

I'm from Alamance County, North Carolina, where the ground is hard, red clay good for two things -- growing tobacco, and making bricks. Lots of bricks. There are whole subdivisions where all the houses are local red brick, which makes nifty Colonial-style buildings. When my family began to move around the US, I was absolutely floored by the myriad colors of brick. Name a color of clay, and we've got it in the US, so we'll put it to use in structures. What fascinated me when I was in England was the little thatched cottages in small villages with satellite dishes on their roofs. It's a bit like seeing a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I with Air Pods and an iPhone, and it's a shock to the system of a person who has never lived, worked, or shopped in a building less than 200 years old.

@gofres 9 дней назад

I never thought I'd be enjoying a program about bricks. But here I'm am, fascinated!

@jmshrrsn 11 дней назад

The BBC or someone needs to put people like you on TV. I might even go back and pay a TV Licence as a consequence. Absolutely brilliant video. Fascinating, informative, humorous (“poor builder, if there’s such a thing”!), articulate, and most of all, genuine. Thank you.

@twig3288 10 дней назад

Agree with everything except paying for a licence fee, the BBC is too far gone

@verybigheart 10 дней назад

Haven’t watched any broadcast TV nor needed a TV license in 17 years. It’s obsolete.

@stevedawson4928 10 дней назад

Agree but Roger would be wasted on a poor broadcaster like the bbc

@tims9434 9 дней назад

Just shows how much better individuals are at creating entertainment than the BBC rubbish we get.

@DS-fo4ed 9 дней назад

Unlikely. They’re too preoccupied with rainbow and alphabet people and issues. Fantastic video

@bluedaybae8393 8 дней назад

We need historical documentaries presented by this man

@thomas2much601 9 дней назад

The man is a very good commentator the Way he sets it all out makes it so easy to understand and appreciate the inheritance that we have in buildings

@daveluck5717 8 дней назад

Indeed !

@Farweasel 7 дней назад

*EXCEPT I'm now puzzling* how all the bits - The ash, the chalk, dead squirrels and coal got into the clay It hadn't crossed my mind a good brick was placed in a stock like a cake tin I expected it to be cut neatly out of solid clay like a crinkle cut chip (without the crinkles) Immagine the force needed to stir a clay slurry ! Oh I just recalled a Cornishman warned us 'Be VERY wary buying houses in Cornwall because they had a lot of mine slag to get rid of and a passion for making it into really 💩 bricks & blocks that are horrensously weak & given to shearing. No ....... *Not this*🐏🐑sort of sheering

@peggyh4805 7 дней назад

“another 100 years no one will notice”. 😊 I never knew a tutorial on bricks could be so fascinating. Thank you. 🇺🇸💙🇬🇧

@jimtalbott9535 5 дней назад

That line got me also!

@jerrysacct 4 дня назад

I just happened onto this site and became intrigued with the content and curator. Who knew this subject could be so enjoyable and informative. I look forward to more. I have a suspicion the curator is the reason for such pleasurable commentary.

@TheFixer79 12 дней назад

Just got home from the pub, watched a 20 minute video about bricks in another city and was fascinated the whole time. Awesome stuff.

@yverose8355 10 дней назад

Ha ha same!!

@noelht1 8 дней назад

Me too ❤

@user-fz1gf9tv8t 7 дней назад

I am sitting in the waiting room at my doctors. This came off my feed. Very interesting. Watching it across the pond in the East Coast.

@nevillebloodybartos 5 дней назад

I’m having a break sitting in my fright train waiting to leave watching video about bricks… while looking out the window at some of those very bricks 😂

@adrianagalli7504 5 дней назад

Video molto interessante. E quante belle storie! Complimenti

@Jessto10 11 дней назад

Been a Builder,( started as a Bricklayer,) for nearly 45 years, coming from the midlands nearly all our bricks are red. Always loved those yellow stocks when visiting London, something less harsh and in your face about them. Great video roger.

@SkillBuilder 11 дней назад

Thanks Jess.

