Walking Guide Books
Southeast England
Our Books • Rough Guide • Time Out London Walks • London • Chilterns • North Downs • South Downs • Berkshire • Dorset • Essex • Hampshire • Hertfordshire • Isle of Wight • Kent • Oxfordshire • Surrey • Sussex • Thames • Wiltshire • Greensand Way • Ridgeway
Our Books
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2005
In stock
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4.0
| 4/5 |
Marvellous but needs updating I know no better way of relaxing for a Londoner than taking one of these country walks -- they all begin and end conveniently at an underground or railway station, the instructions are highly detailed, and the lunch stops are well chosen. Above all, the routes are skilfully devised to follow pedestrian paths most of the time. You'll be amazed how much beautiful and varied countryside there is within such easy reach of the city and in all directions (thank God for the Green Belt!). All Londoners should buy and use this book; excursions by car are no alternative, if you want to look at the countryside and not just speed through it. My one grouse is that Time Out seem to have given up updating. They used to do this every year, but there hasn't been a new edition since 2005, and even then the updating wasn't complete. Major changes are mentioned on the website, but many small details (such as stiles, arrow-signs and the like) soon become out of date, and as a result the instructions can no longer be called fool-proof; and since the maps are not very informative, once you're lost, it can take some time to find one's way again. Whence my four, rather than five, stars. |
| 4/5 |
Great way to walk We were recommended this book by a friend. After having a quick look at their edition, we decided we needed one for ourselves.
Our first walk we did backwards (which made it slightly difficult) but we eventually got there. Not really recommended unless your book is up to date, have a compass, torch and a good sense of direction! There are also some paths where you do need to be alert for traffic but apart from that the walks are well worth it.
Instructions are detailed. Great idea for those who enjoy the country and learning a bit more about it. |
| 4/5 |
Great book to explore the countryside close to London We have done several walks in the book and have enjoyed them all. The instructions are clear (and updates are posted on the website), and all the information you need is in there. There are great tips on where to have lunch and this often turns into the real highlight of any walk (that long awaited glass of cider on a hot summer's day in the garden of a country pub) ...
If you like walking and exploring the glorious English countryside, this is the book you need to inspire you and take you away from the London smog! |
| 5/5 |
my all time favourite walks book I adore this book. It is my all time favourite walks book.I've done nearly all the walks in it and cannot reccomend them highly enough.It really helps that they are all accessible by public transport, there is a linked self facilitated walksgroup if you prefer to walk in a group.It's a wonderful way to experience all the different sorts of countryside around London.not to mention the reccomended pubs anbd tearooms whch range from acceptable to absolutely outstanding.The instructions are a wonderful magical mystery tour and even I with absolutely no country sense can follow them.
I did the Southbourne to Chichester walk on 28/08/2006 and what a wonderful experience it was, beautiful stroll all round chichester harbour then a visit to the fabulous new pallant house gallery and of course the stunning cathedral.Blackberries to pick in abundance everywhere.
If you love walking and you live in greater london please please treat yourself to this amazing book |
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2006
In stock
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4.5
Featuring 30 walks within the reach of London, this is the second volume of the 'Time Out Book of Country Walks'. Between 4 and 13 miles long, these walks are provided with directions.
| 4/5 |
Welcome respite I have enjoyed using this book. Particularly useful since there are a few shorter options which make walks more suitable to do with children, which is our particular pleasure. Do check the online updates though, before you leave since it as not been recently updated in print and there may be a few little changes which could affect the instructions. Otherwise they are incredibly detailed and easy to follow. Very good book. |
| 4/5 |
Good book I've been on a few of the walks in the book. I like how it gives you total travel time there and back from London - very useful.
The walks I've done so far have been lovely.
Only thing I would say is - on their website, they have walks which are 'best for autumn' 'best for coastal views' 'best for pubs' etc. They don't have this in the book, and that would be very good. |
| 5/5 |
Even better than Volume 1 For those who don't know these Time Out books of walks, they feature walks in countryside just outside or not far from London that you can easily reach from central London by public transport -- or by car (since in this volume, unlike its predecessor, the start and end points are often the same). They envisage a day's outing, with a stop for lunch in the middle and tea at the end. This is Volume 2, that gives 30 walks as a supplement to Vol. 1's 52. The most obvious beauty spots (such as the South Downs) come in both, so this volume is in no way a second best. In fact, it is in several respects an improvement on its predecessor. The one thing I disliked about Vol. 1 was that the walks were all of much the same length -- around 10 miles --, ideal for the determined trekker, but on the long side for someone like myself who prefers to be free to loiter and survey without feeling under any pressure of time. Now Vol. 2 offers for almost every walk a shorter version (often of around 5 miles). It also provides a greater choice of places for refreshment. Finally, being more recent, the details it provides of signposts, stiles, arrows, etc. are more up to date and more reliable. In all, I recommend this volume above its predecessor. |
| 5/5 |
The most inspirational walk book If you want to know how beautiful this country is and want to explore the surroundings of London, this book is a must for you. It contains a number of walks all along the most beautiful places within easy reach of London. The walks are meticulously described so you will have no chance to get lost. |
| 5/5 |
Life-enhancing! I cannot recommend this book highly enough. I've thoroughly enjoyed every single walk I've completed from the book (about 7 now). They are all different and take you to parts of the country that you would never otherwise knew existed. In little more than an hour from London, using either train or car for transport, you can feel yourself relaxing as you walk through country that looks as though nothing much has happened for the past 50 years (although if you don't want to get lost, I would recommend taking a basic compass with you). Added to which, the suggested lunch venues and tea rooms have always been excellent. This book will give you 30 different days out of pure pleasure - more than worth the same price as a London cinema ticket! |
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Review
Both books describe country walks in the southeast of England, about an hour by train from
central London. All the walks start and end at train stations. Each walk comes complete
with detailed walk directions (you don't need a map!), sketch maps, pubs for lunch,
tea places, local history and places to visit.
Volume 1 contains 53 walks (1 for each week of the year, and 1 to spare).
Volume 2 contains 30 walks, and is more car friendly. Many of the walks have shorter options, making it suitable for new walkers.
Quotes from reviews of volume 1:
"Few guides to country walkers have the first clue. You know; you've gone astray too.
The Time Out Book of Country Walks is a magnificent exception. I defy you to get lost." (New Scientist).
"Sets new standards for such guidebooks." (S. E. Rambler).
"Our top travel guide. A perfect guide for rural rambles." (Fischer & Holliday American travel column)
Rough Guide
|
2009
In stock
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5.0
A guide to walking in London and Southeast England. It details the routes with descriptions of sights along the way. It is suitable for walkers of various abilities, with varied itineraries from picturesque woodland strolls in the heart of the city, to get-away-from-it-all weekend hikes through the South Downs.
| 5/5 |
This book changed our lives Before coming across this book, I'd never realised how easy it was to get out of London and walk in relatively open landscapes. We now walk regularly.
It's a wonderfully thorough introduction, with excellent maps and detailed instructions. We've carried on with the Time Out walk books, which have a greater range, but are not as well produced or written as this one. Wonderful. |
| 5/5 |
a pocketable companion A great book for the enthusiastic walker, and just the right size for pocket or rucksack. You may need additional OS maps to accompany your walks but this is a fine companion to give interesting and useful information for those that enjoy country outings. |
| 5/5 |
The best Christmas present I was ever given This really is the best present we ever had. There is a walk for every mood and every season- we did have to make a spreadsheet to sort the details about length, ease, travelling time to get there, saturdays/ Sundays Seasons when cafes and stately homes would be shut- but we are nerds like this. We have had a fabulous 2 years working our way through the walks, and we are going to rewalk our favourites.
It is a rare walk when we don't meet someone else using the book and raving over it. There are great views and sites of interest on every walk , both long and short- it is a few years since it was published , so you might want to phone ahead to check the pubs and inns are serving on the day you go. Numbers are given in the book. |
| 3/5 |
Disappointing Rough Guides have a very good reputation for their travel guides, however I did find this book of south east walks disappointing. Describing these walks as "the best walks within easy, reach of the Capital" is OTT. Although there are some good walks in here such as classic south downs walks plus Hastings cliff top walk. I guess the short Camden Lock to Little Venice canal walk is included so that the walks cover all abilities. If this is your wish then you would be better off getting a Pathfinder Guide, such as "Surrey and Sussex" with walks from 4 to 11 miles. |
| 5/5 |
Beautiful walks in the south-east This handy, pocket-sized book is packed full of information on walks in the south-east, all accessible by public transport. There are walks for everybody, ranging from two-day hikes on the South Downs Way through to short but picturesque walks and rainy-day rambles ending at country pubs for lunch.
Routes are clearly explained in detail: there's no getting lost, and the book is a must for all seasons. |
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Review
Train station to train station walks in London and the southeast, with instructions and an OS inspired map. Some new walking areas
eg Ely, New Forest, Stonehenge), and some inner London and 2 day walks as well.
The credits mentions thanks to walk testers - a very good sign. Not done a walk from it yet (so, on sight alone) - recommended, a worthy competitor to 'our' books.
This is the (Jan-09) second edition.
