The Gothic gem of Arbury Hall, set in an historic park in Warwickshire, lies adjacent to the Manor of Astley. These manors have been home to generations of Newdegates, after the family gradually transferred most of their interests from their previous home, Harefield Manor in Middlesex, during the Elizabethan period and since.

Roy Wilkinsons fascination with a place that has a history stretching as far back as the eleventh century, and as far afield as the outer reaches of the once-vast British Empire, began in his childhood. Since then, he has witnessed myriad changes at the three manors,...