England's Villages An Extraordinary Journey Through Time

by Ben Robinson

England's villages have survived, developed, persisted and thrived over hundreds of years. Entirely new villages are still being built today. But when did the first villages appear and why is this form of settlement so enduring and endearing? What makes a village and how has that changed over time? How did village pubs and village halls originate, and why do they matter? Take a charming and unexpected journey through the quirks of England's villages across the ages in the excellent company of Dr Ben Robinson, expert archaeologist. Join him in visiting villages from prehistoric and Roman times, throughout medieval England, to today's urban villages. Discover how landowners, governments and communities have shaped villages, why village greens and ponds exist, and the real meaning behind village names like Bunny, Yelling, Lover, Great Snoring and Slaughter. A compelling study of archaeology, history and architecture, England's Villages is a thoughtful, enlightening and informative look at our oldest homes, uncovering and revealing the extraordinary heritage of the places that surround us.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Travel

432 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made for an interesting and informative read about an in-depth history of England's villages. I'm the sort of person that will get in the car and drive out into the countryside, with no solid plan of where I might be going, and if I come across a lovely sleepy village, I'll stop there, take a leisurely walk, and then find a pub/restaurant for some lunch. I like the freedom that brings, and the sense of discovery.

I spend much time visiting various beautiful villages, but I had never known much of the history behind them. This book is split into 12 accessible chapters detailing the history of villages from when they were formed, to the present day, and there is even a chapter on 'Villages of the Future'.

I do of course, have villages that I favour in England, those being Castle Combe in Wiltshire, Upper and Lower Slaughter in The Cotswolds, Chipping Camden in The Cotswolds, Grasmere in Cumbria and Boot in Cumbria. Each of those villages have something unique about them, and I always wish to go back and visit.

At times, this book did become a little dry, and sometimes the information seemed a little scattered, but overall, I would say this is a well-researched book and worth my time to read.

[Joley Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully researched, brilliantly written and a joy to read. I’ve learnt so much and want to learn more, and have realised the historical and present importance of England’s villages. Robinson discussed villages from their origins right up to the modern day, and how they might fare into the future. My only complaint is that Robinson could have delved further into the ethnic diversity, or lack of, in villages, but this subject is covered in other recent works by authors who are experts in the field.

[Alex Begg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable - love my village and visiting others with all their quirks and character and this book helps dissect the history, changes, special features and ways to interpret some of the stories hidden beneath the surface for yourself. 👍

[Mrs L Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story showing how English villages have developed since earliest times. Brought to life by examples from across the country.

[Holly Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book, the first half was very interesting but became boring and stating to feel like a school lesson towards the end.

[Delphine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely splendid overview of the history of the English village.

Despite its sleepy image, the English village has had a dynamic and turbulent history, and continues to write its own story, with newly converted former military infrastructure and the rise of working from home as new incentives for bristling village life.

Based on written records and archaeological findings, Robinson traces the evolution of the village through time: from Mesolithic and Neolithic scarce evidence to the small communities of the Bronze and Iron Age. The arrival of the Romans brought the idea of urban living and focused on towns with rectangular houses. The Anglo-Saxon invasion redrew the canvas, with the development of self-sufficient farmsteads and small villages. Nevertheless, it was the Norman conquerers who shaped the quintessential, structured English village: the nuclear village with a grid-plan settlement and a castle.

Robinson also pays attention to village essentials, such as the village greens, manor houses, churches, village pubs, alehouses, taverns and inns. Chapters are devoted to agricultural developments, but also to more industrial villages (fishing villages, factory villages, mining and quarrying villages).

He does so in a straightforward style, at times anecdotal, at times witty and personal, yet always clearly structured. I was even grasped by technical architectural details (timber framed houses, vegetation roofs, cob buildings), which says a lot about Robinson's narrative talent. I kept looking up many villages while reading and made a lot of discoveries: the village of Port Sunlight, for instance, developed by Lever (yes, the guy from Unilever) for his employees, in an arts & crafts-style. And I am still wondering about the pivotal role of the National Trust, that owns 56 villages, 39 pubs and has more than 1500 tenant farmers (at the time of publication of this book).