@michaelbacon561 9 дней назад

I agree, I've always liked that yellow hue. Sadly, in some trendier areas of London there was a time when it was the thing to paint them twee colours. Once that is done, its not easy to get the natural brick colour back.

@JimmyMatis-h9y 7 дней назад

in retrospect, I see how the loess makes them yellow as a kid I assumed yellow bricks must be the posh ones because they were relatively rare here in western Pennsylvania & the Ohio valley.

@GordonFlash1983 9 дней назад

This is the most informative programme on London's buildings I've ever seen.

@harrysmith3606 8 дней назад

I love this combination of first-hand trade experience, historical knowledge, and a genuine appreciation for craftsmanship. From one Londoner to another, keep up the great work!! 🙌

@georgerobartes2008 12 дней назад

The vast majority of the London stocks were actually produced in the vast brickfields in the Medway towns region in Kent . The yellow stocks from the upper Gault clays were first produced by George Smead ( Smead and Dean ) of Sittingbourne. The coal dust and clinker ( burnt clay found naturally in coal ) would be collected from industrial and domestic fires and travel by barge along the Thames to the brickfields , combined with the local clays and calcareous deposits , stocked and clamp fired loaded onto barges and shipped back up river to London. At times of war, these barge loads of yellow stocks would find themselves being beached and off loaded around our coasts to build the fortifications that fended off Napoleon as in our famous Martello Towers , each one taking around 1 million bricks to build. The autoclave technique of brick firing caused a chemical reaction within the brick that not only made the brick lighter but also harder making it highly suitable to resistant impact from cannon fire. The calcareous material combined with fine wind blown glaciel clay deposits ( Loess ) from the upper Gualts gave the bricks that creamy yellow colour. The London bricks would later be named after the old brick works of Rainham, Sittingbourne, Funton , Otterham etc , of the North Kent coast .

@harveysmith100 11 дней назад

Thank you George, that was wonderful information. I spent three years in Felixstowe as a child and remember a Martello Tower in the middle of the golf course there.

@peterthebricky 11 дней назад

I met an old brickie in the early 80s who told me that before the war he would go with his father to Kent for the winter to make stocks by hand

@harveysmith100 11 дней назад

@@peterthebricky I can remember going for a job down near Dorking to make hand made stocks.

@nickbarber2080 11 дней назад

An archaeologist friend told me they would also mix "night soil" as a binder and also as part of the combustion process....he showed us the spherical bubbles and blow-outs formed in the brick where this gasified and vented out of the clay.

@georgerobartes2008 11 дней назад

@@harveysmith100 The one near the little ferry that takes you across to Bawdsey Manor , Tower Q I think . I used to take my son there when he was small .Still has the golf course, the beach and ferry and Ferry Boat pub just a short walk away and still popular with families.

@KenFullman 12 дней назад

When I was learning my trade as a bricklayer (back in the 60s) I recall hearing that, during the blitz, most houses in London would have lime mortar. This was a blessing because it would allow walls to bounce back after being hit by the shock wave from a nearby bomb. Some walls, they reconed had moved by upto a foot and simply bounced back like the skin of a drum. Whereas anything constructed from sand and cement, in the same circumstaces would simply shatter and bring the whole building down. The red rubbers you mention were part of that Dutch influence you mentioned. These were generally used for "guaged" brickwork. Where very fine and ornate brickwork would be included in the facade. Artificial columns could be moulded into the reveals around windows etc. This moulding would be performed by, literally, rubbing them down to the shapes required for the job at hand. It's for this reason that they were intentionally made much softer than your average brick. This made red rubbers a natural choice for flat arches where the taper of each brick could be carefully controlled. In fact, it was quite common to have flat arches supplied as "kits" where all the bricks were rubbed to shape off site, then delivered, with all the bricks neatly numbered, ready for a bricklayer to simply put them in place.

@nickbarber2080 11 дней назад

I worked with a man who was in a house near where a V1 landed...he said the whole house jumped a foot in the air and landed back again. The plaster all came down but the house still stood. A lot of old houses are still a bit wonky because of this.

