Hudson's Historic Houses & Gardens, Museums and Heritage Sites 2017 (Hudson's Historic Houses & Gardens, Castles and Heritage Sites) Paperback – 1 Jan. 2016

Includes in one book the properties that are in the care of the National Trust, English Heritage, Historic Houses Association and 'other', which is handy if you get free entry due to being a member of NT and EH or are a Friend of HHA, because otherwise you have to look through three publications for details (one from each organisation).However, I've noticed that increasingly over the years too many entries now give only the website address which isn't useful if you don't have access to the internet at the time (it doesn't even give an idea of what the property offers e.g. garden? house? tea room?). The non-NT and non-ET properties advise you to check times on the day in case they're shut for private events or are having an event to which even members/Friends aren't permitted free entry; even some NT and some ET properties advise you to do this as they regularly hold such events. With mobile phone signal being poor or non-existent in certain areas, this could mean the difference between a wonderful outing or a wasted journey and disappointment. Most properties give a phone number but I've often discovered they're just recorded messages stating standard opening times.If you don't mind the dates being out-of-date, buy the previous year's version as it'll be at a bargain price. I tend to buy Hudson's only every few years. Or buy it up to Easter of the current year, at a reduced price, because properties tend to open for the year only at Easter.

About every three years I get an up to date Hudson’s. It’s a valuable source of information and, as far as I know, it’s unique in this field. The contents are arranged by county and there are maps to help with locating sites. The first few hundred pages are full of interesting articles which means it’s a good coffee table book, to dip into when you have a few minutes to spare. I wouldn’t be without a copy of Hudson’s.

I already have the 2008 Hudsons and thought I would update. However the 2017 edition has 208 less pages and doesn't start the listings till page 121. Somerset has 1 page compared to 11 pages in the 2017 edition hence many places are omitted.

Useful guide to houses and gardens open to the public. Also some very interesting articles on related subjects.

Excellent book well worth the money, plenty of different places to visit & learn about.

No where near as good as it used to be. Most of the National trust properties are not detailed and many other properties are now omitted. We are keeping a 2012 version which is more comprehensive.

good

Good book lovely photos