{"title":"Paul Rabbitts","description":"\u003cp\u003eDelve into the world of Paul Rabbitts, your guide to the UK's best lidos and outdoor pools. A must-read for wild swimmers and leisure enthusiasts alike; dive in now!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"luton-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445692814","title":"Luton in 50 Buildings","description":"The Bedfordshire town of Luton originated in the sixth century when the Saxons established a farm or settlement (called a ‘tun’) by the River Lea. Farming and agriculture became the major industries, while the local market brought in people from the surrounding villages. The hat-making industry dominated the town from the seventeenth until the twentieth century, while in 1905 Vauxhall Motors opened there, followed by the airport in 1938. Although car manufacturing ceased in 2002, the town continues to prosper with a growing population and much redevelopment taking place.  In Luton in 50 Buildings author Paul Rabbitts looks at how the town’s buildings and landmarks, both old and new, reflect its long and fascinating history. Among the places featured are some of the town’s historic churches, inns and residences, the town hall and the Kenilworth Road football ground. Also featured are Luton Central Mosque, the expanding airport and the stately home of Luton Hoo, originally designed by Robert Adam in the eighteenth century for the 3rd Earl of Bute. Each of these structures and landmarks has its own stories to tell, as well as documenting a significant aspect of Luton’s social, cultural and industrial heritage.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49518036451601,"sku":"GOR011247781","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445692813.jpg?v=1763223800"},{"product_id":"great-british-parks-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445656366","title":"Great British Parks","description":"Our great British parks are one of the finest legacies of the Victorian age. Designed and bequeathed to the masses as part of a movement encouraging green spaces and recreation, the public park came to symbolise one of the greatest contributions of the era.Opened in increasing numbers in the industrious nineteenth century, by the end of the twentieth century many of our parks had become sadly neglected. With the collaboration of organisations including Keep Britain Tidy and the Heritage Lottery Fund, a vast project of regeneration was initiated. Today they remain outdoor places for everyone to enjoy, acting as children's play areas, sports grounds and even concert venues.Great British Parks explores some of these outstanding public spaces, of interest to anyone who uses and appreciates them. It pays tribute to the many park teams, local authorities, grant-giving bodies and individuals who have managed, maintained, restored and looked after our public parks - yesterday, today and tomorrow.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49526704472337,"sku":"GOR008863355","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49660033401105,"sku":"GOR013035689","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445656361.jpg?v=1777714773"},{"product_id":"watford-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445690124","title":"Watford in 50 Buildings","description":"The town of Watford, in Hertfordshire, began as a settlement in the 12th century when the Abbot of St Albans, who owned the land here, was given permission to hold a weekly market. He chose a site on a slight rise above the ford over the River Colne, along a route already used by travelers. The Abbot also arranged for the first parish church--St Mary's--to be built adjacent to the market. In the Domesday Book there is no mention of Watford. The area of the current town and the land around it belonged to the Abbot's Manor of Cashio (later Cassio) and it continued to be controlled by the Abbot until the 16th century. A few buildings remain from this period; other gems are Monmouth House from the 17th century; The Free School, Frogmore House, Benskin House (now Watford Museum), Little Cassiobury and Russells from the 18th century; and some of the High Street shops. The early 1800s, saw the greatest changes with the opening of the Grand Union Canal and the railway. These transport links encouraged new industries and people to the town, which prompted a rapid expansion in housing and development. In this book, Paul Rabbitts and Peter Jeffree highlight 50 buildings spanning the centuries, which reveal Watford's rich history and tell the story of the changing face of this Hertfordshire town.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49526705881361,"sku":"GOR011247169","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445690128.jpg?v=1763479612"},{"product_id":"cassiobury-park-the-postcard-collection-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445671611","title":"Cassiobury Park The Postcard Collection","description":"Cassiobury Park has an incredible history. Not only is it one of the remnants of the greatest lost estates in the country, it is now one of the most popular parks in the country and locally is the largest park in Hertfordshire, and the principal park of its primary town, Watford. It covers an impressive area which is twice the size of Hyde Park in London.Arthur Capel was made the Earl of Essex and in time moved to Cassiobury. The Capels had a major impact on Cassiobury. By 1800, the 5th Earl of Essex employed noted and respected architect James Wyatt to rebuild his house. Successive landscape gardeners were employed here, from Moses Cook to Humphry Repton, with the landscape captured by J. M. W. Turner on visits to Cassiobury. By 1881, the parkland was already well established with fine trees, woodland walks, with many deer in the park, often traded with the royal deer parks at Richmond, Bushy and Windsor Great Park. By the beginning of the twentieth century, decline had set in and large areas of the park had been sold off to Watford Borough Council for public parkland - the beginnings of the public park we know today.Cassiobury Park: The Postcard Collection takes the reader on an evocative journey into the park's rich past through a selection of old postcards that offer a fascinating window into its history and continuing development.