@gee3883 11 дней назад

Nice to hear a bricklayer who actually has some knowledge of the trade.

@robertallen8715 11 дней назад

@@nickbarber2080 Called the Luftwaffe shuffle i believe.

@Fred-rj3er 11 дней назад

Wow! Thank you all for the WW2 bits. This stuff really needs recording before it gets forgotten and lost. So good to learn. I know a good few years ago, I was sat in my computer in the early hrs of the morning and for some reason looked towards the window and saw it err, jump up and back down again. Get some sleep I thought! Later that day I learned that we in the UK had had a small earthquake. Very rare I know, but others had had similar experiences. So the buildings literally moving makes so much sense! They lived through stuff we can't really begin to imagine in the UK now

@hanwellfoxfoxy5008 11 дней назад

@@nickbarber2080 My old fella lived in Spencer Street Southall in WW2 and unknown to him and his family they moved an anti aircraft gun on a railway carriage onto the siding at the back of his house to protect the gas works, The first time they let rip the muzzle blast brought the lath and plaster ceiling down on him and his brother laying in bed. Also the back windows of my mums house in Ealing were blown in by a VI detonating in 1944 then the front windows by a V2 about a year later and quite a few houses still have a slight curve in the bay window brickwork from that second one

@marieravening927 8 дней назад

As an Australian born of English parents, I'm always fascinated by stories around historical places in England. My parents came to OZ as children in the 1920's. From my English in laws, I learned a lot about London during the war as they had lived through it in their 20's. So much history is embedded in those bricks.

@busterbiloxi3833 8 дней назад

Brilliant. I grew up in a brick hose in a brick neighbourhood and this man is a living national treasure.

@HughJeffreys 11 дней назад

Loved the walk around, you should certainly do more of these. Many people do walk arounds but none go into the architectural details.

@mattvjmeasures 9 дней назад

Joolz Guides does a bit

@Doug.... 12 дней назад

I found that absolutely fascinating Roger. Thanks for all that historic information 👍👍👍

@misterbacon4933 10 дней назад

Please make more about historical building methods and materials! It's really a gem episode! You are in your elements. You can really explain in a clear and pleasant way. Also the mixture of recent and historical facts makes these episodes very exciting!

@Enig_Mata 10 дней назад

I always thought those London brick buildings were so dirty and off-putting. Who knew that just a 20 minute video could turn that all around. Excellent video!

@harveysmith100 11 дней назад

That was your best video on brickwork Roger. As an old trowel I don't always agree with you when it comes to brickwork but you have done the bricklayers proud with that video. We get a lot of stick as a trade but everyone who complains about us goes home to a house built by a bricklayer. Even the highest office in the land, 10 Downing St was built by a few humble bricklayers. (Flemish bond.) I used to go into London on the train as a young man. I would look out of the window and all you could see was brickwork. Billions of bricks, mostly London Stocks. I would think of all the bricklayer that built all this work. Then the train would be near the end of it's journey and Battersea Power Station would come into view. As a young bricklayer this building was as impressive as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Looking forward to Hampton Court Palace. I was lucky to do a proper apprenticeship at NESCOT, they took us on a day trip to to Hampton Court to inspire us. It worked. I have returned there many times to marvel at the brickwork.

@gee3883 11 дней назад

I went to Nesctot, brilliant place.

@harveysmith100 11 дней назад

@@gee3883 What years were you there? You are correct, it was a brilliant place to learn, I was an Epsom lad so it was the natural place for me but I didn't know how lucky I was to go there. Great training.

@rich8037 10 дней назад

And have you seen Cambridge University Library? First time I saw it I immediately thought of Battersea Power Station and guess what? Same architect. Similarly hugely impressive.

@harveysmith100 10 дней назад

@@rich8037 Good shout, just had a look online. I will have to visit that. Art Deco which you would expect for the period and architect but they have a few renaissance features which is a nod to the surrounding buildings.

