Derbyshire

This is the essential guide to the architecture of Pevsner's "county of contrasts," home to an amazingly diverse assortment of landmarks. Among Derbyshire's many distinguished country houses are Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall. 17th-century highlights include the adventurous architecture of Bolsover Castle and the Baroque splendors of Chatsworth, while the dazzling Neoclassical interiors of Kedleston Hall are the summit of the county's many Georgian achievements. Numerous spa towns, pioneering industrial settlements, and parish churches from Anglo-Saxon to modern are also included. The settings range from the Trent valley to the sublime landscape of the Peak District, making Derbyshire one of England's most visually arresting counties.

Clare Hartwell is an independent architectural historian based in Manchester.