When sorting through my books a few weeks ago I came across this rather battered little book by Althea.  It has beautiful illustrations and is quite detailed considering that it is a book aimed at children.

 The age of the book is given away by the price - just 20p.  The books were sold in National Trust shops - I suspect the book was probably a reward for behaving during a visit to a stately home.

I remember that I loved this book as a small child and I wonder if it was one of the things that inspired my career as a landscape architect.  Rather precociously I decided on my career at 14, as it combined my love of plants with my love of design.

The topic of books that inspired a life long interest, and a love of history in particular, was covered by the wonderful Lucy Inglis in a blog post on her site Georgian London.  The discussion continues in the comments section and was also taken up by the very entertaining Gentleman Administrator

 

An appropriate song to finish with by the fabulous Miss Dolly Parton dueting with Linda Ronstad