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49528403886353,"sku":"GOR011807424","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49729895399697,"sku":"NGR9781445671611","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50824756232465,"sku":"GOR014087561","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445671611.jpg?v=1759571976"},{"product_id":"regent-s-park-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445610245","title":"Regent's Park","description":"The Regent's Park has a history stretching back through seven centuries, well before the designer and architectural genius John Nash and his patron the Prince Regent laid it out at the beginning of the nineteenth century as the first of the improvements they had planned for London. Rabbitts recounts the story of the park from its origins as a tiny part of the Middlesex Forest to the Dissolution of the Monasteries, when it became Henry VIII's hunting ground, to its subsequent development in the nineteenth century as London's new West End. This comprehensive history of one of the United Kingdom's most popular outdoor spaces also takes into account the wider history of Britain and its public parks.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49529112002833,"sku":"GOR011839938","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49540242047249,"sku":"GOR007624197","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445610248.jpg?v=1764065316"},{"product_id":"londons-royal-parks-book-paul-rabbitts-9780747813705","title":"Londons Royal Parks","description":"London's royal parks are among its most beautiful and beloved spaces: just as much as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace or St Pancras Station, the mere mention of Hyde or Regent's Park is enough to evoke the capital in all its glory for residents and tourists alike. They have a grand history - some were royally owned as far back as the Norman conquest, others were acquired by Henry VIII during the Reformation - and since being opened to the public during the eighteenth century, they have hosted some of London's great events, including the Great Exhibition and innumerable jubilees and celebrations. This book tells the story of all eight of the parks from the point when they were acquired by the monarchy until the present day, including the major historic moments and events with which they are associated.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49547351949585,"sku":"GOR007158500","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51329003356433,"sku":"CIN0747813701VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53059649044753,"sku":"GOR007327598","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0747813701.jpg?v=1751394324"},{"product_id":"windsor-eton-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445692739","title":"Windsor \u0026 Eton in 50 Buildings","description":"Today, millions of tourists from around the world are drawn to Windsor by its magnificent castle, dating from the eleventh century, and its wealth of royal history. Although the castle is at the heart of the town, this book reveals there are many more notable architectural gems – both ancient and modern – to be discovered there. For the visitors who come to Windsor, many will venture across its nineteenth-century bridge to explore its smaller neighbouring town of Eton, famous for its college, on the opposite side of the River Thames.  In Windsor \u0026amp; Eton in 50 Buildings, authors Paul Rabbitts and Rob  Ickinger takes readers on an engaging tour to discover fifty buildings and landmarks that capture the immense heritage of the towns, and to show how they have developed across the centuries. Among the places featured are Windsor’s Guildhall and the charming seventeenth-century Crooked House.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49551430418705,"sku":"GOR011246989","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49733215420689,"sku":"NGR9781445692739","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445692732.jpg?v=1750795120"},{"product_id":"cotherstone-a-village-in-teesdale-book-paul-rabbitts-9781398113831","title":"Cotherstone: A Village in Teesdale","description":"Cotherstone village in County Durham is set on the River Tees, 4 miles from Barnard Castle.Today a large and pretty village, its history goes back to the Domesday Book and it has remains of a motte-and-bailey castle dating from the 1200s. In more recent times it became a well-known destination for holidaymakers from the growing urban centres nearby, and at one time was known as 'Little Sunderland' because of its popularity in that city. Cotherstone has connections with Hannah Hauxwell, who became famous through the television documentary series about her harsh life as a farmer on the Pennines above the village, and through the locally produced Cotherstone cheese.This fascinating history of the village of Cotherstone in Teesdale will be of interest to all those who have lived in the village or know it well.