Alfred Waterhouse (1830–1905) was one of the most celebrated Victorian architects, renowned for his mastery of the Gothic Revival style. His work defined the skyline of 19th-century Britain, blending functional design with stunning aesthetic appeal. Among his vast portfolio, two of his most famous works—the Natural History Museum in London and Manchester Town Hall—stand as testaments to his architectural genius. A lesser discussed but equally vital aspect of these buildings is their roofing, particularly the use of Cumbrian slate, which provided both durability and beauty. In this blog we explore Waterhouse’s contributions to these two architectural masterpieces, with a special focus on their iconic roofs.
His architectural vision
Waterhouse’s career flourished during the height of the Gothic Revival, a movement that sought to rekindle medieval architectural styles. His works are characterised by pointed arches, intricate stone carvings, and robust masonry that emphasise longevity and grandeur. Liverpool-born and Manchester-trained at the Royal Academy, he was heavily influenced by medieval cathedrals and collegiate buildings, which he skilfully reinterpreted into modern designs that catered to the needs of Victorian Britain.
While Waterhouse’s works are widely admired for their overall grandeur, one of his greatest talents was his meticulous attention to detail. His selection of materials, roofing techniques, and commitment to structural integrity ensured that his buildings would not only be visually striking but also resilient in the face of British weather conditions.
The Natural History Museum: A triumph of Victorian engineering
Waterhouse was commissioned to design the Natural History Museum in 1865, following an architectural competition. His proposal stood out for its ambitious Romanesque-Gothic blend, a style that was rarely seen in Britain at the time. Completed in 1881, the museum remains one of London’s most recognisable landmarks, with its intricate terracotta façade, soaring towers, and cathedral-like interior. However, one of its most crucial and often-overlooked elements is its roof.
The roof of the Natural History Museum is a marvel of Victorian engineering. Waterhouse opted for a steeply pitched design, in keeping with Gothic traditions, which allowed for effective rainwater runoff—essential in the damp English climate. The roofing material he chose was slate we now refer to as Cumbrian slate, sourced from the Lake District quarries of William Cavendish, the 7th Duke of Devonshire and the 2nd Earl of Burlington, who’s Burlington Slate Company was established in 1843.
Cumbrian slate was the ideal choice. It is incredibly hard-wearing and resistant to weathering, which was crucial for a structure expected to last centuries. Also, given that Victorian London had suffered several catastrophic fires, using a fire-resistant roofing material was a prudent decision. The expansive roof structure also had an intricate timber framework designed to allow ventilation and insulation. This ensured that the museum’s vast collection of delicate specimens remained protected from temperature fluctuations and humidity.
However, it is Cumbrian slate’s aesthetic appeal that Waterhouse was particularly attracted to.
The Burlington blue/grey slate quarry on Kirkby Moor was located in Lancashire prior to the formation of the county of Cumbria in 1974, and for the first 400 years of the quarries history the slate was referred to a Lancashire blue/grey. The quarry produced random sized block (‘clog’) and to make best use of this varied shaped raw material, slates were almost always produced in random sizes for laying in diminishing courses. Waterhouse deployed the random diminishing course roof as his chosen roofing method for the majority of the roofs on the Museum, with the largest slates used at the eaves and gradually smaller sizes laid working up to the ridge or pinnacle. This was most unusual in London and the patterning his design achieved on the Natural History Museum roof remains one of its most striking and iconic features of the West London skyline.
In addition, Waterhouse was particularly attracted to the contrast achieved by using the two slates quarried by Burlington Slate together on the same roof – Westmorland green and Lancashire blue. Not only did the striking hues of these two slates complement the terracotta facades beautifully, they also allowed Waterhouse to pursue a design that involved the creation of signature diamond patterns and contrasting banding on the roofs of the two entrance towers and the commanding hipped pavilions that stand as sentinels to the Museum at its corners.
Manchester Town Hall: A civic masterpiece
In the same period, Waterhouse was also commissioned to design Manchester Town Hall, an extraordinary Gothic Revival civic building completed in 1877. The structure embodies the industrial might of Manchester, with its towering clock tower, detailed stone carvings, and grand ceremonial halls. However, as with the Natural History Museum, the roofing played a significant role in the building’s success.
The roof of Manchester Town Hall is among its most striking features. Waterhouse designed it with steeply pitched gables, intricate dormer windows, and high turrets, all contributing to the skyline of the city. Lancashire blue slate was again chosen as the primary roofing material, reflecting Waterhouse’s consistent preference for high-quality, locally sourced materials. This time however he chose to use set-sized rather than random-sized slates for the roof coursing, a method more prevalent in the south of the country.
Again, Waterhouse used the two Burlington slates, Lancashire blue and Westmorland green, to create interesting patterns on the roof, this time W shaped coursing in green slates to punctuate the blue/grey slate roofs on the principal elevation facing Albert Square and the returns into Princess Street and Lloyd Street.
Waterhouse’s roofing legacy
Alfred Waterhouse’s use of Cumbrian slate from Burlington Slate on both the Natural History Museum and Manchester Town Hall exemplifies his keen architectural sensibility. By selecting a material that was both practical and aesthetically harmonious with his designs, he ensured the longevity and resilience of these structures. His roofing choices also set a precedent for later architects, who recognised the importance of high-quality, locally sourced materials in major public buildings. Today, both buildings stand as enduring symbols of Victorian craftsmanship and ingenuity.
Waterhouse was more than just a prolific architect—he was a master of material selection and structural innovation. The Natural History Museum and Manchester Town Hall remain two of his crowning achievements, not only for their visual grandeur but for their engineering brilliance. By utilising Cumbrian slate for their roofs, Waterhouse ensured these iconic buildings would stand the tests of time, weather, history and enduring aesthetic appeal.
The next time you admire these historic structures, take a moment to look up. The roofs are as much a part of their beauty and resilience as the intricate facades and grand interiors. And that is a true testament to Waterhouse’s enduring legacy in British architecture.