Britian's Living History

Bridges are the keys to communication and transport. But though functional, they also have an aesthetic and environmental value. Graceful and spectacular, they evoke a wide range of emotions. Yet few have visitor centers and the public's obvious questions-such as how they were built; what a particular part does; why they don't fall down-are not often answered in simple terms. In this book, Trevor Yorke uses diagrams, drawings and photographs to explain the basic principles of their construction and style. It divides into five sections-the first is a general background; then it discusses the arched bridges; then come other, later forms of bridge; fourthly viaducts and aqueducts; finally a quick reference guide with a list of bridges to visit. The book will certainly expand your knowledge of bridges and hopefully leave you with a greater appreciation of them.

Most of England's country houses are packed with masterpieces of art and antiques. They also have vast landscaped gardens, often with lakes and fountains. Recent television series and films (such as Downton Abbey and Gosford Park) have spurred on the public's interest in these grand and glamorous houses, which reflect all the splendor of England's glory years. Using original colour drawings, diagrams and photographs, Trevor Yorke takes the reader on a careful tour of the country house and describes its features, exterior and interior, upstairs and downstairs. He looks at the different periods of large country houses from the mid-1500s up to 1914, explaining the changing architectural styles and the tastes of those who had them built. He describes the rooms within the main house and their role over the centuries. There is a glossary of architectural terms and a quick reference time chart; listing country house architects and the notable buildings, they designed, with drawings of the period details that help to date the houses.

If you explore our churchyards and cemeteries, you will be astonished at how much you can discover, not only about the people who are buried there and their standing in the local community but also about the history of the area. In this book, Trevor Yorke explains burial practices down the ages and details the development of the churchyard and the cemetery. He looks at the period styles of gravestones and tombs, and the shapes and features that help to date them. Using a wide range of photographs and line illustrations, he examines the carvings and symbols that can be found and offers clues to their possible meanings.

The majestic architecture of early railway buildings reflected the pride of the railway companies who commissioned them. These awe-inspiring structures ranged from classically designed stations, waiting rooms and booking halls to mighty viaducts, tunnels and bridges. In this highly illustrated book, filled with colour photographs and detailed drawings, Trevor Yorke describes the range of buildings associated with the golden age of steam. He explains the dynamics of their construction, the materials used and the myriad of styles employed by leading architects and engineers of the day. For everyone interested in the world of steam railways, this is an invaluable guide to the architectural legacy it left behind and the role the railways played in our social and industrial past.

Timber framed buildings, whether they are medieval halls, barns, grand houses, or picturesque cottages, form one of the most delightful features of our historic towns and countryside. They catch our imagination as we admire the skill and craft of the carpenters who created them, with a strength and quality that has seen many of them survive for over six centuries. Using his own photographs, drawings and detailed diagrams, Trevor Yorke helps us to understand what such buildings may have originally looked like, the challenging technology behind their construction, how they have changed over the years, and the details by which we can date them. He also lists some of the prime examples that are open to the viewing public.