Secondhand UK Architecture & History Bargain Book Box SP2255

Secondhand UK Architecture & History Bargain Book Box

Embark on a scholarly tour across Britain with this extensive collection of nineteen volumes from Nikolaus Pevsner's seminal The Buildings of England series. These highly prized guides offer meticulously researched, county-by-county surveys of architectural history, covering everything from medieval churches and Tudor manors to Victorian municipal buildings and modern design. Whether you are an architectural historian, a seasoned traveler, or a local enthusiast, this box provides decades of rigorous scholarship and a stunning insight into the depth of Britain's built heritage. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. Dorset by Nikolaus Pevsner This volume delves into the rich architectural history of Dorset, renowned for its dramatic Jurassic coastline and its picturesque villages. Pevsner meticulously documents the ancient earthworks, medieval churches, and grand country houses, highlighting the transition of architectural styles across centuries. It serves as an essential guide to the county's varied and deeply historic built environment.

2. Cumberland and Westmorland by Nikolaus Pevsner A focused study on the historically distinct counties now largely forming the Lake District, this book explores the unique architectural responses to the mountainous landscape. Pevsner documents the rough stone construction of farmsteads, the medieval defenses, and the influence of early industrial development. The volume captures the austere beauty and remote character of the northern English architecture.

3. North Lancashire by Nikolaus Pevsner This edition explores the northern half of Lancashire, a region characterized by its shifting balance between agricultural past and industrial transformation. Pevsner charts the medieval buildings that survive and the robust architecture born of the burgeoning textile and manufacturing industries. It provides a crucial architectural link between the traditional north-west and the urban south.

4. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by Nikolaus Pevsner Pevsner navigates the architectural treasures of this major southern county, covering its significant naval history and wealthy ecclesiastical buildings. The book details the grand cathedrals, the early Georgian town planning, and the distinct coastal architecture of the Isle of Wight. It is an indispensable guide to a region pivotal in English history and settlement.

5. County Durham by Nikolaus Pevsner This volume provides an in-depth survey of Durham, a county dominated by its powerful Prince-Bishops and the subsequent grandeur of Durham Cathedral and Castle. Pevsner documents the region's Anglo-Saxon and Norman ecclesiastical architecture alongside the robust buildings of the industrial North East. It captures the heavy, defensive character imparted by centuries of strategic importance.

6. Cornwall by Nikolaus Pevsner Pevsner explores the unique, often isolated architecture of this western peninsula, influenced by its Celtic roots, mining history, and coastal position. The book documents the sturdy granite churches, the picturesque fishing harbours, and the specialized industrial structures related to tin and copper mining. It highlights the local materials and traditions that distinguish Cornish buildings.

7. North Devon by Nikolaus Pevsner Focusing on the northern portion of the large county of Devon, this guide details the architecture shaped by moorland and rugged coastlines. Pevsner documents the traditional thatched cottages, the medieval parish churches, and the development of seaside resort towns. The volume provides context for the evolution of regional building techniques.

8. South Devon by Nikolaus Pevsner This complementary volume covers the richer, more densely populated southern coast of Devon, famous for its picturesque estuaries and prosperous market towns. Pevsner details the refined Georgian and Regency architecture of Plymouth and Exeter alongside the substantial country houses and grand Victorian resorts. It contrasts the wealth of the south with the wilder north.

9. Cambridgeshire by Nikolaus Pevsner An indispensable study of the flat, fenland county dominated by the university town of Cambridge. Pevsner meticulously documents the unparalleled collection of collegiate architecture, from medieval colleges and Renaissance courts to modern expansions. The book also covers the distinctive church architecture and sparse villages of the surrounding Fenlands.

10. Leicestershire and Rutland by Nikolaus Pevsner This volume treats the two historically distinct, landlocked East Midlands counties, tracing their architectural evolution through agricultural prosperity and industrial change. Pevsner documents the fine medieval churches, the substantial stone-built villages, and the legacy of the region's rich hunting and textile history. Rutland, England's smallest historic county, receives its own detailed attention.

11. Gloucestershire: The Cotswolds by Nikolaus Pevsner A focused study on the iconic Cotswolds region, celebrated for its cohesive use of warm, local limestone that defines its domestic and ecclesiastical architecture. Pevsner documents the region's unique wool churches, its grand manor houses, and the picturesque unity of its many villages. It provides detailed insight into one of England's most architecturally consistent areas.

12. Essex by Nikolaus Pevsner Pevsner explores the architecture of this diverse county, which stretches from the suburban fringe of London to the vast coastal estuaries and ancient parklands. The book documents the distinctive timber-framed houses, the surviving Saxon and Norman churches, and the impact of the area's proximity to the capital. It showcases the architectural variety shaped by economic and geographic factors.

13. Buckinghamshire by Nikolaus Pevsner This volume details the built environment of Buckinghamshire, a county characterized by its proximity to London and the resulting presence of affluent country estates and commuter towns. Pevsner documents the grand aristocratic houses, the fine Georgian buildings, and the varied village architecture of the Chiltern Hills. It provides a social and historical context for the architecture of wealth.

14. Cheshire by Nikolaus Pevsner A survey of a county historically rich in half-timbered, black-and-white architecture, particularly in its towns like Chester and Nantwich. Pevsner documents the medieval remnants, the influence of the Norman Earls, and the architectural impact of the region's dairy farming and salt industries. The volume highlights the vernacular style that defines the area's visual identity.

15. Herefordshire by Nikolaus Pevsner This guide explores the remote, border county, dominated by the River Wye and its history as a strategic defense against Wales. Pevsner details the fine Norman churches, the unique defensive architecture of its castles, and the enduring use of local timber and stone. The book captures the architectural character of this quiet, deeply rural county.

16. South Lancashire by Nikolaus Pevsner This volume focuses on the densely urbanized southern half of the county, the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, dominated by cities like Manchester and Liverpool. Pevsner documents the grand Victorian civic buildings, the warehouses, the mills, and the social housing born of rapid industrial expansion. It stands as an architectural record of a pivotal era in global history.