More than a thousand photographic portrait studios were established throughout the UK in the decades between 1839 when the Daguerreotype process was introduced, and the end of Queen Victoria's reign in 1901.
Remarkably few of those studios have survived to the 21st century in any sort of recognisable form. This page lists those of which we are aware.
More historical information about each studio will be added as it is unearthed.
Please email richard@petworthpenthouse.com for further details, or to contribute any information about other studios.
The studios are listed in the order of the date of their first use.
Remarkably few of those studios have survived to the 21st century in any sort of recognisable form. This page lists those of which we are aware.
More historical information about each studio will be added as it is unearthed.
Please email richard@petworthpenthouse.com for further details, or to contribute any information about other studios.
The studios are listed in the order of the date of their first use.
Nottingham. Bromley House, Angel Row
Alfred Barber and others. 1841-1955
The space in the attics of Bromley House has been somewhat altered and is not at first recognisable as a daylight studio. Recent work has inserted a skylight of a modern design, in the aperture where Barber's original revolving blue light skylight was.
Photo below is from a virtual tour of the studio which can be seen here.
Alfred Barber and others. 1841-1955
The space in the attics of Bromley House has been somewhat altered and is not at first recognisable as a daylight studio. Recent work has inserted a skylight of a modern design, in the aperture where Barber's original revolving blue light skylight was.
Photo below is from a virtual tour of the studio which can be seen here.
2019. Prior to renovation work.
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Lewes. 159 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex
Reeves. 1858-present
In continuous use as photographic studio by the Reeves family.
Reeves. 1858-present
In continuous use as photographic studio by the Reeves family.
2017. Photo by Graeme Swain
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Brighton. 109 Western Road
Henry Spink. 1864-1889+
Further information being sought about current state.
Henry Spink. 1864-1889+
Further information being sought about current state.
2020
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Derby. 45 Midland Road
W W Winter. 1867-present.
Glazed roof replaced with tiles in the 1960s. Glazed wall now boarded up on the inside.
In continuous use as photographic studio, run since 1910 by the King family.
W W Winter. 1867-present.
Glazed roof replaced with tiles in the 1960s. Glazed wall now boarded up on the inside.
In continuous use as photographic studio, run since 1910 by the King family.
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c. 1900
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2020
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Hastings. Memorial Studio, Robertson Road/Cambridge Road, Hastings, East Sussex
FR Wells. 1864-? Last known photographic use 1901.
Glazed roof and wall intact. Would appear to be be the most well preserved example of a Victorian daylight studio in the UK.
Currently in use as artist's studio.
FR Wells. 1864-? Last known photographic use 1901.
Glazed roof and wall intact. Would appear to be be the most well preserved example of a Victorian daylight studio in the UK.
Currently in use as artist's studio.
2019.
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2016
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2019
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Launceston, 20 and 20A Church Street
Henry Hayman. c.1866 - 1921+
"The Glasshouse" at no. 20 has been well restored. The glass roof of no. 20A has been tiled over and the wall glazing reduced. Awaiting information regarding the interior.
Henry Hayman. c.1866 - 1921+
"The Glasshouse" at no. 20 has been well restored. The glass roof of no. 20A has been tiled over and the wall glazing reduced. Awaiting information regarding the interior.
1890s
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c. 2015
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Selkirk, Scott’s Place
Robert Clapperton. 1867-2005
Built 1867 at Dovecot Park, Selkirk. Moved and rebuilt at current site in Selkirk in the late 1880s. Was run by the family until 2005, and then as a museum until 2015.
Robert Clapperton. 1867-2005
Built 1867 at Dovecot Park, Selkirk. Moved and rebuilt at current site in Selkirk in the late 1880s. Was run by the family until 2005, and then as a museum until 2015.
2015 when a museum
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2015
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Petworth. Lombard Street, West Sussex
Walter Kevis. 1877-1908 (occasional use until 1953)
A purpose built rooftop studio built by Walter Kevis in 1877. He retired in 1908, and his nephew Herbert Earle then used the studio only to print copies. The studio remained intact with equipment and glass negatives until Earle left in 1953.
