Britain's Heritage Coast

The Jurassic Coast, stretching from Exmouth to Studland on the South Coast, is England's first natural World Heritage Site, putting it on a par with such famous features as the Grand Canyon. This 95-mile stretch of coastline exposes 185 million years of geological history covering the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. This heritage makes for extremely varied scenery, from the red cliffs of East Devon through the stone landscapes of Portland and Purbeck to the gleaming chalk stacks near Studland. Human history and culture are also well represented. There are prehistoric tumuli, castles and fortifications, Regency and Victorian resorts, Britain's only onshore oil well, strange follies and literary landscapes, each with their own fascinating story to tell. Authors including Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, John Fowles and Ian McEwan have found inspiration for their works along this coastline and the area is rich in folklore too; tales of smugglers, ghosts, mermaids and sea monsters abound. This unique selection of images, accompanied by an insightful commentary, is the perfect companion for anyone who is keen to discover more about this uniquely beautiful stretch of coastline.

An amazing number of the words we use today were invented in the First World War. They provide a unique insight into the experience of the war and the inventiveness and humour of the ordinary soldiers who fought it. Between 1914 and 1918 millions of men were dragged into the terrifying and unfamiliar experience of war. Built on their camaraderie and common experience, a shared language developed which made the day-to-day life of these soldiers more bearable. A host of words were born in No Man's Land and exchanged throughout the trenches, from French, German and English, to Turkish and Hindi. It is a mark of the war's enduring influence that many of the words they coined live on today. This wonderful array of trench lingo brings to life the enduring spirit and resilience of the ordinary men from the many diverse nations caught up in the First World War.

The South Devon coast includes Dartmouth, Salcombe, Torquay, Paignton and Exmouth, as well as many other popular coastal locations. Exmouth marks the end of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. Popular with holidaymakers, Torquay and Paignton have been visited by holidaymakers since the 1800s. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Beauty, the South Devon coast features sandy beaches and hidden coves, as well as many popular Victorian seaside towns. Gary Holpin takes the reader on a journey along the entire length of the South Devon coast. This beautifully illustrated and informative book allows the reader to submerge themselves, whether on foot, bicycle, in a car or simply from the comfort of their own armchair, in the wealth of fascinating history and folklore as well as the outstanding beauty that lies along the banks of the coastline.

The White Cliffs of Dover is the story of this internationally famous coastline in all its aspects. Running from Folkestone to Kingsdown and Walmer, near Deal in Kent, there is no doubt that the White Cliff s of Dover are one of this country's most iconic and spectacular natural features. They have been a symbol of freedom and hope for centuries. Subjects covered include Martello towers, shipwrecks, smugglers' tales, the origins of chalk, flora and fauna, the construction and maintenance of the railway, landslips, notable historic events, archaeology, social history, the Channel Tunnel and even Ian Fleming's tales of James Bond! There is so much to say about this stretch of coastline and so much to see and to learn. This unique selection of images and informative text is essential reading for anyone who knows and loves this beautiful stretch of Britain's coastline.