The English grand tour - Julius Bryant

In this beautifully illustrated book, Julius Bryant, Chief Curator at English Heritage, looks at how some of England's most beautiful and iconic historic sites have inspired artists as diverse as John Constable and LS Lowry. The English Grand Tour features paintings of historic sites by artists from the 18th century to the present day. Subjects range from Stonehenge by John Constable, and Landguard Fort by Thomas Gainsborough, both painted in the 18th century, to Bolsover Castle by John Piper, Clifford's Tower by LS Lowry, Whitby Abbey by John Atkinson Grimshaw, and Muchelney Abbey by Ben Nicholson, all painted in the 20th century. The book consists of full page colour illustrations of the paintings as well as photographs of the sites as they are today. The underlying theme of the book is the work and motivation of these diverse artists who travelled around the country, visiting key landmarks and recording their impressions for posterity. It also explores travellers' reasons for visiting these special places, and for buying paintings of these symbols of England's heritage.