Time Out London Walks
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2005
In stock
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4.0
| 4/5 |
Excellent if you love exploring London A very interesting book suggesting different routes in exploring London, lovely recommendation for cafe, pubs or restaurants. If you are planning to get one, the new edition is coming up in May. Summer time is definitely the best time to explore London on foot. You could impress your date too. |
| 3/5 |
mildly useful There are some interesting ideas here but the walk instructions are too vague to follow. I got lost trying to follow the Fulham walk and I did try day one of the two day Thames walk and thank God I had found better instructions on the Web. |
| 5/5 |
When a man is tired of walking in London, he is tired of life. If you like going for a walk and discovering new parts of London this book is worth buying. The walks are all different and fascinating in there own way. Maps are easy to read and the stories that go with the walks add some perspective and educational (or can be amusing) anecdotes on the walk. I have to say i've done all the walks in this book and vol 2 and have loved them all. Whether in the rain or sun, on my own or with a friend it gets you out and about with a purpose and always something new to dicover. Have to admit i haven't done the walks over 10 miles though. Last thing, if you bring a camera you will guarantee to find an interesting photo opportunity on each of these walks too. |
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2005
In stock
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5.0
| 5/5 |
Time Out London Walks Volume 2 An excellent guide to exploring parts of London that are off the traditional tourist route. Not a criticism of the book but prospective readers should beware that the David Aaronovitch walk number 17 "Sewage and Celebrity" has been curtailed by the development of London's Olympic Park for the 2012 Games. The route is OK up until the Three Mills Pumping Station. During the development of the Olympic Park, this route will not apparently be accessible between the Greenway and Carpenters Road. |
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Review
Shorter, Inner London Walks (together with a description about the area and its history) by London writers -
Hyde Park, the East End, the Regents Park canal, Greenwich, Wimbledon Common, Richmond Park, Dockland, Royal London, Soho, etc.
[Jun-10] New editions are due out shortly
London
|
2009
In stock
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4.0
Suitable for visitors and Londoners alike, this title intends to unlock the city's secrets. It guides readers through a honeycomb of structures - from the government's vast system of offices and tunnels under Whitehall and through abandoned Underground stations to Clerkenwell's amazing network of subterranean prison cells.
| 4/5 |
Great value for London lovers. "London is a city that you can visit a thousand times and still want to go back for more. This book is an insightful guide to places and things to see that you won't find on the standard guide books. Many maps and step-by-step itineraries, photos and addresses where to find more information. Each walk tells you length, places to see, pubs and noteworthy sites, secret information and lots of historical trivia. You will feel the urge to go on the net and book a flight as soon as you finish this book. You've been warned :-)" |
| 2/5 |
secret london The main secret was finding where the walks were situated..in the book!!! There is over half the book given over to things of very little interest..Like river valleys now built over...yes it is a secret...but of such low value. Very few walks..and many secret things you cant see just take it on trust they are there...Not a very good book, misleading
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| 2/5 |
Distracted by reviews Started off looking for book A and was linked to book B - reviews overwelmed me and bought book B - don't like it - seems to hold back on detail - more a guide book than a history book.
AP |
| 5/5 |
secret london walking guide Great book, we love walking and there are lots of new walks to try that we would not have found without the book, going out to try the first one today actually ! |
| 4/5 |
Good Beginners Book I've lived here all my life and always had an interest so this is probably not aimed at me. Although I did learn one or two things, I knew most already.
If I were a visitor or just beginning to look around me, though, this would be an ideal way to start. The walks are well thought out, the language engaging and I think this might inspire me to investigate more if I didn't already spend most of my time peering between the cracks in London's beautiful facades! |
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Mar-2010
In stock
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5.0
| 5/5 |
Good directions, clear maps, interesting places and facts I spent a while considering various different books of London walks and am very glad I chose this one. The walks often take you off the beaten track and down all sorts of interesting side streets and alleys, as well as past some of the more well-known sites and main roads. Each walk is packed full of interesting facts about the history of the places you pass and people associated with them, which you would otherwise probably never know. The written directions are very intuitive and the maps easy to follow, and there are often suggestions of places and areas to eat and drink on the way. There are various different lengths of walk so you can chose something to suit depending on how energetic you are feeling or how much time you have. I usually scan and then print out the relevant pages so the book doesn't get tatty or wet. A very good book and well-recommended. |
| 5/5 |
The only book you should consider for walking in London I originally ordered two of the other books on walking in London during a summer internship in the heart of the city. As soon as I received them I had a quick skim through, and was thoroughlly dissapointed by the irregular layout (maps in a different section to the walk's text), lack of background content, and poorly planned routes.
I returned them to Amazon (which was painless) and ordered Andrew Duncan's book. Again, as soon as it arrived I had a quick look through, and was amazed at how much better the book was. Intuitive layout, with a large map at the beginning of each walk with the route displayed on the map, and then a good chapter of information which is broke into clear sections for each point of interest on the walk.
I completed half of the walks in this book over 8 weeks, and cannot wait to take the book with me on my next visit to London to complete a few more. I hold this book, and the author, in the highest regard for this fantastic walking book. |
| 5/5 |
The best London walking book by far!! This has got to be the best walking book of London that I have ever used. Being an avid walker I have found this book invaluable! My friends and I have spent many a weekend walking around London, learning about the history of this great city, thanks to this book. It is a great way to spend a day and also very cheap as walking doesn't cost a thing! I recommend that anyone living in London should buy this book; they will get so much pleasure from it! Andrew Duncan does a fantastic job of leading you around some fabulous places in London that you would probably never find on your own. Not only that, but he also brings each place to life with really interesting historical facts which never cease to amaze us! This is by far the best walking book; the maps are easy to follow and the information is fascinating! I only wish that Mr Duncan would write another book soon as we have now done most of these walks!!! Buy it now!!! |
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Jan-2010
In stock
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5.0
| 5/5 |
Walking London If you enjoy walking or just want to find out more about London,this guide will give you hours of pleasure.There are over twenty walks of different lengths covering many areas of the capital.They are easy to follow and contain lots of information about people and places. |
| 4/5 |
Very nice There are some very nice walks in here. Also it is excellent how the walks are listed in the table of contents under various categories. The only thing I didn't like was the walking directions should have been in a point format. I think it would have made it much easier to follow the directions while walking and to keep track of where you are in the book. |
| 5/5 |
Walking London with Andrew Duncan's great book I have now completed many of Andrew Duncan's walks around London. The first one I tried was around Westminster and I enjoyed it so much I went again with my husband. We both enjoyed it, so we took two friends. They borrowed the book and took two of their friends. Each walk is facinating and although you may be visiting areas which you have visited many times before, it's the interesting bits that Andrew points out which make the areas come alive, whether it's flamingos on a roof top in Kensington or the site of the waterpump which spread cholera through London.
I really would recommend this book to anyone, young or not so young, and everyone I've lent it to has gone on to buy one for themselves. |
| 5/5 |
Excellent for Tourists and Londoners alike. A fantastic book containing interesting walks around various parts of London. All the walk routes are well planned and as well as taking in the larger tourist attractions they also point out smaller, interesting facts that you might otherwise miss. A real eye-opener from a Londoner's point of view. Also worth a look is Andrew Duncan's Secret London book which details more of the history and more facts about London. |
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2008
In stock
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5.0
25 fun-packed family adventure-walks in and around London.
| 5/5 |
a gem of a book thank you to the authors for creating such a gem of a book. We have had a number of special days out with this book and all have been perfect. I can't wait to do more walks with our 5 year old and two year old (we have taken a pram on two of them which helped). Everything is so well thought out and we have some precious memories - i loved the Ashdown forest walk and the one near Roald Dahl's house. |
| 5/5 |
a breath of fresh air Adventure walks is a model volume - small enough to tuck into an anorak pocket, big enough to contain all the kinds of information you really really need when exploring somewhere new with children in uncertain British weather. The illustrations are an utter delight, and the tone just perfect - inspiring and realistic, rather than hectoring or high-minded. And however well-read in children's literature you might imagine yourself, you're bound to find yourself musing at some point.. "I didn't know that!" |
| 5/5 |
This book actually works...! We took this book for a spin last weekend and ended up having the time of our lives. I took our camping stove and a lemon (would you ever think of taking this on a walk?) and made nettle tea.
Yes! It turned from green to pink, the kids loved it and my 10-year old actually drank it. Oh, and my husband now thinks he is Ray Mears and has gone all survivalist. Plus, I've been inspired to start reading some classic children's literature to my kids which makes welcome change to Jaqueline Wilson. Thank you. |
| 5/5 |
inspirational How I wish there'd been a book like this when my own children were small - but at least it's arrived in time for the grandchildren. It's such a brilliant idea - in fact it's perfect...it makes one long to get out and what I love about it is that it makes it so easy to make it fun and reminds one of all the things that all children used to do but that are now being forgotten - how to make catapults and to have real adventures. Every family who longs to get out more but is daunted by the logistics now has no excuse - this book leads them by the hand and makes it the greatest possible fun. (and whisper, it not, will teach most adults a thing or too as well) ..get your rucksacks out now...it'll be worth it |
| 5/5 |
Full tilt family refreshment! This book is beautifully produced and really well organised. It is packed with fascinating, leading information without crowding you or being too earnest. So, you read it on the loo or in the bath on Friday night, picking up lots of ideas that you might have had yourself but never seem to find time for and then fit it snugly into a pocket when you and gang set out. All the risks which can turn an adventure with children into a nightmare, because you miscounted the miles or run out of sandwiches, are taken out of the equation by this fantastic little volume. A stylish, quirky must for every London family! |
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May-2010
In stock
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5.0
| 5/5 |
A Fantastic Book for Families!
We loved the first book in this series - Adventure Walks for Families in and around London - and we are thrilled with this new one. The format is perfect. The illustrations and maps delightful. The walks not only imaginative and inspiring but also realistic. We're starting off with 'Dick Whittington and the City of London'. It's a perfect present - I'm ordering loads - so that's Christmas sorted!
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| 5/5 |
A gem of a book No visitor to London (with or without children)should be without this truly delightful guide.
