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Book

The country houses of England were the ultimate expression of power and wealth in previous generations. Many of those remaining now welcome unprecedented numbers of visitors, proving a source of pleasure and interest that the original owners could not have imagined. How many of us, though, fully understand or appreciate the finer points of their design, both inside and out, or the use to which their rooms were put, both above and below stairs?

Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains, in an easy to understand manner, the features to be seen on a tour of a country house. The book is divided into four sections. He begins with the exterior and describes the different styles of country house architecture from 1300 to 2000. This is followed by details of the interiors, their structure, principal rooms and service rooms; and the gardens and parks, including orangeries, temples, follies and ha-has, which provide the setting for the house. Lastly there is a quick reference time chart listing country house architects and the notable buildings they designed, along with drawings of the period details that can help date them. There is also a glossary of the more unfamiliar architectural terms.

Trevor Yorke lives on the edge of the Peak District and is a full-time artist and designer. He is also the author and illustrator of the popular Tracing the History of Villages and the illustrator of Tracing the History of Houses, both in this series.