British towns - Oliver Benn

A look at some of the most attractive and popular towns of England, Wales and Scotland. People, activities and the contemporary scene feature alongside the architecture, interiors and brief history. Oliver Benn's photographs are complemented by essays from local authors in each town.;The towns featured in the book are chosen for their pictorial evocation of urban lifestyle throughout the ages, and are grouped under five thematic headings. The medieval and Renaissance towns of Cambridge, Oxford and Warwick are like a time capsule of an earlier age, but very much alive today as seats of learning and tourist attractions. The Georgian and Regency towns of Edinburgh, Bath and Brighton seem to retain the gracious air of 18th century life. The cathedral cities of Salisbury, Exeter and Lincoln remind the reader of the importance of our Christian heritage in the development of our urban centres. Ludlow, Richmond in Yorkshire and Saffron Walden are examples of traditional but flourishing market towns. The identity of Britain has always been bound up with the sea, with its lure to adventure and economic significance. This aspect is revealed by the historic but still active ports of Cardiff, Conwy and Dartmouth.