Bradt Travel Guides: Slow Travel

Written by resident experts, this new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's Dumfries and Galloway remains the only full-blown guide to this increasingly popular southwest corner of Scotland. The region is covered in depth, from Eskdale in the east to Scotland's southern tip at the Mull of Galloway, via Annandale, Nithsdale, Dumfries, The Stewartry, The Machars and Moors, and the Rhins. Lively descriptions, historical anecdotes and enthusiastic writing combine with hand-picked accommodation recommendations to reveal one of Scotland's best kept secrets. New attractions and features covered in this edition include Kirkcudbright Galleries, an increased focus on wildlife and birdwatching, and a round-up of the many distilleries and breweries in the region. There are also specialist contributions covering everything from smoking fish and meat, creating a Himalayan garden in the hills of the Southern Uplands, conservation along the Solway coast, and the sport of curling. New walks and a good range of hotels and restaurants not previously included have also been added. Dumfries and Galloway is proving ever-more alluring to discerning visitors in search of grand views, peace and isolation, bustling harbourside towns, craft shops and galleries, cafes and restaurants, mountains and coast, wildlife and outdoor pursuits. all the ingredients for a successful UK break. Even the weather can defy expectation, for the far west is warmed by the Gulf Stream and gardens here are replete with palm trees and southern hemisphere plants. You can be at Scotland's highest village in the morning, on a deserted sandy beach in the afternoon, and in Europe's first Dark Sky Park, gazing at the stars, in the evening. Wildlife lovers will also be in their element as all of Scotland's 'big five' iconic species can be seen: golden eagle, red squirrel, harbour seal, red deer and European otter. In the surrounding waters look out for minke whales, porpoise and dolphins, while Caerlaverock at the eastern end of the region plays host each year to the staggering annual spectacle of thousands of barnacle geese settling on the WWT reserve. No matter your interest, Bradt's Dumfries and Galloway is an ideal companion for a successful trip.

This new second edition of South Devon and Dartmoor is part of Bradt's distinctive 'Slow travel' series of guides to UK regions, offering in-depth exploration of one of England's most popular areas. Written by resident experts Hilary Bradt and Janice Booth, it is the essential companion guide to discovering not just the obvious and most popular sites, but also for getting off the beaten track and understanding what makes this gorgeous part of the country tick. Much of the information in Bradt's South Devon and Dartmoor has appeared in no other guidebook (apart from the first edition of this book) as the authors uncover the lesser-known charms of the region as well as different aspects of the more popular places, together with colourful characters from the past, folk history, and literary links from Agatha Christie to Conan Doyle. The guide has a special emphasis on car-free travel: walking, cycling and river boats, as well as local buses and trains. Local food is covered, while accommodation and places to eat and drink have been hand-selected by the authors, from idyllically located campsites to stylish boutique B&Bs, with additional advice from a Devon-based tour operator who has personally tested many restaurants and hotels. Colourful and witty writing, along with the authors' enthusiasm for their subject, makes the guide a pleasure to read. With Bradt's South Devon and Dartmoor discover the region's award-winning gin distillery and new whisky distillery; learn what really goes on at a wassail gathering; find out what you should do if you're harassed by pixies on Dartmoor; and discover unique local events like the annual Orange Race held in Totnes. Also included are selected walking routes with maps, and entertaining and informative stories about historical characters and folklore, while small and historic little village churches, with their idiosyncratic saints and intriguing carvings, are described in loving detail. Wet weather activities are also suggested for each area.

This edition of “Bradt's Norfolk”, part of Bradt's award-winning 'Slow travel' series of guides to UK regions, turns the spotlight on this county of contrasts, from the fine city of Norwich to the watery wilderness of the Broads and the sweeping beaches of the superlative north coast. As well as featuring all the main sights, experienced travel writer and local resident Laurence Mitchell ensures that Bradt's Norfolk covers places and aspects not detailed by other guidebooks and offers a special emphasis on car-free travel, walking (including along several long-distance footpaths), accommodation, local food and pubs. Written in an entertaining style combining personal narrative with authoritative information, this guide brings the county to life through anecdotes and the views of local people. Making a virtue of being selective, the guide points visitors to the cream of the area, but includes the whole of Norfolk from Great Yarmouth and the Broads in the east to the Fens of the far west, from the iconic North Norfolk coast to the Breckland region to the south. Places to eat and drink are selected by the author based upon long-standing knowledge of the area, in particular delving into aspects of regional distinctiveness and character. Characterful market towns, medieval churches and Seahenge (a 4,000-year-old timber circle) feature alongside culturally vibrant Norwich, England's first UNESCO City of Literature, which hosts the acclaimed Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and the highly rated Norwich and Norfolk Festival. Flora and fauna are also celebrated, the guidebook detailing the many wildlife sites within the county that are home to rare species, including the iconic swallowtail butterfly, while there is new detail on rewilding projects such as Wild Ken Hill, featured on BBC Springwatch and Autumnwatch programmes, seal colonies and the 'Snettisham spectacular' of shorebirds and geese. Hiking and biking, literary and artistic connections, canoeing and water-based activities, local food and drink (including prize-winning vineyards and independent breweries), and all the practical, up-to-date information you could need are included, helping make “Bradt's Norfolk” the must-have guide for all visitors to this beguiling county.

