What was housing like for the Victorian middle classes?

Ask pupils to go look at all the photographs (around 20) of different types of Victorian house. Then using the worksheet provided ask pupils to decide whether the houses shown are working class, middle class or upper class, giving reasons for their decisions. Using the information in their tables pupils could then create a list of criteria to explain what defines middle class housing. They should look at all aspects of the houses such as size, styles and location.

Learning aims and outcomes

• An understanding that the Victorian middle classes lived in a wide range of different types of houses and locations
• Use source material to identify middle class houses
• Identify source material that can be used to answer specific questions
• Select, organise and record information appropriately