There are so many great blogs and websites out there which are great for looking at and learning about old and historic places and homes.
My favourite has to be Old House Dreams I submit many homes to that blog, I just love browsing all the wonderful old and historic houses for sale out there.
So which are your favourite blogs and websites for getting your fix?
Everyone's suggestions - List so far:

Old House Dreams
British and Irish Stately Homes
Historic Images
Upstater
Derelict Places
England's Lost Country Houses
Old Long Island
Ontario Architecture
Beyond the Gilded Age
Hooked on Houses
American Hauntings
The Demolition Depot
Big Orange Landmarks
Big Old Houses
Location Gallery
The Victorian Society
Old Houses.com
English Russia
Colchester Postcards
Welsh Ruins
Scouting NY
English Heritage - Images of England
House Mouse
Architectural Designs
Historic Buildings of Connecticut
Historic Buildings of Massachusetts
Historic Indianapolis
Aladdin House Catalogs
Historic Survey Archive at the Library of Congress
Soviet architecture (tumblr)
Balintore Castle Restoration

Oh! That's one I hadn't seen. Great! I find that I linger over at http://www.housemouse.net/homeplan.htm. They have a decent selection of authentic victorian historical houseplans, among others. I like http://www.architecturaldesigns.com/Home.aspx as well.

Historic Buildings of Connecticut has been my fix for a long time now. I've been forever working on a CAW project that is very East Coast US, and it's been super-helpful. If you are curious, I have a thread over at Creators' Consortium II that tracks my (slow) progress.

I tend to hit up local sites as well. Historic Indianapolis has inspired me quite a bit. I often look at local real estate listings on Zillow and pray that they have good photos. Most places I look at don't have floor plans, but since I always have to "adjust" things for sim-living, it's not a big deal. Though looking at Aladdin House Catalogs can usually fill in some gaps. The Historic Survey Archive at the Library of Congress is fun-time browsing, though I tend to get really sidetracked there.

'English Russia' is another website I like to go to for my old house/history fix. Admitedly that website makes it's money by advertising 'filth', which really lets it down. But if you look beyond the 'filth' you will find some really interesting arcticles, many of which feature old homes, such as these articles:
http://englishrussia.com/2012/10/01...e-19th-century/ - It wasn't just you Americans who liked ordering ornate houses out of plan books in the late 19th Century.
http://englishrussia.com/2012/09/20...ts/#more-110839 - This house has one of the most beautiful staircases I have ever seen. :lovestruc:
http://englishrussia.com/2008/09/30/wooden-windows/
http://englishrussia.com/2010/02/02...dle-of-the-sea/ - Admitedly this is less related to historic houses as most of these were probably built in the 1950s, the fact that they were built in the middle of the ocean is what interests me.
http://englishrussia.com/2008/03/10...ooden-miracles/ - Another beautiful old house in need of some love.
http://englishrussia.com/2008/04/20...-luxury-houses/ - Some more interesting designs.
http://englishrussia.com/2007/08/28/wooden-pillars/
http://englishrussia.com/2011/11/07...reconstruction/
http://englishrussia.com/2011/11/30...-st-petersburg/
http://englishrussia.com/2012/04/29...opped-long-ago/ - Another war era relted article of a more general interest. It's rather creepy to see places in conditions like this.
http://englishrussia.com/2013/03/28...re/#more-122178 - Such a quaint and untouched historic church(?) surrounded by snow
http://englishrussia.com/2013/01/23...os/#more-118887 - Such opulence and grandeur
http://englishrussia.com/2013/01/11...me/#more-117911 - Very impressive.
http://englishrussia.com/2013/01/09...as/#more-117720
http://englishrussia.com/2013/01/02...ch/#more-116941

All things Europe (tumblr) - this is not stricly historic but it does offer a fair amount of high quality photos of historic sights. I mostly use it to look up places in European areas I'm not really familiar with because photos are cataloged by countries. So it's something of a first glimpse into European sights one might not be very familiar with.

There's also a facebook group I've been in love lately - people post old photos of Lithuanian sites/architecture like here but it's probably not worth linking to as it's in Lithuanian only.

Oh, Fergus, I take it from your last post that you're into Russian/Soviet history. I had some stuff/bookmarks on that (esp. soviet culture) so I could try to look it up if you like. Though most of the stuff would probably be in Lithuanian or (less likely) Russian. Either way if I still have any interesting pics or English stuff, I could let you know.

Oooh... Yes please! The language barrier doesn't bother me as I have the use of a translator to translate whole web pages, it's always nice to know about the story that accompanies the pictures, but I'm happy to make do with just the pictures. Just as long as it isn't too much effort on your behalf.
I've yet to understand how to best/fully use tumblr properly. The only times I use it are when I stumble across a pictures on Google images that links back to tumblr, but I'll definitely have to get my hipster friends to show me how to use it now, especially after seeing the page you linked us to.

