A beautiful and practical up-to-date guide to over two thousand of Britain’s best parish churches.

The best-loved of English poets, John Betjeman (1906-1984) was also a great champion of British heritage and his legacy lives on, not just in his poetry, but in his diaries, broadcasts, and letters. He famously campaigned to save many church buildings, and his work encouraged a greater appreciation of overlooked Victorian churches and architects. Illustrated with black and white photographs and accompanied by Glancey's amusing editorial notes, this is a beautiful book for enthusiasts of Betjeman, and people similarly passionate about conservation and restoration.

Before the Fire of London in 1666 there were 97 parish churches in the City of London. 51 were rebuilt by Christoper Wren and new ones were built in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Tells the story of a boy's growth to early manhood, seaside holidays, meddling arts, school bullies and an unexpected moment of religious awakening.

John Betjeman's delightful evocation in verse and prose, of the church and church life, is gracefully rendered in 80 watercolor paintings. No one has captured as completely that intimate world, with its clergy, congregation, architecture, and ritual, than the late poet laureate.