From medieval farmhouses and eighteenth-century country houses to lime kilns and lunatic asylums, discover Surrey’s rich architectural history with the launch of the newly revised edition of Surrey (The Buildings of England). The author and series editor of the Pevsner Architectural Guides, Charles O’Brien, will be hosting a talk about the new edition in the Salon at Fetcham Park on Friday, 16^th December at 7pm.

The newly expanded volume on Surrey explores the county’s mix of rural and urban architecture as well as its many major historic buildings. It is the first fully revised and enhanced edition since 1971, and is packed with new information on major historic buildings – Waverley Abbey, Farnham Castle, Sutton Place, and Loseley Park among others – and much-expanded accounts of its Victorian set pieces – Royal Holloway College, Holloway Sanatorium and Charterhouse School – alongside fresh appreciation of the twentieth century, including its principal monument, Guildford’s cathedral.

The Buildings of England series was launched in 1951 to provide the whole of the country with authoritative but accessible guides to its buildings of interest of every date. The first edition of the Buildings of England volume for Surrey was published in 1962, co-authored by Nikolaus Pevsner and Ian Nairn. In November 2022, the first fully revised edition since 1971 will be published.

The author Charles O’Brien has revisited every part of the county and hundreds of buildings including Fetcham Park, Leatherhead and surrounding villages, to bring the guide up to date and expand its coverage. He will talk about the history of the series and the tasks of revision as well as some discoveries that have come to light in the course of research.

The evening starts at 7pm with a chance to explore the ground floor of Fetcham Park. The Grade II* listed building was built in 1705 and features breathtaking murals by celebrated French decorative painter Louis Laguerre, whose work can also be seen at Chatsworth, Blenheim Palace and Petworth to name a few, followed by the presentation and a Q&A in the beautifully ornate Salon. Copies of the revised edition of the Pevsner Architectural Guide, signed by the author, will be available to purchase.

There is no charge for this special event but places are limited. To secure your space, please email your address and telephone number to hello@fetchampark.co.uk

Full details of the location and map will be sent along with confirmation of your reserved place.