Glamorgan's long and varied history has left layer upon layer of visible remains. Castles range from remarkable earthworks to magnificent structures such as Cardiff and Caerphilly. Impressive remains of three little known abbeys, at Ewenny, Margam and Neath, together with Llandaff Cathedral, testify to the wealth of the church in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The landscaped setting of Penrice Castle preserves a complete Georgian arcadia while Cardiff Castle is the supreme example of an exotic Victorian fantasy. Other major country houses, such as Ruperra and Wenvoe are now evocative ruins. In dramatic contrast are the chapels and workmen's institutes of the Valleys settlements and the landscape of heavy industry. Pride of place is given to Swansea, once a Regency resort, and Cardiff, coal metropolis. Their many fine public buildings are covered, as are their array of churches, chapels, arcades and solid suburban streets. A comprehensive gazetteer of places, in which buildings are described with lively and informed comment, is complemented by a detailed introduction which explains the broader context and builds a complete picture of the area's architectural identity. Glamorgan is the third volume in the Pevsner Buildings of Wales series. Each work is illustrated with numerous maps, plans and photographs, and concludes with Welsh language and architectural glossaries and indexes of artists and places.
