As I write this review the UK is in the grip of a foot‐and‐mouth disease epidemic which has closed many countryside attractions, including many National Trust properties. At least it now seems as though they will be accessible again by the time the review is published, but suddenly a virtual visit seemed a good idea. The publishers could not have foreseen these dire circumstances, but the idea of a virtual tour of historic properties is a good one in any event. There may be many reasons why it is easier to have the property brought to you, rather than you having to go to the property, especially for our overseas readers of course.
The programme is centred around four major country houses in the care of the National Trust, covering both a chronological and geographical range: Elizabethan Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire; Stuart Ham House in Surrey; Georgian Saltram in Devon; and Victorian Lanhydrock in Cornwall. These are the properties we visit in some detail. Floor plans show the layout of each house, with certain rooms marked in colour: clicking on these opens the virtual tour, with a 360‐degree panoramic revolving view of each room and details marked on the room plan which may then be opened to view individually. At each point of detail there are also parallel examples from various other National Trust properties, thus expanding the range of coverage considerably. The background detail of these other properties may be sought by Web site hot links built into the programme, or by the old‐fashioned but effective means of consulting the National Trust handbook.
The quality of all the illustrations is as high as we would expect from Thames and Hudson and the National Trust. There are audio commentaries at each point, expanding the texts and captions shown on the screens. These are read by the author/broadcaster John Julius Norwich and the actress Joanna David: their quality of delivery is thus assured, while the commentaries themselves are relevant, clear and informative.
A range of interesting, accurate and useful information is imparted through these various methods. The programme contains historical overviews, timelines (the major events associated with the houses and their occupants) and the plans and tours already noted. Although not tested on the editorial laptop (which otherwise accesses and displays the programme to good effect) there are hot links to the National Trust Web site at relevant points.
This is in every respect an impressive and useful product. With more than 2,500 illustrations, 36 audio‐visual pictures, 12 interactive pictures, clear audio commentary and on‐screen text, it makes good and appropriate use of the technology to present material in a way the book cannot. It is written by an accepted authority and well known author and has been well designed both for its overall approach and attention to detail in relation to the potential of multimedia. The programme is modestly priced and worth a place in public and school collections especially, where it will combine instruction and entertainment in equal measure.