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49568787824913,"sku":"GOR013646558","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49634451128593,"sku":"GOR013693205","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49740447121681,"sku":"NGR9781398113831","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398113832.jpg?v=1761299960"},{"product_id":"bandstands-book-paul-rabbitts-9780747808251","title":"Bandstands","description":"Bandstands are a distinctive feature of public parks and seaside promenades all over Britain. But what do we actually know about them? Why did they appear in our earliest parks? When were they erected, and who made them? This book explores and provides answers to these questions, showing how the bandstand evolved from the buildings of the early Victorian Pleasure Gardens, how it in nearly every public park of the time, how its design was influenced by the great landscape designers, and how a very small number of Scottish foundries cornered the market across the world, from Bradford to Brazil. From parks, seaside resorts and civic spaces, bandstands have appeared and disappeared but are once again re-appearing, being restored and enjoying a new lease of life. This book, the only on the subject, is a timely reminder of an essential component of the British park.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49569381089553,"sku":"GOR006567356","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/0747808252.jpg?v=1750945575"},{"product_id":"cassiobury-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445638638","title":"Cassiobury","description":"One of the remnants of the great lost estates of the United Kingdom, Cassiobury Park is now the largest park in Hertfordshire, and the principal park of its primary town, Watford, covering an area twice the size of Hyde Park in London. But this is no ordinary town park.  In 1661, Arthur, the 2nd Baron Capel, was made the Earl of Essex and, by 1668\/69, he had moved to Cassiobury permanently. By 1707, Cassiobury was a significant estate, and Charles Bridgeman was employed at Cassiobury in the 1720s. In 1800, the 5th Earl of Essex employed James Wyatt to rebuild the house. Humphry Repton was employed at Cassiobury, and the landscape was captured by J. M. W. Turner in a number of paintings. By 1881, there were many deer in the park, often traded with the royal deer parks at Richmond, Bushy and Windsor Great Park.  By the beginning of the twentieth century, large areas of the park had been sold off to Watford Borough Council for public parkland. By 1921, the lease was surrendered and, in 1927, Cassiobury House was demolished. Much of the remaining land was bought by the council becoming further parkland for the expanding Borough of Watford. This book tells the significant story of a remarkable estate, family and parkland that has never been told before.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49570597765393,"sku":"GOR007408675","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445638630.jpg?v=1760522214"},{"product_id":"welwyn-welwyn-garden-city-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781398102477","title":"Welwyn \u0026 Welwyn Garden City in 50 Buildings","description":"A fascinating exploration of the architectural heritage of Welwyn and Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49572068262161,"sku":"GOR013728685","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398102474.jpg?v=1763485450"},{"product_id":"regent-s-park-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445643755","title":"Regent's Park","description":"The Regent's Park has a history stretching back through seven centuries, well before the designer and architectural genius John Nash and his patron the Prince Regent laid it out at the beginning of the nineteenth century as the first of the improvements they had planned for London.Rabbitts recounts the story of the park from its origins as a tiny part of the Middlesex Forest to its role as Henry VIII's hunting ground at the time of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, to its subsequent development in the nineteenth century as London's new West End.This comprehensive history of one of the United Kingdom's most popular outdoor spaces also takes into account the wider history of Britain and its public parks.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49573762793745,"sku":"GOR007853021","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49632796901649,"sku":"GOR007454667","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445643758.jpg?v=1777714397"},{"product_id":"bournemouth-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445696157","title":"Bournemouth in 50 Buildings","description":"Today, Bournemouth is one of the favourite resorts on the south coast, but until the early nineteenth century, the area was just heathland where cattle grazed. In 1810, Lewis Tregonwell - regarded as the first inhabitant and founder of Bournemouth - visited the beach with his wife. She loved the area and persuaded him to build a house there. Tregonwell later bought more land and landowners planted pines on the heath, but there was no settlement at Bournemouth until 1837.The railway reached the town in 1870, which made it far easier for people to travel there and increased the number of visitors. Victorian Bournemouth, which was marketed as a health resort, grew at a phenomenal rate and many new buildings that appeared as the town developed remain today.In Bournemouth in 50 Buildings, authors Paul Rabbitts and Liz Gordon highlight the town's significant architectural landmarks from across the centuries. Through a fascinating and diverse selection of buildings they tell the story of the town's development, its people and their way of life. Among the places they focus on are churches, hotels, inns, houses, cinemas and educational establishments. The scope of buildings the authors have selected is incredibly wide - ranging from the grand to the modest - and many different architectural styles are featured. Readers will discover everything from beach huts and Boscombe Pier, to the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum together with modern office blocks and workplaces. Bournemouth in 50 Buildings offers an engaging and valuable historical perspective on the town.