It's no problem for me since I'm free as a bird till I start university in autumn. Okay, I'll go through my files on the other laptop and see if I find anything.

Tumblr is fairly easy and I love it for the high quality photos. It takes some time to find good things because tag search engine is far from perfect but once you get used to it, it's quite alright. And not all that hipster, to be honest.

I'm free as a bird till I start University in autumn too! I've applied and been offered a place to study Architectural History at the University of Edinburgh, I just have to wait till the results day, which is also my 18th birthday, in August to find out whether I did well enough to be properly accepted.
I'll be sure to give tumblr a go some time soon.

I made a tumblr ages ago... teenagermunch.tumblr.com, but there's nothing there. Anyone with a Blackberry, or who's had one will know what it was going to be about...

And I love to use Translator to go through foreign web pages, especially as how good google is with French and Spanish specially!

Okay, did a very quick search through my email (I knew I had some things there but was under illusion there was more though as it turns the actual stuff is on my laptop which I don't have at the moment). I'll try to focus on architecture/art and keep the political content to minimum.

Soviet architecture (tumblr) has pictures of soviet era architecture throughout the former USSR (1950s to 1980s). Quite a lot of pictures are of blocks of flats in the region (probably cause the cities were stocked with those at the time) but they have some more interesting builds (wouldn't call them pretty but I'm biased so...). The good things is that many pics name the place and (usually) the architect in the description.

Building of Vilnius TV Tower the voiceover is in Lithuanian and soviet propaganda is rather limited to a few shots of super happy builders.

Will probably add more once I get the laptop back.

Fergus, University of Edinburgh sounds great! I've got an offer there for Neuroscience though I'll probably turn it down in favour of Medicine in Vilnius or Natural Sciences at Cambridge (provided my results are good enough).

Samuel, French/Spanish/German google translator is indeed rather good. Though I'm not sure how it functions with unpopular languages like Lithuanian. Have yet to try that.

Woah, just flicking through that Tumblr, its amazing! May I ask, did you grow up in the communist era? I was born in 99, so I only have books and pictures to tell me of that era...
I still have 3 years until I have to start thinking about universities. I have no idea what I want to do.

I love delving into plans from the 60s, mostly about Motorways, but also about the Council Estates, the failed social experiments that they are... I got a real buzz when I saw a picture of the tolworth tower under construction (near me) , and when I learnt that a motorway was going to be ploughed right behind the back garden of the people who live over the road to me! I don't know why... Motorways, Autobahn, Autoroutes, Freeways, whatever you call them, they all really interest me - especially the urban kind

karen lorraine uploaded a house a while back, here, that was inspired by the first houses of Milton Keynes, which was built around the 1960s/1970s and had new motorways built for it too, and she included a link to a page that might be of interest as it shows the homes and roads being built, you can see it here.
I have to agree, those tumblr pictures are amazing! and that video is quite interesting to watch too. I gather its about the construction of the housing developement? Either way its interesting to see the designs and construction of the buildings.

Nah, I was born in '94 and Lithuania broke out of USSR in '90, so I haven't seen the era myself (I don't even speak Russian and that's the case with most of my generation) though my parents did. But I constantly see that kind of buildings throughout the city, esp. in so-called 'microdistricts' - residential areas built during that time, like this area here or here which was actually awarded the Lenin Prize in architecture for top-notch design and functionality. I only recently found out what a brilliant thing is the online video archive of Lithuania's national television - they host quite a lot films/video materials from that time.

Those buildings in Vilnius? look just like the estates built in london and Manchester and other places as slum clearance.,, Ahh, the poor soviets, as with our government, probably thought they were building paradise in the sky.... I do appreciate it though. A set of tower block off the A13 near Dagenham, on the edge of London is getting torn down, when I go past them next there will just be a low-rise council estate under construction... It's sad really, despite their bleak appearance. We need to have a few ugly white dilapidated towers, even if just to remind us of what NOT to do... Alas.

OK, I'm stuck with a tablet, so I can't get you there exactly, but use this to get close to it, Awrr damn, just put A13 Ripple Road, London, then navigate around to see it on street view on Google

I have to agree, we do need to save and preserve from all eras, including the less inspiring ones. There are quite a few that are even listed and so can't ever be demolished. A good example is the Park Hall Estate in Sheffield:

Many others are being revived and brightened up with fresh colour, such as the Sandwell Tower Blocks in West Bromwich:

I do think it is important that they are furnished in their true styles rather than more modern ones. That way their period charms are enhanced to their full potentials.

Yeah, my parents were like "yeah turn off after that big tower of Lego" to my "but they can't really, I mean, they are like local landmarks, like for navigating directions"

I think that renovation is the best thing, and I mean, who wants an endless expanse of low density housing?

