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. Walter Kevis's studio in Petworth, West Sussex, known now as The Petworth Penthouse, is one of those few, and on this page we list the others of which we are aware.
All contributions regarding these or other former studios would be most welcome.
The studios below 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. Walter Kevis's studio in Petworth, West Sussex, known now as The Petworth Penthouse, is one of those few, and on this page we list the others of which we are aware.
All contributions regarding these or other former studios would be most welcome.
The studios below are listed in the order of the date of their first use.
Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. 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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Exeter, Devon. New North Road
William Gill. 1842-57
In 1842 Gill obtained a licence from Richard Beard, who in 1841 had bought the rights to be sole patentee of the daguerreotype process in England.
William Gill. 1842-57
In 1842 Gill obtained a licence from Richard Beard, who in 1841 had bought the rights to be sole patentee of the daguerreotype process in England.
2020
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Probably 1950s
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Lewes, East Sussex. 159 High Street
Reeves. 1858-present
In continuous use to the present day as photographic studio, by the Reeves family.
Reeves. 1858-present
In continuous use to the present day as photographic studio, by the Reeves family.
2023
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2017. Photo: Graeme Swain
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Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria. 21 Lake Road
Several occupiers (Fletcher, Water, Brunskill, Herbert) 1858-1938
The wall remains glazed, and the roof glazing appears to be extant but painted over. In use as store.
Several occupiers (Fletcher, Water, Brunskill, Herbert) 1858-1938
The wall remains glazed, and the roof glazing appears to be extant but painted over. In use as store.
2023. Photo: George Walsh
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Brighton, East Sussex. 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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Hastings, East Sussex. Memorial Studio, Robertson Road/Cambridge Road
FR Wells. 1864-1867. Then a succession of owners until 1918.
Glazed roof and wall intact. Appears to be in good, largely original, condition.
Currently in use as an artist's studio.
FR Wells. 1864-1867. Then a succession of owners until 1918.
Glazed roof and wall intact. Appears to be in good, largely original, condition.
Currently in use as an artist's studio.
2019.
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2016
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2019
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Launceston, Cornwall. 20 and 20A Church Street
Henry Hayman. c.1866 - 1921+
"The Glasshouse" at no. 20 (on the junction) has been restored. The glass roof of no. 20A has been tiled over and the wall glazing reduced. The raised area of tiling on the roof suggests that window framing at least, if not the glass, may be intact underneath the tiles.
20A was for sale as of May 2021.
Henry Hayman. c.1866 - 1921+
"The Glasshouse" at no. 20 (on the junction) has been restored. The glass roof of no. 20A has been tiled over and the wall glazing reduced. The raised area of tiling on the roof suggests that window framing at least, if not the glass, may be intact underneath the tiles.
20A was for sale as of May 2021.
1890s
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2021
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Derby, Derbyshire. 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. This is the only building I am aware of which could still be restored to show the whole operation of a Victorian photographic studio, including with the opulent reception and waiting rooms.
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. This is the only building I am aware of which could still be restored to show the whole operation of a Victorian photographic studio, including with the opulent reception and waiting rooms.
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c. 1900
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2020
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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 as a studio 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 as a studio 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, West Sussex. Lombard Street
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 occasional 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 occasional 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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About 1953, having not been used for 45 years during Kevis's nephew's occupation. Prop furniture and backdrops were still in the studio.
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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
Was in a ruinous state for several decades until redevelopment of the whole building in 2023, removing the internal configuration of the studio floor.
J Monk and others. 1879-c.1963
Was in a ruinous state for several decades until redevelopment of the whole building in 2023, removing the internal configuration of the studio floor.
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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The grand exterior. Client reception and waiting areas were at the front of the building.
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Bradford, Yorkshire. 60 Manningham Lane
Appleton, and Gunston 1887-1921+
Glazed wall visible. Roof replaced with tiles. Occupied by Pakeezah Food2Go outlet in 2022.
Extensive research by Steve Lightfoot on the Appleton business can be found here
Appleton, and Gunston 1887-1921+
Glazed wall visible. Roof replaced with tiles. Occupied by Pakeezah Food2Go outlet in 2022.
Extensive research by Steve Lightfoot on the Appleton business can be found here
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2022
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Huddersfield, Yorkshire. Burlington House, Greenhead Park
John Edward Shaw 1887-1916. Thomas Dent 1918-1945
Glazed wall extant. Roof tiled over. Building divided now into flats, presumably including the old studio.
John Edward Shaw 1887-1916. Thomas Dent 1918-1945
Glazed wall extant. Roof tiled over. Building divided now into flats, presumably including the old studio.
Victorian image from Shaw cdv back
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2020
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Nottingham, Nottinghamshire. 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, Yorkshire. 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, Yorkshire. 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.
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, Cambridgeshire. Lynn Road
Starr and Rignall. 1929-?
An unusually late daylight studio. Glazed roof intact. Wall glazing boarded over.
Now in use as antique shop.
Starr and Rignall. 1929-?
An unusually late daylight studio. Glazed roof intact. Wall glazing boarded over.
Now in use as antique 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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