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World Heritage Sites Great Britain and Ireland

An Illustrated Guide to All 27 World Heritage Sites

Published by Interlink Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

The only guide you’ll need for all 27 World Heritage Sites. There are 27 World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO in the United Kingdom and Ireland and this authoritative guidebook describes them and their reasons for inclusion on the list. Fully illustrated in color with accompanying maps, this book will help visitors to find the sites and plan their visit. Each site’s history and unique features are clearly explained. The World Heritage list for the United Kingdom and Ireland is incredibly varied containing well-known places such as Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall and the cities of Edinburgh and Bath but also lesser appreciated locations such as Cornwall’s industrial landscapes and the locations behind the world’s first industrial revolution such as Ironbridge Gorge. It also includes the glorious natural landscapes of the Jurassic Coast and the Giant’s Causeway.

About The Authors

Geoffrey Smith is a publisher. He studied art history at the Courtauld Institute in London and has been an enthusiastic gallery visitor for forty years. He now lives with his family in Gloucestershire, England.

Victoria Huxley is an editor and publisher.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Interlink Books (June 9, 2009)
  • Length: 272 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781566567695

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Raves and Reviews

"This handsome, original guide offers much inspiration for the trip-planning process."

This is a wonderful book: as crystal clear as a mountain stream, as colourful as a rainbow and as packed full of fascinating historical detail as- a World Heritage site. It is based on a real need: there is no other book yet in print that examines the twenty seven designated World Heritage sites in the British Isles. These locations range from predictable, but extraordinary, ones like Stonehenge and the Tower of London, to the less well known such as the Derwent Valley Mills in Derbyshire and Skellig Michael 'a lonely rock off the far south-western coast of Ireland'. The great strengths of the book lie in its intelligent structure and organization, and in the sheer quality of the writing... The book is beautifully produced, with excellent maps and illustrations, helpful boxes of information on many pages, plus valuable tips on how to get there and where to stay... Enlivening every section are insets that will enrich the reader's experience... This book is not merely a riveting read but an essential accompaniment to understanding these marvellous British locations.

This illustrated guide features detailed descriptions for all of the 27 world heritage sites in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. These sites have been designated as such by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. They range from the southwest of England to the north of Ireland. Some are ancient and mysterious (Stonehenge in England; Newgrange in Ireland); some are natural wonders (the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland); and others are more modern (industrial villages in the English heartland). Authors Victoria Huxley and Geoffrey Smith provide background information on each site while explaining why the sites were chosen (usually because they are unique or the first examples of their kind in the world). The authors include visitor information for each site, such as how to get there, what to see and, when applicable, where to stay. This is a handy and useful guide.

– June Sawyer, The Resouceful Traveler-The Wichita Eagle

They range through ancient and modern, religious, industrial and domestic, man-made and natural... All are possible targets for anyone who enjoys exploring, especially in an historical context... a brilliant idea to bring together in one neat book a description, history and practical details of each of the World Heritage sites. This book is readable, visually attractive, and fascinating to browse as well as to use as the guide book it is claimed to be. There are nuggets of information about the contexts within which each site should be placed, providing many neat history lessons... everyone will find at least one site, and probably several, of which they knew little or nothing, but will be fired to visit this reviewer has been delighted with the discoveries made despite having been a keen historical tourist in the British Isles since a teenager. The book is strongly recommended"

– Anthea Jones, Local History News, UK

Unesco has designated 27 World Heritage sites in the UK and Ireland and this useful guide illustrates all of them with maps and photographs, outlining the historical, cultural and geographical reasons for their inclusion, and providing practical information. The book is an interesting reflection on the cultural diversity of Britain and Ireland. The grandeur of Blenheim Palace, for example, contrasts with Ironbridge Gorge, birthplace of the Industrial Revolution. The book is also an excellent guide to some of the country's best home-grown tourist attractions, from the obvious delights of Stonehenge or Hadrian's Wall to some less trumpeted locations, such as New Lanark or Neolithic Orkney.

This illustrated guide features detailed descriptions for all of the 27 world heritage sites in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. These sites have been designated as such by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Some are ancient and mysterious (Stonehenge in England; Newgrange in Ireland); some are natural wonders (the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland); and others are more modern (industrial villages in the English heartland). Authors Victoria Huxley and Geoffrey Smith provide background information on each site while explaining why the sites were chosen (usually because they are unique or the first examples of their kind in the world). The authors include visitor information for each site, such as how to get there, what to see and, when applicable, where to stay. This is a handy and useful guide.

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More books from this author: Geoffrey Smith