From the mid-16th century the rich and successful usually had a London house, and often a country estate; but more important in many ways was the suburban house within easy reach of London, where they could send their families for the summer and from which they could keep in contact with their business or the court.This book is the first to address the history of these houses, concentrating on those that still exist, while giving some indication of the major lost ones as well.Includes plans and images of most houses listed. Includes information on owners, architects, landscape design, building materials and styles.The area covered by this book extends from London to the M25, which sliced through the country round London in the late 20th century.