Personally I'd rather they quit demolishing perfectly good buildings/building tiny new ones and actualy fixed and made the most of what already exists. There's millions of great buildings standing empty and derelict that would make wonderful homes for people if they were restored and renovated properly.

Yeah, I live right outside London, and there's been loads of development where I am. They demolish a few lovely old quaint character-full 30s (maybe 50's, maybe even earlier) and replace them with some modern blocks of flats, and the thing is, the houses were inhabited before they were demolished! I mean, my nan gets a letter a week from developers, asking to buy her bungalow and her 3/4 acre garden to put a housing estate on (two of the houses nearby have intentions to sell, they just need all the ones in between)

It's houses like that that we need to be saving as well as "old" houses and buildings. Oh the things I would do if I was in charge of the UK...

Yeah... The thing is, we need housing, and lots of it, and the government knows many people like "spacious" housing and that knocking down a load of semis is somehow easier than building on fields.... I have no objections to building new houses, so long as they respect what's there already.

At least these new houses look decent architecturally, but they still aren't the same to as what was there... One of those houses they tore down even had a thatch roof :'(

I could also go on about Surrey County Council's craze of Lamppost replacement, but I'll save that for later...

You wouldn't have thought people like "spacious" houseing looking at how big most new builds are these days. I think I read somewhere that Britain's new builds are the smallest in the world.
FYI, I'm making a list of everyone's suggestions in the first post so that people don't have to scroll through the conversation if they don't want to.

Ahh, yeah, probably a good idea...

And it wouldn't surprise me, the US has the largest houses on average (of all o them) and on a list of several European, oceanic and North American Countries, behind Spain (largest in Europe) Canada, Australia, France, Portugal, New Zealand, Finland... I have to say 30s houses have very awkward floorplans... (And we are still quite a bit larger than most of east Asia) Although having an IKEA 30m2 house is a bit desperate...

But, despite their less aesthetic appareance, 60s, 70s and 80s housing has large, workable floor plans (obviously not counting social housing)

Well most Newbuild Mid-range detached housing I see is probably bigger than most houses I see and know of...but their flats and terraces are pitifully small... For ying there must be yang...

Some 60s, 70s and 80s houses can be quite artistic, but the majority aren't that appealing to me. As for workable floor plans, it depends on taste, I dislike open-plan living so that's part of the reason I prefer older homes.
There's some nicer/larger developements in my area which I don't mind as much. One of which is a big country house that had fallen into ruin, but then was saved by developers and the land around it was developed in reasonably good taste. I know the house was split up into smaller residences, but considering that it was just a shell, there wasn't really anything to save, other than the facade. As seen here, you can see and overview of the developement here. But the one thing I don't like about the developement is that they were allowed to build a whole new 'country house' behind it, as seen here. But other than that the homes are a good size and they were designed to show a similar elegance that the main house would have once had. Luckily the adorable little Gatehouse was made independent of the main house long ago, so it still has its unrivaled charm:

I also found some web pages that might be of general interest:
http://www.uesuperfunhappytime.com/gallery/rosetta/ - Prince Said Halim's Palace or (wrongly known as) Champollion House, Cairo, Egypt;
http://englishrussia.com/2012/08/02...t-nobody-needs/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23724797
http://www.theguardian.com/film/201...special-effects
http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.c...ian-town-house/
http://englishrussia.com/2013/08/26/old-romantic-house/
http://englishrussia.com/2013/09/11...-stalins-house/
http://desertedplaces.blogspot.com/...an-mansion.html
http://russiatrek.org/blog/photos/a...the-fairy-tale/
http://russiatrek.org/blog/photos/t...sorokins-dacha/
http://weheartit.com/tag/1800s%20russia
http://www.miresparis.com/?p=6813&lang=en

I'm not a fan of the TV, Garden and Refrigerator from the porch setup, but I do like large rooms which less to clearly defined rooms next door, but each room is fairly large, like the smallest bedroom could still just about fit a double bed, and the Living room is designed for a TV in mind, with a fireplace as a second Dary focal point. (Oh and big enough for a Microsoft Kinect to worm)

My house you have to use the hall to get anywhere, and I prefer it where there's more links and connections..

If I tried to make a historic. House to my modern taste, I'd find it impossible to myself. (I can't face change and the destruction of the old)

Oh and the tower blocks have been dismantled, coming soon, and instantly forgettable dagenham housing estate.

Personally I love the quirky original layouts old houses have. I'm a fan of having the toilet seperate to the rest of the bathroom. In my mind it makes more sense.
Also, I've found another blog that might be of interest to some of you; Balintore Castle Restoration. It's basically about the restoration of a Baronial castle in Scotland. It provides quite and interesting and personal insight into the ups and downs of restoring a large historic building.
They posted this awesome picture of it at night recently:

It just looks so magical...
If you do a google image search of this place, you'll get and idea of just how big and beautiful it is. :lovestruc