Heritage photography blog
Photographing the Houses of Parliament.
One of the highlights of 2024 was being commissioned to create official images for the Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster. It was a fantastic opportunity to photograph one of Britain’s most beautiful and iconic buildings.
One of the highlights of 2024 was being commissioned to create official images for the Houses of Parliament, also known as the Palace of Westminster. It was a fantastic opportunity to photograph one of Britain’s most beautiful and iconic buildings.
I spent two days capturing the stunning Victorian Gothic Revival interiors and exterior, with incredible access to both the Commons and Lords Chambers, as well as rooms, corridors, and halls that only a select few ever get to see.
The central feature of Parliament is the magnificent Central Lobby, a circular space adorned with intricate stone carvings, stained glass windows, and a stunning gilded ceiling. This area serves as the heart of the parliamentary complex, connecting the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and various committee rooms. The design is steeped in symbolism, featuring elements that represent the union of the nations of the UK and the power of democracy itself.
The House of Commons is perhaps the most recognisable room in the building. Its green benches are complemented by dark wood panelling. The current interior was rebuilt after being bombed during the Blitz in 1941 and reopened in 1950. The chamber's design is both functional and symbolic, with a long central aisle separating the two opposing sides of government, embodying the British tradition of debate and opposition.
In contrast, the House of Lords is a more opulent space, featuring rich red upholstery, ornate chandeliers, and the imposing throne from which the monarch delivers the State Opening of Parliament. The walls of the upper gallery are adorned with stained glass windows, classical paintings, statues, and an abundance of gold leaf.
Throughout the complex, Victorian Gothic architecture prevails, with soaring arches, intricate ironwork, and an abundance of marble. My favourite spot was an original medieval chapel, hidden beneath the Victorian building. It was decorated by Augustus Pugin during Parliament’s construction in the 1840s.
Some of my images are being used for merchandise and books available in the Parliament gift shops. The gallery below includes a few of my shots featured in their 2025 calendar.
I’ve also been fortunate enough to be invited back for another commission to photograph the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the clock and the famous Big Ben bell. I’ll cover that project in a future post.
Christmas at Lyme Park, Cheshire
For the past two years, Lyme Park in Cheshire has invited the talented artist Sophie Tyrrell to design their annual Christmas event at the hall. Sophie’s imaginative concept is titled Animal Crackers, which features a captivating menagerie of extraordinary and colourful creatures crafted from papier-mâché, various fabrics, and even vintage clothing.
For the past two years, Lyme Park in Cheshire has invited the talented artist Sophie Tyrrell to design their annual Christmas event at the hall. Sophie’s imaginative concept is titled Animal Crackers, which features a captivating menagerie of extraordinary and colourful creatures crafted from papier-mâché, various fabrics, and even vintage clothing. The festive display transports visitors into a whimsical world where these splendid and unusual animals can be found engaging in a variety of fun activities.
In the grand dining room, various birds appear to be delighting in a sumptuous banquet, while in the elegant saloon, sheep are captured mid-motion as they glide across a sparkling ice rink. Others have found a peaceful moment to rest and take a nap in one of Lyme’s charming bedrooms, adding an extra touch of warmth and charm to the experience.
It was a true pleasure to be invited back once again to photograph this year’s event, capturing the magic of Sophie’s creations in all their whimsical glory. You can view some of the images from the event below. The event is open every day up until Christmas at the National Trust's Lyme Park near Disley, offering visitors a chance to enjoy this unique, festive display in a truly enchanting setting. If you’re in the area, it’s well worth a visit to experience this delightful fusion of art and imagination set in a beautiful stately home.
Dorfold Hall interior Photography
Dorfold Hall, located in the heart of Cheshire, is a magnificent Elizabethan mansion with a rich history that spans over 400 years. I had the opportunity to photograph the interiors of this beautiful historic home a couple of years ago.
Dorfold Hall, located in the heart of Cheshire, is a magnificent Elizabethan mansion with a rich history that spans over 400 years. I had the opportunity to photograph the interiors of this beautiful historic home a couple of years ago.
Set amidst picturesque parkland, the house was originally built in 1616 by Sir Edward fitzherbert, a prominent figure of the time. The hall's architecture is a fine example of early 17th-century design, combining classical proportions with the grandeur of Elizabethan style. Over the centuries, Dorfold Hall has been carefully preserved and restored, maintaining much of its original charm, including intricate wood panelling, stunning fireplaces, and fine period furnishings.
Bramall Hall interior photography
Bramall Hall is a beautiful Tudor manor house in Bramhall, near Stockport. It is a timber-framed building with the oldest parts dating from the 14th century. Linn Robinson, head of Stockport museums gave me the opportunity to photograph the hall's amazing interiors before the property reopened to the public.
