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by Laura Hodgkinson This good looking, modern walking book will take you on ten short circular themed walks across South Wales' ever-popular Brecon Beacons National Park. The Brecon Beacons was Britain’s 10th National Park, established in 1957 to preserve and highlight the unique landscape of the area. The Brecon Beacons are said to be named after the historical practice of lighting beacons of fire upon hilltops to forewarn neighbouring valleys of invasion. The Brecon Beacons cover 1,344 square kilometres / 519 square miles with it’s spectacular waterfalls, valleys and expanse of hilly terrain; the Black Mountain to the west, the Fforest Fawr Geopark, Waterfall Country and the Pen y Fan range at the centre, and The Black Mountains to the east. The variety of flora and fauna is as vast as the landscape. Rare sub-arctic, alpine plants thrive within this unique climate. Mammals you're likely to spot include include wild mountain ponies, horseshoe bats, otters and water voles. Often seen birds of prey include the buzzard and iconic red kite. It's a wonderful area for walking and for everyone with a love of the outdoors. -
Even the Peak District's name conceals a mystery. Forget the obvious: a visitor expecting towering peaks will be disappointed, as the name comes from the Pecsaetan tribe who once lived here. But there’s a twist: the Anglo-Saxon means “settlers of the Pec”…and that word pec has the same root as our peak, the dialect pike and the Pyrenean pic. So, ultimately, the Peak District is named after its peaks, after all. The Peak District is broadly defined by the conurbations at its corners: Manchester, Sheffield, Derby and Stoke. Within this rectangle, the National Park forms a rough oval of around 550 square miles. The area is traditionally divided into the Dark Peak – peat moorland edged by gritstone, with rugged villages in the valleys — and the softer White Peak - upland pastures defined by drystone walls, divided by gorges and limestone villages. The eastern and western moors are similar to the Dark Peak, but have their own subtly distinctive characters. The Peak District was occupied by humans long before the Pecsaetans and in each era man has left his mark, from prehistoric standing stones and rock art, through the folk legends, crosses and churches of the Middle Ages, to post-medieval follies and puzzling relics of the extraction of lime and lead. The varied geology of the area throws up natural curiosities too: its dark gritstone has wind-sculpted tors and edges, while its gleaming limestone hides caves and subterranean rivers. This handy pocket size book will take you on short circular walks to the ten most fascinating, odd or strange places in the Peak District. Prepare to be amazed and surprised. -
North Wales' best coastal pub walks
The comfortable, friendly and often upmarket pubs along the North Wales coast complement the walking on this superb stretch of the Wales Coast Path. Each walk incorporates a section of the Wales Coast Path, and starts and finishes close to a great, carefully selected pub. Combined, they cover the very best stretches of North Wales' coastline, one of striking contrasts and wonderful surprises. The easy, circular pub walks take in the North Wales Coast between Chester and Caernarfon, the Isle of Anglesey, and the remote Llyn peninsula. All the pubs are situated either right on the coast or a short hop inland — some in coves and harbours, some in the dunes or close to clifftops, others almost on the sand — and the majority are open all day. With the pubs often open all year and the walking good in all seasons, the North Wales Coast, Anglesey and the Llyn are quite rightly a year-round destination. -
by Dennis Kelsall This superbly-written and good looking book will take you on ten short circular walks to the very best stretches of coast, pubs, tea shops, and viewpoints that the beautiful Pembrokeshire coast, in West Wales, has to offer. Defining the south-westernmost tip of Wales, Pembrokeshire’s coastline is arguably the most beautiful and varied in the British Isles. Virtually all of it lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Relative isolation has left it largely untouched by modern development and most of its length is a wild frontier where the endless confrontation between sea and land is played out. Long stretches of coast face the fury of Atlantic storms and weakness and faults in the high cliffs are eroded into caves, coves and inlets. However, the harder rock, some of which is 700 million years old, resists the onslaught and stands out in rugged promontories and headlands. Elsewhere, sheltered landings and harbours, fine beaches and secluded bays reveal other aspects of this glorious landscape. In spring and summer the cliff tops break out in the pink, blue, white and yellow of countless flowers and sea crags are alive with nesting birds, while some of Britain’s largest seal populations arrive in autumn to give birth. It was this wild beauty that prompted the establishment of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1952. Despite being one of the UK’s smaller National Parks, it embraces a third of the county including all the offshore islands, the Daugleddau estuary, and the Preseli Hills. The Park is also home to the popular Pembrokeshire Coast Path — now part of the larger Wales Coast Path. Discover dramatic coastlines at St Davids Head and Strumble Head, Manorbier and Tenby. Climb to lofty coastal panoramas at Carn Ingli and Carn Llidi. Enjoy characterful waterside pubs at Porthgain and Cresswell Quay. Or relax over a quiet cup of coffee or tea and cake at two of Pembrokeshire’s cosiest and most welcoming tea shops and cafés. Unmissable. -
