Through England on a side saddle in the time of William and Mary

Through the eyes of an adventurous young woman, this intimate diary charts a series of side‑saddle journeys across England during the reign of William and Mary. Celia Fiennes records the modest towns, bustling markets, and grand country houses she encounters, noting everything from the architecture of parish churches to the fashions of local tavern‑goers. Her observations capture a country still lacking paved roads, where Bristol rivals London as a commercial hub and the aftermath of the Whitehall fire still looms.

The entries were originally written to keep her mind active while recovering health, so the narrative blends practical travel notes with lively commentary on festivals, the Lord Mayor’s Show, and the emerging spa culture. Listeners will hear vivid sketches of countryside scenery, the rhythm of daily life, and the quirks of 17th‑century customs that have long since vanished. It feels like a conversation with a curious, sharp‑tongued companion who invites you to rediscover an England that once seemed both familiar and mysterious.