This edition of “Bradt's New Forest”, part of the award-winning “Slow Travel” series of guides to UK regions-focuses on this peaceful, enchanting area in Hampshire. Walkers, cyclists, wildlife lovers, families and foodies are all catered for, with coverage of a wide range of attractions. The only comprehensive travel guidebook to this compact, increasingly popular national park barely 90 minutes from London, it contains all the practical information you need to enjoy time here, including accommodation options ranging from fine hotels to campsites where grazing ponies may nose at your tent flap. Such free-roaming animals are integral to both the New Forest's charm and its suitability for a Slow guide. Here ponies and cows routinely halt traffic, while donkeys peer into shop windows. Sites of Special Scientific Interest cover over half the national park. All the UK's six native reptile species occur, alongside its largest population of Dartford warblers. Given the region's name, the landscape varies surprisingly. Wander through ancient, broad-leaved woodlands originally established as hunting grounds for King William I (William the Conqueror), or marvel at towering conifers at Rhinefield Arboretum. Explore miles of heathland, the yachting town of Lymington or the great coastal spit leading to Hurst Castle (where the ghost of King Charles I is said to wander by night). Alternatively, visit distinctive villages from 13th-century Beaulieu, with its abbey, palace and National Motor Museum, to Burley, infamous for witchcraft. Alongside providing practical information with a personal touch, experienced travel writer and local resident Emily Laurence Baker leads visitors behind the scenes to explain the 'working Forest', outlining how various organisations manage the land, how grazing animals have shaped it for centuries, and how the 'commons' system functions. She further brings the New Forest to life through interviews with local people, from butchers to conservationists, and agisters to verderers, making “Bradt's New Forest” the must-have guide for all visitors to this beguiling region.

This new title from Bradt forms part of its distinctive 'Slow' travel series and is the only title available to cover the Chilterns and Thames Valley in depth. The Chilterns and the Thames Valley do not correspond to the specific boundaries of one county or region, old or new. Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire - and even a small part of Surrey - all have a share. Divided into seven easily manageable sections, Bradt's Chilterns and Thames Valley lifts the lid on what makes this area so distinctive. Chalk grasslands, beech woods, streams and wooded valleys provide a perfect landscape for walking and are easily accessible from London. About half of the area has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the closest such area to London. Rare plants such as fleawort and numerous orchid varieties, and birds including red kites, lapwings and skylark flourish. The Thames Valley follows the route of one of the world's most famous rivers. You can find key sites of monarchical and parliamentary power such as Windsor Castle and Chequers, the location of Magna Carta's signing at Runnymede and the birthplaces of men and women who have led dissent down the ages. A host of well-loved authors has lived and written here, depicting Paradise, defining our childhoods and painting timeless images of England and its people. Eminent chefs own restaurants with national and sometimes international reputations. In short, the Chilterns and the Thames Valley together represent a wonderfully paradoxical mixture of world-famous tourist sites and lesser-known attractions full of quirkiness and character, which will repay the visitor's interest and attention many times over. From Windsor Castle to Whipsnade Zoo, Britain's oldest road - The Ridgeway - to National Trust properties such as Cliveden and Waddeson Manor, the Henley Regatta to the Grand Union Canal, Bradt's Chilterns and Thames Valley is the perfect companion.

