From the great citadels of Caernarvon, Harlech, Powis and Beaumaris in the north, to the Victorian glories of Cardiff in the south, St David's cathedral ('the loveliest church in Wales') in the west to the exquisite little hill church of Patrishow in the east, from Plas Newydd above the Menai Straits to the romantic citadel of Carreg Cennan in the heart of the country, the buildings of Wales embody its history and are the equal of any in the British Isles. Simon Jenkins has travelled, it seems, every mile of the country to celebrate, and in some cases to find the very best of them, and irresistibly conveys in this book his enthusiasm for them. Cumulatively they amount to a cultural history of Wales by one of its most devoted sons. Anyone who is visiting Wales or who loves it will want to own this glorious book.
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Product Description
About the Author
Simon Jenkins is Chairman of the National Trust and one of Britain's most prominent journalists. He writes a column for the Guardian, has edited both the Evening Standard and The Times, and has written many books on politics, history and architecture, including England's Thousand Best Churches and England's Thousand Best Houses, both published by Penguin. His most recent book was Thatcher and Sons. He is a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and lives in London and Aberdyfi.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Like Simon Jenkins I am 'half Welsh' and have lived my whole life outside of Wales, rarely visiting the land of my fathers.
I wanted a book that would:
a) kindle a somehow lost enthusiasm to visit and explore
b) help me overcome my woeful ignorance of Welsh history
I am delighted with this book for it scores on both counts. It is, apart from anything else, beautifully written, and conveys on every page, Simon Jenkins' obvious love for and knowledge of his subject, and it is permeated by both humour and intelligence. It is nicely opinionated as well as being well researched - thereby avoiding all of the normal cliche's and gloss that tourist boards regularly push out (and which is actually a turn-off for me). The intoduction is a tour de force in my view, encapsulating quite brilliantly the panorama of Wales' history in less that 40 pages, and explaining things that I never knew (and had become too ashamed to ask about)- the Romans in Wales,
The illustrations are almost all absolutely excellent, and the balance between text and illustration is perfect - no fancy Dorling Kindersley type graphics that make every page a piece of wallpaper.
This is a serious book, and a seriously good one. Wales should, on the strength of it, be having rather more visitors from beyond the Marches this year. I shall be one of them.
I wanted a book that would:
a) kindle a somehow lost enthusiasm to visit and explore
b) help me overcome my woeful ignorance of Welsh history
I am delighted with this book for it scores on both counts. It is, apart from anything else, beautifully written, and conveys on every page, Simon Jenkins' obvious love for and knowledge of his subject, and it is permeated by both humour and intelligence. It is nicely opinionated as well as being well researched - thereby avoiding all of the normal cliche's and gloss that tourist boards regularly push out (and which is actually a turn-off for me). The intoduction is a tour de force in my view, encapsulating quite brilliantly the panorama of Wales' history in less that 40 pages, and explaining things that I never knew (and had become too ashamed to ask about)- the Romans in Wales,
The illustrations are almost all absolutely excellent, and the balance between text and illustration is perfect - no fancy Dorling Kindersley type graphics that make every page a piece of wallpaper.
This is a serious book, and a seriously good one. Wales should, on the strength of it, be having rather more visitors from beyond the Marches this year. I shall be one of them.
38 of 47 people found the following review helpful
By P. Robinson
Format:Hardcover
I am no expert on the subject and I didn't set out to check any of the text of this book which was lent to me and highly recommended. I was planning to buy a copy. I wasn't looking for errors but in several sections of the book I spotted mistakes; some of which are detailed below. Most of the places in the book are unknown to me so I have no idea how accurate is the rest of the text and I haven't read it all.
Page 30: "...Gwrych Castle overlooking Colwyn Bay..." It doesn't. The town of Colwyn Bay cannot be seen from the castle and it doesn't overlook the Bay of Colwyn.
Page 57 (Bodelwyddan Castle): "Bodelwyddan was rescued by Clwyd County Council with a consortium of Warner low-cost hotels, saviour of a dozen English houses and in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery...."
In fact Clwyd County Council bought the castle in the 1980s without Warner involvement. In 1994 the Council leased part of the site to the Rank Organisation for its first Warner Holidays Hotel. There is a partnership with the National Portrait gallery.
Page 76 (Denbigh): "a tablet at the back of the church commemorates a local man, Twm o'r Nant.." It does, but I am surprised that he doesn't mention that Twm o'r Nant has a large tomb in the churchyard - signposted for visitors.
Page 82: "Llangar sits on the bank of the upper Dee as it curves towards Bala between the Berwyn and Arenig mountains". The church is on the hillside above the river, which is flowing from Bala, not towards it.
