Accessibility statement

The English Country House - HOA00057I

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  • Department: History of Art
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This course will introduce students to the evolution of the English Country House from the mid sixteenth century to the twentieth century. The country house will be understood broadly, to encompass the architecture, planning and contents of the houses, together with their wider setting within gardens and landscapes.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

This course will introduce students to the evolution of the English Country House from the mid sixteenth century to the twentieth century. The country house will be understood broadly, to encompass the architecture, planning and contents of the houses, together with their wider setting within gardens and landscapes.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should have acquired:

  • A good knowledge of the English country house (and its literature) over the centuries.
  • Skills in the analysis of architecture, interior design, gardens, and landscapes.
  • Some understanding of the changing social, economic and cultural patterns on the designs and layout of the country house in the period.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

You will receive feedback on assessed work within the timeframes set out by the University - please check the Guide to Assessment, Standards, Marking and Feedback for more information.

The purpose of feedback is to help you to improve your future work. If you do not understand your feedback or want to talk about your ideas further, you are warmly encouraged to meet your Supervisor during their Office Hours.

Indicative reading

  • M. Abbott, Family Ties. English Families 1540-1920 (1993).
  • D. Arnold (ed), The Georgian Country House - Architecture, Landscape and Society (1998).
  • J. V. Beckett, The Aristocracy in England 1660-1914 (1986).
  • N. Cooper, Houses of the Gentry 1480-1680 (1999).
  • M Girouard, Life in the English Country House: a Social and Architectural History (1978/80).
  • R Wilson and A Mackley, Creating Paradise. The Building of the English Country House 1660-1880 (2000).
  • G Jackson-Stops and J Pipkin, The English Country House - A Grand Tour (1984/93).
  • G Jackson-Stops, ed, The Treasure Houses of Britain: Five Hundred Years of Private Patronage and Art Collecting (Exhibition Catalogue, Washington, 1985).
  • J Harris, The Design of the English Country House, 1620-1920 (1985).
  • A Elton, B Harrison and K Wark, Researching the Country House: A Guide for Local Historians (1992).
  • M Girouard, Robert Smythson and the Elizabethan Country House (1966/83).
  • C Christie, The British Country House in the Eighteenth Century (2000)


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.