Lacey is a known television personality and an authoritative garden columnist in Britain, and in the U.S. he has two well-received books to his credit. With this latest effort, he should capture the imagination of those avid gardeners who are not already familiar with his writing by providing them with alphabetically arranged vignettes of numerous noteworthy gardens maintained by Britain’s National Trust. Superb color photographs depict memorable views from many of these sublime and varied landscapes; in addition, practical tips (driving directions) are included, along with Lacey’s articulate yet lively descriptions of each garden’s historical context, distinctive features, and important planting designs. A singular garden tour for armchair travelers as well as anyone about to embark on a visit to the British Isles. Alice Joyce –This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

“Gardens of the National Trust by Stephen Lacey will give you a great insight into the gardening history of Britain.” Garden News

Britains National Trust has the finest collection of gardens ever assembled under one ownershipthe greatest in number, diversity, historic importance, and quality. Together, they form the worlds most important collection of cultivated plants, distinguished by their beauty, rarity, historical interest, and scientific value. This new edition of Gardens of the National Trust has been substantially revised to showcase superb new photography and to introduce newly acquired properties. Historically and horticulturally, a vivid picture of the gardens is painted, with all the major periods represented. Both a practical guide and a rich source of inspiration, the book includes horticultural details, a complete plant list, and a section on the many other Trust gardens to visit. Throughout, splendid color images by the countrys leading photographers bring to life the beauty of each garden.

“Gardens of the National Trust by Stephen Lacey will give you a great insight into the gardening history of Britain.” Garden News

Gardens of the National Trust

The English Country House: From the Archives of Country Life

An unprecedented look at quintessential English country house interiors and architecture, from the epitome of English Tudor to the twentieth-century manor house.

“[The English Country House]is a feast of photos, and a tribute to the fine homes that have been featured in Country Life[and] is a gorgeous tour thats sure to inspire craving for a hot cuppa, if not a trip to the emerald isle.” ~BookPage

The English Country Housetakes a look at the architecture and interiors of sixty-two stunning houses in a range of architectural styles spanning seven centuriesfrom the medieval Stokesay Castle to the newly built, Lutyens-inspired Corfe Farmbrought to life through the world-renowned photography library of Country Life. More than four hundred color and black and white illustrations provide an insight into the architecture, decoration, gardens, and landscape settings of these houses, which are set into their architectural and historical context by the accompanying text and extended captions.

The book provides an entre into the houses to which Country Life has had privileged access over the years, many of which are still private homes, often occupied by descendants of the families that built them. Punctuating the book at intervals in the form of booklets on rich, uncoated paper are six essays by leading British architectural historians that set the English country house into its social context and chart the changing tastes in decorating and collecting, the development of ancillary buildings, gardens and landscapes, and finally, its influence in the United States.

The English Country House: From the Archives of Country Life (Country Life Magazine)