Product Description

This completely new edition reveals a county of contrasts. The semi-rural suburbia of outer-Outer London, with its important early Modern Movement houses, is counterbalanced by magnificent mansions and parks, like idyllic Stowe and the Rothschilds' extravaganza at Waddesdon. The Saxon Church at Wing, the exquisite seventeenth-century Winslow Hall, and Slough's twentieth-century factories all contribute to Buckinghamshire's rich inheritance. In this new edition, the unspoilt centres of small towns, like Amersham and Buckingham, are revisited and Milton Keynes, Britain's last and most ambitious New Town, is explained and explored. The rich diversity of rural buildings, built of stone, brick, timber, and even earth, is investigated with scholarship and discrimination. This accessible and comprehensive guide is prefaced by an illuminating introduction and has many excellent illustrations, plans and maps.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #163781 in Books
• Published on: 1994-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 832 pages

Jonathan Meades, The Observer, 25th November 2001.
"The greatest endeavour of popular architectural scholarship in the world."

Customer Reviews

Beautiful Buckinghamshire!
There is no doubt that Buckinghamshire is the most beautiful of all the Counties and especially the Vale of Aylesbury, Cliveden and Reach, and Wycombe Wye Valley and down to the jewel by the Thames at Marlow. In north Bucks, the Claydons and lanes toward Winslow and at Stowe on the Northamptonshire border simply sublime. But I would say all this as I am a Buckinghamshire Lad. This book is perhaps the most accurate of all the series as Buckinghamshire has done more to preserve its heritage across one county than others. Waddesdon, Cliveden and Stowe are just three of the gems, but there are also useful guides to the county's major towns: Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Amersham and Buckingham. Chesham, Winslow, Marlow, Princes Risborough, Wendover, Gt Missenden all feature in equal glow. And of course the many churches and chapels that remain a key feature alongside unspoilt village greens, pastures and meadows. Yes, Buckinghamshire has changed with urbanisation and social inclusion, but what remains is idyllic, timeless and outstandingly beautiful. The spine of the Chilterns, The Vale, the skirting of the Thames Valley - this is Buckinghamshire and this guide is very very useful for visitors and us resident-trustees of the county.