As the expression goes, "Your home is your castle," and there's no denying that Britain has a rich architectural past. The architecture of the homes here ranges from thatched Tudor cottages to modern, eco-friendly contemporary construction.Through a series of images that show how British dwellings have developed over more than 500 years, we have tracked the constantly changing architectural forms of British style houses since the 1400s.

Tudor residences

1485-1560Britain was entirely cut off from European architectural trends when Henry VIII formed the Church of England. As a result, the revival of classical art and architecture, which was thriving in France and Italy, had little impact on housing in 16th-century Britain. The exteriors of these homes, which were primarily constructed with function in mind and distinguished by their thatched roofs and exposed timber framing, mirrored the size and use of the rooms within and paid little attention to symmetry. As a result, Tudor houses typically did not undergo extensive ornamentation. There were some exceptions, though. In the South and East of the country, close studding (tightly positioned vertical timbers) denotes riches, and in the West and North, small square panels (some with beautiful patterns inside) denote richness. Discover Tudor homes:

British style houses: Stuart residences

1603-1714With their Catholic leanings, the Stuart Kings were more receptive to European architectural trends than Henry VII was. The first architect to use this style on structures for the Royal family was Inigo Jones. The transformation of housing brought about by this style would not start until around 1660, though bare brick built houses. However, the homes of the better off were increasingly built of stone and brick, particularly in Eastern and Southern counties, and two storey homes with a couple of bedrooms above two ground floor rooms became more common. During this time, timber-framed homes were still popular with merchants and farmers in the countryside.Dutch homes with hipped roofs, deep white cornices, and ornately adorned hoods over the doorways rose in popularity after William of Orange assumed the throne in 1689.

Georgian-style homes

1714-1790A new middle class emerged during the 18th century as the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions got underway, and London in particular saw the fast expansion of Georgian-style homes. They promoted the Palladian style, which was based on the works of Inigo Jones and Italian architect Andrea Palladio from the 16th century. During this time, symmetrical facades were a requirement for residences, and most large and metropolitan homes were double-piled (two rooms deep). Greek motifs gained popularity in the late 18th and early 19th centuries thanks to recent discoveries of ancient Greek buildings dating back to the 1760s. It is acknowledged as a time of polished, graceful architecture that, unlike the Baroque period, lacked ostentatious ornamentation.Investigate Georgian homes:

Victorian-era homes

1839-1900Augustus Pugin and John Ruskin were the primary figures who supported the Gothic Revival in domestic architecture as the Industrial Revolution accelerated. Homes were built asymmetrically, and brick was once more in vogue. As the middle classes rose in number and money, they tried to show off their position by decorating lavishly and showing off their colorful brickwork. Although Victorian residences are generally seen as a distinguishing feature of British architecture, the great bulk of the working population continued to live in modest cottages or what are now known as terraced houses during this time.Look into Victorian homes:

Queen Anne-style homes

1880-1900Architects were weary of the Gothic Revival style after a period characterized by pointed arches and complex patterns, and they turned their attention to historic farmhouses and manor residences from the 17th century rather than medieval churches.Richard Norman Shaw, an architect, popularized the Queen Anne style based on the structures with Dutch influences that were common in Britain between the 1680s and the 1720s (Queen Anne only reigned from 1702-1714). "Dutch" gables, windows with glazing bars, and timber hoods over the door all experienced a significant rebirth. Homes were often constructed of rich red brick, with white-painted woodwork and windows. There was also a trend for terracotta panels and tiles.Particularly in London, the Queen Anne Style was popular and is still present in areas like Chelsea, Bayswater, and Kensington.Look into Queen Anne homes:

Victorian homes

1900-1918For opulent homes and public structures, the colossal Baroque style of the late 17th century was applied throughout the Edwardian era.

Craftsmanship and conventional building methods were revitalized as a result of the widespread rejection of the mass-produced items of the industrial period. During this time, vernacular architecture flourished thanks to the Arts and Crafts Movement, and most Edwardian terraces included timber construction, pebbledash, and hanging tiles. It was also common to see white-painted timber balconies and porches with elaborate fretwork and balusters.While Edwardian homes' exteriors were still colorful and ornamental, the carvings and patterns were typically more muted than during the Victorian era. Houses did not become as dusty after the introduction of gas illumination, and eventually electric lighting, which encouraged people to decorate with lighter, brighter wallpapers and draperies.Investigate Edwardian homes:

Homes by Addison

1919The first attempt by the government to upgrade homes for working-class people came after World War One. Plans for affordable housing that local governments may build were developed as a result of the 1917 Tudor Walters Report. Despite lacking any decorations and being inspired by the Arts & Crafts style, the designs were created to imitate rustic cottages in both shape and environment architectural styles in victorian architecture. The Tudor Walters Report served as a plan for the first homes constructed after Christopher Addison passed the 1919 Housing Act. The residences themselves were situated along avenues, crescents, and cul-de-sacs with open green spaces in the heart of estates, and they were constructed to maximize the amount of sunlight entering the home. Early in the 1920s, when the economy began to deteriorate, dwellings' sizes were shrunk and their designs became even more straightforward to cut costs house styles and flat roofs.