Following on from the great success of" Great Houses of England and Wales" (Rizzoli), this concise edition of the original work brings together a selection of the finest houses into a completely redesigned, handy format that will enable it to be used as an affordable companion for those wishing to visit these magnificent houses. As with the larger volume, the book is filled with charming anecdotes that describe the history of each house, both its architecture and its families, giving a real sense of the life it embodies. These are matched by stunning photographs that illustrate all aspects of the houses. They include some of the most splendid examples of English art and architecture, from awe-inspiring medieval stone to the beauties of the English Renaissance, the classical grandeur of the eighteenth century and the highest excesses of Victorian taste. The book concludes with a list of contact details and opening times for the houses that will assist those wishing to visit them.

休·蒙哥马利-马森伯德从20世纪60年代起就开始撰写乡村古堡和他们的主人。他是四卷本《乡村古堡指南》的策划和编辑。他先后为《领域》和《每日电讯》周末版写了二十多年的《遗产》专栏。他为历史建筑群联合会（Historic Houses Association）的研究委员会工作，负责汇编他们的调查报告《遗产的蜕变》。他的其他许多以遗产为主题的书包括：《皇家宫殿、城堡、宅邸和院落里的乡村生活》、《关于乡村古堡及其主人的田野考察：不列颠群岛上的别墅》、《不列颠皇室的遗产》、《欧洲皇宫》、《重游布伦海姆》、《英格兰和威尔士的古堡》、《苏格兰的古堡》和《爱尔兰的古堡》。