@Finderskeepers. 9 дней назад

It saddens me to see the "It will do" approach dominating the construction industry today. So few now see the skill of the best in trade. The image I picture of brickwork are the industrial Victorian chimneys. Whilst it was sad to see them being taken down it was a pleasure to watch Fred Dibnah at work and hear both his passion and knowledge of how these brick built skyscrapers of the day were built.

@carolcooks1208 12 дней назад

The Richard Attenborough of bricks and buildings !

@ClaireGarrard 7 дней назад

Definitely 😃

@fivestarmichael 8 дней назад

This video randomly popped up in my feed and it is so fascinating. Definitely subscribing to this channel. I'm an American living in Warsaw, Poland which has many brick buildings and I have always been curious about their construction. You have answered so many questions. I've only been to London once and it was a short stay and didn't get to see a lot of the city. Hope to go back and see more.

@christopherrobinson7541 7 дней назад

An example of using what is at hand. I was brought up in Cherry Hinton in a small village to the East of Cambridge, England. We lived in converted farm buildings. The walls were made from chalk, the blocks were 1 foot by 1 foot by 2 feet. These were faced with yellow Cambridge bricks and on the inside had a layer of wattle and daub. The walls were more than 5 feet thick. The six cottages were owned by my grandfather and were sold by a compulsory purchase order and demolished, to afford access for a new housing complex. The only remaining building using the technique is the Red Lion pub, which was built in 1648.

@callumbush1 12 дней назад

I once dug up over 1000 of those bricks whilst digging out foundations I sold them for good money!

@charlescoulson 11 дней назад

Hi Roger, I too was a child of the 50s and your recollection of playing in bombed out buildings was part of my memory as well. Your explanation of the patina of bricks is masterful. I had never realised the origins of these wonderful icons of Victorian/Edwardian building.. Great video and great history lesson. Thanks.

@Pulsonar 6 дней назад

This is absolutely GOLD, the presenter is a brilliant natural, he makes a vid about bricks 10 x more interesting than a vid about some undeserving celebrity caught with their pants down 😂

@konradyearwood5845 7 дней назад

Brings back my days of working at Turkey Road, Bexhill-on-Sea making Pevensey (reddish) and Crowborough (very dark brown to black) bricks. It was amazing to see the clear geological fault line where the two types of clay met down in the quarry.

@cropstar 12 дней назад

That was a really interesting video! Thanks for that. You kept a dull man entertained. Back in the 90's I used to have wild nights out on the lash on Friday. Now I watch video's about bricks!

@willbee6785 12 дней назад

😂

@duncan649 12 дней назад

Like you Roger, I'm London born and bred. I noticed the London bricks were distinctive from the rest of the country and they give the city it's unique character. After 50 odd years, after watching your superb video, I've finally learnt the history of London bricks. Thank you.

@carpathiangirl8460 9 дней назад

Never thought a presentation on bricks would hold my interest. I love your passion for your subject.

@iancharlton678 7 дней назад

Fascinating 🎉 Bought my end of terrace 2 up 2 down back in 1989 - actually derelict, by which I mean it was starting to subside, every service removed, daylight, cellar to sky !! Near the town of Brentwood, looking over East London……. Every feature we added or renovated, inside or outside we used reclaimed London yellow stocks….. I always knew them, but never the why and how. At one time, with a large extension, chimney breast and fireplace……. I bought a huge load from a reclamation guy I know, and he had me collect direct from source……. A huge mental hospital West of the M25, on a hill overlooking the A2 East…….. the bricks were glorious, some having cream, green, blue or pink pastel paint from the various wards……. Worn with pride around our house…… 🙂🇬🇧

@nickbarber2080 11 дней назад

Even if you've lived in London all your life,and think you know the place....there's always something new to learn. Thank you,sir!

@Czechbound 11 дней назад

To a layperson, this was very interesting. The BBC should have you doing an architectural walking tour of London, taking in all the different regions of the city. That was really fantastic Roger. I think many more people than you realise are very interested in this sort of thing. Here in Prague, the "Club of Old Prague" organises architectural walking tours, and they sell out very quickly. And there is a fantastic public accessible urban planning institute right in the centre of the city that has fantastic multimedia events all with the aim of geting the public engaged with how the city develops. It would make a very interesting visit to come to Prague. Reach out !

