Country House Life: A century in photographs (National Trust History & Heritage)

Description

A collection of over 250 photographs sourced from the archives of the National Trust's historic properties depicting life in Britain's country homes and estates. An intriguing look at the life that was led in the country homes and estates now cared for by the National Trust in the period between the 1840s to the end of WWII. Over 250 wonderfully evocative photographs from the archives of the various properties tell intriguing tales of the owners and their families, their guests, and the men and women employed in the house and on the estate, what they looked like and what they did day to day. Some of the photographs are set pieces, taken as a record of special events such as a visit by a member of the royal family or the coming of age of the son and heir; others give a picture of a normal day in the workings of the household. Capturing unique moments such as the Duke and Duchess of York on their honeymoon at Polesden Lacey and Churchill breakfasting at Chartwell and accompanied by a fascinating commentary from social historian Elizabeth Drury, this book gives a wonderful glimpse into life in the great English country houses.

Elizabeth Drury has contributed to several books on the Victorian period, including the Encyclopedia of Victoriana. She is the co-author of The Victorian Garden Album and the author of The Butler's Pantry Book. Francesca Scoones has over twenty years experience in the field of conservation and curation. She has worked with the National Trust on a variety of conservation projects, most notably as Director of the Photographic Survey of National Trust Buildings between 1981 and 2005 and currently lectures on Conservation at West Dean College in Sussex.