The alluring ideal of villa life originated in classical antiquity, was revived in Renaissance Italy and then spread throughout Europe, producing new and exciting architectural forms. In this book, leading architectural and garden historians trace the phenomenon in Britain for the first time. Through a series of thematic chapters and individual case studies they explain its social background and achievements. Famous buildings such as Inigo Jones's Queen's House at Greenwich are analysed and reinterpreted, along with lesser-known houses and gardens.

Contributors include Nicholas Cooper, Andor Gomme, Gordon Higgott and Charles McKean. Copiously illustrated, with plentiful plans, the book is a major contribution to the history of domestic architecture and garden design in Britain, and is essential reading for anyone interested in early modern society and the history of the build environment.

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