Somerset In Photographs

A stunning collection of images showcasing Somerset in all its glory, which capture the essence of the county.

The landscape of Somerset has changed in many ways over the last century. From Glastonbury to the Quantax, Somerset Then & Now provides a fascinating snapshot of the county in days gone by. The older photographs in this book were taken by local photographer Henry Montague Cooper between 1904 and 1906. Cooper owned one of the county’s first motorcars, and used it to tour extensively with his camera. His photographic record of Somerset surpasses that of every other local photographer. Comparing his Somerset to the modern county of today reveals many changes: the mechanisation of farming has resulted in the loss of hedgerows, and flail cutting in the loss of trees in hedges bordering roads. Somerset’s traditional industries have now gone, and many ways of life with them. However, much still remains unaltered in the heart of this sleepy rural county, and this book celebrates the unchanging beauty of ‘the land of summer’.

Fascinating images of the past from Somerset's finest commercial photographer

An illustrated history of one of Britain’s finest counties – Somerset. Using photographs taken from the unique Historic England Archive.

"In this collection of over seventy black and white photographs, the extraordinary diversity of landscape in Somerset is shown, from the bleak, limestone hills, riddled with caves and stone quarries, of the Mendips in the north, to the forested slopes of the Blackdowns and Quantocks, and the Exmoor National Park in the west. In the centre, a deep basin, lie the Somerset Levels, over 150 square kilometres of wetland, rich pastureland, much of which, until recently, remained underwater during the winter months." "The county also contains many historic landmarks of national importance: the last battle on English soil, the battle of Sedgemoor, took place at Westonzoyland; the first Christian community settled at Glastonbury; and one of the first commercial nuclear power stations was built on the coast at Hinkley Point. In addition, the influence of some of the trades for which Somerset is well known can be seen - its cider orchards, its withies and peat workings - as well as some of its more remote rural haunts and coastal villages, perhaps hitherto only really familiar to local inhabitants." "Well-known and much visited landmarks are not forgotten - Wells Cathedral and Cheddar Gorge, Montacute House and Glastonbury Abbey, among others - and these are shown by the photographer in a new light." "The accompanying text describes the history and legend of the places photographed and details the photographic techniques employed. A tour of the county by a photographer who knows it well, Photographers' Britain: Somerset will appeal not only to the tourist and visitor, but to those who live there and to camera enthusiasts everywhere."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Island to Island: Photograph Collection is a unique assemblage of photographs, capturing not only the incredible wildlife and beautiful landscapes found in Seychelles, but also the difficulties of managing a remote tropical island nature reserve. Complementing the author's memoir Island to Island, this beautiful collection of photographs offers a rare and unique pictorial insight into a dynamic, challenging, yet privileged, existence: living amongst a million seabirds and some of the rarest wildlife in the world whilst experiencing and dealing with an alien culture in an isolated location. This comprehensive anthology features remarkable images of wildlife, landscapes, and day-to-day living captured through the lenses of seven photographers; from the challenges of being self-sufficient in extreme conditions, monitoring seabird populations on rugged terrain, and patrolling the island at night for poachers, all are portrayed and published for the first time.

A unique and charming look at the history of the Minehead area and its inhabitants, through a fascinating collection of beautiful photographs.