Berkshire

Nikolaus Pevsner described Berkshire as "half home county, half West Country". This revised and comprehensive guide follows its historic boundaries, including the large area transferred to Oxfordshire in the 1970s. The variety of architecture is, in consequence, broad and remarkable. Berkshire's houses range from intriguing early timber-framed dwellings to the splendors of Windsor Castle, at once England's greatest fortress and finest royal palace, through Georgian, Victorian and Arts-&-Crafts mansions of exceptional diversity and richness. Besides its numerous medieval churches, the county is a wonderful hunting ground for the Gothic Revival, including works by famous names such as Butterfield and G. E. Street. Its market towns retain much of their Georgian charm, while the prosperity of recent years has brought new waves of confident and innovative architecture. Each city, town or village is treated in a detailed gazetter. A general introduction provides a historical and artistic overview. Also included are plentiful maps and plans, over 100 new color photographs, full indexes and an illustrated glossary. The result is both an indispensable reference work and an invaluable guide.