Bramall Hall is a beautiful Tudor manor house in Bramhall, near Stockport. It is a timber-framed building with the oldest parts dating from the 14th century. Linn Robinson, head of Stockport museums gave me the opportunity to photograph the hall's amazing interiors before the property reopened to the public. There is a mix of era's throughout the house with some rooms being in the style of the original Tudor period and others styled more to Victorian and Edwardian tastes. In the great chamber, amazing Tudor frescos were discovered behind plasterwork during a restoration in the last century.
Holkham Hall, Norfolk - interior photography
I was commissioned by Spears Magazine to photograph the Earl of Leicester along with his family seat, the impressive Holkham Hall in Norfolk. This 18th-century country house was constructed for the 1st Earl of Leicester and is one of England's finest examples of the Palladian revival style of architecture.
I was commissioned by Spears Magazine to photograph the Earl of Leicester along with his family seat, the impressive Holkham Hall in Norfolk. This 18th-century country house was constructed for the 1st Earl of Leicester and is one of England's finest examples of the Palladian revival style of architecture.
The interior of the hall is very opulent and you enter through the Marble Hall, which is made of pink Derbyshire alabaster, this leads on to the first floor and the state rooms. The most impressive of these rooms is the Saloon, which has walls lined with red velvet. Each of the major state rooms is symmetrical in its layout and design and in some rooms, false doors are necessary to fully achieve this balanced effect.
The house is at the heart of a thriving private estate of some 25,000 acres and is open to the public, it is still the family home of the 8th Earl, Thomas Coke.
The Tabley House Collection interior photography
I recently had the pleasure of photographing the interiors of Tabley House in Cheshire. This beautiful Grade I listed stately home was built by architect John Carr of York between 1761 and 1769 for Sir Peter Byrne Leicester and is the only 18th century Palladian country house in Cheshire.
I recently had the pleasure of photographing the interiors of Tabley House in Cheshire. This beautiful Grade I listed stately home was built by architect John Carr of York between 1761 and 1769 for Sir Peter Byrne Leicester and is the only 18th century Palladian country house in Cheshire.
The original state rooms are open to the public and they were designed to impress. They include the Portico Room (the original entrance hall), the Drawing Room, the Common Parlour, the Dining Room, the Oak Hall, and the Gallery. Tabley is home to a number of important paintings as the 1st Lord de Tabley was a patron of British art and artists with a particular interest in JMW Turner. Sir John commissioned works to hang in specific rooms and this is no more evident than in the Drawing Room at Tabley where Turner’s ‘Tabley' is displayed. Other artists represented include Lely, Lawrence, Dobson and Martin. There's also a fine collection of furniture dating from the 17th to the early 20th century which includes pieces by Gillow and Bullock, and others attributed to Chippendale, as well as to local craftsmen.
The house is now in the ownership of the University of Manchester and the collection is managed on behalf of the University by The Tabley House Collection Trust.
Arley Hall interiors
I recently had the opportunity to photograph the interiors of Arley Hall. This beautiful stately home in Cheshire was built for Rowland Egerton-Warburton between 1832 and 1845, to replace an earlier house on the site.
I recently had the opportunity to photograph the interiors of Arley Hall. This beautiful stately home in Cheshire was built for Rowland Egerton-Warburton between 1832 and 1845, to replace an earlier house on the site. Local architect George Latham designed the house in a style which has become known as Jacobethan, copying elements of Elizabethan architecture. The house is a Grade II* listed building and sits within a large estate and is otherwise known as Thomas Shelby’s house in the BBC's series Peaky Blinders.
Levens Hall interior photography
Levens Hall is a manor house near the village of Leven, 5 miles south of Kendal in Cumbria. The first house on the site was a peel tower built in around 1350 but much of the present building dates from the Elizabethan era.
Levens Hall is a manor house near the village of Leven, 5 miles south of Kendal in Cumbria. The first house on the site was a peel tower built in around 1350 but much of the present building dates from the Elizabethan era. I was invited to photograph the interiors of the hall for their new guidebook and spent the day capturing the atmospheric rooms full of carved panelling and fine plasterwork. My particular favourite was the drawing room as not only was it a beautiful space, it also has a view over the fantastic gardens at Levens, home to the oldest topiary in the world.
Christmas at Lyme Hall, Cheshire
I was fortunate to be asked to photograph the Animal Crackers Christmas event at Lyme Hall in Cheshire.
I was fortunate to be asked to photograph the Animal Crackers Christmas event at Lyme Hall in Cheshire. Created by the artist Sophie Tyrrell of The Strange Train Company, you can step into an imagined house where Christmas has been interrupted by an animal takeover. Seeking refuge from extreme rain, the house becomes home to a menagerie of magnificent and unusual beasts. It's open every day until Christmas at Lyme Park NT
