Arts and Crafts of the Garden City

Fireplace designed by Barry Parker for his office in what is now the First Garde
Fireplace designed by Barry Parker for his office in what is now the First Garden City Heritage Museum
Barry Parker, one of the main architects of Letchworth Garden City A Letchworth Garden City 'Arts & Crafts' interior

Working as a Garden City Architect, pupils will learn of the arts and crafts movement which reflect many of the Garden City houses you see today.

Your class will look at historic housing interiors of Letchworth Garden City including the Cheap Cottages Exhibition of 1905 and 1907.

Letchworth Architects were influenced by period designers such as William Morris which will also guide pupils when designing an arts and crafts home interior. Situated in the original Working Office of Barry Parker, this 15 to 20 minute workshop applies creativity to historical interpretation.

Curriculum Links with this activity:

History KS2

  •  2 - Knowledge and understanding of events, people and changes in the past, recognise why people did things, why events happened and what happened as a result , identify differences between ways of life at different times, Historical interpretation, Breadth of study.

Art and Design KS2

  • Adapt their work according to their views and describe how they might develop it further, the roles and purposes of artists, craftspeople and designers working in different times and cultures.


Pre-Visit Activities - The Garden City

Prepare for your visit with supporting resources provided to you by First Garden City Heritage Museum. Introduce the ideas of the Garden City through a series of photographs from the museum’s collection. Pupils can identify the changes in poverty housing, with recognition of the living and working benefits of both town and country. A teacher’s pack is available upon request.

Post- Activities - Cheap Cottages Activity Box

Take the arts and crafts of the Garden City back to school with our new Cheap Cottage Activity Box. Pupils can re-create Letchworth’s Cheap Cottages Exhibition with a variety of fun-filled class activities, competitions and creativity. With a broad range of supporting resources, images and worksheets, pupils will experience a famous event of Letchworth’s history, bringing to life the unique story of architectural design in Letchworth Garden City. SEN learning aids are also available with this resource. This activity box with teacher’s pack is available for loan, offered at a small charge.