England and the octopus: Tristram Hunt looks at the development of conservation and environment movements in the twentieth century, and particularly at the achievements of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, which celebrates its 80th anniversary year

IN 1933, THE BRADFORD born author and broadcaster J.B. Priestley set out upon his 'English Journey'. Leaving London along the Great Western Road, Priestley was transfixed by the never-ending sprawl [...]