The Marches - the border area between Wales and England - was semi-independent during much of the Middle Ages and today retains a special character. In this book author John Kinross explores the country houses built over the centuries in the border areas of Herefordshire, Shropshire, West Cheshire, West Gloucestershire, Monmouthshire, Powys and Denbighshire. Areas characterised by their rural beauty, often wild and remote, are home to some of the most interesting country houses in England and Wales. Some, such as Powis Castle, are built on the site of ancient fortresses, others such as Berrington Hall typify the Georgian stately home or Victorian wealth on a grand scale, such as Stokesay Court, or the more intimate villa of Sunnycroft.This fascinating portrait of the country houses of the Marches will interest all those who know the area well as well as those wish to know more about the history of its country houses.