The work presents a series of illustrated descriptive essays on notable English country houses and estates across various counties. Each chapter concentrates on a single property, detailing architectural features, interior rooms, collections, and surrounding grounds while noting historical associations and family links. The narrative emphasizes stylistic elements, decorative antiquities, and picturesque landscape settings. Numerous wood engravings, plans, and views accompany the text to showcase façades, interiors, gardens, and specific ornamentation. Material was drawn from earlier journal pieces and expanded and rearranged to serve as a practical and visual guide to these residences and their art and antiquities.