7 new UK travel books to inspire your post-lockdown adventures

As the country tentatively comes out of hibernation, now's a great time to delve into some UK travel inspiration and start dreaming of a Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England staycation...

2 mins

While we’ve been locked down, bookshops have sadly been a no-go. So, there's a chance you might've missed these travel tomes – all excellent explorations of the UK – which were released in the last three months.

Now we’re starting to emerge from hibernation (slowly and safely), the time has come to get a little bit of local inspiration, helping us to plan the perfect 'staycation', road trip or mini break here in the United Kingdom.

(P.S. Planning to travel soon? Head here for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland travel updates. Or here for our daily coronavirus border update.)

Here are 7 new UK travel books to read now...

1. Walking the Great North Line: From Stonehenge to Lindisfarne to Discover the Mysteries of Our Ancient Past, by Robert Twigger 

W&N

Is there a line running up the middle of England, connecting many of the country’s ancient, mystical places?

Well, we’ll let you make up your own mind about that once you’ve read Robert Twigger’s entertaining ramble – in many senses of the word – from Christchurch in Dorset up to Northumberland’s Holy Island.

He visits Palaeolithic sites such as Meon Hill and the Swastika Stone but, better yet, Twigger’s restless energy diverts itself to explore many other subjects along his way. 

Check prices on Amazon

2. Scotland Beyond the Bagpipes, by Helen Ochyra

The Book Guild

Its easy to see why visitors fall in love with Caledonia, but Helen Ochyra successfully explains its ongoing attraction to those south of Hadrians Wall.

After a sudden loss, the travel writer (for The Times, Telegraph and Rough Guides, among others) spent three months on a healing journey across the country to better understand its geography, history and people. 

Check prices on Amazon

3. Wanderland, by Jini Reddy

Bloomsbury Wildlife

A reminder that theres magic imbuing Britains landscapes, and the pursuit of that in these pages may enhance your experience of the world beyond your front door – once you get to open it.

Jini Reddys book doesnt just open your eyes to the Isles mystical history, but also your mind to the possibilities of what spirits may be lurking there.

Check prices on Amazon

4. Ring the Hill, by Tom Cox

Unbound

The common hill doesn’t get the love that it’s altitudinous relative, the mountain, does. In Ring the Hill, Tom Cox irons out this injustice.

The funny, thoughtful writer uses the local landmarks (particularly Devon and Norfolk) as anchors for his literal and also philosophical ambles, enjoyably digressing into nature, history and folklore.

It’s well worth catching up with now it’s out on paperback, if you missed it the first time.

Check prices on Amazon

5. The Unremembered Places: Exploring Scotland's Wild Histories, by Patrick Baker

Birlinn Ltd

Wandering and kayaking through some of the UK’s wildest places, Patrick Baker reveals an area tantalisingly layered through with history and mystery in this fascinating exploration of the area.

Along the way as he navigates Scotland’s peaks, creeks and cracks, he charts the labyrinth of ancient and modern history, as well as the connections between the two, enriching any visit to the area.

Check prices on Amazon

6. Around the Coast in 80 Days: Your Guide to Britain's Best Coastal Towns, Beaches, Cliffs and Headlands, by Peter Naldrett

Conway

Even more useful given that many travellers are giving Britain’s remarkably diverse seaside some serious thought this summer.

This guide takes you around the coast, mixing up the classic wild Wanderlust adventures on the Scottish coast with quirky travel experiences (like Portmeirion) and fresh spins on hanky-hat postcard sunspots like Southend and Brighton.

Check prices on Amazon

7. The Accidental Countryside: Hidden Havens for Britain's Wildlife, by Stephen Moss

Guardian Faber Publishing

This revealing guide of hidden places to spot wildlife in our modern world has been a welcome addition to our shelves during lockdown – and even more so now we’re coming out of it.

From Londons city jungle to UK rail corridors, Stephen shows us that rare finds can be a happy accident not just in our own back garden but also in unexpected man-made oasis, too.

Check prices on Amazon

Related Articles