The longest lived-in family homes in England

Rose Martin reviews a new book that looks inside some of Britain’s great country houses of the landed gentry and aristocracy which have been continually occupied by the same family for generations.

It’s no surprise that the introduction to this latest book by James Peill has a foreword by Julian Fellowes, a writer who has made a career out of the Big House drama, in particular, sketching out the life and times of upstairs and down in the highly successful, Downton Abbey television series.

Published by Thames and Hudson in large format paperback, (£18.95) and lavishly illustrated, Peill has again worked with photographer, James Fennell on The English country House, in a book that includes a hand-picked ensemble of beautiful, ancient and handsome country homes.