Christopher Somerville

In January 2006, a month or two after my father died, I thought I saw him again - a momentary impression of an old man, a little stooped, setting off for a walk in his characteristic fawn corduroys and shabby quilted jacket. After teenage rifts it was walking that brought us closer as father and son; and this 'ghost' of Dad has been walking at my elbow since his death, as I have ruminated on his great love of walking, his prodigious need to do it - and how and why I walk myself. The January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave Goulder's 'The January Man'. Month by month, season by season and region by region, Christopher Somerville walks the British Isles, following routes that continually bring his father to mind. As he travels the country - from the winter floodlands of the River Severn to the lambing pastures of Nidderdale, the towering seabird cliffs on the Shetland Isle of Foula in June and the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest in autumn - he describes the history, wildlife, landscapes and people he encounters, down back lanes and old paths, in rain and fair weather. This exquisitely written account of the British countryside not only inspires us to don our boots and explore the 140,000 miles of footpaths across the British Isles, but also illustrates how, on long-distance walks, we can come to an understanding of ourselves and our fellow walkers. Over the hills and along the byways, Christopher Somerville examines what moulded the men of his father's generation - so reticent about their wartime experiences, so self-effacing, upright and dutiful - as he searches for 'the man inside the man' that his own father really was.

A Year of Walking Britain

The January Man

The allure of Great Britain's natural beauty, famously refined culture, and storied history has long held sway over visitors. The country is the number one destination for Americans traveling to Europe. Annually, more than 4,000,000 tourists cross the Atlantic to enjoy the island's myriad charms, including the rolling moors of Devon and Yorkshire, some of the world's finest museums, dining, and theater in the fabled streets of London. Travelers are able to soak in the rich history and stunning scenery of Scotland's islands and highlands, as well as the stately aristocratic mansions and castles that dot the countryside. Illustrated with more than 150 vivid photographs and 30 detailed, full-color maps, National Geographic Traveler: Great Britain, 3rd Edition brings you everything you need to know to plan a trip to this most enticing of regions. Veteran travel author Christopher Somerville, a native Englishman, guides you shire by shire through the fascinating landscape that is 21st-century Britain, beginning with a detailed introduction to the island's history, food, land, and culture--factors that have clearly shaped the distinctive tongue-in-cheek character of the British people. The book provides an in-depth exploration of the area's individual regions, including the very distinct countries of Scotland and Wales, covering in detail every corner of this diverse and beguiling land. From venerable Westminster Abbey and the cutting edge art at the Tate Modern museum in London to Shakespeare's scenic hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon to John Lennon's boyhood home in Liverpool, it's all here. In addition, special detailed features give comprehensive information on many diverse topics such as the relaxing parks of London, Wedgewood and the potteries, Thomas Hardy's Dorset, and golfing in Scotland. The book also offers seventeen guided walks and drives through many of Britain's most scenic and historic regions, including tours of the ancient cities of Oxford and Bath and drives around Snowdonia National Park in Wales and Wordsworth's beautiful Windermere in the hugely popular Lake District. A thorough Travelwise section provides recommendations for hotels and restaurants in all price ranges and in all areas. Whether you're birdwatching on the islands of Scotland's Inner Hebrides, visiting the famous and impressive Bronze-Age monument at Stonehenge, or gazing upon the famous portraits of storybook kings and queens in the National Portrait Gallery in London, National Geographic Traveler: Great Britain has every tool you need to make your trip a memorable one.

Great Britain

In Coast, natural history journalist Christopher Somerville takes you on a grand tour of the outer limits of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Beautiful photography, clear maps, and evocative essays all illuminate the majesty and variety to be found where Britain meets the sea. This is, after all, the longest coastline in Europe. From the dramatic cliffs of Eastbourne's Beachy Head to the spare beauty of the Norfolk salt marshes; from the storm-wracked Cape Wrath at the edge of the Scottish Highlands to the peaceful wooded creeks of Cornwall's Helford river--whatever kind of coastal area you're drawn to, you'll find it here. For those who want to see it firsthand, Coast also features a detailed gazetteer--a region-by-region reference of places, people, activities, natural history, and historic events.