This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's much-praised guide to Sussex, including the South Downs, Weald and Coast offers a greater and more personal selection of places to explore and discover than any other guide. Resident expert author Tim Locke takes a leisurely, detailed approach that is highly personal, honest and critical, encouraging you to slow down and take time to gain a deeper understanding of what makes this stunning region tick and why it deserves repeat visits. Sussex offers plenty of scope for 'Slow travel' with or without a car, including walks, pottering around on bikes, steam trains, volunteer-run buses, a solar-powered craft in Chichester harbour, or on small boats. This is a guide to the author's favourite places in Sussex - along the coast, in the South Downs and in the Weald. It doesn't attempt to cover everything but picks its way round the places that have particular distinctiveness, including the parts of the South Downs National Park that fall in Sussex. The coast - much loved by pleasure-seekers since the Prince Regent partied away at his Royal Pavilion in Brighton - is densely built up for much of the way, but Tim Locke includes all sorts of gems that could easily be missed, from a full-size replica of the painted ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in an obscure modern church to a unique factory in Hastings providing cloth flowers for movies and theatres. Also covered are a new walk down the deepest, loveliest dry valley on the Downs, a sheep farmer who opens her farm during the lambing season and, in the High Weald, some of the most magnificent of English gardens created in the 19th and 20th centuries. Sussex is less than 30 miles from the fringes of London, but a very different world, with an irresistible blend of history, archaeology (the author has been taking part in digs at a new site near Barcombe), pleasure-seeking, delectable scenery, world-class gardens, literary connections and some of the most quintessentially English scenery. New since the first edition, the South Downs National Park, established in 2011, was designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2016, while Brighton now has its spanking new i360 viewing tower, Hastings has rebuilt its pier and opened the Jerwood Gallery, and Ditchling Museum's spectacular revamp has caught the public imagination. Also new, Chichester's Novium Museum, developments at Battle Abbey, and Rathfinny Vineyard, set to become Britain's largest, along with how Sussex sparkling wine producers are beating the French champagne makers at their own game. From beaches to castles, cathedrals to modern art, restored mansions to vernacular architecture, this is the essential guide for discovering this popular region.

This brand new title in Bradt's acclaimed UK regional Slow series is the only full guide to Cheshire, a county known for its abundance of black-and-white timbered buildings and which was put firmly on the map in the 1990s thanks to then-resident stars Posh and Becks. Cheshire is a county that confounds expectations, from the Cheshire Plain to the hills and moors of the Pennines and Peak District in the east and surprisingly dramatic sandstone ridges in the west, not to mention the Wirral Peninsula, flanked by the major estuaries of the rivers Mersey and Dee flowing into the Irish Sea. Home to premier league footballers it may be, but it is also a largely rural landscape and an area of farm shops, forests and falconries; meres, marinas and marshes. There is industrial and scientific heritage, too, ranging from Bronze-Age mining sites to the internationally important astronomical observatory and mighty Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank. With this new Bradt guide, discover all of this and more: the county town of Chester with its fascinating Roman history, unique double-decker medieval shopping arcades and the most complete city walls in Britain; ruins of ancient castles; and reminders of the salt and silk industries that have been so important in the past. For a truly slow experience, Cheshire also offers a network of canals, perfect for waterside strolls or pootling along in a narrowboat, while Bradt's Slow Cheshire details information for walkers and cyclists, too. Also included in this guide are gardens and parks, grand stately homes and structural legacies of the past (such as Port Sunlight), engaging museums, attractions and events. Local food and drink is covered, along with all types of accommodation, from B&Bs and self-catering cottages to guesthouses and hotels.

This new title in Bradt's distinctive series of Slow travel guides to regions of Britain is the only general guide to focus exclusively on Exmoor, covering all of the national park plus towns and villages just outside the boundary. Written by expert resident author Hilary Bradt, coast and moorland, hiking, wildlife and birdwatching are all covered, as are food and drink, historical background and culture both present and past, including Lorna Doone (and Doone country), Wordsworth and Shelley. Divided into ten regions and complete with 13 walks with maps, Bradt's Slow Travel Exmoor National Park also covers National Trust villages and nature reserves, little-known attractions such as private gardens, and the region's most interesting little churches. Exmoor is one of England's smallest but most beautiful national parks and is also particularly rich in festivals, both cultural, traditional - and frankly bizarre, including Hunting of the Earl of Rone in the village of Combe Martin and the Minehead Hobby Horse. The area is also increasingly recognized as a foodie destination and as a place for active holidays of all types. With its long coastline there are beaches for everyone, both sand and pebble, with wild swimming in the sea, rivers and reservoirs. This is also one of the most rewarding areas for walking in the West Country, combining stunning sections of the South West Coast Path with inland walks over heather-rich moorland and up river valleys. England's smallest church and largest number of wild red deer, and Britain's most distinctive native pony are all found here. Ideal for walkers, riders, foodies and lovers of beautiful scenery and wilderness, Bradt's Slow Travel Exmoor National Park is the essential companion for a successful trip regardless of age or budget.