@tattyshoesshigure5731 11 дней назад

Fascinating video! I worked for many years as a TV news broadcast engineer & would often be assigned to Downing Street. I was always puzzled by the black bricks on #10 & 11, thinking the builders had actually used black bricks to build the houses. Even up close it’s not at all obvious the bricks are painted, so thanks for solving that particular mystery for me!

@cd0u50c9 9 дней назад

'Never paint yer bricks' the only decent thing to ever come out of a politician's mouth. Love that area around Clerkenwell, lots of hidden gems around there. Class video mate.

@robsterenborg 12 дней назад

Thank you for these walkarounds! Really nice opportunity to see a different part of London

@BritishBeachcomber 12 дней назад

I am also London born and bred. I remember the bombed out houses. I love the dirty old London stocks. They last forever, unlike modern clay bricks that flake.

@alantheskinhead 8 дней назад

I live in London and often forget to look up above the crap shopfronts and detritus and find interesting stuff. In London we have everything from Roman bricks from the city walls to Yellow Stock which I call "Yellow Mellows" and Red standards. It's the bomb damage that make it more interesting as you can see where the bomb dropped, what damage it did by the size of the bomb and what was replaced. More often than not you can see both sides of road and work out total destruction to modest repairs. You can walk around anywhere residential in London and say "Nice house, nice house, bomb, nice house"! Incidentally I worked in Whitehall and No10 as a buildings manager and that row of houses were built on the cheap. The house at the front nearly fell down through rot. London is unique as you can almost work out the expansion of small areas of London by what the bricks are. It does help having a builder explain stuff as well like frogs, stretchers and headers etc...

@martijnkeisers5900 9 дней назад

Greetings from my yellow brick flat from 1923 in Amsterdam!

@Robwakefieldcreative 12 дней назад

*looks at field "this was all houses when I was a lad"

@Me-zo8yc 12 дней назад

😆

@WhatTheHellMang 11 дней назад

@Robwakefieldcreative normally you hear the exact opposite! Certainly a lot of houses I see now are on fields I used to play on as a kid.

@user-bf3pc2qd9s 11 дней назад

Superb, thank you. I remember when the buildings in central London were being cleaned of years of dmog and grime.. visitors now would not believe how filthy those imposing buildings were before cleaning.

@bsastarfire250 8 дней назад

I found this very interesting. I grew up in Murston, Kent , where there were several brickfields and many bricks used in the construction of London were made. Thames barges were used to transport rubbish out of London and return with loads of bricks or other goods. My mother's family were Londoners and were bombed in WW1 and WW2. My playground was the disused brickfields until I moved to Northampton in the seventies.

@sixcylinders6346 11 дней назад

What an absolutely fascinating video. Thank you Roger. I’m 67 years old and never knew that the name dustmen derived from that.

@richardmiziniak4149 12 дней назад

depth of your knowledge is phenomenal . I am " Polish builder" and I am in awe of English or maybe British (Irish) bricklayers skill and perfection . see Ashley Gardens in Victoria London

@gee3883 11 дней назад

if you want to get better at bricklaying buy the Nash books on brickwork 1,2,3. good luck.

@mbenn8168 12 дней назад

Roger channelling his inner Fred Dibnah. Come on Channel 5, give this man a history of building series! Great stuff.

@SimonSantaCruz-d2b 9 дней назад

Absolutely brilliant! When I worked as a cycle courier in mid 80's London I bought a book titled "Georgian London", during slow work periods I'd visit as many places mentioned and stood in awe of every aspect of the buildings; from their neoclassicism (implied columns) to the brickwork with perfectly pointed lime mortar. Although the video refers to gauged lintels a more detailed account of rubbed and gauged brickwork (without the Dutch influence) would be appreciated as would a tour of the Huguenot quarter around Brick Lane. But thanks for a detailed exposition of brickmaking technology.