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49576226619665,"sku":"GOR013656066","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":50703586066705,"sku":"NGR9781445696157","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53364127039761,"sku":"GOR014879967","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445696150.jpg?v=1763221740"},{"product_id":"hyde-park-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445642888","title":"Hyde Park","description":"Hyde Park is a London favourite. You can walk, lie in the grass, play games, take exercise and engage in sport. It has been a venue for mass celebrations since VE Day and for public events including Proms in the Park, the Olympics and countless music festivals. There is a truly fascinating history behind the park we know today and the neighbouring Kensington Gardens.On 1 July 1536, Henry VIII compelled the Convent of Westminster to hand over land that he then enclosed for hunting purposes - and so Hyde Park began. However, it was not until the reign of Charles I that the people of London were allowed access to the park. Sold by Parliament in 1652; beset by highwaymen when the village of Kensington became home to much of the aristocracy; partially appropriated by George II to make Kensington Gardens - Hyde Park has a dramatic past. It was, however, the Great Exhibition that was to have the greatest impact on its history. The world came to Hyde Park, with as many as 100,000 visitors occupying the exhibition at a time. It became London's central attraction and remains the city's greatest open space. It is truly the people's park and, without a doubt, one of the greatest places to visit in London.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49579021598993,"sku":"GOR010013510","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445642883.jpg?v=1777715183"},{"product_id":"richmond-park-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445618562","title":"Richmond Park","description":"Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London, covering an area of 2,500 acres. From its heights there is an uninterrupted view of St Paul's Cathedral, 12 miles away. The royal connections to this park probably go back further than any of the others, beginning with Edward I in the thirteenth century, when the area was known as the Manor of Sheen. The name was changed to Richmond during Henry VII's reign. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London and turned it into a park for red and fallow deer. His decision, in 1637, to enclose the land was not popular with the local residents, but he did allow pedestrians the right of way. To this day the walls remain. In 1847 Pembroke Lodge became the home of the then Prime Minister, Lord John Russell, and was later the childhood home of his grandson, Bertrand Russell. However, Richmond Park emerges from its historical record as a place that has seen many changes in fabric and detail and yet remains the embodiment of a medieval deer park. It is a palimpsest, retaining subtle clues to each period in its history.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49582983315729,"sku":"GOR007452654","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50824943206673,"sku":"GOR007802126","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445618567.jpg?v=1764065162"},{"product_id":"richmond-park-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445655307","title":"Richmond Park","description":"Richmond Park is the largest Royal Park in London, covering an area of 2,500 acres. From its heights there is an uninterrupted view of St Paul's Cathedral, 12 miles away.The royal connections to this park probably go back further than any of the others, beginning with Edward I in the thirteenth century, when the area was known as the Manor of Sheen. The name was changed to Richmond during Henry VII's reign. In 1625 Charles I brought his court to Richmond Palace to escape the plague in London and turned it into a park for red and fallow deer. His decision, in 1637, to enclose the land was not popular with the local residents, but he did allow pedestrians the right of way. To this day the walls remain. In 1847 Pembroke Lodge became the home of the then Prime Minister, Lord John Russell, and was later the childhood home of his grandson, Bertrand Russell.However, Richmond Park emerges from its historical record as a place that has seen many changes in fabric and detail and yet remains the embodiment of a medieval deer park. It is a palimpsest, retaining subtle clues to each period in its history.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49583278031121,"sku":"GOR007391002","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49733954666769,"sku":"NGR9781445655307","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50477179207953,"sku":"GOR013793772","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445655306.jpg?v=1765619927"},{"product_id":"bandstands-book-paul-rabbitts-9781848023727","title":"Bandstands","description":"In 1833, the Select Committee for Public Walks was introduced so that ‘the provision of parks would lead to a better use of Sundays and the replacement of the debasing pleasures.’ Music was seen as an important moral influence and ‘musical cultivation … the safest and surest method of popular culture’, and it was the eventual introduction of the bandstand which became a significant aspect of the reforming potential of public parks. However, the move from the bull baiting of ‘Merrie England’ to the ordered recreation provided by bandstands has never been fully comprehended. Likewise, the extent of changes in leisure and public entertainment and the impact of music at seaside resorts often revolved around the use of seaside bandstands, with the subsequent growth of coastal resorts. Music in public spaces, and the history and heritage of the bandstand has largely been ignored. Yet in their heyday, there were over 1,500 bandstands in the country, in public parks, on piers and seaside promenades attracting the likes of crowds of over 10,000 in the Arboretum in Lincoln, to regular weekday and weekend concerts in most of London’s parks up until the beginning of the Second World War. Little is really known about them, from their evolution as ‘orchestras’ in the early Pleasure Gardens, the music played within them, to their intricate and ornate ironwork or art deco designs and the impact of the great foundries, their worldwide influence, to the great decline post Second World War and subsequent revival in the late 1990s. This book tells the story of these pavilions made for music, and their history, decline and revival.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49611254628625,"sku":"GOR009181211","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51359798558993,"sku":"GOR014238594","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1848023723.jpg?v=1751433080"},{"product_id":"grinling-gibbons-book-paul-rabbitts-9781784424046","title":"Grinling Gibbons","description":"Master Carver Grinling Gibbons (1648–1721) is famous for his breathtakingly delicate, intricate and realistic carvings, both in wood and stone. Tantalising cascades of fruit and flowers, puffy-cheeked cherubs, crowds of figures and flourishes of architecture are all trademark features of his energetic, animated carvings that grace stately homes, palaces, churches and colleges across the country. His work can be found in some of Britain’s most beloved buildings, including St Paul’s Cathedral and Hampton Court Palace. From his early work in the Low Countries to his ‘discovery’ by the diarist John Evelyn in London, and his appointment as the king’s Master Carver, this book celebrates Grinling Gibbons’ unequalled talent, his visionary genius, and his ability to transform humble pieces of wood into some of the most exquisite artworks of his day.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49632033341713,"sku":"GOR011742976","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49737673572625,"sku":"NGR9781784424046","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ WELL_READ \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52739357999377,"sku":"GOR014606847","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1784424048.jpg?v=1751090972"},{"product_id":"sir-christopher-wren-book-paul-rabbitts-9781784423254","title":"Sir Christopher Wren","description":"Sir Christopher Wren (1632–1723) is now mostly remembered as a genius of architecture – but he was also an accomplished polymath, who only came to architecture quite late in life. Most famous as the mastermind behind the rebuilding of St Paul’s Cathedral and more than fifty parish churches after the Great Fire of London, among his countless other projects Wren also designed the Royal Hospital at Chelsea, the Royal Naval Hospital at Greenwich, and much of Hampton Court Palace. Replete with colourful images of his buildings, this concise biography tells the story of a man whose creations are still popular tourist attractions to this day, but also casts light on Wren’s credentials as an intellectual and a founding member of the Royal Society.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49738855186705,"sku":"NGR9781784423254","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50477965738257,"sku":"GOR010806582","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ VERY_GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":51695094235409,"sku":"CIN1784423254VG","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52991896813841,"sku":"GOR014684514","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53333560656145,"sku":"GOR014854258","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1784423254.jpg?v=1750865941"},{"product_id":"carlisle-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781398105201","title":"Carlisle in 50 Buildings","description":"Originally established as a Roman settlement to serve the forts along Hadrian’s Wall, the Cumbrian city of Carlisle has a wealth of fascinating history. Its proximity to Scotland meant that it was a crucial military stronghold and its imposing eleventh-century castle and city walls have witnessed many conflicts through the centuries. During the Industrial Revolution it became an important hub on the railway network and a centre of textile manufacturing. Nicknamed the ‘Great Border City’, Carlisle is still the principal commercial and cultural centre of the county.  In Carlisle in 50 Buildings author Paul Rabbitts explores fifty of the city’s architectural landmarks to discover its history, development and the changing way of life for its people. Both ancient and modern structures are featured, which have been used for many different purposes and reflect a wide range of architectural styles. The city’s success is based on its industry, which has shaped its built environment together with the many historic buildings and new structures. All these are celebrated within this well-illustrated book. This engaging and accessible portrait of the city’s rich history and its architectural heritage will appeal to residents and visitors alike.