Now used as self-catering accommodation.
Read more about Kevis and the studio here
Walter Kevis. 1877-1908 (occasional use until 1953)
A purpose built rooftop studio built by Walter Kevis in 1877. He retired in 1908, and his nephew Herbert Earle then used the studio only to print copies. The studio remained intact with equipment and glass negatives until Earle left in 1953.
Now used as self-catering accommodation.
Read more about Kevis and the studio here
2020. The rooftop studio's east facing gable and south side.
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Studio when in use. Photograph said to be c.1895
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2020, when used as self-catering accommodation
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Preston, Lancs. Grand Imperial Studio
J Monk and others. 1879-c.1963
Now in a ruinous state.
J Monk and others. 1879-c.1963
Now in a ruinous state.
Victorian exterior from cdv back
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2019
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Interior 2019
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London. Old Brompton Road
Elliot and Fry. 1885-1919
Glazed wall, and roof (now clear pvc), both boarded over inside.
Was used as a sculpture studio by Cecil Thomas, and now as an exhibition studio by the Royal Society of Sculptors.
Elliot and Fry. 1885-1919
Glazed wall, and roof (now clear pvc), both boarded over inside.
Was used as a sculpture studio by Cecil Thomas, and now as an exhibition studio by the Royal Society of Sculptors.
After 1919, when used by sculptor Cecil Thomas
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c. 2019. Exhibition space for Royal Society of Sculptors
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2018
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Bradford. 60 Manningham Lane
Appleton, and Gunston 1887-1921+
Glazed wall visible. Roof replaced with tiles. Occupied by Pakeezah Food2Go outlet.
Appleton, and Gunston 1887-1921+
Glazed wall visible. Roof replaced with tiles. Occupied by Pakeezah Food2Go outlet.
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2019
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Nottingham. Newcastle Chambers, 17 Angel Row
Henri Morel and others. 1892-1910+
Part of glazed roof wall intact. Currently used as a store for a music venue.
Henri Morel and others. 1892-1910+
Part of glazed roof wall intact. Currently used as a store for a music venue.
c. 1901, when briefly used by the photoengravers Hamel
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2020. (Building on right is Bromley House - see listing on this page.)
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Sunderland. Hutchinson's Buildings, 104-109 High Street West
A & G Taylor. Active 1904.
Advertisement in Sunderland Daily Echo, February 1904, stated that A & G Taylor's "studio itself is one of the largest and bestlighted in the District, and in every way admirably adapted for production of highclass work."
A & G Taylor. Active 1904.
Advertisement in Sunderland Daily Echo, February 1904, stated that A & G Taylor's "studio itself is one of the largest and bestlighted in the District, and in every way admirably adapted for production of highclass work."
Modern exterior, with arrow highlighting the location of studio
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Interior in 2018.
Photo: Historic England
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Some Surviving Edwardian (post 1901) Studios
Hutton-le-Hole. Ryedale Folk Museum, Yorkshire
William Hayes. 1902-1923
Originally built in York, the studio was transported by Hayes to Hutton-le-Hole. More recently removed and reconstructed at Ryedale Folk Museum.
William Hayes. 1902-1923
Originally built in York, the studio was transported by Hayes to Hutton-le-Hole. More recently removed and reconstructed at Ryedale Folk Museum.
Studio when at Hayes's home in Hutton le Hole
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At the museum
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2016
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Hawick. North Bridge Street
JED Murray. 1902-1972
Glazed roof and walls boarded up or removed.
Used since 1973 as The Border Club.
JED Murray. 1902-1972
Glazed roof and walls boarded up or removed.
Used since 1973 as The Border Club.
Circa 2019
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Ely. Lynn Road
Starr and Rignall. 1929-?
An unusually late daylight studio. Glazed roof intact. Wall glazing boarded over.
In use as antiques shop.
Starr and Rignall. 1929-?
An unusually late daylight studio. Glazed roof intact. Wall glazing boarded over.
In use as antiques shop.
Exterior 2020
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Exterior 2020
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Interior 2020. The end wall is reported to be a backdrop that has been painted over.
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