The Village in Britain

About the book

A sweeping history of the British village, both rural and urban, which makes a compelling case for why we need to protect our local communities, from bestselling author Simon Jenkins
'Jenkins is a bold, imaginative writer, brilliant at challenging old assumptions' Rory Stewart
We are a nation of villages, from the rural, picturesque hamlets of Castle Combe and Clovelly, to the tight-knit urban communities of Leeds' terraces and Cricklewood's backyards. Villages link us with our past and are the stuff of art, poetry, folklore and song - and for many they offer a place of community and sanctuary. And yet Britain today is one of the most centralised political systems in Europe, with decisions on local matters made by national government and local...