London's Country Houses (English Country Houses Series)

First impressions of London and its environs suggest that country houses are unlikely to survive in large numbers, but closer inspection reveals that many are still standing. Some of these are of outstanding importance while many others are of interest. Some are now surrounded by highrise housing, some by industrial premises; others have small areas of park or garden, and a few still have extensive, almost rural surroundings; most are still intensively used. The area covered by this book extends from London to the M25, which sliced through the country round London in the late 20th century. This book is the first to address the history of these houses, concentrating on those that still exist, while giving some indication of the major lost ones as well, and includes plans of most houses listed, and full-color illustrations of each, as well as information on owners, architects, landscape design, building materials, and styles.