Not only have the walks been beautifully compiled, but the book is beautifully designed, and is packed with so much thoughtful detail (from a recipe for marmalade to make Paddington Bear's marmalade sandwiches, to lists of London festivals,and recommended reads), it makes you want to hug the authors.
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| 5/5 |
This charming book turns London into a magical and memorable adventure for kids -- and their parents! A pocket-sized book of themed walks in London with cute pictures and maps, and heaps of trivia, stories, history and games to entertain and fascinate both kids and adults. What makes this stand out is its charming, jolly and humorous style and the fact that it is genuinely family friendly -- unlike many books that claim to be family friendly guides just because they have listed a few baby-changing facilities.
So much thought has gone into making the walks fun and stimulating for kids and they are all themed to appeal to the young: Florence Nightingale and the Story of Medicine; What the Romans Did for London; Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens; Dick Whittington and the City of London; Paddington Bear and Portobello Market, to name but a few.
It is also a beautiful book, so an ideal gift. I have just ordered 7 more copies! |
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2006
In stock
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5.0
A practical pocket-sized guide with the authority of CAMRA, combined with architectural notes to many of London's best pub buildings.
| 5/5 |
Brilliant It's a great book very well set out with all the information you need to have a very happy afternoon. There are about 30 walks in it and you can easily complete one in an afternoon. The longer ones can still be completed if you start a little earlier. I (along with friends) have completed hald a dozen of them and they are a great way even for those living in London, to see a bit more of London and drink a range of ales while supporting the good old English pub.
A must for all real ale fans and even if you're not you'll soon become one! |
| 4/5 |
A factual error I own one of the pubs listed, the George and Devonshire, in Chiswick. It is the oldest pub in Chiswick, built some time prior to 1657, and we still trade in the original building. However, Bob Steel commits the cardinal error of not checking his facts by casually stating the the pub is s '20th century re-build', which would appear to be obvious nonsense to anyone who has actually visited the place! If Bob Steel did not visit the George and Devonshire, which is Casque Mark accredited for the quality of our real ale, how many other pubs included in the book were also not visited? |
| 5/5 |
Had a great few days.... Spent an enjoyable few days "testing out" this Guide and I cant recommend it strongly enough. Its not really a guide to good beer, but a guide to Pub architecture and social history. Things like snug screens and astounding urinals... but the author also knows his beers and you can indeed find the very best beers as you wander along the walks. The illustrations show you what to expect and the maps guide you well. There are lots of little interjections and sidelines on Londons history and things to see en route between the pubs that you would otherwise miss and don't feature in other guidebooks
We ended up missing out most of the so called Real tourist spots like Buckingham Palace, to see the actual Real London that this book can show you. From ancient Inn to "back Street boozer". Came upon this via Rick Steves website and am jolly glad we did.
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| 5/5 |
Great Beerienteering Guide to London Used this guide over a glorious April weekend and it didn't let us down. Great pubs (usually - there was the odd duffer), with great beer. Clear mapping made the routes easy to follow, and the descriptions added some background to the beerienteering. |
| 5/5 |
Highly recommended! A good pick of pub walks with all the neccessary information about transport links to and from the routes. Fine colour maps make the walks easy to follow, and description of individual pubs tells you which ones to stop in and which ones to pass by.
I have found Ted Bruning's guides very useful, but the pub scene in London is changing so often it is neccesary to have new books quite often.
And this is far better than the last CAMRA London guide. |
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2009
In stock
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4.5
A deck of 50 walks that guide adults with children age 5 and up through the best kid-friendly attractions the city has to offer. It outlines a self-guided walking adventure, with an illustrated map on one side and insider information on the other.
| 4/5 |
Lovely guide book Nice selections of walks. Went to London once since purchasing this guide. The kids really enjoyed looking at the details in the guide as we went. I would agree with one of the other reviewers, you do need a proper map to go with it. Saying that, I bought the children map recommended by Amazon and they make a perfect pair. |
| 4/5 |
Good The cards were what I expected. They have nice images and the text is concise but informative. The maps
in the cards are rather schematic and therefore you need to take a proper map before you go walking.
I would have like to see one of the cards (both sides) before buying it. Also,it would have been nice to
see an index of the 50 proposed walks.
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| 5/5 |
Useful and beautiful litttle guide This is such a little treasure.
A born and bred Londonner,I bought it just because I loved the design and concept, but it is totally inspiring and utterly indispensable. So much careful thought has gone into the fabulously child friendly advice, right down to recommending the nearest (really nice) eatery. It hits the spot, wriiten by someone who is obviously as discerning and fussy as the rest of us. It's an absolute gem. |
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2008
In stock
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5.0
'Wild About London's Parks' is a series of fun and fascinating guided walks for children and families to explore London's green spaces. This book turns a walk in the park into a fun adventure of wildlife discovery. Walks are designed specifically for children to lead their family on the walk; for the child to become the guide.
| 5/5 |
Superb A superb book, the kid loved it, we spent a fun week completing all the different parts of the book. I would definately recommend it to anyone visiting the London parks. |
| 5/5 |
Wild about London's Parks A wonderful guidebook designed to engage children in the natural world of London. Fantastic illustrations and clearly laid out maps give a wide variety of places to explore and will give families and groups of friends with children a great excuse for going outside and having some adventures.
The identification guides are clear and useful and cover all sorts of wildlife from bugs and birds to flowers. Excellent value at only £4.99 |
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07-Apr-2011
Not yet published
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Chilterns
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2008
In stock
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3.0
| 1/5 |
Beware of this book!!! I have bought several guides in this series and I absolutely love the guide for Hampshire and the New Forest. Although I can't claim to have walked all the routes in this Chilterns and Thames Valley guide, like the previous reviewer, I'm really disappointed with it and would like to warn others. There are 2 basic problems: 1. the writers seem to think it's OK to lay out a route with some attractive country walking at the beginning and end of a 7 - 10 mile route but lead you through some really dire country in-between; 2. many of the paths I've encountered so far are hugely overgrown with nettles and brambles. OK, that's not the writers' fault, but you need to know that some of those paths haven't been cleared in years!
For example, the walk that sets out from Streatley along the Ridgeway Path and ends up with a stroll along the Thames Path from Moulsford to Goring... those sections are fantastic, but should have remained as 2 separate smaller walks. The section connecting the Ridgeway path down to the village of Moulsford is appalling: fly-tipping, pollution filled potholes and puddles, paths overgrown with nettles AND a near lethal stroll down a very fast A-road for 10 minutes. The book claims that you can walk along a grass verge. Yes, but not all the way!
The other Thames Path-based route (around Abingdon) is not much better. It's OK until you get to Sutton Courtney, but then you've got to tramp down road and farm tracks (more pollution, more fly-tipping) for miles before you re-join the river bank (which is very badly maintained). I'm only glad I didn't have kids with me.
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| 5/5 |
excellent book We have walked almost the entire book excluding the easy walks which are just too short. Each route is superb and can be done twice - once in each direction. Thoroughly recommended ! |
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2009
In stock
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4.0
| 4/5 |
An easy way to start walking regulary I feel that I must write a review in praise of this useful little book.If like myself you are 50 something running to fat and not very good with exercise, buy this book and discover the joys of the countryside(only if you live in the Chilterns of course).We as a family have completed many of the walks in this book, each one starts and ends at a pub which is very useful. The book is written with novices in mind with straight forward route instructions, there is no need to map read and we have found the author to be 100% trustworthy with his instructions.All the walks are easily managable by the semi fit and very enjoyable. |
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North Downs
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2006
Check Availability
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3.0
| 3/5 |
Not always reliable A great guide to the trail, particularly in the background material on sights and places to visit, the landscape and the flora, fauna etc. Very detailed maps. But for me there was too much information - while at vital points it was difficult to follow the path. The information was sometimes out of date and sometimes inaccurate, even wrong. I got the impression that the text was originally written some time ago and not checked for every detail. You do need the ordnance survey maps to get the full picture. |
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South Downs
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.5
The complete walking guide to the 100-mile footpath along the South Downs from Hampshire to Sussex.
| 4/5 |
South Downs Way - a walking guide The book is a comprehensive guide to the South Downs Way. It starts in Winchester and takes you through to Eastbourne. There is a lot of useful information for those who may not have walked a long distance path before with schedules compiled for the camper, those staying in hostels and camping barns as well as the person using Bed and Breakfast accommodation. The guide has introductory pages on 'What to take', 'When to go', Flora and Fauna (including colour illustrations) and other aspects of preparing for the walk.
The maps are the most useful feature and these are line drawings with annotations. Key features are marked and the route is easy to follow. The Way itself is well marked with signposts and there is little chance of taking a wrong turning.
Summing up: Clear maps. Walks from West to East although the maps can be used the opposite way round. (The timings between key points or junctions are shown for walkers going in either direction.) Good information to help preparation and good suggestions for accommodation and where to eat.South Downs Way: Winchester to Eastbourne (South Downs Way British Walking Guide: Planning, Places to) |
| 5/5 |
Perfect companion for the South Downs Way I have just returned from an 8-day walk along the 100 miles of the South Downs Way and found this guide invaluable. We walked the Winchester-Eastbourne route, which is the direction that the book is set out, but the maps and information could easily be read in reverse. The information about places to stay and eat is excellent and the maps are very detailed and easy to follow. You could probably get away with just taking this book and no Ordanance Survey maps as the maps in the book are so good and the Way is well marked, however it is always a good idea to have a back-up OS sheet in case you do wander off the track (it happened to us once or twice when we were really tired and not paying as much attention to the trail).
We camped along the way and the advice about distances and suggested itineraries were really good and made the overall distance manageable. The book is a nice size to carry and fits in rucksack pockets to be easily accessible. There are lots of other interesting features noted on the maps and several boxes of interesting facts about the area through which you are walking.
