The historic county of Berkshire lies at the heart of Southern England, stretching for some 70 miles from the Marlborough Downs to the suburbs of West London.

Its landscape is one of contrasts – in the east, a lowland bordered by the River Thames, dominated by the great forests of Windsor and Swinley, and rarely beyond the reach of modernity. To the west it meets the chalk and becomes more hilly and remote, finally reaching the downs at Streatley, Lambourn and Inkpen, where the rolling countryside is watched over by red kites and buzzards.

This book celebrates the character and contrast of Berkshire's scenery, with a collection of fine art photographs taken in all seasons. Each image is accompanied by a narrative which recounts the author’s experience of the place, together with some background information about the subject. The emphasis is on countryside and parkland, but buildings and landmarks which blend well with the landscape are also included.

The author's passion for the outdoors reveals a unique mix of subjects, from the well-known and familiar to the unusual and obscure. The result is a book which makes an ideal companion for enjoying the scenery of England's Royal County.

Colin Roberts was born in Cheshire but spent his early years in West Africa. In 1970 his family settled in Hampshire and he became interested in the natural world, exploring the local countryside as he grew up. He took up photography after leaving college, and by 1990 he was concentrating on landscapes and nature. He went on to become the UK's 'Amateur Photographer of the Year' before turning professional.

He has received a number of awards for his nature images including 'International Garden Photographer of the Year' and the Royal Horticultural Society’s 'Photographer of the Year'. His first book –Glorious Hampshire–was published by Halsgrove in 2014.

Imprint: Halsgrove. ISBN 978 0 85704 298 9, hardback, 214x230mm, 144 pages. Published October 2016.