Slow Travel

This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's Shropshire remains the only full-blown guidebook to this remarkable and oft-overlooked county. Written by Shropshire lover Marie Kreft, it places an emphasis on car-free travel, local produce and characterful accommodation and includes detailed descriptions of place, historical overviews, ghost stories and folk tales, and first-hand accounts from Shropshire locals. It also offers hand-picked restaurant recommendations based on long-standing knowledge and consultation with locals. New for this edition is coverage of the ever-expanding food and drink scene, from craft beers to gingerbread heritage, plus details of new independent shops and galleries. Ludlow is acknowledged as the Slow Food capital of the UK, while the region as a whole is much celebrated, described by PG Wodehouse as the 'nearest earthly place to paradise'. The guide is unapologetic in taking you the long way round: through ancient woodland, over bridges and 'Blue Remembered Hills', back in time, down footpaths, into castles, churches and interesting pubs, cheerfully savouring the authentic, the offbeat and the local. Expert author Marie Kreft takes pride in visiting every attraction listed and offers warm and witty writing combined with a natural enthusiasm for the region, making this an indispensable guide to one of Britain's most scenic areas.

Folkestone resident and globe-trotting travel writer Simon Richmond turns the spotlight on his home county in this brand-new title, part of Bradt's award-winning series of Slow travel guides to UK regions. Walkers, cyclists, families, food and art lovers, and wildlife enthusiasts are all catered for, with coverage of a wide range of attractions, as well as all the practical information you could need to plan and enjoy time spent in this delightful corner of England. The diversity of Kent is striking, from Canterbury Cathedral, part of a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, to Dungeness, Kent's southernmost point, an extraordinary location and home to artist and film-maker Derek Jarman's Prospect Cottage. The village of Pluckley was once named England's most haunted by the Guinness World Records, while St Leonard's Church in Hythe has the largest and best-preserved collection of ancient human skulls and bones in Britain. This in-depth guide covers all the most popular places as well as many of the lesser-known ones, dividing the county into five easy-to-follow chapters. Explore Dover and spend time at its iconic White Cliffs, saunter through Vita Sackville-West's gorgeous gardens at the National Trust's Sissinghurst estate, visit the grave of Pocahontas in Gravesend, and contemplate the delightful and thought-provoking public art of the revitalised seaside town of Folkestone. History has been made in Kent, at Hever Castle, where Anne Boleyn spent her childhood and which was later restored by William Waldorf Astor, and at Chartwell, the family home and garden of Sir Winston Churchill. Kent's food and drink offering is increasingly celebrated, with a growing reputation for high quality restaurants and boutique wineries, not to mention the world's oldest brewer and largest collection of fruit trees at Faversham. From flora and fauna to castles, watersports, beaches and wildlife, discover Kent with Bradt's unique Slow travel guide.

Note: Slow Travel Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly is, we believe, the world's first 'a-book' travel guide available to the public. This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's Slow Travel Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly remains the only dedicated guide to this perennially popular part of Britain. Offering in-depth exploration of both frequently visited and less-well-known destinations that will be of interest as much to locals as to newcomers, it is written in a friendly, engaging style and includes up-to-date listings of the best (and sometimes least obvious) places to eat, drink and sleep, appealing to all budgets. Long popular with discerning travellers, Cornwall is now enjoying an increased popularity as the 'Poldark effect' has raised awareness of its lovely land-and seascapes to even greater heights. Few places can offer such geographical diversity-the rugged, storm-lashed north coast and wide, sandy beaches favoured by surfers are rarely more than a few miles from the sheltered creeks and coves and exotic gardens of the southern coast. Wild moorland is dotted with neolithic standing stones and awe-inspiring relics of Cornwall's mining heritage. And, just 28 miles from Land's End, the Isles of Scilly offer an exhilarating blend of exoticism and wild isolation. Cornwall possesses an enduring appeal as a holiday destination for visitors of all ages. But with such popularity, it's all too easy to overlook the diverse character of the county and its less obvious highlights. Whether it's exploring the 'Cornish Alps', the lonely Rame peninsula, a secret beach or a stone circle lost in wild moorland, listening to world-class musicians playing in tiny rural churches, seeing where Cornwall's emblematic bird, the chough, is making a comeback, or discovering where oysters are still harvested in the traditional way and where the best Cornish ice creams, pasties and cider are made, Bradt's Slow Travel Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly is the ideal companion for a visit to the region and an invitation to a rich, diverse and hugely enjoyable feast.

