West Dorset Country Houses

A splendidly comprehensive account of the country houses in the western half of Dorset, which accompanies the author's previous acclaimed volume on the houses of the eastern part of the county. West Dorset presents a contrast with its intimate valleys and hidden houses. Major houses include Milton Abbey, built alongside a vast medieval monastic church and a rare example of Sir William Chambers' Gothick style. Its chief rival is the startlingly original Sherborne Castle, left incomplete by Sir Walter Raleigh at his execution. More than 40 further equally entrancing major houses are explained and more than 80 others follow in a comprehensive gazetteer. It is richly illustrated with both historic illustrations and sumptuous colour photographs taken especially for the book. This is for anyone who loves the beautiful county of Dorset or is entranced by English country houses. Michael Hill is a widely-recognised expert on country-house architecture and is the reviser of the Buildings of England volume for Dorset.