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This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's best-selling, comprehensive guide to Northumberland including Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall & the Coast remains the reliable source of information for discovering the far northeast of England, an area which is home to Europe's largest area of protected night sky - and England's first Dark Sky Park, a 572-square-mile expanse in Northumberland National Park. Now including over 40 walks along beaches, over hills and through valleys, as well as dedicated chapters on Northumberland National Park, Hadrian's Wall, the coast and Newcastle, among others, Bradt's Northumberland including Newcastle, Hadrian's Wall & the Coast is the ideal companion for a successful visit. Northumberland is well-known for its beaches, castles, wildlife, islands and desolate upland scenery, but despite all the attention and accolades ('most tranquil county', 'darkest night skies in England', 'Best UK County/Region [Silver Award']), Northumberland remains for the most part wonderfully crowd-free. It is the ultimate place in England to get away from it all, where you can walk all afternoon over moorland and not meet anyone, skinny-dip in lakes, or picnic on pristine sands with no one else around. Northumberland is also home to Hadrian's Wall, 'the most important Roman monument in Britain' (English Heritage), while heritage enthusiasts will find a number of world firsts and unique museums such as Tanfield Railway, where you can marvel at 19th-century steam engines in the oldest engine shed in the world. Bradt's Northumberland encourages visitors to slow down and explore the green lanes, footpaths, rivers and cycle trails that link Northumberland's 'Castle Coast' with the heather-topped hills, Roman fortresses and villages of the interior. A guide to Newcastle is found in the chapter on Tyne & Wear. Local knowledge of historic towns, heritage sites, wildlife-watching spots and countryside walks, and words and tips from local heritage experts make this an authoritative guide - and as much an entertaining armchair read as a practical guide, perfect for walkers, birdwatchers, cyclists, families, and those interested in Roman archaeology, industrial heritage and medieval castles.

This new, thoroughly updated edition of Yorkshire Dales, part of Bradt's series of distinctive 'Slow' guides to local UK regions, remains the most comprehensive guide to the area and covers the whole of the recently extended Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as some 'slow' and historic towns and villages just outside the boundaries. Dale by dale, each chapter covers wildlife, folklore, history and local food and drink, and suggests routes to follow to see the best of it all. Walking and cycling are included, as well as all the attractions and advice needed for a memorable visit. Written by an expert who has lived and worked in the area for over 30 years, the guide draws from his personal experiences as an outdoor enthusiast, naturalist and beer connoisseur. The Yorkshire Dales is famous internationally for its caves, scenic rivers, waterfalls and limestone flora but the lives and culture of the Dales folk that live there are just as fascinating. These days the area is also known for the Tour de Yorkshire, now firmly established as a hugely popular annual cycling event. Ease the pace and discover the delights of the north Pennines, where rivers from the limestone uplands have forged the dales that give the region its name. Drop in to the Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in Britain, where sheep regularly find their way in to warm themselves by the roaring fire; journey into the depths of Gaping Gill, one of the largest underground chambers in Britain; or take a scenic rail trip on the famous Settle-Carlisle line, crossing the longest railway viaduct in the country at Ribblehead en route. The Yorkshire Dales offer hundreds of square miles of open-access land to explore, popular long-distance footpaths including the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast Walk, renowned medieval castles such as Skipton and Richmond, quaint stone villages and an exceptionally rich wildlife particularly associated with clean rivers and limestone-pavement flora. Discover all this and more with Bradt's Slow Travel Yorkshire Dales, the perfect companion for a successful trip.

This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's Slow Travel Peak District brings a fresh perspective to this much-loved area. Slow down and let expert local author Helen Moat guide you to not just all the well-known places, but away from the crowds to uncover the hidden corners of the Peak District. The author's love of interesting and colourful story is linked to the natural and manmade features of the area, highlighting the quirky and unusual places and points of interest off the beaten tourist track, from dales to abandoned mills, historical ruins, strange follies and irresistible pubs. Connect with the people who work and live in the national park through first-hand accounts of their experiences, and discover great places to cook, eat and drink, with a focus on tasty, local and good quality food in atmospheric venues and locations. An emphasis on car-free travel throws up a range of options: walking, cycling, boating, buses and trains - and some more unusual modes of transport as part of the sightseeing experience. From the characterful mill towns of Holmfirth, Marsden and Uppermill on its northern fringes, to the historic stone-built settlements that lie the heart of the national park; from the elegant spa town of Buxton to the colourful market towns of Matlock, Ashbourne and Leek in the south, the Peak District is filled with story and history - and great beauty. Helen Moat has won, or been placed in, numerous travel writing competitions and has a passion for, and extensive knowledge of, the Peak District. She now works as a freelance travel writer, contributing to regional and national publications such as Derbyshire Life, Wanderlust and BBC Countryfile.