This brand-new guide to the Isle of Wight forms part of Bradt's top-selling, award-winning series of Slow travel guides to UK regions. Written by expert author and journalist Mark Rowe, who has visited the island over 30 times since first spending childhood holidays there, it is the perfect companion to help you get the most out of your visit, replete with not just all the practical information you could need, but also all the descriptive detail, anecdote and insider tips to make time spent there truly enjoyable and memorable. The Isle of Wight is an island that is astonishingly-and unexpectedly-rich in food producers, wildlife, natural beauty, history, archaeology and dramatic landscapes. This is all the more remarkable for it being so close to the densely populated southern edges of England. At just 25 miles x 13 miles, in no other equivalent-sized area of Britain is there such a variety of landscapes (downland, estuaries, hills, saltmarshes, meadows, riverine, beach) or such a concentration of food producers (50+ independents at the last count). Here there is a real Island culture, a creative spirit that is quite quirky and independent. “Bradt's Isle of Wight” includes where to go to see red squirrels, where to hire e-bikes, where to go foraging and where is best for families. It also covers historic and present quirks, curiosities and attractions, including Jimi Hendrix's unusual love affair with the island, a day in the life of a ferry master, tree climbing, World War II history, night-time wildlife, the annual walk at low tide to explore the wildlife underneath Ryde's grand Victorian pier, the island's award-winning wines and its dinosaur fossil-rich beaches-of which it has more than anywhere else in the UK! With 20 maps, including regional, walking and cycling maps, you'll be well placed to navigate your way from one point of interest to another. Whatever your interest, “Bradt's Isle of Wight” will help you to plan and enjoy a visit to remember.

This new third edition of Bradt's popular guide to Dorset-part of its distinctive series of 'Slow Travel' guides to local UK regions-has been thoroughly updated to reflect all the most recent changes to the region. Where-and what-to eat, where and when to go and what to see are all covered, providing an essential guide to one of Britain's most rural counties. The author, a Dorset girl born and bred, says: 'Many of Dorset's attractions are well-hidden and known only to locals, who like to keep the county's treasures to themselves. This guide takes you to those secret places and introduces you to some delightful Dorset locals past and present. Practical information covers accommodation, eating and drinking, and travelling in this unspoilt region.' Dorset is quintessential rural England: rolling hills, thatched houses, narrow, winding lanes and stunning stately homes and gardens, all of which make it perfect for slowing down and discovering what really makes the region tick. The enchanting Dorset landscapes described in Thomas Hardy's 19th-century novels are largely unchanged and are likely to remain so as the county has the highest proportion of conservation areas in England. A sense of history is conveyed by innumerable sites of archaeological interest, including Britain's largest Iron Age hillfort, Maiden Castle, and the county is trimmed by the spectacular Jurassic Coast, England's first natural World Heritage Site, whose cliffs are constantly revealing their prehistoric, fossilised secrets. For walkers, the Dorset section of the South West Coast Path, which includes part of the Jurassic Coast, offers some of the most spectacular seaside walks in England. This guide provides walking routes with maps to help you explore some of the finest sections of the coastal path, as well as other walks around the county. Whatever your interest, be it local food, brewery tours, peaceful waterways, horse-riding, beach walks or simply escaping to an unspoiled corner, Bradt's Dorset is the ideal companion.

A brand new title, part of Bradt's award-winning series of Slow travel guides to UK regions, offering the most in-depth coverage available to North and Mid Devon, arguably the most beautiful and unspoilt countryside in southwest Britain. With area-by-area coverage, from around Clovelly and the Cornish border in the north to Mid Devon's Exe Valley and Tarka railway line, it is packed with suggestions for where to go and what to do, including plenty of outdoor activities such as horseriding, coasteering, walking and cycling. Interesting places to stay and eat are detailed, as are festivals, local customs and traditions, historical aspects, anecdotes, gardens, National Trust properties and where to go stargazing beneath the region's Dark Skies. North Devon has a unique blend of wild rugged coastline, deep river valleys, heather-covered moorland, family-friendly sandy beaches, great surfing and enchanting villages. While the car-free village of Clovelly provides a glimpse of Devon as it was 100 years ago, North Devon is also one of the country's leading centres for coasteering. Mid Devon is the least touristy part of the southwest - truly Slow Devon. The towns still hold weekly pannier markets and the pubs are full of locals discussing the price of sheep and Ruby Red cattle. People still walk, ride and cycle as part of their lives and visitors are always struck by the region's diversity: the wonderful views, the range of wildlife and the clarity of the night skies. Join veteran traveller, author and Devon resident Hilary Bradt, and her fellow long-term travellers and Devon residents Gill and Alistair Campbell, to discover in this unique guide exactly what it is that makes this beguiling region so special. From Lundy Island to the haunted village of Lapford, and from the extraordinary Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre to the War Horse Museum, Bradt's Slow Mid and North Devon has everything you need for a perfect trip.

