Product Description

Britain is full of abandoned and lost villages. There are over 3,000 in England alone. Many were deserted in medieval times, for reasons ranging from death by plague to the depletion of the area's natural resources, or, more recently, for reasons of national security. Villages such as Tyneham in Dorset, and Imber in Wiltshire, were taken over by the military in wartime, but were never returned to their original inhabitants.Today, the fascinating remains of these once-populated villages tell the stories of the inhabitants that once lived and worked there. Author Leigh Driver examines the historical writings, documents and archaeological remains that bear witness to the past, and tells the story of the demise of each lost village. Illustrated with stunning contemporary colour photographs alongside old aerial views, maps, and historical documents, these lost villages are brought back to life in this outstanding book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111372 in Books
• Published on: 2008-05-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

About the Author
Leigh Driver is a qualified genealogist and an authority on English towns and villages. She is the author of The English Village, also by New Holland. Leigh is the Recorder for Brandon, where she lives, under the Suffolk Local History Council's Local Recorders Scheme and is currently researching a book on the town's history. Leigh also maintains the award-winning English Villages website (www.eng-villages.co.uk)

Customer Reviews

A super book which teaches and inspires in equal measure
The subject of the 'lost' villages of England is a fascinating one. Although popular tradition states that most such villages were wiped out by the Black Death, far more were destroyed by landowners who wanted to keep sheep, and the British Army has a disgraceful record of taking over people's homes with no compensation offered.

This book explores many such deserted villages in detail, and it brings the subject to life with authoritative text and extremely evocative photographs. It's impossible not to feel the mystery and lost history of these abandoned places. My only complaint is that this book does not cover ten times as many villages!

A very fine book - BUY IT.
This is a very good book, the subject matter is of interest, it is well written and worth twice the price.

I could go on with praise but you would be better off ordering The Lost Villages of England by Leigh Driver, and enjoying it ..

The Lost Villages Of England
Interesting book with a wide range of places included. Pictures are clear. I think it would have been better in hard back.