Page 204 (Conwy): "Thomas Telford's box girder bridge (1848)..." Telford's bridge is the suspension bridge (a National Trust property), which is not mentioned! The bridge he attributes to Telford is Robert Stephenson's railway bridge!!... Read more ›
Page 30: "...Gwrych Castle overlooking Colwyn Bay..." It doesn't. The town of Colwyn Bay cannot be seen from the castle and it doesn't overlook the Bay of Colwyn.
Page 57 (Bodelwyddan Castle): "Bodelwyddan was rescued by Clwyd County Council with a consortium of Warner low-cost hotels, saviour of a dozen English houses and in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery...."
In fact Clwyd County Council bought the castle in the 1980s without Warner involvement. In 1994 the Council leased part of the site to the Rank Organisation for its first Warner Holidays Hotel. There is a partnership with the National Portrait gallery.
Page 76 (Denbigh): "a tablet at the back of the church commemorates a local man, Twm o'r Nant.." It does, but I am surprised that he doesn't mention that Twm o'r Nant has a large tomb in the churchyard - signposted for visitors.
Page 82: "Llangar sits on the bank of the upper Dee as it curves towards Bala between the Berwyn and Arenig mountains". The church is on the hillside above the river, which is flowing from Bala, not towards it.
Page 204 (Conwy): "Thomas Telford's box girder bridge (1848)..." Telford's bridge is the suspension bridge (a National Trust property), which is not mentioned! The bridge he attributes to Telford is Robert Stephenson's railway bridge!!... Read more ›
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Paul FOSS
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I rarely buy new reference books as they generally aren't worth it, but I'm delighted to say this one is. It's a handy size, very readable and covers a wide range. There are some odd ommissions. If South Wales' iconic example of the romantic ruin is Carreg Cennan [which is given a whole column of blurb and a full page photo], then surely Dinas Bran is is North Wales' entry which deserves at least a photo - but it doesn't even get a mention, which is a pity when you think how many tens of thousands of people driving along the A5 must see it and wonder at it. However, I recommend this book as it generally does what it sets out to do.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Hardback which has many colour pictures and maps to complement the detailed information on the buildings visited. This is written for the serious and enthuisatic person who likes to wander around old buildings to look at the interior & exterior fabic of the building. The history of the buildings also makes an interesting read, with some un-useual facts on the development of the buildings reviewed.
By peterR
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
recommended for Historical visits to Wales. ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok okm ok ok ok
By Mrs T Byron
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a great book! Had borrowed a copy from the library and had enjoyed it so much I had to purchase my own copy.
Would make a great gift for someone with a love of all things welsh. It combines just the right amount of historical and geographical information. Beautiful photographs.
Would make a great gift for someone with a love of all things welsh. It combines just the right amount of historical and geographical information. Beautiful photographs.
By gadfly
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
As with all Simon Jenkins and his supporting cast books this is one to be kept in the car so that explorations are enhanced by the competent and useful information they contain
By J. Hardie
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A compact 'must have' if you are visiting Wales.Interesting places to visit, many not in the standard guide books.Text is accessible and never pompous or mired in jargon. Lovely photos too
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cymru Am Byth
This book is a delight. We use it as a coffee table item, to be picked up and enjoyed at spare moments, a purpose it serves admirably. Read more
Published on 30 May 2009 by Norman D. Butt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delighted!
I heard this book being reviewed on 'Good Morning Sunday' and thought it sounded good. I wasn't disappointed, it is a beautiful book and anyone interested in Wales or Churches will... Read more
Published on 28 April 2009 by Mrs. S. Beardsley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Wales - Castles, Houses & Churches
Very well written book on the variety of interesting and sometimes obsure buildings of interest within Wales. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2009 by Michael V. Greenway
5.0 out of 5 stars
Satisfied of Casnewydd
Wales: Churches, Houses, Castles
The text of the book is very easy reading - one that is useful as a reference for visiting places. Read more
The text of the book is very easy reading - one that is useful as a reference for visiting places. Read more
Published on 24 Feb 2009 by Mrs. Ynys Edwards
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wales - Churches, Houses and Castles by Simon Jenkins
From - David Sibley, 9 Orchard Avenue, Bingham, Notts. NG13 8GD.
You asked for my comments -
As Gazetteer type books go, this volume is extremely well written... Read more
You asked for my comments -
As Gazetteer type books go, this volume is extremely well written... Read more
Published on 18 Feb 2009 by Mr. David J. Sibley
4.0 out of 5 stars
Welsh history for tourists
Good enticing starting point for new, potential and experienced tourists to Wales. However you will need to dig deeper to actually visit some sites i.e. Read more
Published on 4 Feb 2009 by F.Nightingale
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