The Path More Travelled: The Secret History of Britain's Footpaths

Nicholas Crane

'Absorbing and exhilarating . . . This book will literally expand your horizons' MICHAEL PALIN
'A panoptic, deeply researched and compelling history of our nation' PATRICK BARKHAM

A fascinating, immersive history of Britain's footpaths and routeways from the Mesolithic era to the present day - from the acclaimed geographer and author of The Making of the British Landscape

'A book to read and savour at home, and then stow in the backpack alongside thermos, sandwiches and an Ordnance Survey map' PETROC TRELAWNY

Walking defines us as human beings. But how much do we know about the paths that we walk? Why do they matter? What caused so many to be lost? And can we create more of them?

In The Path More Travelled, acclaimed geographer and travel writer Nicholas Crane explores the hidden history of Britain's coast-to-coast web, from prehistoric routeways walked by European migrants 12,000 years ago to pilgrim ways and coffin roads, turnpikes, towpaths and city pavements. We discover how land-grabbing Norman barons began the enclosure of our countryside, and how our beloved national parks and long-distance trails emerged from the ashes of two world wars.

Along the way, Crane takes the reader on some of his most memorable walks: along the Hadrian's Wall Path, into the icy Cairngorms and to the banks of the Severn where he discovers footprints from over 7,000 years ago. The Path More Travelled is a passionate ode to walking - and a call to rediscover and protect the lifeblood of our landscapes.

'Wonderfully immersive and full of fascinating detail' FIONA ROBERTSON
'Evocative, beautifully written and witty, it is also a passionate statement on the human freedom to roam' VANESSA TAYLOR