麻豆社

How much has England physically changed over the past 80 years? Shortly before the outbreak of the second world war the newly established Penguin press launched a series of travel guides to various English counties. They were aimed at middle class, middle aged motorists who wanted to improve themselves by seeing the finest examples of English churches and coaching inns and perhaps learn a little local history along the way.

Armed with first-editions of the Penguin guides, Emma Jane Kirby took a drive across Somerset to see whether the country would still be recognisable to a holiday maker from the Forties.

(Photo: Enjoying the month of May in Glastonbury Credit: Getty Images)