50 Gems
2 total works
Gloucestershire is a county of great variety with three distinct areas: the Cotswold Hills, the Forest of Dean and the Severn Vale. The gently rolling hills of the Cotswolds are dotted with picturesque towns and villages of honey-coloured limestone, while the Forest of Dean, which overlooks the Wye Valley and Welsh mountains beyond, has a dark and mysterious beauty quite distinct from the rest of the county. These two areas are separated by the mighty River Severn, which over countless centuries has carved a course through the land to create the Severn Vale. Builders commonly used timber frames in the construction of dwellings in this low-lying land, notably in Tewkesbury, although some of Gloucestershire’s most impressive stone buildings – Gloucester Cathedral, Tewkesbury Abbey and Berkeley Castle – are found in the Vale area. At the heart of the county lie its two major settlements: the historic city of Gloucester and the spa town of Cheltenham, famous for its festivals and Regency architecture. In 50 Gems of Gloucestershire author Mark Turner explores the history of these places and more, showing why this part of the west of England is so special.
Set in the heart of England, the undulating county of Warwickshire is famous as the birthplace of William Shakespeare. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon and today the town has a thriving industry based around its famous son. This part of Warwickshire is still largely rural today, including the area north of Stratford which was once the historic Forest of Arden. The county town of Warwick has many interesting historic features, not least its impressive castle, as do the major towns of Leamington Spa and Rugby. Coventry is historically part of Warwickshire and has been a major centre in the Midlands for centuries. This densely populated part of Warwickshire extends to Nuneaton and Bedworth and into the north-east of the county, where the last mine of the Warwickshire Coalfield closed in 2013.
50 Gems of Warwickshire explores the many places and their history that make this part of the country so special, including natural features, towns and villages, buildings and places of historical interest. Alongside justly famous attractions, others will be relatively unknown but all have an interesting story to tell.
50 Gems of Warwickshire explores the many places and their history that make this part of the country so special, including natural features, towns and villages, buildings and places of historical interest. Alongside justly famous attractions, others will be relatively unknown but all have an interesting story to tell.