Hugo Rittson Thomas

Regarded as perhaps the greatest of the stately homes and the finest example of baroque architecture in Great Britain, Blenheim is a treasure of English heritage. In this stunning volume, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, the twelfth generation of the family, takes us on a privileged tour of the palace. Designed by John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor (a protege of Christopher Wren) in the early 1700s; with stonework, furniture, and tapestries crafted by the best talents of the age; and art and statuary by such notable artists as John Singer Sargent and Joshua Reynolds, Blenheim is filled with artistic commissions that provide a window into the history of England. In addition to the gilded state rooms and acres of landscaped gardens, Spencer-Churchill shows us the family s private apartments, with their secret corridors and history of illustrious guests, as well as the downstairs staff area with its iconic bell system. With beautiful photography of the magnificent interiors and priceless collections, and Spencer-Churchill s fascinating text, this volume illuminates Blenheim as its never been seen before.

To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation, HRH The Prince of Wales called for the creation of new wildflower meadows. The Coronation Meadows project, led by Plantlife and in partnership with The Wildlife Trusts and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, is working to achieve this goal, and in this book renowned photographer Hugo Rittson Thomas captures the extraordinary results of this important conservation project. Wildflowers for the Queen is a captivating photographic celebration of the vast array of Coronation Meadows now found across Britain, with stunning studio portraits highlighting the diversity of wildflower species, from the colourful cowslip to the eccentric snake's-head fritillary, from the multifaceted ragged robin to the elusive bee orchid. Rittson Thomas takes us on a remarkable journey through some of the most beautiful wildflower meadows, from the Viking meadows of Muker in Yorkshire's rolling dales to the unique culm grass meadows of Cornwall. Rittson Thomas also photographs a wide range of rare wild orchids, including the monkey, bee, man and lady orchids, encouraging us to discover the rich botanical heritage of the wildflowers and unique meadows of Great Britain.