The idyllic landscapes which surround so many of the great country houses in Great Britain seem to be native English landscape at its best; yet they are not some lucky accident of nature but the result of careful planning, perfect taste, and a vast amount of groundwork and planting, shaped by one man’s vision. This important work first appeared in 1985 and since then the author has revised the text and updated the Gazetteer. For those whose interests lie in understanding the history of gardening, landscape design or 18th-century society there is much to be found here, but equally this book will sharpen the appreciation of Brown’s work for all those who have visited his estates an enjoyed his enduring achievements.