Talks & Tours

I give illustrated talks on church heritage to many different audiences and I’m an accredited Lecturer on the Directory of Lecturers of the Arts Society (formerly NADFAS).

I have given five evening talks at the V&A, here exploring the remarkable 15 or so medieval cloisters still serving English cathedral churches despite Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. - https://www.vam.ac.uk/event/b8kME2xG/cloisters-remarkable-cathedral-survivors

I was invited to speak at the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust at Bishopthorpe Palace, gave the annual lecture to the Friends of St Paul's Cathedral at Stationers’ Hall and the Ecclesiological Society annual Dykes Bower Memorial Lecture at the Art Workers' Guild.

I can be commissioned to deliver bespoke talks and tours on subjects relating to church buildings and their history, sustainability, future use and funding.

For more info contact me: janet@janet-gough.com

My most popular talks are:

Christopher Wren rebuilds London out of disaster

Cathedrals, safe places to do risky things

Setting off from the Monument to the Great Fire of London designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, the talk examines Wren’s buildings to tell the story of the incredible rebuilding of London after the badly-handled Plague and disastrous Great Fire of 1666. We see how Wren drew on royal patronage, up-to-the-minute science, on an understanding of classical, other early and contemporary building styles and his deep insight into beauty and craftsmanship. Wren worked with a team of eminent collaborators to rebuild 51 new churches, crowned by the extraordinary domed Baroque St Paul’s Cathedral to quickly, efficiently and permanently redraw the skyline of London as well as developing a new built liturgy for the Church of England.

A ravishingly illustrated virtual tour of the Church of England’s magnificent 42 cathedrals, jewels in the crown of our built heritage, some recognised as World Heritage Sites. Audiences will be treated to an overview of cathedral history and architectural evolution including their surprising stories and extraordinary treasures. The changing role of cathedrals in society both in the past and present day is also discussed.

Relates to my book: Cathedrals of The Church of England

How to pick a favourite church

I’ve chosen my favourite church from every Church of England diocese to illustrate the incredible history and architecture of church buildings bound up with the story of England over the last 1400 years. I share with the audience what can be found visiting churches and how they might enhance their own appreciation of different churches. And I discuss the many joys and challenges of maintaining this extraordinary ecclesiastical heritage today.

Relates to my book: Churches of The Church of England

Cloisters: remarkable cathedral survivors

Medieval cloisters, originally spaces linking monastic buildings, are miraculous survivors of Henry VIII’s Dissolution of the Monasteries. English cathedral communities recognised the practicality of cloisters and experimented with cutting edge architecture to build, improve and embellish them. The result is that England’s cathedral cloisters are some of the most extraordinarily beautiful spaces in the world. This talk explores the 15 or so cathedral medieval cloisters in England with spectacular photos and encourages audiences to venture beyond the nave when they next visit a cathedral.

Discover my lecture schedule