SOLD 6 As New National Trust Guide Books * £15 €33 $70 Shipping Included

You've probably guessed by now that I am an inveterate collector of guide-books. This is a lovely set in as new condition. All the guides are softback of between 40-90 pages each.

Antony in Cornwall - home to the Crew family for almost 6 centuries is not very well known - even in the UK. But it does have a collection of early needlework like the example above. You may have to make a special appointment to see the whole collection.

Montacute in Somerset I hope needs no explanation by now - built around 1600 this is a fabulous house in a wonderful setting

and is home, as you know, to the wonderful Goodhart Collection of Samplers a third of which are on display at any one time.

Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, the creation of the formidable Bess, Countess of Shrewsbury, keeper of Mary Queen of Scots when imprisoned there, is one of the finest examples of a great Elizabethan house.

There is an exhibition there of needlework by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick.

Home of the indefatigable needleworman, Dame Dorothy Selby, Ightham Mote is one of the oldest and most beautiful of medieval manor houses to survive in England.

Cotehele is another rare survivor - a magical Tudor house hidden away in the valley of the Tamar.

The house has a number of fine 17th century tapestries and 18th century crewel work bedhangings.

Lanhydrock is also a great Cornish country house and estate and is a superb example of Victorian domestic organization. This house can be put on your west country tour together with Antony and Cotehele.