North Somerset and Bristol

"Somerset is a serene county, varied in mood more then most, yet always mild" wrote Pevsner, drawing attention to its freedom from the extremes of its neighbouring counties. Highlights of this volume are a full account of the Georgian marvels of Bath, and a separate section on the port of Bristol, whose sumptuous Victorian commercial buildings are among the best of their date in England. The fourteenth century Nunney Castle and John Nash's picturesque Blaise Hamlet are perfect examples of their type, while the cathedrals of Wells and Bristol and the Decorated Gothic of St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol inspired some of Pevsner's most eloquent writing on the character of English Gothic architecture.