@BillDavies-ej6ye 11 дней назад

Coming from Middlesex, west of London, I love the yellow bricks on older buildings. The clay had more lime or chalk, and less iron oxide (which gives the red colour - think rust), and the bits of flammable material ('rubbish') in the unfired brick that Roger mentions causing porosity and resistance to frost damage after firing. Nice video, Roger, keep 'em coming.

@ianwhunter1 12 дней назад

Man finds beauty in anything he gives his attention to. I love to observe and appreciate the ingenuity of the built environment. Your tour of the brick industry of the past, informing our present and future was fascinating Roger. It is interesting to see how an environment can contribute to the development of an adult almost as much as the family and community in which that development occurs. Thanks for sharing your personal history.

@PratabAli 12 дней назад

This sort of historical information video is what makes me thankful for the Internet. Long before I was born, my grandad worked in brick works in Bedfordshire somewhere. Thank you.

@Richardincancale 10 дней назад

Great walkabout! I remember back in 1968 going on a school trip to a brickworks - it was fascinating! They used coal fed from hoppers above the kiln and worked the fire from one end of the range of kilns to the other over a couple of weeks, to allow them to cool. I remember they said the fire had been lit since 1945! It’s probably still alight!

@brkatimachor 10 дней назад

Honestly one of the best videos about London I've ever seen. And I say that as one of those people who hate yellow London stock 😂 I've moved away now but this really took me back to all the salt of the earth working class London folk I knew growing up. And that's without even mentioning how interesting all the history content is.

@SkillBuilder 10 дней назад

It is so funny reading your comment because I had such doubts about this video and whether anyone would find it interesting. I thought I would get people saying that listening to an old git going on about bricks was the dullest thing on Earth.

@brkatimachor 10 дней назад

@@SkillBuilder If someone told me yesterday that I'd love a video about an old git going on about bricks I'd think they were a morning pint short of a Weaterspoons. What worked for me was the combination of your knowledge about the way bricks were made back then and all those little interesting gems of historical info, like how the parks and gardens were made in the holes where the clay was dug out. But also you talking about your childhood playing in bombed out buildings - a mix of living history with more of the old school stuff. There genuinely wasn't a boring second in the whole vid. Thanks very much for making it and posting it for all of us to enjoy.

@gaugeonesteam 12 дней назад

You've got me really interested in brick bonds recently. I saw one here in Bournemouth today which is like "double flemish bond" header stretcher stretcher, header stretcher, stretcher. offset on the next row. "Beales" department store which was rebuilt after WW2 bomb raid.

@paul756uk2 12 дней назад

Interesting that. I was in Bournemouth about a month ago, waiting for my wife and looked up to one of the buildings above the shops. It was like looking into different era. The architecture and condition of the building was amazing. Its Richmond gardens, the building is called Dalkeith buildings.

@mrBmi222 12 дней назад

That's 'Monk bond'

@tessjuel 12 дней назад

@@mrBmi222 I've seen some walls with a bond similar to monk bond except the offset between the layers is completely random so rather than have the headers lined up vertically, they are all over the place with no noticeable pattern. Is there a name for that bond?

@esparks5893 12 дней назад

Great video! The architecture in London is 2nd to none. I lived there for 8 years and would get off at random tube stops and walk around admiring the workmanship and detail that went into the buildings. As Roger said tourists are oblivious to most of it outside the usual known tourist spots.

@SkillBuilder 12 дней назад

So true, people go to the main attractions, take a selfie and move on.

@excession3076 9 дней назад

@@SkillBuilder Time restraints, ignorance, lack of knowledgeable guides, ect. Plus, the UK is expensive, it's a trip of a lifetime for many and some (a lot) of the reward is going back home and showing where you have been. I don't think the relatives looking at photos back home would be that impressed if instead of snaps of "Buck House" they brought home pictures of bricks, lol. (My husband's a coach driver, never underestimate the tourists' desire to tick off a list of "been there, done that" and pictures to prove it)

@brombrom1522 6 дней назад

@@SkillBuilder I recently visited London for the first time (from Sydney). I roamed the streets on a Brompton (lost some of the time) just stunned by the sight of all the old architectural details and the nooks and crannies that the locals seem to blithely pass by every day. And then I saw St Pancras....... it took my breath away. Overload!! :)

@agme8045 День назад

Don’t underestimate tourists! People love taking pictures at the brick row houses in England, they are very iconic.

