The English Country House Explained

England's Living History

by Trevor Yorke

Most of England s country houses are packed with masterpieces of art and antiques. They also have vast landscaped gardens, often with lakes and fountains. Recent television series and films (such as Downton Abbey and Gosford Park) have spurred on the public s interest in these grand and glamorous houses which reflect all the splendour of England s glory years. Using original colour drawings, diagrams and photographs, Trevor Yorke takes the reader on a careful tour of the country house and describes its features, exterior and interior, upstairs and downstairs. He looks at the different periods of large country houses from the mid 1500s up to 1914, explaining the changing architectural styles and the tastes of those who had them built. He describes the rooms within the main house and their role over the centuries. There is a glossary of architectural terms and a quick reference time chart, listing country house architects and the notable buildings they designed, with drawings of the period details that help to date the houses.

Genres: History, Architecture, Nonfiction, Research, British Literature

129 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 28, 2012

Reviews

[Melanie Williams]

A fun read and gives some basic information.

[Chicory]

It was short and easy to read. Longer review: here.

[Stevie Carroll]

A quick and easy guide to a subsection of architectural history, complete with a series of illustrations (one at the end of each relevant chapter) showing how a typical house might have been added to and modified over the centuries. Worth buying for that aspect alone, although it's also handy as a quick and easy reference guide while out and about, to supplement a library of more extensive and specialised books.