About the book

“This book serves as a welcome introduction to the history and development of both private and public gardens and landscapes within the West Midlands, some of which are long lost while others are still extant in some form… I learnt a great deal; the book will appeal to many.” Advolly Richmond, Landscape History

“The essays are well produced… it is well illustrated with black-and-white images and has a section of colour photographs. One of the many exciting [garden history] publications that have appeared over the past couple of years.” Jan Woudstra, Journal of British Studies

“Dick and Mitchell’s edited collection manages to be comprehensive whilst keeping to a locale, contextualizing garden spaces in multiple ways for a range of uses, in a way that will surely invite new research that will further develop the sub-discipline in exciting new ways.” Lizzie Rogers, Agricultural History Review

“[A] very appealing book — a carefully researched and very readable collection of essays which open up new themes. It should be added that, as with a previous publication from the Dick/Mitchell stable, it is beautifully illustrated, with numerous colour plates.” Stephen Roberts, History Journal

“[T]his is an attractive collection offering accessible and well-illustrated introductions to a rich variety of site types.” Paul Stamper, Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological and Historical Society

Garden history is more than the study of individuals such as ‘Capability Brown’ who created estates for a wealthy élite.

A new approach, which includes insights from geology and archaeology, the perspectives of social class and gender, the history of art and architecture, science, technology and literature, is changing our perspective so that we can see gardens and gardening within wider social, economic, political and cultural contexts.

Landscapes were created, formed and interpreted by town dwellers, women and lesser-known gardeners and designers as well as the ‘great men’ of the past.