In all, a book to cherish.

[Paul Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the book has more than a nod to the nostalgia of Brian Cook illustrations and Batsford Books, and is certainly dominated by the history, it more surprisingly opened up to consider where villages find themselves today, and the public policy challenges facing them. As somebody who has volunteered in some small part within their parish's neighbourhood plan process, it was fascinating, and refreshing to follow this thread through, challenging any misplaced nostalgic or static view that a reader might have of villages.

The book charts a clear course from prehistoric and Roman times, through medieval times and up to the present day. It embraces archaeology, history and architecture, and power. There is a danger that this subject could have descended into twee 'chocolate box' nostalgia, but this book avoids this pitfall. It represents an attempt to explain why villages exist, to explain what shape they have taken and how that has changed over time, and what needs we may have from villages in the future (and not necessarily looking like we imagine them today). It certainly has helped me piece together more of the stories behind the places some of my own ancestors grew up in.

I loved reading this book, and did not want to put it down. Accessible, but with plenty of underpinning research.

[Maria P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this. I have learnt a lot but also been surprised by how much I already knew and so this helped solidify my knowledge. This was presented as a very balanced view about English villages and their history, trials and tribulations. There was a good chunk towards the end on the planning system, heritage and conservation which is my work sector and it made a change for the author to be accurately representing the industry rather than getting things twisted and confused like often happens. For once we were also not presented as the bad guys!! I enjoyed this so much I bought the physical book whilst listening to the audio so I’d have it to refer back to and make notes! #geek 😂 I shall definitely read again! Have also been watching the TV episodes by Ben Robinson too which have also been good and I’d recommend. ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[sminismoni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really what I was expecting so DNF at 40%. I thought it was a social and cultural history of England's villages. Instead, this focusses on the geography, architecture and archeaology, and seems very much focussed on the buildings rather than the society that formed these villages. Endless descriptions of ridge and furrow fields, parish church design and decoration, ordinance maps, the Ligar system of topographical assessment. Blah. Reads like an encyclopedia. Not for me

[TIM HERRING · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, provokes lots of interest, I actually followed up some on line links.
The writer is an archaeologist so the book clearly had more on the archaeology than on say social history but it did cover a lot of ground and was generally well structured. It perhaps sagged slightly in the middle chapters.
The later chapters on the development and future of villages certainly seemed true to somebody who grew up in a small Lincolnshire village

[Janet Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating, readable book! The amount of research involved is mind-blowing. It's divided up into 12 sections, like Villages of Industry for example Nottingham's Lace section and Cadbury's Quaker chocolate industry. There's also a section on "Villages of the Future" with increasing numbers working from home.
Highly recommended

[Tony · Rating 1 out of 5]

If this book was half the length of exisiting 400+ pages it would still be too long. As a reader of predominently non-fiction books I found this book boring, rambling, uninspiring and without focus. There was nothing in this book that was original.
To echo Christopher Hitchens: Everyone has a book inside them, which is where this work should have remained.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A long and often times very dry history of the development, history and future of villages in England. Don't expect much in the way of personal histories here (except for a couple of the author's own anecdotes), this is largely a facts and figures and this happened and then that happened history. Would appeal to the die hard fan more than the casual reader like me.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 A fascinating insight into village life over the centuries. It never ceases to amaze me how many different ways there are to learn about English history.

[Alison Hesketh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating book with masses of historical detail. Less interesting towards the end where it veers off into planning but all relevant.
Very enjoyable.

[Matthew Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that’s very easy to read and easy to digest about the history of Villages, it’s already inspired one visit (Chysauster) and created a list for many more.

[Mike Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

All over the place, becomes stale the second half.
Very interesting topic ´but not the book for the job.

[Harry Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a non fiction book looking at the history and development of villages in England over the centuries. It takes a look at how villages changed over time, what a village actually is, the naming of villages, key components of villages and much more.

At first glance it seems like a bit of a dry book, but it is really well written and definitely engaging enough to keep you interested, I particularly enjoyed learning about the names of villages and how different periods of history have impacted naming conventions and how you can often date the origin of a village simply by its name!