Gawthorpe Hall, Lancashire

Gawthorpe Hall is a precious survival in a largely urban landscape. The Shuttleworths built the Elizabethan mansion in 1600-5 and brought it to life with music and theatre. In the mid-19th century the great Victorian architects Sir Charles Barry and A.W.N. Pugin made the house even more romantic, filling it with luxurious furnishings. Today it is also home to a unique collection of historic needlework and embroidery. The tranquil garden and woodland have welcomed visitors since the 1860s. Richly illustrated with new photography, this lively book tells the story of the house and the Shuttleworth family who created and transformed it. It is complemented with a tour chapter, a family tree and plans of the house. Richard Dean is the National Trust's curator responsible for Gawthorpe Hall. He is also the author of the National Trust's guidebook for Rufford Old Hall.