The only minor criticism was that the occasional gradient was marked the wrong way round - a bit of a disappointment when you've just trudged up several long hills and the map promises a section of downhill... only to find the arrow was marked the wrong way and it's actually another uphill! Otherwise a great little book and highly recommended, if not essential, to those planning on walking some or all of the South Downs Way. |
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles (160 km) over the chalk downland of Sussex and Hampshire, from Eastbourne to Winchester. This guide provides information on this trail for long-distance walkers or the weekend strollers.
| 5/5 |
Excellent guide Used this guide when I walked the path during the summer. Brilliant guide with everything you need to find your way but with loads of valuable additional information about the areas you walk through. I have quite a few of these National Trail Guides and they are all just as good as this. |
| 5/5 |
A Superb description of the route for walkers and bike and horse riders A detailed description of the 100 miles of the South Downs Way bridle path.
The summary introduction to the route and advice to users is well presented, and the whole route is shown on small scale maps.
The route details are superbly presented in 11 individual sections, each with large scale contoured Ordnance Survey type maps. Significant waypoints and features are clearly marked. A useful feature is that the maps are detailed over a wide enough area to allow deviations from and return to the route, as required. It would be really difficult to get lost using this book.
An essential book for anyone wanting to experience the South Downs Way. |
| 5/5 |
South Downs Way - National Trail Guide Thanks for organising the supply of the South Downs Way National Trail Guide. Whilst down in that area of the country last week found it very usefull to select sections of the way to walk and hopefully will continue working on the whole job !
As always these guides benefit from having the OS mapping as a base to follow.
Strangely, as this trail is routed from Eastbourne to Winchester (going West), you always end up turning the pages backwards to walk the other way ! Could do with being one of those guides where it can be read either way ?
Anyway, thanks for your help.
Regards, David Wimbush |
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2006
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
Including GPS Waypoint lists and a Place Name Index, this 160-page colour book contains walking routes within the South Downs region. Wire-O spiral binding allows it to lay flat and be folded back on itself without damage. It features: route summary of exertion rating; refreshments rating; time, distance, ascents/descents; and more.
| 5/5 |
Walk the South Downs Very clear walking maps and book written with enthusiasm that encourages you to want to go out and walk! Shiny pages, which helps when you are going out in the rain. Small and compact book which would fit easily into a jacket pocket. Well thought out and put together book. I recommend it. |
| 5/5 |
THE best Sussex walking guide This is my third sussex walking guide, purchased after reading a handful of glowing reviews and I must straight away say that it completely lives up to the hype. This book really is excellent.
As you walk, following clear, precise directions Martin provides little nuggets of information between each waypoint to further enhance your walk.
I have now completed 4 of the walks closest to Worthing and can't wait to go a little further afield to try more of the walks. Aimed at the keen walker as the majority of the walks are 6-10 miles, with short and long walk options adding flexibility.
The timings given to each waypoint are very good, only needing adjustment in the worst of conditions, and they really help to keep you on track.
My other guides now live on the bookshelf collecting dust while looking on enviously every time I reach for Walk the South Downs.
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| 5/5 |
Superb and well researched book I've just returned from my first walk from this book - Walk 1 (of course!). This is by far the best walking guide I've ever used. The directions were spot-on, with useful useful waypoints, like the inscription on a bench marking a left-hand turn. The spiral binding works really well too, and the OS map reprint is identical to the 1:25000 OS Explorer map - with the addition of the waypoints very accurately marked.
The walk itself was beautiful, and didn't just stick to the well-trodden, busy routes - again another mark of a really good walking book.
Just waiting for my new GPS to arrive, then I can try out the GPS waypoints included at the end of the book. |
| 5/5 |
Wonderful walks - thoroughly recommended....... A more than excellent walking guide to the South Downs. Each walk I have sampled has explored the Downs via wonderfully enjoyable and less well trodden routes. Although I know the South Downs quite well, having walked over the area for years, Martin Simons has taken me through woods I never knew where there and around brows of hills into peaceful valley bottoms that I have never walked through before. Taking different pathways, off the main drag, means that you have to sure of your turnings and each of Martin Simmons markers have been spot on so far. His useful illustrations assist routing confidence and his accuracy so far prompts me to suggest that if you don't find the gate or the way marker he mentions you've gone the wrong way.
Wonderful walks and a thoroughly recommended guide. As another reviewer states as soon as you get back from one walk you are picking out another one to try. |
| 5/5 |
Walk The South Downs This book provides excellent decriptions and accurate details for some stunning walks across the South Downs. Even if you are not a walker the careful detail of this book allows you to explore as if you were. |
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May-2010
Check Availability
Details (show/hide)
5.0
| 5/5 |
Excellent guide Used this guide when I walked the path during the summer. Brilliant guide with everything you need to find your way but with loads of valuable additional information about the areas you walk through. I have quite a few of these National Trail Guides and they are all just as good as this. |
| 5/5 |
A Superb description of the route for walkers and bike and horse riders A detailed description of the 100 miles of the South Downs Way bridle path.
The summary introduction to the route and advice to users is well presented, and the whole route is shown on small scale maps.
The route details are superbly presented in 11 individual sections, each with large scale contoured Ordnance Survey type maps. Significant waypoints and features are clearly marked. A useful feature is that the maps are detailed over a wide enough area to allow deviations from and return to the route, as required. It would be really difficult to get lost using this book.
An essential book for anyone wanting to experience the South Downs Way. |
| 5/5 |
South Downs Way - National Trail Guide Thanks for organising the supply of the South Downs Way National Trail Guide. Whilst down in that area of the country last week found it very usefull to select sections of the way to walk and hopefully will continue working on the whole job !
As always these guides benefit from having the OS mapping as a base to follow.
Strangely, as this trail is routed from Eastbourne to Winchester (going West), you always end up turning the pages backwards to walk the other way ! Could do with being one of those guides where it can be read either way ?
Anyway, thanks for your help.
Regards, David Wimbush |
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15-Nov-2010
Not yet published
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15-Nov-2010
Not yet published
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03-Mar-2011
Not yet published
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Berkshire
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
Walking is one of Britain's favorite leisure activities, and this guide features a variety of mapped walks to suit various abilities. It describes various walks with a summary of distance, time, dog friendliness, parking and public toilets. It is accompanied by reading on the history and wildlife of Berkshire and Buckingham shire.
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2006
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
| 4/5 |
Well written, with clear directions. An excellent little book that just about fits in your pocket. Unlike many similar publications of this type the directions are well written, accurate and clear with the occasional touch of humour! The maps too are clear enough to ensure you remain convinced you are headed in the right 'general' direction. All in all a very worthwhile purchase. |
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2005
In stock
Details (show/hide)
This title provides details of 40 circular walks around these two historic counties, each based on a good local pub. It includes routes at Hungerford, Frilsham and Hurley in Berkshire and Blewbury, Enstone and Cropredy in Oxfordshire.
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30-Jun-2010
Not yet published
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Dorset
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
28 circular, graded walks all tried and tested by seasoned walkers. The routes range from extended strolls to exhilarating hikes, so there is something for everyone.
| 5/5 |
Another winner Another of Pathfinder's great walks for those people who want to do a few miles on foot with great views |
| 5/5 |
Dorset walks This is a very good book of walks in a lovely part of the country. Using this book gave us a fantastic holiday. |
| 5/5 |
Excellent walking guides These guides are brilliant. The walks are arranged with the shortest at the beginning of the book and the longest at the end, so if you haven't done much walking you can ease yourself in gently.
Each walk is detailed over about five pages. There is a Ordnance Survey map showing the complete walk, though they are not large and I would therefore advise you to take a 1:25000 map of the area and a compass that you know how to use. There is a general description of the walk with points corresponding to the map and advice on where to park the car or catch a bus.
I would consider the Pathfinder series to be the best available, as the descriptions of the walks compared to my experiences of these walks mean that the authors must have actually done them. |
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
| 5/5 |
An excellent introduction to the geology of a stunning coast This book not only gives an excellent description of the geology underlying this visually stunning section of the British coast but serves as an easy primer on geological terms and periods and includes details of fossils used to identify rock ages and a useful glossary. The style is aimed to suit the interested casual reader while presenting a lot of information in an easy to assimilate form backed up with an extensive further reading list. Diagrams and photographs are clear and the book includes a review of useful minerals from prehistoric flints to Beer Stone - a creamy white limestone - worked from Roman times to the present day. The book also shows that the Jurassic Coast is something of a misnomer - Jurassic rocks only begin to appear to the east of Seaton with earlier Triassic rocks forming the bulk of the rest with earlier still Permian rocks in the extreme West of the area. Maybe a film tie-in influenced the tourist boards? |
| 5/5 |
Very Interesting Geology of the Jurassic Coast: The Red Coast Revealed Exmouth to Lyme Regis
Very well written and interesting. I know the area well and I learnt a lot more than I previously knew |
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2006
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
Including GPS Waypoint lists and a Place Name Index, this 160-page colour book contains walking routes within the county of Dorset. Wire-O spiral binding allows it to lay flat and be folded back on itself without damage. It features: route summary of exertion rating; refreshments rating; time, distance, ascents/descents; and more.