Smitten by Scotland since childhood, outdoor writer and photographer Rebecca Gibson moved to Moray and started exploring her new home region on foot to produce this new title in Bradt's award-winning series of Slow travel guides to UK regions. Walkers, cyclists, wildlife lovers, families, folklore enthusiasts and foodies are all catered for, with coverage of a wide range of attractions. As the only comprehensive guidebook to North East Scotland in print, it also contains all the practical information you could need to plan and enjoy time in a thrillingly diverse yet largely under-explored part of Britain. This region of mountains and coasts, ancient Caledonian pine forests and salmon-rich rivers harbours much to enthrall and surprise. Long famous among hillwalkers, mountaineers and nature lovers, the Cairngorms is the UK's largest National Park and abounds in fairy folklore. Balmoral Estate has been a royal residence since Queen Victoria's reign, while Aberdeenshire has Scotland's highest density of castles and numerous Pictish stones and stone circles among an astounding 30,000 sites of historical and archaeological interest. Between Inverness and Aberdeen lies the less-familiar region of Moray, which hosts the world's most northerly population of bottlenose dolphins, Scotland's oldest independent museum and Forres, where Shakespeare's Macbeth met the three witches. Here the Scots language and culture are celebrated through gatherings such as fire festivals. This guidebook's Slow approach to travel fits with a growing ethos of sustainability in this part of Scotland, from Findhorn Ecovillage to a celebration of locally sourced, artisan and organic food alongside the well-known products of Speyside whisky, Aberdeen Angus beef and River Dee salmon. Key heritage attractions are described in intimate detail, but so are opportunities to see some of Scotland's most special wildlife, from pinewood-dwelling crested tits to the largest mainland gannet colony in the country. Whether you are keen to visit castles or indulge in whisky-tastings amid Britain's highest concentration of distilleries, to stroll around sparkling forest lochans or to stride along miles of coastline, discover North East Scotland with Bradt's unique Slow guide.

In this new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's The Cotswolds (Slow Travel series), resident expert author Caroline Mills shares more of her favourite places in a region that remains as popular as ever. The area covered includes: the Cotswold AONB, the Cotswold escarpment, hills and valleys, the Wiltshire Cotswolds and the area known as the Four Shires, along with the lesser-known 'hidden' fringes of the Cotswolds. Also included are the three Cotswold 'gateways': Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath and Oxford. Caroline Mills has lived and worked in the region for over 40 years and writes in an entertaining and engaging first-person narrative combined with authoritative information. Organised in such a way to encourage you to slow down and make it easier to discover smaller areas in greater depth, the guide includes features such as interviews with locals who bring character to the region, activities to try with children, personally selected places to eat, drink and stay, coverage of the Arts & Crafts movement, and plenty of options for car-free travel: walking, cycling, river boats and local buses and trains. Cotswold Farm Park, home of Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, is also included. Featured within the guide are quirky events such as the Cheese-Rolling competition and Tetbury's Woolsack Races; numerous and distinguished breweries and micro-breweries, including the famous Hook Norton Brewery, Bath Ales, Uley Brewery and Stroud Brewery; Oxford University, the world's oldest, and the source of England's longest river, the Thames. The Cotswolds' rich and diverse man-made heritage includes many famous castles and country houses: Blenheim Palace, Sudeley Castle, Chavenage and Kelmscott; well-known abbeys such as Prinknash, Hailes; and gardens and estates including Painswick Rococo Garden, Westonbirt Arboretum and Highgrove. Roman history is covered, too, notably in Bath and Cirencester, together with the Fosse Way, one of the most important Roman roads in the country. The Cotswolds continues to endear itself to anyone who visits - its harmonious combination of quintessentially English villages, charming provincial market towns, interesting and appealing countryside and a wealth of local food-and-drink producers makes it an all-year-round destination, whether for a day trip, a quiet weekend away or a multi-week holiday. The region offers an incredible array of accommodation from unique country-house hotels to delightful farmhouse B&Bs on working farms, luxurious self-catering cottages to glamping and camping in secluded countryside. Visitors that have a particular passion or interest for gardens, the Arts & Crafts Movement, historic buildings, walking, horseriding or rural pursuits are well provided for within the Cotswolds.