Sir Simon Jenkins explores the eclectic range of English properties among his own personal favorites. England retains far more great houses with their contents intact and on display than any other country in the world, with houses of interest ranging from Cornwall in the south to Cumbria in the far north. He looks beyond the architecture to focus on the often fascinating and sometimes amusing personal histories of the owners. Included are such properties as Bodiam, Hardwick, Kingston Lacy, Chastleton, Castle Drogo, Cothele, and Lanhydrock.
Simon Jenkins, *the Guardian* columnist and former editor of the *London Evening Standard*, is returning to the evening title to write a weekly column. Jenkins, who edited *the Evening Standard* between 1976 and 1978, wrote a column on London issues in *the Evening Standard* until three years ago.