| 5/5 |
Very informative I found the book very informative about the area, the walks were well described and nicely laid out with clear details as to "easy "moderate" or "challenging" with good insight about amenities and facilities available. |
| 5/5 |
A well written attractive guide to Dorset walking I have bought books by the excellent walking researcher before, and I was not disappointed. There's a good variety of walks to suit easy half days and challenging hikes. I like the way the descriptions are accurate yet relaxed in style. I am just into GPS and found the waypoints invaluable. The maps are good(OS) and the routes clearly overlaid. Plenty of detail like timings, ascents, descents, compass directions, good pubs! I have only just got the book and have tested one route, but it was brilliant - I can't wait to get out there again. Highly recommended. |
| 5/5 |
An excellent guide for walking in this beautiful region This is a very well researched book with 30 walks of considerable variety from a short stroll to a full day ramble, so there should be something here for everyone. The walks are clearly described with accompanying maps and photos to make navigation is easy - and for those who like to use a GPS when walking, each walk comes complete with a full set of Waypoints. The author has provided lots of points of interest and historical notes for each walk which, along with his gentle style, makes the book a good read too. There is also plenty of additional information on accomodation and public transport, pretty much everything you might need to enjoy some great walks in Dorset. And, a nice touch, the book is spiral bound so very easy to open out and pop into a waterproof pocket should it decide to rain. The best walking guide for this region I have seen. |
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30-Jun-2010
Not yet published
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03-Mar-2011
Not yet published
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Essex
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
Walking is one of Britain's favourite leisure activities, and this guide features a variety of mapped walks to suit various abilities. It describes various walks with a summary of distance, time, dog friendliness, parking and public toilets. It is accompanied by reading on the history and wildlife of Essex.
| 5/5 |
Good combination of pictures and walk info This book provides good information on all aspects of each walk, including difficulty rating, well complimented by good photographs of the scenes to be seen. |
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
| 4/5 |
Walks in Essex This looks like a very helpful book with clear directions, we have only used for one walk at present, but are looking forward to using it, for several more walks in future. |
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
Peter Caton takes us on a journey along this largely unknown coastline and we learn how despite many frustrations on the way, he ended up falling in love with the coast of Essex.
| 4/5 |
Essex's Wainwright ???? As the author observes, the coast of Essex is arguably the longest of any English county but its charm is not always recognised.
This is an excellent read for anyone wanting to walk the coastal paths in their entirety, to visit parts of the coast they do not already know, or simply to learn more about familiar walks.
Mr. Caton writes in an accessible, conversational style, with humour and an obvious love for his county and its "unique appeal".
This book will be enjoyed by walkers and "armchair walkers" alike. Who knows - it may do for Essex something of what Wainwright did for the Lakeland fells !
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2005
In stock
Details (show/hide)
This title includes 40 circular walks in East Anglia, each based on a good local pub. It includes routes at Fingringhoe, Castle Hedingham and Wendens Ambo in Essex; Colton, Gayton and Aldborough in Norfolk; and Thorpeness, Felsham and Tuddenham in Suffolk.
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2007
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
| 4/5 |
well thought out walks excellent book, we have tried 4 so far and all directions have been easy to follow, walks vary from 3 miles to 5.5 miles , pub food varies from ok to excellent.this book does exactly what it says in the decription |
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Hampshire
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
20 circular walks all graded by route and difficulty, and now presented in an illustrated and easier-to-use layout, they can be enjoyed by the whole family and are the ideal companion for day trips and holidays.
| 5/5 |
The New Forest National Park having read a few books on walks in the New Forest this is the easiest to follow and probably most comprehensive I have found to date. |
| 5/5 |
The New Forest National Park: Leisure Walks for All Ages Excellent book for family walks in the New Forest. Split into three sections of difficulty/length. Good instructions, can't really get lost, useful general information/history of the area as you walk around, plus stop off points during the walk, namely pubs, but other facilities as well! Would thoroughly recommend, particularly for those wishing to enjoy the beauty of the New Forest, with the children and without the hassle of map reading. |
| 5/5 |
Walking in the New Forest This is an excellent guide for anyone interested in fairly easy walks in this beautiful part of Britain. The walks are clearly described. Many of them encompass a variety of landscapes over a distance of only a few miles. Wherever possible, one or more of the charming New Forest pubs are included on the route, providing a welcome refreshment stop. My wife and I got great enjoyment from following the recommended routes and would recommend this guide to anyone planning a holiday in the New Forest. |
| 4/5 |
New Forest Walks Brand new book, although originated from a public library which meant that although it was unused you could not give it as a present. Arrived well wrapped and quickly. Very pleased with service and would use again. |
| 5/5 |
Great New Forest Companion Brilliant little pocket books of varied walks, with accurate and helpful notes and maps. We tried eight walks over a long weekend at the beginning of March 09 and fell in love with the New Forest, desite the mud. |
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.5
28 routes graded in order of difficulty with details of sites of interest.
| 4/5 |
new forrest walks i am not a big one for long rewiews so,
bought book,good value,
did 4 walks in new forrest over long weekend
found pubs where they were meant to be,
did not get lost!!
good book. |
| 5/5 |
excellent guide for novice to expert levels of walker This book gives a brief discription of the walks contained in the area covered. With discripive and clear directions it was impossible to get lost and as a cofidence back up, all the OS Maps for the area are listed. With a vast varitey and degree of difficulty for each walk. the book contains walks to suit all levels. for the novice the book allows walkers to advance in skill and fitness to promote this hobby.
Exellent fun for all the family. |
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
Many people like the interest and variety of walking beside water. This book includes routes along the Solent, the Itchen, the Test and the Basingstoke Canal.
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2007
In stock
Details (show/hide)
3.5
| 1/5 |
Poor! Had high hopes for this book, however following completing the 'Brockenhurst' walk I cast the book aside in favour of others!!!
The walk comprised mainly of walking the outskirts of a giant field, which to be honest, I could have possibly designed for myself!
Details of 'landmarks' were sketchy to be sure you were on the right track, and all in all very disappointing compared to other walks from alternate sources completed within that week.
Sorry....not for me! |
| 5/5 |
Pocket Pub Walks New Forest This book was really useful for good pubs to go to.
We did one walk which may need updating as the route was not all that clear and we got a bit lost but all in all worth the money I paid. |
| 4/5 |
Easy to follow Clear easy to follow format, shortish walks (2 1/2 - 5 miles) and handy size. Each walk has a black and white photo of pub, short overview, then 'business box' of distance / OS reference / type of walk / starting point and 'how to get there. A description of the pub, menu and opening times (at the time of printing) follows then a numbered guide to the walk including a simple sketch map and further balck and white photo of somewhere along the way. A 'places of interest nearby' box ends each walk. We did the three walks near Burley (10, 11 and 12) and particularly enjoyed The Elm Tree food! |
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2007
In stock
Details (show/hide)
2.0
| 2/5 |
not in the thick of the forest but nice for the edges and surounding areas The book itself is well written and presented and the cover is well made. But I was looking for a book that helps me find forest walks, not walks along roads outside the forest. This book is largely outside the main forest and seems to take you through some lovely villages, light forest areas, open land and coastline etc... and I am sure the walks are lovely. I am just a bit angry as I wanted a book on New Forest Walks in the heart of the thick forest. Just be sure it is what you want I guess. I guess the key is in the title 'around' and not 'in' the forest itself. If you want 'around' and not 'in' the forest then this really is a great book. |
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
| 5/5 |
Simple pleasures This little book is a joy. It lays out 16 walks that can be done by all the family, from energetic toddlers to those of us who are a bit stiff in the limbs. There is no need for special equipment or freaky clothing, most of these walks are accessible to couch potatoes. Each is described giving detailed descriptions of the route and key landmarks. Helpful information on parking gets you off to a good start and the inclusion of places for refreshment stops and a bit of a sit down are most welcome. The routes take the walker through some beautiful parts of Hampshire and give sufficient information on landmarks of historical curiosity without being burdonsome to those who just came along for a pleasant stroll. |
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Hertfordshire
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30-Jun-2010
Not yet published
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Isle of Wight
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2007
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
Includes 40 walking route as well as short walk options covering the Isle of Wight. This book includes the OS mapping for various walking routes and colour photos as well as bus and car access for each walking route.
| 5/5 |
The book we were waiting for! Having recently moved to the Island and both being keen walkers, we searched in vain for a good walking book. Our wishes have been answered by this book, a revelation! We tried walk 27. Whitwell, Week Down and the Undercliff, what a cracking route, easy parking, good pub, all round excellent. If the rest of the walks are half as good as this we are on to a winner. Next walk 'The Long Stone'! Well done Martin Simons. |
| 5/5 |
Prepare for a treat! As a resident of the South Coast, "Walk! The Isle of Wight" seemed something of a natural progression for me, having been well and truly bitten by the walking `bug' after acquiring Martin Simons' superb debut Guide, "Walk! The South Downs".
Easily accessible, yet somehow pleasurably `remote', the Island and its walks beckoned me across the Solent, from the moment I opened the book, and day trips will now fast become a regular feature of my leisure time. I have already been persuaded, against all my better instincts(!), to abandon the car, and sample life as a foot-passenger, taking advantage of the Island's bus services, the stops for which are incorporated into the walks. I would happily repeat the experience.
The winning presentation of the Guide- the overview/summary of the walks, the symbols ratings for effort, distance, time, refreshments etc. - continues to prove invaluable. However, as a solitary, female walker, it is the detail and accuracy of the descriptions that matter most to me. I choose to walk without the support of GPS, yet I am able to set out, with confidence, secure in the knowledge that my walk will be both safe and memorable because the routes are so diligently researched and so clearly explained.
Practical considerations aside, I have been both surprised and enthralled by the scenery that the Island has to offer. If, like me, your pleasure derives simply from the joy of being outside, and an uncomplicated appreciation of landscape/seascape, wildlife, flora and fauna, this book will guide you to the best the Island has to offer. If, however, you need the `history' and the `geology' to complete the experience, Martin will point you in the right direction!