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49742274330897,"sku":"NGR9781398105201","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51197076734225,"sku":"GOR012481091","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398105201.jpg?v=1763220295"},{"product_id":"hertford-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781398103788","title":"Hertford in 50 Buildings","description":"The River Lea and its crossing at Hertford lie at the heart of the town's history. Before the Norman Conquest the river formed a natural boundary between the Danelaw to the north and Saxon Wessex to the south. Saxon villages already existed at Bengeo and Hertingfordbury and, in 911 and 912, Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great, founded two fortified burghs, north and south of the Lea crossing. Following the Norman Conquest, a castle was established at Hertford, together with a priory and a new mill. For the next 300 years, the castle was a royal residence. With the patronage of kings and queens, together with the town's agricultural base, Hertford prospered. This continued throughout the centuries, most notably in the Victorian era, which saw increased building as transport links to London improved and industry grew. Today Hertford is a thriving and rapidly expanding town, with a wealth of history that is demonstrated through its rich architectural heritage.In this book, Paul Rabbitts and Peter Jeffree present a well-illustrated and accessible perspective highlighting 50 of Hertford's significant buildings and landmarks. Each one has its place in the history of the county town and the lives of its people. From pubs to Priory and churches to Corn Exchange the buildings featured were used for a variety of purposes and designed in many contrasting styles. This engaging architectural tour is a fascinating exploration of a significant aspect of the town's history and reveals its changing face across the centuries.This book will appeal to residents, visitors, local historians and all those with links to the town.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49744435183889,"sku":"NGR9781398103788","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398103780.jpg?v=1763222078"},{"product_id":"dunstable-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781398104044","title":"Dunstable in 50 Buildings","description":"The Bedfordshire town of Dunstable can trace its origins back to Roman times and the building of Watling Street, which crossed the ancient Icknield Way at the point where Dunstable stands today. The Romans also constructed a posting station where travellers could change their horses, and a market town called Durocobrivis developed at the crossroads. When the Romans left Britain, Durocobrivis was abandoned and it wasn't until 1109 that Henry I created a new town here and subsequently added a royal residence and a priory. Although wool cloth was once Dunstable's main industry, it was later replaced by straw-hat manufacturing, brewing and lace-making. Despite its small size it was also an important stage-coaching town. At the end of the nineteenth century, new industries arrived including printing and engineering, and when the railway reached the town in 1848 the population and building development increased. The twentieth century brought further expansion and growth with industries such as Vauxhall Motors. In 'Dunstable in 50 Buildings', author Paul Rabbitts focuses on the architectural heritage of the town from across the centuries. From almshouse to windmill and ancient road to shopping centre a fascinating variety of structures and landmarks are featured, with each one revealing the history and development of the town and the changing way of life for local people. Illustrated throughout, this engaging and accessible portrait of Dunstable's architectural history will be of interest to residents, visitors and local historians.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":50462862541073,"sku":"NGR9781398104044","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398104043.jpg?v=1753688124"},{"product_id":"tring-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781398104907","title":"Tring in 50 Buildings","description":"People have lived, farmed and traded in the Hertfordshire town of Tring for thousands of years. The Icknield Way, which hugs the Chiltern scarp, is reckoned to be the oldest road in Europe, while the Bulbourne Valley provided an obvious route for the Romans heading out west from St Albans. It was inevitable that a settlement would develop here on the well-drained soil, with springs and good sites for wind and water mills. In 1799, the Grand Junction Canal brought profound changes to this peaceful agricultural place. Coal, bricks and slates came in, while flour and farm produce were loaded for distant markets. Industry arrived in 1823 with the construction of a silk mill and the building of the London \u0026amp; Birmingham Railway in 1835 meant that Tring was within an hour’s journey of London. When the Rothschild family added Tring Park to their local estates in 1872, the banker and statesman Nathaniel, later the first Baron Rothschild, set about rebuilding the farms and constructing new cottages to replace decaying properties in the town.  In this book, Paul Rabbitts highlights fifty of Tring’s buildings and landmarks – old and new – to explore its fascinating history. The structures included range from churches to cottages, court to clock house, museums to mills, and mansion to market house. Each has its story to tell and reveals the town's development through the centuries. Illustrated throughout, this accessible and engaging perspective will be of interest to residents, local historians and visitors alike.