Illustrated throughout with both modern photographs and a wide range of rarely seen archive images, it is an essential source of information for anyone interested in London’s social and architectural history. Alongside a refreshed design, this sixth edition has been extensively revised with updated biographies, additional details about buildings and visitor facilities, fresh research on flora and fauna and entries for 28 further cemeteries in the Greater London area.

London has a wealth of truly stunning great houses, seen by many as one of the marvels of English architecture,  and yet to many their histories, their interiors and their occupants remain unknown.

This book, illustrated throughout with sumptuous photography of these breathaking residences,  reveals to us this secret world of riches and splendour.

From the baroque and imposing magnificence of 10 Downing Street, perhaps London’s most famous address, to the  extraordinary Pre-Raphaelite mosaics of Debenham House  to the confident, futuristic steel and glass of the Richard Rogers House in Chelsea, this book showcases these properties and details their origin as well as the many transformations they have undergone from their construction to the present day.

There are many architectural wonders, among them Robert Adam’s 20 St James’s Square and William Burges’s Tower House. Several – including Bridgewater House with its Raphaels and Titians – have held great art collections.

These are houses that hold extraordinary stories: half the Cabinet resigned after breakfast at Stratford House; and on 4 August 1914, at 9 Carlton House Terrace  – then the German Embassy  – young duty clerk Harold Nicholson deftly substituted one declaration of war for another.

With photography by the world-famous and multi-award winning  Fritz von der Schulenburg, this title brings these houses to life in all their grandeur, and text from historian and author James Stourton delves into the many fascinating stories hidden behind the walls of these homes.

Great Houses of London opens the door to some of the greatest and grandest houses in the world to tell the stories of their owners and occupants, artists and architects, their restoration, adaptation and change.

Now available in a more compact format.  
 

What is Black art? This vital anthology gives voice to a generation of artists of African, Asian and Caribbean heritage who worked within and against British art institutions in the 1980s, including Sonia Boyce, Lubaina Himid, Eddie Chambers and Rasheed Araeen. It brings together artists’ statements, interviews, exhibition catalogue essays and reviews, most of which have been unavailable for many years and resonate profoundly today. Together they interrogate the term ‘Black art’ itself, and revive a forgotten dialogue from a time when men and women who had been marginalized made themselves heard within the art world and beyond.

The iconic path, which stretches from the lost floodplains of Richmond all the way  to the Thames Barrier, is  a panoramic 40-mile walk through 2000 years of London’s history.

• From the old docks and wharves that primed the Industrial Revolution, through the heart of British Government, Monarchy and Church to the City of London that took its very existence from the river.
• From the site of the Putney Debates at St Mary’s Church to Wren’s mighty baroque cathedral of St Paul’s.
• From the great Victorian engineering works of Sir Joseph Bazalgette and his attempts to clean up a polluted London and the river to the Thames Barrier seeking to protect huge parts of London from rising sea levels.
• From London Bridge, site of the oldest crossing point, to the Millennium Bridge, the Thames’ newest crossing.  

This book explains the panorama we see today, what came before and how the changes came about. Each double page shows the distance covered so you can plan your own tour of the river.

Revered, admired, and protected – every country and culture has certain artefacts that are prized above all others. Cultural Treasures of the World brings together more than 200 of these objects, exploring the fascinating and unique stories behind each of them.

From the Bust of Nefertiti to the Benin Bronzes, and the Altamira cave paintings to Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, these artefacts and artworks are revered for their beauty, artistry, or historical significance – and often all three at once. Discover how and why they were created, unravel the hidden meanings and symbolism they contain, and learn about the cultural legacy they have left behind.

So what are you waiting for? Dive into this awe-inspiring history of art book to explore:

– An immersive “visual tour” approach, combining stunning photography with accessible text and annotation
– Feature boxes on cultural influences, symbolism, and technique offer additional context
– Covers a wide range of regions, periods, and media – including sculpture, painting, jewellery, tapestry, rock art, documents, sacred objects, and more

A treasure trove of human creativity that offers a fresh and unforgettable new perspective on civilisations and societies, Cultural Treasures of the World is the perfect gift for gallery- and museum-lovers, and armchair travellers everywhere. Doubling up as a great coffee table book, Cultural Treasures of the World combines stunning photography with detailed annotation to highlight key elements of technique, artistry, and symbolism, making this museum in a book perfect for anyone with an interest in art, history and culture alike.

Who needs an upside-down lighthouse? How can you tell a gargoyle from a hunky punk? What are the top 10 historical toilets? Where’s the best place to see a UFO?  Why would you hang toast on a tree?

Welcome to this smorgasbord of  strangely compelling facts and figures about the National Trust.

Find out what lurks under the floorboards  of its grandest homes and hides behind the  shrubs in its gardens. Meet some of the curious  characters who lived at its properties,  and discover the unusual jobs carried out  by its staff. Pit your wits against  National Trust curators to identify  the oddest things in their care.

For secrets, surprises and  strange things of all kinds, read on.