A Celebration of Britain's Coastal Heritage

Coast

Offers fifty walking tours in Ireland, providing information on sights, culture, flora and fauna, and topography of the land along the way, plus practical details, including directions, length, grade, conditions, and refreshments.

50 Walks Through the Heart and Soul of Ireland

Walking in Ireland

"A journey of discovery through Britain and Ireland, taking in 500 wild places in fields and green lanes, in forests and mountains and on lonely coasts." -- Back cover.

500 Ways to Discover the Wild

Britain and Ireland's Best Wild Places

Christopher Somerville has covered the length and breadth of the UK on foot, and has written and broadcast about its history, landscape, wildlife and people for over 25 years. Now, in this extensive new volume, he selects his top 200 routes from his hugely popular Times column, A Good Walk. More than just a basic guidebook, this is a meditation on our relationship with the landscape and a celebration of all that Britain has to offer. From Cornwall to Shetland via Pembrokeshire and Barrowdale, this is the most comprehensive collection of walks in the United Kingdom available in one book, and features trails to suit all skill levels and references, whether you want a gentle ramble to the pub or something much more challenging. Each of the featured walks contains:* Detailed description as featured in The Times column* Postcode and OS grid reference start point* Instructions on how to get there* Distance and grade so readers can suit walks to their ability, fitness and mood* Simple step-by-step walk instructions* Beautiful colour photograph for each walk* Full colour, clear and up-to-date map* Food and accommodation details for the hungry traveller Featuring stunning photography and using Christopher's trademark with and lyricism, this is the perfect gift for ramblers anywhere.

200 Classic Walks from the Times

The Times Britain's Best Walks

Collected notes from avid walker Christopher Somerville's treks through the British countryside. In Christopher Somerville's workroom is a case of shelves that holds four hundred and fifty notebooks. Their pages are creased and stained with mud, blood, flattened insects, beer glass rings, smears of plant juice, and gallons of sweat. Everything Somerville has written about walking the British countryside has had its origin in these little black and red books. During the lockdowns and enforced isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, Somerville began to revisit this treasury of notes, spanning forty years of exploring on foot. The View from the Hill pulls together the best of his written collections, following the cycle of the seasons from a freezing January on the Severn Estuary to the sight of sunrise on Christmas morning from inside a prehistoric burial mound. In between are hundreds of walks to discover toads in a Cumbrian spring, trout in a Hampshire chalk stream, a lordly red stag at the autumn rut on the Isle of Mull, and three thousand geese at full gabble in the wintry Norfolk sky. Somerville's writing enables readers to enjoy these magnificent walks without stirring from the comfort of home.

Four Seasons in a Walker's Britain

The View from the Hill

Lo scalino d'oro. Viaggio a piedi nel cuore di Creta

This new edition offers the latest information on historic sites, city highlights, scenic drives, walking tours, and more--from London's venerable Westminster Abbey to John Lennon's boyhood home in Liverpool as well as the distinctive countries of Scotland and Wales.

National Geographic Traveler: Great Britain

Updated annually, AAA Britain TravelBook showcases the many regional charms of England, Scotland and Wales. From London to Cardiff, York and Glasgow, the guide provides beautiful, full-color photos of must-see attractions, easy-to-use maps, and listings for lodgings, restaurants, and shops. Practical, in-depth information on topics ranging from the local currency to driving regulations make this a must-have travel companion.

The Guide to Premier Destinations

AAA Britain TravelBook

AAA Publishing

Updated annually, these timely and comprehensive catalogs of travel information provide detailed descriptions of AAA-rated lodgings and restaurants, landmarks and sightseeing suggestions, full-color maps, shopping, and essential facts on insurance, customs, regulations, and more.

AAA Britain Travelbook

Updated annually, these timely and comprehensive catalogs of travel information provide detailed descriptions of AAA-rated lodgings and restaurants, landmarks and sightseeing suggestions, full-color maps, shopping and essential facts on insurance, customs, regulations and more.