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50470199165201,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":50470200049937,"sku":"NGR9781398104907","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1398104906.jpg?v=1753687808"},{"product_id":"great-parks-great-designers-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445671970","title":"Great Parks, Great Designers","description":"Much has been written about the history of Victorian life, the Industrial Revolution and the improvements brought about by the great reformers, including the many improvements to recreation and leisure. Public parks were one such introduction and many were laid out from the 1850s onwards and up until the beginning of the Second World War. Joseph Paxton is the most famous of our park designers, along with J. C. Loudon, James Pennethorne, and Thomas Mawson. We know very little of many of these great park designers, and especially the most notable municipal and borough designers such as Sexby, Sandys-Winsch and Pettigrew. These individuals designed some of our greatest parks, in our greatest cities - from Victoria Park and Battersea Park in London, to our much admired royal parks, to Philips Park in Manchester, and the wonderful parks of Norwich, Liverpool, Cardiff and beyond.This book fills in the gaps surrounding these great servants of the public. Included are biographies and histories of Joseph Paxton, James Pennethorne, Edward Milner, John Nash, Decimus Burton, Robert Marnock, William Barron, J. C. Loudon, J. J. Sexby, William Pettigrew, Captain Sandys-Winsch, John Gibson and Thomas H. Mawson. This is an essential read for anybody interested in the great designers of our greatest parks.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50569604595985,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50569604727057,"sku":"GOR008790377","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445671972.jpg?v=1764065422"},{"product_id":"leighton-buzzard-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445690858","title":"Leighton Buzzard in 50 Buildings","description":"Close to the Chiltern Hills lies the Bedfordshire market town of Leighton Buzzard. Dominating the town is the 190-foot spire of the thirteenth-century All Saints’ Church, which has been described as ‘the cathedral of South Bedfordshire’. The area’s main industry has been sand quarrying, and the coming of the Grand Union Canal and railway in the early 1800s established the town further and led to an increase in its population, industry and commerce. This growth has continued across the decades as Leighton Buzzard’s proximity and direct transport links to London have placed it in prime commuter territory.  Today, Leighton Buzzard is linked to the town of Linslade by a bridge over the River Ouzel. The two communities were unified as a civil parish in 1965 and are commonly referred to as Leighton-Linslade. Looking back through the centuries, there is evidence that people have been living in and around the area since Saxon times. In the Domesday Book Leighton Buzzard was called Lestone and there was reference to its market which still takes place to this day.  In this book author Paul Rabbitts explores fifty of the town’s most interesting, important and intriguing buildings and structures, from inns to churches and schools to houses. The town boasts many old buildings, each with their own story to tell that, together, make up the fascinating history of Leighton Buzzard.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50607440036113,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50607440888081,"sku":"GOR012168887","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1445690853.jpg?v=1763222461"},{"product_id":"salisbury-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445699325","title":"Salisbury in 50 Buildings","description":"With its magnificent Early English cathedral, timbered buildings and historic houses, Salisbury has a wealth of history and architectural treasures. Its story began 2,500 years ago when an Iron Age fort was built on Salisbury Hill, 2 miles north of the modern town centre, and developed into the town of Old Sarum. The origins of modern Salisbury (New Sarum) date from 1217 when the bishop relocated his seat to Church-owned land to the south of the hill. Work on the cathedral started in 1220 and a thriving town developed in the years that followed. Its woollen cloth industry, together with its location on the road from London to Exeter, brought trade and prosperity here.In this book, authors Paul Rabbitts and Liz Gordon take the reader on an engaging tour of Salisbury's landmarks and significant buildings from across the centuries. Here are the structures that reveal the history of the town, showing how it developed and telling the story of its people and their way of life. The wide range of structures included range from the cathedral to bridges, almshouses to inns, and cinemas to townhouses. Illustrated throughout, this broad and accessible perspective of Salisbury's architectural heritage will interest residents and visitors alike.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":50889909109009,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50889909731601,"sku":"GOR014106428","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/144569932X.jpg?v=1763220577"},{"product_id":"london-s-royal-parks-book-paul-rabbitts-9781036117320","title":"London's Royal Parks","description":"London’s Royal Parks are among its most beautiful and beloved spaces: just as much as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace or St Pancras Station, the mere mention of Hyde Park or Greenwich Park is enough to evoke the capital in all its glory for residents and tourists alike. They have a magnificent history – some were royally owned as far back as the Norman conquest, others were acquired by Henry VIII during the Reformation and were great hunting grounds for successive monarchs – and since being opened to the public, they have hosted some of London’s great