Unlike many of my friends and colleagues resident on the South Coast, I have no `past history' with the Isle of Wight - no recollection of childhood outings; no burning desire to re-visit old haunts or bask in the nostalgia of lost youth, so its discovery has been an entirely new source of pleasure to me. Either way, pioneering or re-visiting, sampling the walks in this book comes highly recommended!
Martin's first book transformed my leisure-time, so I had rather high expectations of his second! I have not been disappointed!
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
Includes thirty of the most popular walks in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. This title presents walks that are carefully selected to suit various levels of fitness and ability.
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
5.0
Walking is one of Britain's favourite leisure activities, and this guide features a variety of mapped walks to suit various abilities. It describes various walks with a summary of distance, time, dog friendliness, parking and public toilets. It is accompanied by reading on the history and wildlife of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
| 5/5 |
Sue I bought this for my husband and he is looking forward to doing some of the walks later in the year with his brothers. |
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Kent
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
| 4/5 |
Marvellous walking close to London We have now done 6 walks from the Pathfinder Kent book and found all of them to be excellent. The directions are well thought through and accurate - "fork right onto a sandy path after 150 yds" rather than the vague 'after a while go right" which other books (eg AA) are prone to. The Kent countryside is lovely and many of the walks take you passed old country houses or castles.
The maps are also in very detailed OS style which is helpful.
Our only point for improvement would be for more information on how to get to the car park start points (or maybe we are just too lazy to buy a detailed map of Kent)! |
| 4/5 |
Get your boots on :o) I've had this book over a year now and have completed over 20 of the 28 of them. The walks are graded (short, moderate and challenging) and range from 4 to 12 miles. They cover a good variety of landscape and are well distributed around "The Garden of England" that is Kent. Woodland wanders, estuary meanders, North Downs climbs and coastal canters make this a good book for new and experienced walkers. You can take your pick depending on your mood, location, price of petrol (!) and of course the weather.
From a practical point of view, the book is tall and narrow and fits nicely in deep pockets. It has a tough waterproof cover, handy for the inevitable drop in the mud. Instructions are mostly good and helped by the OS map cutout. I also use Post-it index tabs also to mark my place as I go along too. I always take my Garmin Sat Nav with me for referencing nearby roads and for use as a compass for the all-important direction of travel. If new to walking, I'd recommend doing the shorter walks first to get feel for the directions and your fitness. Common sense prevails in choosing your footwear, clothing and refreshments and your moby of course.
Note there are earlier versions out there, the amazon picture shows the 2007 version, which I have described here. It is always a good idea to get the latest version of any walk book as things change - trees grow and obscure landmarks, field boundaries move, styles collapse (or become kissing gates thanks to the good efforts of KCC ) buildings are knocked down or pop up en route. This version also has GPS waypoints if you know how to use them though maybe that's a bit over the top unless you really fancy yourself as Kent's answer to Ben Fogle . . .
Overall, this book is very good and has given me and various friends some great (cheap) days out. I have several other Kent walk books (see my list), other favourites being Adventurous Walks in West Kent by Raymond Hugh/Morning Mist and the excellent Kev Reynolds/Ciccerone Press Walking in Kent. |
| 4/5 |
Gets you out of the house I have used these books before on holiday and so wanted one for my local area to get me out of the house on sunny weekends. Have done a few of the walks so far, and they have taken me to places I would never have found on my own. Really recommended walk #21 at Halstow Marshes: desolate, beautiful and didn't run into another soul for two hours. |
| 5/5 |
Reliable guide to a beautiful county Have used this guide for some years and had some great walks from it. We've never got lost with it, partly because it makes a lot of use of well waymarked long distance paths, and partly due to the excellent OS mapping.
There are some cracking walks in here - so go and enjoy! |
| 3/5 |
Proceed with caution I bought two Pathfinder Guides last week, 'Kent' and 'Surrey & Sussex' as I thought my other walking guides for those regions were well out of date. I bought them about seven years ago and, in some places the landscapes have changed which makes some of the directions difficult to reinterpret.
However, they are still generally more accurate than these new Pathfinder Guides. We tried three different walks over the August Bank Holiday and were disappointed. Some of the directions you've published are factually wrong. For example, several times the Guide says take a right turn when it's in fact a left turn! These books were supposedly 'revised and reprinted in 2003'. The amount of changes to hedges, stiles, fences etc. - which are used in the Guides as landmark directions - are more than one year old!! These Guides have not been revised properly and in places are misleading. Consequently, the walks took longer than anticipated, and were much more stressful than need be. The OS maps printed in each guided walk worked well and it was very useful to cross reference, without them we would have been lost, literally. |
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
| 4/5 |
Very Enjoyable Pastime Have done a couple of the walks in this book as a family and thoroughly enjoyed them. The weather was good on both ocassions! |
| 4/5 |
Great for evening walks! As a leader for a local Walking Club, I am always on the lookout for new books of local walks. Although the walks in this book are too short for the Day Walk programme, they are ideal for Summer evenings. A good chance to unwind after a day at work with a pub meal to follow. The book gives full details of the walk, how to find the start, where to park and what the pub has to offer in the way of food and beers. I have walked out The Three Horseshoe walk so far and intend to do others this year.
I have other books by the same author and hope that in the future he will add to his collection. A book of longer walks and a book specifically for Summer evening walks (I don't think this topic has been covered before) would be very welcome.
I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who likes short walks. |
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2007
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
| 4/5 |
Enjoyable reading and planning, detailed instruction I have done several of the walks in this book, and by and large it is good of it's type. Some issues where footpaths have been rerouted, but that is almost inevitable when considering the length of time it takes to bring a book to publication. I would advise the use of an OS map, as these walks do take you fairly off the beaten track, and it's not always easy to get back on if you do miss the way.
I'd buy it again, and recommend it to a friend, although probably not a complete novice looking for a stroll. |
| 3/5 |
Procrastination I bought this book ages ago and it LOOKS pretty good. However,that's all I can say as I have yet to actually do any of the walks therin.You know how it is,you mean to get out of bed on Sunday morning and hike around in Kent, but somehow you never quiet get around to it. Maybe next year. |
| 4/5 |
Get out there and walk! Walking in Kent: 40 Walks Throughout the County (Cicerone Guide)Walking in Kent: v. 1 (County)Walking in Kent: v. 2 (County)Walking in Kent: v. 1 (County)
These books are not quite perfect. In particular, the maps are a bit too simplified and the instructions are often more interesting than useful. Having said that, in every other respect they are wonderful productions by a real enthusiast for Kent and for the outdoors. Use them as a source of ideas and suggestions and take a good OS map with you, or allow enough time so if you miss a turning it doesn't matter. You were probably too busy admiring the view anyway.
Forty walks for very little money, in the most interesting, the most varied, and the most picturesque county in the whole of Britain. What more could you want? Buy it! |
| 4/5 |
Hills...mud...and fun I've done over 30 of the 40 of the walks in this book, several more than once, and have mostly enjoyed them all. My book is in a very sorry weather-beaten state now ! The walks range from 3-8 miles and are well chosen and distributed around Kent (though the majority in the mid and west of the county) so you can take your pick depending on your mood, location, price of petrol (!) and of course the weather. The book is pocket size too which is useful.
I have got lost on more than one occassion due to slightly vague instructions and the hand drawn maps can lack detail, but mostly the directions are good enough. I take an OS map and compass with me on most of the walks, but don't use either very often. Later versions of this book have the OS map printed (very useful!) rather than Kev's hand drawn efforts!
I have several different walk books (my other favourites being the "Adventurous Walks in..." series by Raymond Hugh/Morning Mist) and this is definitely one of the best and has given me and my various friends/girlfriends several (cheap) great days out. I can also recommend Kent: Walks (Pathfinder Guide) which I've reviewed also. |
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.5
Walking is one of Britain's favourite leisure activities, and this guide features a variety of mapped walks to suit various abilities. It describes various walks with a summary of distance, time, dog friendliness, parking and public toilets. It is accompanied by reading on the history and wildlife of Kent.
| 4/5 |
Useful little book So far we have walked one of the walks (our intention is to do all 50) and there were some minor errors, one of which resulted in us setting off in totally the wrong direction at the start (should have said 'turn left out of the car park instead of 'turn right'!!) Anyway, the publishers mention in their blurb in the book that they are grateful for corrections so I will write to them in due course when we have completed a few more of the walks.
Handy size for taking on the walks. |
| 5/5 |
Kent AA 50 walks Series Great book, some good walks included here, something for everyone, off to Kent at the end of Nov,09, will be taking it with me. |
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2009
In stock
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Includes thirty of the most popular walks in Kent. This title presents walks selected to suit various levels of fitness and ability and clear route directions and maps that make them easy-to-follow.
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2008
In stock
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4.5
| 5/5 |
Very interesting If you love history & walking, then this book is a must. Yes it happend on your doorstep. It shaped the course of history as we know it today. Very readable & easy to follow. Take the Kids out and give them a history lesson and some fresh air. This man knows his stuff Enjoy |
| 4/5 |
Fresh air and imagination! I always like to feel the historic bones of a town. This easily-pocketable little book got me out into the fresh air in some very pleasant places, and helped me to imagine the tides of battle on what are now peaceful streets and meadows. At the same time, the very clear narrative gave me the wider picture in each case. |
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2008
In stock
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2.0
| 2/5 |
Sat Nav required.... I've done several of the "leisure" walks in this book and despite being a very experienced Kent walker, have had many "which way now?" moments and cannot recommend it. For some reason each walk is broken into 4 or 5 "stages" rather than continuous text. You are pointed in the direction of e.g.checkpoint 2 but then on your own until you reach it! The title implies a relaxing day out, perhaps for families, but trust me this won't always be the case! In it's defense, the book is sturdy, well printed and does have the relevant section of the OS map printed for each walk. Without this, I'd probably still be wandering around Wye Down followed by a soggy and fractious girlfriend!