Walking has never been a more popular pastime and nowhere is more beautiful for walkers to explore than Ireland. In this beautifully written and superbly researched guide, Christopher Somerville draws on his very popular column for the Irish Independent, to present 50 of the very best walks in Ireland - from the Nephin Beg Mountains in Mayo to Dingle Way in Kerry. Practical instructions for the walks are married with evocative and informative passages on the history, flora and fauna, culture and topography of the land. Whether it's exploring the Burren in its floral glory or seeing the Walls of Derry, or even sitting at home in your armchair planning your next walk, this book will prove popular with ramblers, holiday makers and anyone who loves the Irish landscape.

'Evocatively written and charming' - Countryfile 'The January Man is a book that makes you want to pull on your boots, grab a map and get out there' - Country Life The January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave Goulder's 'The January Man'. Month by month, season by season and region by region, Christopher Somerville walks the British Isles, following routes that continually bring his father to mind. As he travels the country - from the winter floodlands of the River Severn to the lambing pastures of Nidderdale, the towering seabird cliffs on the Shetland Isle of Foula in June and the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest in autumn - he describes the history, wildlife, landscapes and people he encounters, down back lanes and old paths, in rain and fair weather. This exquisitely written account of the British countryside not only inspires us to don our boots and explore the 140,000 miles of footpaths across the British Isles, but also illustrates how, on long-distance walks, we can come to an understanding of ourselves and our fellow walkers. Over the hills and along the byways, Christopher Somerville examines what moulded the men of his father's generation - so reticent about their wartime experiences, so self-effacing, upright and dutiful - as he searches for 'the man inside the man' that his own father really was.

Never heard before real stories of soldiers who fought in WW2 'Extraordinary ...If they had not made our war their war also, victory might not have come in 1945' DAILY TELEGRAPH In this powerful and moving narrative, Christopher Somerville skilfully links personal testimonies to present an epic which embraces comedy and tragedy, pride and degradation, close comradeship and stark racial prejudice, devotion to the benign Mother Country and a burning desire to see the back of her. Many of the veterans had never previously talked of their experiences, even to close loved ones. They cover such topics as attitudes to Britain before and after the war, why Commonwealth citizens offered to fight, and how some volunteers were inspired by their wartime service while others were thoroughly disillusioned. The result is a rare and faithful memoir to the five million Commonwealth citizens who fought for the Allies and the 170,000 who died or went missing.

Real stories of Commonwealth soldiers during World War II

Our War

Four Seasons in a Walkers Britain

Irland

For Somerville this was a kind of pilgrimage, a journey unlike any he had undertaken in 20 years of travel-writing. It was an expedition where he traded the usual comforts and certainties for a real physical and mental challenge, with no mobile phone or other technological aids. The only plan for his journey was to begin in the East at Easter and finish at Whitsun in the extreme West, at the Monastery of the Golden Step, whose gold step, legend says, can only be seen by those who have purged themselves into purity. During his 300-mile walk, he tackled four mountain ranges, high slopes and the numerous gorges of the West. Speaking only basic Greek and trying to follow a poorly way-marked path, he had to rely on his own instincts when climbing mountain passes and crossing high plateaux, farming and shepherding country, where villages are scarce and each night's accommodation was uncertain. He saw a Crete few ever encounter.

A Walk Through the Heart of Crete

The Golden Step

Bognor Regis...Aberystwyth...Glasgow...Can you place them on a map? Most people can't these days. What kind of countryside do you pass through on your way to the Cairngorms, or the Fens, or Northumberland? What's north of the Pennines? And what's it like when you get there? Most folk wouldn't have a clue. Increasing numbers of us don't have a basic geographical notion of these islands. Blame it on a decline in formal geography teaching, or Sat-Nav and other 'A to Z and nothing in between' devices that make us lazy -- we are becoming the best travelled and least well orientated Britons ever seen. Now Christopher Somerville, bestselling author of Coast and many other books of UK exploration, presents the basics of what belongs where, which counties border one another, and what lies beyond the Watford Gap. He reminds us of the watery bits, the lumpy bits and the flat bits, and gets to grips with the smaller islands surrounding Britain -- and much more. Never Eat Shredded Wheat is a reminder of all the fascinating British geography once learned at school - geography that brings our islands vividly to life - geography which we have forgotten, or never even knew.

Christopher Somerville

Books

Your next favorite book is out there