events, including the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park and innumerable jubilees, international games and competitions and celebrations. Today, the Royal Parks are visited by over 77 million visitors. But what are the ingredients of these magnificent green spaces? We often think of wider landscapes of trees, grass, lakes, meandering footways, bedding displays and herbaceous borders. But the Royal Parks are much more than this. Defined as ‘parkitecture’, we find royal palaces, stately homes, villas, monuments, memorials, statues of national figures and war heroes, public art, often controversial yet inspiring, sculpture, bandstands, gates and railings of exquisite designs, fountains, refreshments rooms, lodges and pavilions, bridges and boathouses. Each of the Royal Parks is defined by its ‘parkitecture’, from the formality of Regent’s and St James’s Parks to the rurality of Bushy and Richmond Parks. This new book is a long overdue complete celebration of the many buildings and monuments of London’s Royal Parks with over 250 beautiful illustrations.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51504924721425,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":51504924786961,"sku":"NIN9781036117320","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":52111163425041,"sku":"NGR9781036117320","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1036117324.jpg?v=1751143235"},{"product_id":"visitor-s-guide-to-london-s-royal-parks-book-paul-rabbitts-9781036114879","title":"A Visitor's Guide to London's Royal Parks","description":"There are nearly 80 million visits to the Royal Parks every year, making them the most popular destinations in the capital. In 1956, author, poet and critic, Richard Thomas Church (1893-1972) wrote The Royal Parks of London, which was published by The Ministry of Public Building and Works as a guidebook at a cost of 3s 6d net. Many years has passed, and these parks continue to thrive, with new additions, events and celebrations. However, any visitor today will be overwhelmed by the beauty of these historic spaces that boast royal palaces, boathouses, bandstands, lodges, gatehouses, ornamental gardens, sculpture, public art, memorials, places for repose and refreshments. Today the Royal Parks as a charitable organisation is responsible for the care and maintenance of a large collection of historical built assets, comprising primarily of monuments, structures and buildings within the parks, and associated boundaries.This book will take you on a journey from Greenwich Park, the oldest of the Royal Parks, via Hyde Park, St James's Park, Green Park, Regent's Park, Bushy Park, Kensington Gardens to the largest of the royal parks - Richmond Park. It is hoped that the reader will gain a greater understanding of how these parks came about, but also to widen the visitor's knowledge of some of the more unusual aspects of London's Royal Parks, and to simply encourage the visitor to meander at will among them - the best way to discover the many pleasures within London's Royal Parks.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ -","offer_id":51597815283985,"sku":"","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":51597815415057,"sku":"NGR9781036114879","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"US \/ NEW \/ INGRAM","offer_id":52745831022865,"sku":"NIN9781036114879","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53264514777361,"sku":"GOR014844362","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1036114872.jpg?v=1751080643"},{"product_id":"cassiobury-book-paul-rabbitts-9781445671604","title":"Cassiobury","description":"A pictorial history of Watfords greatest park, from estate to public space.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52830062477585,"sku":"GOR008976656","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781445671604.jpg?v=1764607629"},{"product_id":"christchurch-in-50-buildings-book-paul-rabbitts-9781398104600","title":"Christchurch in 50 Buildings","description":"Situated between Bournemouth and the New Forest National Park, the Dorset coastal town of Christchurch has a distinctive historic character reflecting both its origins as a Saxon burh and its maritime associations. The earliest settlement was around the Saxon Minster church, on the site of the present Priory Church, and the town developed slowly northwards. Despite the rapid proliferation of housing estates from the late-nineteenth century onwards, the centre retains the character and charm of a historic town. This is further distinguished by its maritime connections, with the harbour, salt marshes and sandy beaches of Christchurch Bay still dominated by the Priory.   In ‘Christchurch in 50 Buildings’, authors Paul Rabbitts and Liz Gordon take readers on an engaging and informative tour of the town highlighting a selection of its architectural gems and landmarks old and new. They feature a wide range of architectural styles and diverse selection of buildings and structures ranging from the Priory to pubs, castle to cottages and bridges to beach huts. Tracing the development of Christchurch through the centuries, this book celebrates the town’s ancient history and its many historic buildings, as well as its role as a popular tourist destination in Dorset.   Illustrated throughout, this accessible and well-presented guide will appeal to residents and visitors alike.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":53132463472913,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":53132463571217,"sku":"NGR9781398104600","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781398104600.jpg?v=1780134991"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/collections\/author-books-by-paul-rabbitts.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}