I will not be using this book again. Stick to the Kev Reynolds/Ciccerone Press books such as Walking in Kent. For longer walks, try the "Adventurous Walks in..." series by Raymond Hugh (Morning Mist), though you may have to scour ebay etc for these as they're out of print. |
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2007
In stock
Details (show/hide)
A celebration of the beauty and poetry of the county of Kent. Here, each walk is arranged chronologically, and has a major historical theme. Together, they take the walker through 4,000 years of Kentish history. This book contains an introduction, which shows how each of the walks fits into the overall history of the county.
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Oxfordshire
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31-Jul-2010
Not yet published
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Jan-2010
Check Availability
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Surrey
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
Walking is one of Britain's favourite leisure activities. This book offers a variety of mapped walks to suit different abilities - from the casual walker to the experienced hiker. It features the practical detail you need, accompanied by background reading on the history and wildlife of the area, as well as other local points of interest.
| 4/5 |
Enjoyable walks Completed 1 walk so far from this book. Easy to follow with clear instructions. Nice extras on historical and points of interest on the walk and surrounding area. OS map not really needed, we managed perfecly well with the book for guidance. we also have the 50 Walks in Sussex from the same range and have found that equally good. Would recommend. |
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2007
In stock
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5.0
| 5/5 |
Fantastic I have used a few walking guides in the past and have found them a disappointment - they are hard to follow sometimes unclear. However I have used this recently and the instructions are idiot proof and the walks I have done so far have been extremely enjoyable. Dont waste your money on other walking guide books |
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2008
In stock
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5.0
| 5/5 |
Nice walks with a historic bent. The walks in this guide are all well presented with easy to follow instructions etc. The walks we undertook were also up-to-date. I'm fed up with finding a nice walk from the web and setting out on it only to find it 20 years out of date and now running through a new housing development.
I haven't done all of the walks, but the ones I did proved to be accurately described with enough sites of interest to keep the kids happy.
The only criticism I would have is the size of the area the book attempts to cover. Surrey is a big place. I would prefer a more localised book. However, it does provide scope for an interesting day out, and if the walks on the other side of Surrey are as good as the ones on my side (near Camberley) then it would be an enjoyable trip.
As with most of the walks in walking books, its also worthwhile doing a google on "geocache" to see if there are any interesting geocaches in the locale of the walk. That can turn even the most mundane walk into an adventure! |
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Sussex
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2008
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.5
Covers Southern Ireland from Galway to Dublin and south to Kerry, Cork and Wexford. This map includes seven town plans, each with its own index, AA listed golf courses and camping sites, as well as motorways and dual carriageways. It includes places of interest and easy-to-read place name index.
| 4/5 |
Good walking companion I'm a bit concerned that the product description here seems to be referring to Ireland, which looks like the publisher hasn't paid much attention to ensuring this page is accurate! Fortunately, the book itself is very good, containing a number of really interesting walks around Sussex and including some good info about the areas. It feels like there is a bit of padding in some cases where a few walks have the same location, but one is an extension of the other (it would probably have been better to group them into one, with a short/long option). Otherwise, as someone who does much walking in Sussex, I can say this is one of the best books on the subject. |
| 4/5 |
walking in Sussex We have both the Surrey and Sussex AA walking guides and both offer interesting and easy to follow walks. Each has a historical or local interest angle that adds extra info for the walker.. we have enjoyed all the walks we have done so far. would recommend. |
| 5/5 |
Clear and well written We have already tried one of the walks and found the book clear and well written. Looking forward to trying out more. A good all round walking book for the family or mid range walker. |
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2004
In stock
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4.0
Through and across Sussex routes have been woven for unnumbered generations and paths and trackways whose purpose was to aid the hunter, home-maker, flint-miner, iron-worker, soldier, farmer, smuggler, timberman. This edition leads you along the variety of long-distance paths that criss-cross the county and offers a host of shorter day walks.
| 4/5 |
Plenty of variety Only tried a few so far but really enjoyed them. Good variety of distances and terrain. Looking forward to doing some more. |
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2007
In stock
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4.0
A good walk should do more than exercise your heart, lungs and muscles; it should enhance your mood, refresh your soul and leave you knowing a bit more about your world. This book offers 20 walks that have been designed to let you experience every aspect of the rich Sussex landscape. The walks are graded into simple, moderate and challenging.
| 4/5 |
Lovely walks There are some lovely walks in this book, varying degrees of difficulty, clearly defined.
Recommended. |
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2009
In stock
Details (show/hide)
Takes thirty of the most popular walks in Sussex and packages them on individual laminated cards in an easy-to-carry, durable box.
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2005
In stock
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5.0
This volume provides 20 circular walks varying in length between 7 and 12 miles and each based on a good local pub, including routes at Wadhurst, Steyning and Graffham.
| 5/5 |
Highly recommended Would thoroughly recommend this book if you are looking for walks that are longer and not your usual "run of the mill". The only thing I would say is the walks usually turn out to be rather longer than stipulated, so beware if you are limited on time. Its not usually a problem for me as in most books I find the walks are not long enough! The walking instructions are spot on and non-ambiguous and so although an ordnance survey map would be advisable, its by no means essential. We haven't got lost once on these walks. |
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Thames
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May-2010
In stock
Details (show/hide)
4.0
| 2/5 |
An unnecessary guide In theory this ought to be the perfect companion to a walk along the Thames Path but in practice I found it laborious to use at best, confusing at worst. To be honest, other than for a bit of background info now and again I can't see what you'd need a guide for - except maybe at the actual riverhead. The Thames isn't easy to lose in my experience. |
| 5/5 |
Necessary We made the mistake of walking the beginning of the path without any information, thinking it was a jaunt along the river. We met some organised people who had this which is why I ordered it so we would be prepared when we carry on (doing it in stages). However, I haven't actually used it yet. |
| 5/5 |
Excellent guide This is one of excellent National Trail Guides, several of which I have used completing long distance walks. These guides have, without doubt, the best mapping which is what matters most. But this also has really good detail for directions as well as a lot of interesting background information such as history, public transport, and where to obtain further information. Highly recommended. |
| 5/5 |
Essential purchase if you're doing the Thames Path The book does a great job of making the Thames Path walk so much easier and hassle free. The walk itself is not that well signposted and the maps let you know when you should be looking out for a turnoff, where you should be going as well as highlighting some of the sights along the way. If you are looking at doing the Thames Path then you need to buy this book. |
| 4/5 |
all the maps and description you need A written description of the route from the source to the sea, with the appropriate bit of ordnance survey map on the opposite page. No wrestling with a massive map trying to relate it to the commentary. Very practical.
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2008
In stock
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4.5
In 25 original and circular walks, this book offers details on the architecture, culture, history and flora and fuana of the Thames and its environs. It takes through varied terrain from its source in Gloucestershire through the heart of London to the Thames Barrier.
| 4/5 |
Thames circular walks The book shows twenty five circular walks which include sections of the Thames national trail. The walks are well described with clear sketch maps and information about transport to the start of each walk. OS explorer map number is quoted, with a description of the walk, length and time, nearby attractions and places to obtain refreshments and a suggestion about the best time to do the walk. A very useful book. |
| 5/5 |
Great Book I have been on five of the walks in the book now. Unlike a number of other books, the descriptions of the walks are very accurate. The walks can be quite long for a young family, but a nice length for a Rambler. |
| 5/5 |
A truly delightful guide book! What a delight! Beautiful colour photos in addition to crystal-clear maps and a wealth of local history. This book includes useful information about opening times, which Explorer maps accompany which walks, an excellent lay-out overall and so on.
I can heartily recommend this for anyone interested in the fascinating stories of local history combined with some truly well thought-out walks alongside the Thames.
Full marks Mr Emmons! |
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2005
In stock
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3.0
| 3/5 |
A pleasant little book lacking detail The author, Leigh Hatts comes with impeccable credentials having been involved with the Thames walk feasibility study and written plenty of other walking books. But if you are expecting any great insight into the Thames path you will be disappointed.
Although the book has 217 pages they are tiny - approx 12 X 17 cm so why the publisher decided to put a 3.5cm margin on most of the pages is beyond me. The book equates to just 36 pages of A4 which means that there is little room for any detailed information. What you get is a short description of the route and pen pictures of the towns and villages en route plus tourist attractions.
For the most part, the 2 - 4 cm wide selections taken from the 1 -50000 Ordnance Survey Explorer series are adequate, but only if you stick closely to the route. They let me down on several occasions!.
I mainly followed the route from London Bridge to Goring and was left with the uncharitable impression that the author hadn't actually walked the path but maybe had written the book from the Internet. I don't have any problem with what is said - it is what is left out that bothers me! For example, at Goring the book says "cross the bridge to leave Oxfordshire ......." The book neglects to say that just 100 yards to the right of the bridge there is a hotel called `The Miller of Mansfield' that welcomes dogs. There is also a good shopping area including a chemist and several other pubs, and another pub on the other side of the river.
Overall, this is not a bad little book, but if you are a long distance walker you might like to consider 'The Thames Path (National Trail Guides) by David Sharp' and/or 'The Thames Path National Trail Companion: A Guide for Walkers to Accommodation, Facilities and Services by Jos Joslin.'
The author of this review is an experienced walker having successfully walked many long distance trails including Coast to Coast (Southport to Hull) and the West Highland Way.
