Tel:        087 1750 2936

Fax:       087 1750 2937

Email:    office AT georgiangroup.org.uk

The Georgian Group exists to protect and preserve Georgian buildings, monuments and landscapes. We were founded in 1937 by a group led by Lord Derwent, Angus Acworth and Robert Byron, one of the greatest travel writers of the twentieth century. What united them was exasperation at the extent and pace of the destruction of Georgian buildings in Britain, and particularly in London. Masterpieces of eighteenth century urban architecture, such as Norfolk House in St James's Square and the Adam Brothers' Adelphi by the Thames (above), were being destroyed at an alarming rate, and at the whim of their owners, to make way for new developments. Outside our towns, country houses were suffering just as badly. An astonishing one in six of them – many Georgian, and many home to exquisitely-crafted interiors – were pulled down in the twentieth century. 

Byron and his allies were determined to do what they could to save the Georgian buildings that contributed so much to Britain's townscapes. They had no legislation to back them up – in the inter-war period, buildings dating from after 1700 were considered too modern to qualify for statutory protection, which was extended to ancient monuments and not much else. As a result, many triumphant creations of the British Enlightenment were left exposed.  

Initially, The Georgian Group was a sub-group of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings – hence the word 'group' in its title, which has stuck. But by the early 1940s it had gained enough impetus and struck enough of a popular chord to function independently. Throughout the post-war years it played a significant role in saving individual buildings and arguing successfully for stronger legal protection for Georgian buildings, monuments and landscapes. It is partly thanks to the Group that magnificent buildings such as Carlton House Terrace in The Mall survive – there were serious plans in the 1950s to replace it with a department store. Our influence was also critical in introducing conservation areas in the 1960s and thus giving the first formal protection to groups of buildings, such as the superb Georgian terraces in London, Liverpool, Bath, Exeter and Newcastle.

Today, The Georgian Group is a statutory amenity society in England and Wales. This means that we must by law be consulted on any planning applications affecting listed Georgian buildings, monuments, parks and gardens. There are about 6000 of these every year. Our consultee status gives us an opportunity to comment constructively on proposals and to help owners, architects and planning authorities towards better solutions. Thus, although we have no legal power to prevent buildings from being demolished or altered, we continue to use our expertise to exert a highly beneficial influence.

What We Do

The Georgian Group is the national charity for the preservation of our Georgian heritage. Since we were founded in 1937, we have lobbied for heritage interests, playing a key role in the post-war development of the statutory protection regime for historic buildings and more recently arguing for the removal of VAT on historic buildings repairs.  

As a statutory consultee in the planning system, we are asked every year to review around 7000 planning applications affecting listed Georgian buildings. Casework of this kind remains our core business. It embraces buildings of all types and in all regions of England and Wales. It throws up all sorts of interesting challenges. Outright demolitions are still among them; often we are a lone voice speaking up for unlisted buildings, even for Grade II buildings that are not high on anyone else's agenda. Alternatively, we may be faced with plans for over-intensive development in the grounds of country houses, or unsympathetic alterations to churches, or extensions that swamp the host building. Then again we may be asked to look at plans to subdivide buildings in ways that obscure, or even destroy, historic features. Besides that there is the unthinking erosion of architectural detail and, in another league again, brand new buildings that that in our view diminish the special qualities of a Georgian neighbourhood.  

In many instances we have made a difference – sometimes dramatically, sometimes subtly, sometimes in ways not yet fully realised. All cases are examined conscientiously and intelligently by our four dedicated caseworkers. Because we have no formal power, simply a consultative role, we operate by influence and have to be realistic. A passion for preservation is always balanced by an understanding that the surest route to long-term salvation for any building is for it to be in beneficial use.  

With that in mind, we are careful to encourage those who wish to use buildings sensitively, who aim to restore buildings, or who have already invested the time, effort and money in doing so. For the past thirty years, our Cleary Fund has provided small grants for restoration schemes. Since 2003, through our annual Architectural Awards, we have given public recognition to those who have shown the vision and commitment to undertake exemplary restoration schemes. And we have devoted resources to education, in an effort to instil in young people an awareness of the built environment around them - and a sense of the contribution made by historic buildings to the health of the communities in which they live.  

Join Us 

The Georgian Group is a vibrant and growing community of more than 3200 members who  – apart from the satisfaction of knowing that they are supporting our work – receive a handsome Journal, a colour magazine with prize competitions, discounts on selected goods and services and access to an exclusive activities programme that includes visits to private houses not open to the public. As a member you also have you very own clubroom at our central London headquarters, where you can consult our extensive reference library or simply relax with a coffee.  

Joining us is quick and easy and costs less than the price of a West End theatre ticket. Alternatively complete and return our downloadable membership form or, if you prefer to be sent a form, e-mail Tina Graham or ring her on 020 7529 8924.