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Hudson’s Historic Houses &
Gardens
Castles and Heritage Sites
Book
Review by Barbara Ballard
Published by Norman Hudson & Co. Order through Amazon.com UK at http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0953142647/hudsonshistoriho/026-4061053-2798838
or phone toll free 1-800-786-9526. ©2000 by Barbara Ballard. Reproduction of this
work in whole or in part, and reproduction in electronic media, without
documented permission from the author is prohibited. |
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TM
The name says it all. This comprehensive guide
to heritage properties in Great Britain and Ireland is like having a Bible in
your hand. The lavishly illustrated (over 1000 photos) annual guide is large
and heavy to cart around. Nevertheless, it’s like owning a gold mine. Inside
you’ll find nuggets of information—listings of properties to visit from the
National Trust, National Trust for Scotland, English Heritage, Historic Houses
Association, CADW and Historic Scotland. Opening hours, directions to the
homes, telephone numbers and names for contact are just part of the information
available. Each entry gives a description of the property and its highlights
and several properties are featured in longer articles. Also helpful are the
listing of the homes’ web sites, those that are open all year, wedding and
corporate venues, those that provide accommodation, and even a list of places
where movies were filmed. There is a listing of special events held at the
sites if you want to schedule visits around them. The detailed index and
colored side-of-book index make entries easy to find. Hudson’s is the official
reference guide used in the Tourist Information Centres in Britain, and it is
easy to see why. This superlative book is the essential guide for independent
travelers. Don’t leave home without it.