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2008
In stock
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3.5
| 5/5 |
Great little book (updated review) I have just done walk 4 (Fosbury Hill & the Chutes) from this book. It consisted of stunning view after stunning view, one of the best walks I've ever done. This walk alone justifies the purchase price. A few months ago I did walk 21 (Silchester) which was another thoroughly enjoyable walk. In both cases I found the description of the routes good with plenty of references to landmarks. There was a lot of interesting information about the things we came across too.
The book contains lots of beautiful photographs - which I found very helpful when it came to deciding which walk to do. When I ordered it, I was slightly worried that at over 200 pages it would be too cumbersome to take on a walk but it is neither heavy or too big.
The photographs are so lovely they really make you want to 'get out there' and I will definitely be doing more walks from this book. |
| 2/5 |
Misadventurous walking routes I've now attempted five walks out of this book and have become lost on all but one of them (and that was due to my local knowledge rather than
the book).
The scale of the maps (which are based on OS data) and the very limited area they cover make them pretty useless, whilst the descriptions are so vague they border on the irresponsible. The author may cover 100 yards or a mile or more in one sentence depending on his mood.
I've spotted one occasion when he mixes up his left and right (although goodness knows how many more of my misadventures have been caused by a similar mistake).
The shame is the walks are potentially very good indeed - a decent length and linking some beautiful parts of the world. Unfortunately I always seem to end up walking along the road to find the car, rather than enjoying a carefully planned and well described circuit. |
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Wiltshire
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30-Jun-2010
Not yet published
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Greensand Way
Ridgeway
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2008
Check Availability
Details (show/hide)
3.5
The Ridgeway follows one of the oldest 'green roads' in Europe. It runs for 87 miles (140 km) from Overton Hill in the west, across the Marlborough Downs and the Vale of the White Horse, to Ivinghoe Beacon on the northern edge of the Chilterns. This guide is suitable for long-distance walkers or weekend strollers.
| 5/5 |
Walk or cycle the Ridgeway with this excellent book! I cycled the Ridgeway over a weekend with my friend a couple of years ago and found this book essential. It gives good overview maps (despite what another reviewer says) and then a closer, more detailed map or two of each section as you are going along (although I ALWAYS like to have my trusty OS maps along with me also).
It gives details of all the sites you can see along the way - the various Iron Age hill forts, Wayland Smithy burial chamber, the Uffington White Horse etc as long as practical information about refreshment, toilet, pub stops etc
All the pubs we stopped at were open (except when we got there too late!)
There is also accommodation and transport information - though for the best up-to-date stuff and to make reservations and to see all the various options it's always best to search on-line and book before hand.
The Ridgeway is a fascinating old trail and steeped in history. A good alternative to other long walks like Hadrian's Wall. Cycle it or walk it - in the summer - a really fascinating way to spend a few days.
And a super book to accompany you along the way. |
| 4/5 |
The Ridgeway A classically written book with very good detail in terms of both the maps and the directions given.
Some distances can be covered between sentences though!
Recommended! |
| 2/5 |
the Ridgeway National Trail Guide This guide may be very good if you intend to do the walk from Overton Hill to Ivinghoe but if as I started at Ivinghoe to walk to Overton Hill I found it of no use at all. However at the path is well signed no guide is necessary. The Harvey's Map that we carried was more than adequate and clearly showed the route. |
| 5/5 |
Excellent book, essential guide This book is an essential guide for walking the Ridgeway, although several of the pubs along the way are now closed or being refurbished this book came in very handy along the way. Contains essentail information including water points along the way, although maybe a short section about the shops in each town as you pass would prove useful for the walker carrying all their own supplies. |
| 4/5 |
Excellent for long-distance walks This book is meant for poeple who wish to walk the whole length of the trail from start to finish. I have found these books excellent for this purpose and would choose no other when attempting a long-distance walk.
They are very informative with detailed descriptions of the route and interesting facts when required. They contain snap shots of the OS map although I would recommend still taking your own just in case! |
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2003
In stock
Details (show/hide)
2.0
| 2/5 |
A walking guide which seems to miss the point! I bought this book having recently walked the ridgeway national trail and thought that undertaking other sections of the greater ridgeway might be fun. But i have to say that having dipped into this book quite extensively to research another long distance trek i am left very disappointed: it really does seem to miss some of the most important fundamental points that any long distance walker requires.
For myself i undertake walks with the idea that i will be as self-sufficient as i can, camping along the way and predominantly self-catering. In planning such a trek one of the first things i base my daily itineries upon is the availability of water points upon the trail without having to wander off several miles to the nearest town/village/pub to find one. This book makes no systematic attempt to highlight water points which i find utterly exasperating: how can any guide book proposing the undertaking of a long distance trail fail to recognise the importance of water availability. It really makes me wonder what the author, Ray Qunlan, is thinking of; how does he go about planning a walk? I can only imagine he is a walker who sticks to pub, b&b, hotel accomodation and does not consider the need of walkers who are more interested in doing things on a budget and who do not intend detouring into pubs or other facilities just to top up on water. Compare this book to the Trailblazer guides,including their Ridgeway guide, and you will see what i mean. The latter guides clearly cater for all types of walker and clearly mark out all available water taps upon these national trails.
This is not the only problem i have with this book. Again compared to the Trailblazer guides this book is very poor on listing available accomodation, particularly campsites. I could find no reference to three campsites i stayed on the main ridgeway, campsites which were no further than 500 yards from the trail! Again I have to confess i am totally exasperated by this oversight. The author claims that making recommendations about the availability of accomodation (or transport links for that matter) is impossible due to changes in availability. But again compare this attitude to that of the Trailblazer guides and it begins to strike you as an excuse for poor research and lack of thoroughness. The Trailblazer guides list comprehensive details of accomodation and full contact details, likewise for transport links: the contact details mean that you can check on the current availability of these services. Ray Quinlan in this guide meanwhile simply suggests you research such information on the internet without giving any contact information or relevant internet sites: all very well, but if i wanted to research every last detail on the internet i would not have bothered purchasing this book.
Any positive points? Well the route descriptions are quite thorough, very detailed infact. Personally i find them too detailed and ponderous but at least they are thorough. However the mapping is poor i feel: the book uses os landranger mapping rather than more detailed explorer maps. Moreover the mapping is limited to just an incredibly small area around the actual trail so that getting a feel for what is around you is impossible.
Finally, the author does offer some decent insight into the history of the trail and locations upon it. These anecdotal stories and factual insights, surrounding the locations on the trail would certainly make interesting reading whilst indulging in relaxing moments along the walk.
But overall, i find this a very flawed guide which i cannot recommend to the serious trail walker, and one which i would not have purchased if i had the oppurtunity to examine it more carefully before buying. A pity, a real missed oppurtunity.
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2009
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4.0
| 3/5 |
Not Great for planning I am actually cycling the first half of The Ridgeway this time, then for a short distance moving to Swans Way and then returning to The Ridgeway to get as far as Chinnor. Though a nice read, this book is definately no good for planning the trip. I am sure it book will be useful once actually on the Ridgeway and would be good for anyone planning to do short section walks but for planning to do this as a long distance trip it lacks total distance between points and has no really comprehensive 'overview' of the route and path. The maps are 'pretty' and I love the notes on them. But having invested in this book, which is lovely, I am going to have to buy another guide in order to plan and organise my trip. When I last walked The Ridgeway I used a National Trail guide and, though less 'pretty' it was much more useful. |
| 4/5 |
used this guide... ...in september 09 to walk the ridgeway. as the book says, it was all we used, no other maps or accommodation guides. the wee 'hand drawn' maps are very useful but we thought the author should have included total mileage covered, it would have been nice to see, as we made our way through the maps. oh, and it was probably just us, but we thought the guide was at its best at the beginning of the path (starting in avebury), any issues we had seemed to come toward the end. |
| 5/5 |
THe only book you'll need This book covers everything to do with the Ridgeway. The walk, accommodation, services, transport, what you'll see, where the trail goes (there are even GPS points to input) and how far/how long every section is.
It's got everything, there are lots of maps, graphs and colour pictures, and it's all well-written and fun. |
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May-2010
Check Availability
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Guide to Walking Book Publishers
| General |
Check the reviews. Has the book been updated recently? Have the walks been walk checked by anyone other than the author. Are there web updates to the book?
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| Cicerone |
Cicerone is a well respected publisher of 'serious walker' guides to the English National Parks, Scotland, the Alps and beyond.
Their southern English books have (car friendly) circular walks with 1:25,000 OS map excerpts. They seem to have been authored by their regular authors who happen to live in
the south.
The books I've looked at (Thames Valley, Sussex) are great for car travel, but not so good for public transport. No indication of walk testers or updates (pubs, facilities, paths
change a lot more frequently in the Southeast than on moutains!).
But if you live in one of these areas, and have a car, these books are without equal.
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| Sunflower |
"Landscape" Walking Guides to "package holiday" destinations, e.g. Madeira.
Aimed more at 'country' (less serious) walkers, the more popular guides are updated regularly - much more frequently than other guides bookks - and incorporate feedback.
Great for walking but little tourist information (sightseeing, hotels, etc.)
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| Rother |
Walking Guides to the Alps and "package holiday" destinations, e.g. Madeira, Andalucia.
Aimed at more serious walkers, the books seem great at first, but I've had very poor experiences with them - the books don't seem to have been updated, or the walks
tested by any one other than the author. Some Amazon feedback for them is poor as well. The Maderia one was was great though. No tourist information.
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| Discovery |
"Walk!" guides to the UK and "package holiday" destinations
Contain GPS waypoint. They also do a series of maps which are excellent, and highly recommended. No tourist information
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