Downton is located on the Herefordshire / Shropshire border, not far from the historic market town of Ludlow. This book assembles for the first time, some incredibly rare images of Downton through deltiology – the study and collection of 30 vintage postcards. Accompanied by period descriptions of the landscape, prose that skilfully brings the area to life, together they allow a moment in time to be glimpsed: when Victorian and Edwardian visitors were thrilled by the magnificent scenery of Downton Gorge and the famous ‘Downton Walks’.
Downton Postcards is much more than a simple treatise on postcard production and will be of interest to all those who share a passion for local history and for the wider countryside.
64 pages, A5 paperback, fully illustrated in colour and B&W throughout (including a full-colour centre-page map). ISBN 978-0-9528059-7-7 (£9.99).
Mark O’Hanlon is a member of the Leintwardine History Society (LHS) and has known Downton for thirty years. Deltiology has been a developing interest and this new book, Downton Postcards: Deltiology of the Downton Castle Estate, Herefordshire, brings to life his latest research. As a niche local history publication, this book will only have a short print-run and so early ordering is highly recommended!
Don’t miss out! Order your copy of Downton Postcards today using the ‘Buy Now’ button below.
Payments are processed by PayPal but you do not need a PayPal account yourself – you can make secure payment using any credit or debit card.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Secret of the Gorge
In the meantime, you might enjoy watching the following LHS presentation about children’s author Malcolm Saville, who set one of his popular Lone Pine adventures at Downton Gorge. The presentation includes some vintage postcard images of Downton and nearby Leintwardine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Want to find out more about Downton?
‘Matchless’ is a big claim, but appropriate for this scenic gem in Herefordshire carved by the River Teme from fossil-rich Silurian rocks. It is the setting for an astonishing range of significant features: a major seventeenth century ironworks, the ultimate ‘picturesque’ landscape garden, a castle of influential design (with owners of national standing in the arts and horticulture), a set of exquisite watercolours, a notable literature and a National Nature Reserve rich in flowering plants, trees, lichens, mosses, fungi, birds and insects.
Edited by Tom and Gisèle Wall with more than 300 images, paintings, photos, postcards, drawings and maps.
502 pages, large paperback (17 x 24cm), colour throughout, with contributions from leading experts: Stuart Hedley, Laurence Ince, Mark Lawley, David Lovelace, Mark O’Hanlon, Alan Orange, Barney Rolfe-Smith, Michael Rosenbaum, Jo Weightman, David Whitehead and Ray Woods.
ISBN: 978-1-9160436-1-9
Purchase Downton Gorge: The Matchless Valley – available today from all bookshops or direct from the publisher:
Tom Wall, 18 Kempton Village, Lydbury North, Shropshire SY7 0JG
Telephone: 01588 660561 or Email: walltom@hotmail.co.uk
Containing over 500 pages, in full colour throughout, this book is just £20 + £4 P&P
(Payments of £24 per book, by cheque or bank transfer, please).