How much was a pound worth in Victorian times?

In late Victorian times (the 1890s) the purchasing power of £1 was equivalent to about £85-90 now. If one goes back to, say, 1840, the purcashing would be higher. Please bear in mind that for most household, an 1890s "shopping-basket" was rather different from a modern one. For example, essentials, such as food took up a higher proportion of most people's income. Some things, especially housing, have risen by much more than 90 times. For example, in 1890 one could buy a new, modest detached house in many parts of England for about £600-800.