The work was first published in three separate parts, in soft covers, by James Blackwood, during the 1850s (1853, 1854 and 1857). Notices in early copies of the book indicate that they were first intended for sale at railway stations, for reading whilst travelling. Bradley himself had attended
University College, Durham (whence his
pseudonym), graduating BA in 1848, but then went to Oxford for a year or so, studying to enter the church. Though
Verdant Green has become something of a cult book about Oxford, Bradley had previously produced a series of pen-and-ink drawings entitled "Ye freshmonne his adventures at University College, Durham". He altered the setting on the advice of
Mark Lemon at
Punch. Drawings of "Durham Student Life" survive in
College Life published in Oxford, Cambridge and Durham in 1850. These drawings were admired by masters like
George Cruikshank and
John Leech.
Hippolyte Taine in his ''Notes sur l'Angleterre'' (1872) drew on Bradley's 'Oxford' book for his description of English university life. Nine chapters of Part III are devoted to Verdant's visit to
Northumberland. On the way he passes through
Darlington. After mentions of
Durham Cathedral and
Lord Durham's monument on Penshaw Hill, Verdant and his party pass over
Robert Stephenson's (recently completed)
High Level Bridge at
Newcastle. The location of "Honeywood Hall" has not been identified, but the party visits
Warkworth,
Alnwick, and
Chillingham Castle to see the wild cattle. There is also a trip to
Bamburgh and the
Longstones light to talk to
Grace Darling's father. Verdant eventually gets married here. Bradley clearly knew the area well and paints an attractive picture of the wild landscape and the pleasures of riding, al fresco meals and neighbourly contact, the warmer for being more difficult than in crowded Midland counties. Much amusement is had with local dialect and customs, but it is not condescending and the laugh is usually on Verdant. ==Allusions/references from other works==