The arrival of Wild Guide Central England on my doormat has proved a welcome tonic in these extraordinary times.
At the time of writing this book review, the UK is effectively in lockdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The nation has been told to stay at home and stay safe, to protect the NHS and save lives.
You may therefore think that flicking through the pages of a book packed with enticing photographs of rural beauty spots and cosy pubs would be like pouring salt on a wound.
But far from it.
In fact, reading Wild Guide Central England has taken my mind off all the doom and gloom in the news, and has given me something positive to look forward to when all this is over. (I’m already planning my family’s post COVID-19 trips!).
This new compendium of adventures, from the award-winning Wild Guide series, covers Central England and the Midlands. Inside, you’ll find inspiration for exploring a wide area that stretches from the Peak District to the Cotswolds, and from the Wye Valley to the Lincolnshire coast.
What I thought of the book
Wild Guide Central England – by Nikki Squires, Richard Clifford and John Webster – is a treasure trove of ideas for getting out and about.
Among the highlights is the stunning photography: the authors certainly haven’t scrimped on images. Plus, the photographs are handily numbered, so you can match them to their descriptions.
The book is easy to use because it’s separated into different areas, such as High Peak, Nottinghamshire, Shropshire Hills, and South Warwickshire.
The only thing I found confusing was the chapter on ‘Southern Staffordshire’, because the authors seem to also describe this area as ‘South Shropshire’. But other than that, I could find nothing to fault.
Wild Guide Central England is also practical as it includes Ordnance Survey National Grid References and maps.
Within each section, the writers have provided a guide to their ‘perfect weekend’ in that area. They also suggest where to go river swimming, where to eat, where to drink and where to stay. Plus, they list local lakes, ancient and sacred sites, woodlands, wildlife and ruins. And there’s useful guidance and warnings in relation to wild swimming.
So, if you’re looking for a spot of escapism, especially at this present time, I can thoroughly recommend this stunning book. I just hope the pubs and other businesses listed inside survive the current crisis, which is hitting the economy and people’s livelihoods hard.
How much is the book and how can you buy it?
Wild Guide Central England is £16.99. You can buy a copy here.
About the authors
Nikki Squires is an avid camper, photographer and English teacher, who runs her school’s bushcraft programme. Richard Clifford is a wild swimmer, triathlete, PE teacher and adventure leader. John Webster grew up sea swimming and surfing, and now raises his two children on a diet of wild adventures. They all live and work in the Midlands, near Leicester and have spent the last decade wild camping, swimming, climbing and exploring Central England.
About the book
Title: Wild Guide Central England
Publisher: Wild Things Publishing
ISBN: 9781910636206
Pages: 288
Review by: Colette Warbrook
You may also want to read this:
Book Review: Folk Tales for Bold Girls by Fiona Collins
Book Review: Cornish Folk Tales of Place by Anna Chorlton
Book Review: Irish Gothic Fairy Stories by Steve Lally and Paula Flynn Lally
*We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
17 comments
I love the sound of that book. Certainly plenty to keep your mind occupied and feeling positive.
Absolutely! It is a great book to own
We love getting out and about around the UK. I can see it being the perfect tonic right now and also a handy guide for when we finally come out of this.
Agree, it is the perfect guide and planner for when all this is over
This sounds like the perfect gift for my parents – they absolutely love walking and this would be something they would plan routes via I might have to treat them.
How wonderful to hear that
Wonderful book I will.look into it to read it
Hope you do Glori
This sounds just the right thing for now, where we can get out and about, I know a few people who would love this book x
How wonderful! Good luck to you Samantha
Looks like a perfect book to have to do some virtual traveling while on lock down. I will also let my cousin know about this. He lives in the area. I think he’d be thrilled to have this guide book too.
This sounds like a great book as we’re all staying closer to home. I’ll have to see if there’s one for where we live.
Details are on the blog if you are keen Jenny
Yep, I’d love this too. We’ve been looking at lots of books and planning new walks and places to visit, it is keeping us going. Mich x
Yes it would indeed Michelle, enjoy it
I love the sound of this book! I think I might even get if for myself, so then we can go on lot’s of family walks. And I’m in Derbyshire, so most of these place are not that far
It is a great book indeed Natasha, do get a copy of it