5From the black and white Tudor cottage with contorted timbers to the colorful Victorian town hall with patterned brickwork, older buildings often inspire investigation and query. Who built them and why, who lived there and what events were witnessed from their windows? Perhaps the first question, before the others can be put into context is 'how old is the building?' A lot of key information about age and date can be gleaned from just observing the exterior. By recognizing dateable features it is not hard to begin piecing together a building's history, and then understand how it developed over the centuries. This illustrated and easy reference guide is packed with hundreds of photos, chosen to highlight these tell tale pieces of information. With its help, the buildings you notice need no longer remain just bricks and mortar; their history can come to life in front of you.