This guide investigates the physical remnants of England's past to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the nation's archaeological landscape. The authors, Paul Stamper, Timothy Darvill, and Jane Timby, utilize their expertise in landscape history and archaeology to catalog sites ranging from the last Ice Age through the end of the medieval period. The text argues that England functions as a layered historical record where prehistoric, Roman, and medieval structures remain accessible to the modern observer.

Experts and travelers recognize this work as a reliable, foundational reference for identifying and understanding significant historical sites across the English landscape. Readers frequently note the clarity of the historical context provided for each site, making it a practical resource for field exploration.