by Dennis Kelsall This attractive and good looking book will take you on ten short circular walks to some of the finest and most iconic views and viewpoints along the rugged Pembrokeshire coast, in West Wales. For some hillwalkers, the ‘view’ is only achieved on attaining the summit. But here, the endless convolutions of the coastline create an ever changing scene, both in front and behind; with every step shifting the perspective, bringing something different into sight. While the distant view can stretch for miles, inlets, coves and bays may remain hidden, only revealing themselves at the last moment. More immediately, the cliffs are broken by crevices, ledges, caves and natural arches, while just offshore are stacks and wave-washed shoals. Behind, the hinterland is a patchwork of hill, common and agriculture, while the vista out to the sea is endlessly changed by the weather, tide and hour. And, where accessible, the prospect from the beach is different again. Memorable walks to unmissable views. -
A visit to a tea shop or cafe makes for a lovely end to a walk. It’s always a treat to sit down to coffee and cake at the end of an afternoon stroll or to tuck into a hearty lunch half-way through a day-long hike. From village halls and quaint tea rooms that still serve tea from teapots to modern cafés staffed by efficient baristas, the Yorkshire Dales have plenty to offer — and all surrounded by a timeless and unspoilt landscape. The ten tea shops in this book have been chosen partly on the basis of the excellent walking that can be enjoyed from their doors, and partly on the basis of their wonderful food and drinks and welcoming ambience. -
Discover the very best walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. These ten themed walks explore the contrasting faces of the Yorkshire Dales — the gentle flower-filled Dales and the wild and rugged uplands with their drystone walls, waterfalls, limestone pavements and iconic peaks. Find unspoiled pubs and friendly teashops. Visit tiny villages, castles, churches and ancient abbeys. Stroll beside crystal rivers or thrill to the thunder of some of Britain’s mightiest waterfalls. Conquer the Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. Or just enjoy the quiet countryside and spectacular scenery. Every walk here is a walk to savour. -
South Devon's best coastal pub walks
The lovely pubs along the South Devon coast complement the walking on this superlative stretch of the South West Coast Path. Each walk incorporates a stretch of the South West Coast Path, and starts and finishes close to a great pub. Combined, they cover the very best stretches of South Devon's coastline, one of great natural beauty and variety. The pub walks are ordered from west to east, starting at Noss Mayo on the Yealm estuary and finishing at Branscombe, near Beer. All the pubs are situated either right on the coast or a short distance inland — some in coves and harbours, others almost on the sand — and the majority are open all day. With the pubs open all year and the walking good in all seasons, the South Devon Coast is quite rightly a year-round destination. -
Dorset's best coastal pub walks
The excellent pubs along the Dorset coast complement the walking on this superlative stretch of the South West Coast Path. Each walk incorporates a stretch of the South West Coast Path, and starts and finishes close to a superb pub. Combined they cover the very best stretches of Dorset’s coastline, one of great natural beauty and variety. The pub walks here are also ordered from west to east, starting with Lyme Regis and finishing at Studland. All the pubs are situated either right on the coast or a short distance inland — some in coves and harbours, others right on the beach — and almost every one is open all day. With the pubs open all year and the walking good in all seasons, Dorset’s iconic Jurassic Coast is a year-round destination. -
The Peak District abounds with cafes and tea shops offering fabulous, freshly brewed coffee and a mouthwatering variety of speciality teas. This pocket-size guide picks carefully selected cafés across the Peak District — in locations ranging from former stations to community cafés, National Trust properties to hillside farms, and bakeries on town streets to tearooms tucked down alleyways. All of them offer a great choice of often home-baked or locally sourced produce, and a pleasant place to relax after a refreshing walk. This handy pocket size book will take you on short circular walks to the ten friendliest and most fantastic cafes and tea shops in the Peak District. -
Discover the very best of the dramatic Snowdonia National Park, in North Wales. These ten themed walks will take you to the best and most iconic places across Snowdonia, from the mighty Aber Falls in the north, to Cadair Idris, in the south. Famous for its lofty mountains and open hills, Snowdonia is characterised, too, by dramatic upland lakes and tarns enfolded within glacial troughs and valleys, and short, steep rivers tumbling to the sea. Discover vast empty beaches, friendly pubs and stunning views, hidden lakes and awesome waterfalls, challenging hills and mighty mountains. Every one is a walk to enjoy and savour on the day, and to remember long afterwards.
