The book has been written following a long interest in the vernacular architecture and buildings of Stroud and Chalford. It contains information on the development of the settlements and their relationship with each other and with the local cloth industry. Many individual buildings are described, together with information about their development over the centuries, as shown by the evidence remaining in their structures. A method for analysing buildings is described and has been applied in the discussion of the buildings in the text. It contains about 900 photographs of local cottages, houses and mills, mainly taken over the last 30 years and is a unique record of the rich architectural history of the Stroud area. Advice is given to owners on how to look after their buildings, with the aim of encouraging the retention of the historic character of the buildings. It also contains a review of activities of different groups in Stroud to halt the demolition of historic buildings over the past 30 years and what has been achieved by these actions.