Why are some UK row houses so bleak?
Row houses? I think you mean what we call terraced houses. It depends what town ypu were looking at. In the big northern cities the terraces date back anything up to 100 years old. Between building and now they have hasve suffered two wars and a major depression (in the 1930s). These were often “back-to-back” houses where there was no back yard or garden and the fronts opened directly on to the street. The house backing-on also faced its own street directly. Other less densly packed terraces had small back yards (about 10sq metres) with a dustbin and outside toilet. The majority were only two bedroom. Most of these old terraces have been demolished and many of the survivors are in very good condition, at least inside. They all have internal plumbing and electricity too. The depressing appearnace is not really to do with lack of pride. There is always a cynic who will say that. But it’s not really true over the whole housing stock. New terrace develppments are designed to fit as many ho
