Hudson’s 2017 edition marks 30th anniversary
One of the most useful books I carry in my car is Hudson’s Historic Houses & Gardens Guide and it has been an ever faithful companion over the years. The 2017 guide marks the 30th Anniversary of Hudson’s and as we have come to expect it is packed with information on historic houses, gardens, museums and heritage sites across the United Kingdom.
Hudson’s is an excellent guide for planning a visit from helping you decide when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby to important facts such as opening times, website addresses, prices and descriptions of the property or garden. The compact format of the Regional Directory is clear and concise and the clever layout enables Hudson’s to keep the Directory to a reasonable size. Some properties have a full visitor information strip down the page, often including special events. Key facts at the bottom of each listing are clearly marked in symbol form so at a glance you can see a wide range of information.
In fact, Hudson’s is a delight just to pick up and browse through if you are looking for inspiration or need information on a particular property or simply want to relive past visits or pleasant memories.
It is superbly illustrated with beautiful photography and the layout is clear and attractive. I am constantly amazed at how much Hudson’s actually manage to get into their annual Directory.
England is divided by County so it is easy to locate properties, Wales is divided into South Wales, Mid Wales and North Wales. Northern Ireland is divided by county and Scotland by region: Borders, South West Scotland, Edinburgh, Greater Glasgow, Tayside, West Highlands & Islands, Grampian Highlands and Highlands & Skye.
At the back there are the Quick Guides covering Plant Sales, Places to Stay, Open All Year, Civil Weddings, Private Hire, Guided Tours and even a Dogs Welcome guide. There is also a list of In the Movies places you may recognise from TV or film, Special Events and a useful Index to Display Advertisers.
The 2017 edition of Hudson’s brings you a range of interesting features as well, so the publication is much more than a directory of places to visit. For the 2017 edition, features include an interview with Dan Cruickshank who talks about his love of heritage places; ‘At the Movies’ looks at the houses, gardens and places that have been used in film and television, from Castle Howard to St Michael’s Mount while David Beevers, Keeper of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, explains the Indian influences at work in the iconic Brighton Pavilion. Mrs Hudson’s Holiday, this year, takes the reader to Northern Ireland with suggestions of places to visit each day.
There is an interesting interview with Dame Helen Ghosh, Director General of the National Trust and a fascinating article by Professor Margot Finn on ‘The East India Company at Home’. Jonathan Ruffer outlines his inspirational plans for Auckland Castle and Jane Rogers remembers the storm of 1987 at Riverhill. All this is just a taste of the features and articles at the start of the Directory.
Sarah Greenwood, publisher said: “We are delighted this year to be celebrating 30 years bringing Britain’s heritage to you. Our print guide has always been a ‘bible’ for everyone who loves a day out at one of the UK’s historic places. If you like history or gardens and getting out and about, we have all the information you need.”
So much more than a directory Hudson’s is the definitive guide to Britain’s heritage and I wouldn’t be without it. Included in its pages are both private, public and state properties including National Trust and English Heritage, Cathedrals, Castles and Gardens.
Whatever you want to do – take a day out with friends or family – everything you need to know is here and bang up-to-date.
Hudson’s Historic Houses & Gardens, Museums & Heritage Sites 2017, published by Hudson’s Media Ltd., is on sale at £16.99, US $27.95 €20.99 – Copies can be ordered from: www.hudsonheritagecom
