7 new UK travel books to inspire your post-lockdown adventures
As the country tentatively comes out of hibernation, now’s a great time to delve into some UK travel inspiration and start dreaming of a Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England staycation…
While we’ve been locked down, bookshops have sadly been a no-go. So, there’s a chance you might’ve missed these travel tomes – all excellent explorations of the UK – which were released in the last three months.
Now we’re starting to emerge from hibernation (slowly and safely), the time has come to get a little bit of local inspiration, helping us to plan the perfect ‘staycation’, road trip or mini break here in the United Kingdom.
(P.S. Planning to travel soon? Head here for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland travel updates. Or here for our daily coronavirus border update.)
Here are 7 new UK travel books to read now…
1. Walking the Great North Line: From Stonehenge to Lindisfarne to Discover the Mysteries of Our Ancient Past, by Robert Twigger
W&N
Is there a line running up the middle of England, connecting many of the country’s ancient, mystical places?
Well, we’ll let you make up your own mind about that once you’ve read Robert Twigger’s entertaining ramble – in many senses of the word – from Christchurch in Dorset up to Northumberland’s Holy Island.
He visits Palaeolithic sites such as Meon Hill and the Swastika Stone but, better yet, Twigger’s restless energy diverts itself to explore many other subjects along his way.
2. Scotland Beyond the Bagpipes, by Helen Ochyra
The Book Guild
It’s easy to see why visitors fall in love with Caledonia, but Helen Ochyra successfully explains its ongoing attraction to those south of Hadrian’s Wall.
After a sudden loss, the travel writer (for The Times, Telegraph and Rough Guides, among others) spent three months on a healing journey across the country to better understand its geography, history and people.
3. Wanderland, by Jini Reddy
Bloomsbury Wildlife
A reminder that there’s magic imbuing Britain’s landscapes, and the pursuit of that in these pages may enhance your experience of the world beyond your front door – once you get to open it.
Jini Reddy’s book doesn’t just open your eyes to the Isles’mystical history,but also your mind to the possibilities of what spirits may be lurking there.
4. Ring the Hill, by Tom Cox
Unbound
The common hill doesn’t get the love that it’s altitudinous relative, the mountain, does. In Ring the Hill, Tom Cox irons out this injustice.
The funny, thoughtful writer uses the local landmarks (particularly Devon and Norfolk) as anchors for his literal and also philosophical ambles, enjoyably digressing into nature, history and folklore.
It’s well worth catching up with now it’s out on paperback, if you missed it the first time.
5. The Unremembered Places: Exploring Scotland’s Wild Histories, by Patrick Baker
Birlinn Ltd
Wandering and kayaking through some of the UK’s wildest places, Patrick Baker reveals an area tantalisingly layered through with history and mystery in this fascinating exploration of the area.
Along the way as he navigates Scotland’s peaks, creeks and cracks, he charts the labyrinth of ancient and modern history, as well as the connections between the two, enriching any visit to the area.
6. Around the Coast in 80 Days: Your Guide to Britain’s Best Coastal Towns, Beaches, Cliffs and Headlands, by Peter Naldrett
Conway
Even more useful given that many travellers are giving Britain’s remarkably diverse seaside some serious thought this summer.
This guide takes you around the coast, mixing up the classic wild Wanderlust adventures on the Scottish coast with quirky travel experiences (like Portmeirion) and fresh spins on hanky-hat postcard sunspots like Southend and Brighton.
7. The Accidental Countryside: Hidden Havens for Britain’s Wildlife, by Stephen Moss
Guardian Faber Publishing
This revealing guide of hidden places to spot wildlife in our modern world has been a welcome addition to our shelves during lockdown – and even more so now we’re coming out of it.
From London’s city jungle to UK rail corridors, Stephen shows us that rare finds can be a happy accident not just in our own back garden but also in unexpected man-made oasis, too.