@gordonmarshall7362 9 дней назад

Greetings from Toronto Canada. Lovely video my great grand father and grand father were master bricklayers who moved to Canada. And when I lived in London for a little while I loved walking thru London looking at the amazing design and wonderful bricklaying Cheers G

@franconianable 8 дней назад

Excellent. London is a fascinating city. My first days when I visited in 1989 were spent wandering for hours looking mainly at the architechture. Many thanks.

@James_Egan 12 дней назад

Nice one Roger. I really enjoyed this video!

@lg5819 12 дней назад

I really enjoyed watching this video Roger about some of London’s beautiful historic architecture. I never realised the humble brick, the staple of the Industrial Revolution has so much history involving different manufacturing processes to make them suitable for historic buildings. As for todays housing, I hate new builds with a passion because so many buildings get planning permission that blight our landscape, especially in parts of London. I just hope builders, architects in the future will construct new housing that have more character and style in keeping with Britains heritage that sets us apart and makes London feel like London again. At least, in places like Poundbury and Nansledan in Cornwall new towns are being built that look like quality builds instead of Lego houses constructed from an flat pack in a short space of time.

@scotthenderson9918 5 дней назад

I'm so happy to have found your video today. I loved your narration and thorough explanations. The architecture was a treat,I immediately checked for your other videos, and I can't wait to hear more. Thanks for all your hard work. It's a treat to learn from your experience.

@ianbooth3164 11 дней назад

Enjoyed this more than I expected. Some of those London squares look fantastic.

@jamblpaints8453 12 дней назад

The timing of this video is uncanny. Just got into a hotel near crystal palace after going for a walk with my girlfriend noticing the colours of the bricks

@pluffer241 10 дней назад

Precognition

@timothywalsh4230 11 дней назад

Thanks Roger, fantastic. i live in Australia and always are fascinated by your productions. You can do as many of these building history topics as you like. Cheers Tim.

@SkillBuilder 11 дней назад

Glad you like them!

@nigeljames1109 11 дней назад

This is one of the best videos I have seen about the buildings in London. The production of bricks locally to the build site is something I have never heard of before. Fascinating. More please.

@highdownmartin 9 дней назад

I’m a fan of yellow London bricks. Puts you in an area. Same as stone buildings, midlands red brick. Engineering blue brick. Cob cottages, flint walls or Kentish shiplap. You only have to go fifty miles and the geology and the building materials have changed along with the local accent. Fascinating video.

@CRAZYCR1T1C 12 дней назад

What a brilliant video on Londons history. What make it more interesting is a builders point of view. You and robin are knocking balls out of the park with these quality contents.

@ArthurDentZaphodBeeb 12 дней назад

Roger, great tour/history. More of these please. It's the off-the-beaten-path tours that are always the most interesting.

@charliespence5962 11 дней назад

Loving this type of content Roger, keep at it! This is your calling.

@thesymbiont227 2 дня назад

This was one of the best, most informative videos on any subject I’ve ever seen on RU-vid. Thank you sir!

@jamesspencer2098 12 дней назад

Roger I love this content! As a builder I love working on old builds. It's as close to time travelling I'll ever get. I've learnt alot from this thanks

@Tomas-ml9nv 12 дней назад

Incredibly interesting, please do more of these videos!

@artofsam 7 дней назад

Love videos like this, I'm simultaneously being educated about architecture, infrastructure and history without feeling lectured. Would love to see more of videos on the history of other buildings in London!

@shinystones 4 дня назад

Fascinating and so informative. So glad to have stumbled upon your video. Thank you.

