No other country offers so rich and varied a heritage of traditional buildings as England. From windmills to water mills, cottages to castles, dovecotes to beeboles a wealth of treasures await discovery. Drawing upon forty years' experience of caring for historic structures Geoffrey R. Sharpe provides a simple but informed guide to these delights and curiosities of the English countryside. He explains not just the purpose of these buildings but the part they played in the history of the countryside, showing how the buildings evolved and the ways in which people lived and worked in them. He uses his expert knowledge to explain the differences in materials, how they were worked, and the many regional variations to be enjoyed. The result is an invaluable guide that will enhance the reader's understanding and appreciation of England's rich and varied heritage.