Landmark: A History of Britain in 50 Buildings

This engaging and sumptuously illustrated book celebrates the Landmark Trust’s achievement in the protection of British heritage since it was first established 50 years ago. From a medieval hall house to the winner of the 2013 Stirling Prize for Architecture, 50 buildings rescued by Landmark from threatened oblivion are presented here, vividly illustrating the history of Britain from 1250 to the present day. Presented in the order in which they were built, the selected buildings include the unusual, the fantastic, the spectacular, the utilitarian and the enchanting, each one offering a fascinating glimpse into the past of the British people. From a 15th-century inn in Suffolk to an Elizabethan hospital in Yorkshire, a lighthouse on Lundy to an Italianate railway station, each has a fascinating story. In telling the stories of how each of these buildings came to be, how they were used and how they were adapted by subsequent generations, this book brings history to life through the evidence in the buildings our ancestors have left behind. The Landmark Trust’s often heroic rescue of each of these buildings is also placed in the context of the Trust’s own evolution to date and the history of British conservation practice. For those interested in British history or architecture, this enthralling book will bring fresh insights into both; for everyone interested in buildings conservation, the book will provide an insight into the unique national treasure that is the Landmark Trust.