This new, thoroughly updated edition of Bradt's East Devon and the Jurassic Coast remains the most comprehensive - and only standalone - guide available to this region, written with insider knowledge that can only be gained by living in the area. Contributions from local experts, and colourful and witty writing combined with the authors' enthusiasm, make this guide as much a pleasure to read as an invaluable companion for exploring. Amongst the new features in this edition are more information on local vineyards, a dedicated section on the Blackdown Hills revealing little-known villages in this Outstanding Area of Natural Beauty, a new 'car-free circuit' map, and route directions and map for a 'Daffodil Walk'. Also covered are the best bluebell woods and the new Mary Anning wing of the Lyme Regis Museum. Exeter and the Exe Estuary have a chapter of their own, while East Devon's most alluring chunks of countryside and the seaside resorts of Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Beer are all covered. The chapter on West Dorset describes Lyme Regis and Charmouth along with brief details of other coastal towns and an explanation of the geology of the entire World Heritage Site of the Jurassic Coast that links the whole region. With an emphasis on car-free travel - walking, cycling and local buses - the detailed descriptions, historical glimpses, folklore, anecdotes and personal accounts whet visitors' appetite for exploration. Hand-picked places to eat and drink, including all the eateries along the main artery of the A3052, bear witness to the authors' long-standing knowledge of the area.

This new second edition of Suffolk, part of Bradt's distinctive Slow series of regional UK guides, remains the only full-blown standalone guide to this gentle but beguiling county. Written by expert local author Laurence Mitchell, this is the guide of choice for anyone wanting to get under the skin of the region and discover what makes it tick. This new edition offers a very personal view of the county, providing up-to-date information on the best places to visit, stay and eat, covering not just popular sights but focusing also on those places beyond the usual tourist trail. Suffolk's popularity as a destination is not waning, and events such as the Latitude festival in July or the Aldeburgh Music Festival at Britten's Snape Maltings, not to mention the use of the RSPB's Minsmere Reserve as a base for BBC's Springwatch, are all helping to keep the county's profile raised. Southwold, Aldeburgh, Orford, Walberswick and Dunwich are all covered, as is the great variety of landscapes, from undulating farmland and sandy heaths to extensive forests such as Rendlesham and Thetford in the Brecks, important nature reserves and the soft, dreamy coastal landscapes of river estuaries, remote marshes, reed-beds, beaches, shingle banks, sand spits and dunes. Also included are Constable Country and the Stour valley, Bury St Edmunds, Framlingham, Bungay, Beccles and Halesworth, plus information on Suffolk's wealth of medieval churches and its Anglo-Saxon heritage, notably the royal ceremonial burial site at Sutton Hoo and the reconstructed Anglo-Saxon village at West Stow. Bradt's Suffolk makes a virtue of being selective and pointing the reader to the cream of the area. It is organised into locales to encourage 'stay put' tourism, with the opportunity to explore each locale thoroughly. There are also plenty of options for car-free travel: walking, cycling, riverboats and local buses and trains. Written in an entertaining style, and offering a personal narrative, authoritative information and interesting anecdotes, Bradt's Suffolk is the ideal companion with which to discover this charming corner of England.

This new, thoroughly updated second edition of Bradt's North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds, part of the distinctive 'Slow travel' series of guides to UK regions, remains the only full-blown standalone guide available to this region of contrasts, from the magnificent cliffs and beaches of the Heritage Coast and rolling hills of the North York Moors to the tranquil chalk downland of the Wolds. Nestled at the heart of it all is the ancient historic city of York, with its stunning Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. As well as featuring all the main sights, Bradt's North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds includes places and aspects of the region not detailed by other guidebooks and, while making a virtue of being selective, nonetheless covers the whole region in considerable detail. It also includes personal anecdotes and the views of local people as well as tapping into the Yorkshire-based author's considerable knowledge of the region, especially his experiences as an outdoor enthusiast, naturalist and beer connoisseur. With Bradt's North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds, discover what makes this area tick. The annual Tour de Yorkshire has helped to establish the region as a biking Mecca, while the Yorkshire Nature Triangle in the east is renowned for its birds and wildlife, from adders to barn owls, otters to dolphins. Wildlife lovers will also find details of whale-watching tours. Included in the guide is information on the 10 long-distance paths which cross the area, plus tips on the sandy beaches and rocky coves that make this an ideal family destination. Local food and drink, from seafood to meats, cheeses and breweries, is covered, too. Also included are details of festivals, steam train journeys as featured in the Harry Potter films, the Georgian opulence of Castle Howard as featured in Brideshead Revisited, sea-bird colonies along the Heritage Coast, the only mainland colony of gannets in England at Bempton Cliffs, and the tallest standing stone in Britain. Written in an entertaining style combining personal narrative with authoritative information, Bradt's North York Moors and Yorkshire Wolds has all the most up-to-date information you could need for a successful visit.