@JohnnyMotel99 12 дней назад

I know the yellow bricks well and I always did wonder why they are so irregular looking...now I know! Also the yellow brick makes for a more restful facade.

@diabolicalartificer 11 дней назад

Used to work on building sites decades ago, I still can't help looking at brickwork & stonework 3 decades on. Boring to most but still holds a deep fascination for me. Grand video, thanks.

@PLively 6 дней назад

Your channel is such a great find. I thoroughly enjoyed this video, thanks!

@misterwireless5700 10 дней назад

Wonderful walk through and narration, learnt a lot

@970357ers 12 дней назад

The same again across various UK towns and cities of architectural/historical merit would be good!

@coolmarkyt 7 дней назад

I used to work in that modernist block on Russell Square. Apparently the architect was a pioneer of computer design and also worked on the design and effects in the first Alien film. His widow lived in the penthouse on the top floor

@Maitreya0208 8 дней назад

I’ve learned more from this video than I have from the last 10 tour videos. Instant subscribe. And a humble Thank You!

@bidvision 7 дней назад

I never thought I would be so interested by a video about bricks! Fascinating history and well told.

@janoginski5557 12 дней назад

That was brilliant Roger. Really interesting. 🤙

@The_Voice_of_Reason748 11 дней назад

Wicked presentation, really interesting, thanks 👍

@ArneLuksic 7 дней назад

One of the best video I have seen in ages!! Good job!

4 дня назад

Tx so much for the brick / building lessons. Really interesting hearing about an everday bit of history of London. Forwarding on to my social history group, a lot of Londoner expats there who will appreciate a tour of the old neighbourhoods. Well done.

@SkillBuilder 4 дня назад

Thanks for the comment and for forwarding it on. We are planning to do more of these in London.

@hungbearlover 12 дней назад

This is excellent, thanks for your effort and time.

@gordonmackenzie4512 12 дней назад

Very interesting indeed, thank you. I’m about 650 miles north of London, where brick was very rare as a building material. The most northerly brickworks, at Brora, was the only available source, but that is 50 miles north of here. Not a subject I know anything much about.

@fergtube1 8 дней назад

Loved the video. Loved the tour of London. Really enjoyable. Thank you.

@TheBrummie60 6 дней назад

Remarkable video presentation, extremely interesting and informative. Never knew that those numerous little London gardens were originally locations where clay was mined to make the yellow stock bricks. Brilliant! Footnote: my great, great grandfather was a brick maker in Winslow, Buckinghamshire, in the 19th century. His sons followed in his footsteps, the family eventually moving to Birmingham, the pulsating hub of the Industrial Revolution. In Brum, my folks' skills evolved to become paviours - many of the cobbled streets they made still exist here today. Wonderful legacy from a bygone age, so proud of their hard work. Cheers!

@Me-zo8yc 12 дней назад

Interesting bit of history there thanks Roger!

@smfvmd 12 дней назад

Great talk, Roger. Thanks.

@jamfabulous 8 дней назад

Really loved this! Looking forward to more building archaeology/history type videos. Cheers!

@stevewinter9758 10 дней назад

Wow. Sometimes, very rarely, you get an informed and truly fascinating video about a subject you never ever thought might be fascinating. Great video!

@towgod7985 11 дней назад

Thoroughly enjoyed your video. You might think about doing a walking video of London. I love videos from people that actually know what there talking about. Cheers.

@AnthonyMcRedmond-Vg2ry 12 дней назад

Love these old London houses best wishes from Dublin great video

@SkillBuilder 12 дней назад

I will be in Dublin soon

@GraimearGaeilge 11 дней назад

Good stuff Roger, I owe you dinner and a drink for all the fantastic videos you have made, you've also replaced my telly too, watch em all the time! I really enjoy them. Thank you

@mwezimwezi9618 9 дней назад

Fascinating stuff Roger. Opportunities gain a practical understanding/appreciation of the historical built environment are to be treasured Thank you

@marcoholt1847 8 дней назад

Thanks Roger & Team, who would have thought a film on bricks could be so interesting. Shows what you can do when you frame a topic in such a clever way.