The wild rover

a blistering journey along Britain's footpaths

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Mike Parker: The wild rover (2011, HarperCollins Pub.)

330 pages

English language

Published Nov. 14, 2011 by HarperCollins Pub..

ISBN:
978-0-00-737266-9
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5 stars (1 review)

Mike Parker, bestselling author of Map Addict, is back with a very full, intelligent and witty exploration into a glorious and passionate British subject - footpaths and the history of land ownership.

Mike discovers how these paths have become part of our cultural landscape and why, at the tender age of 44, he suddenly finds himself at a crossroads.

Provocative, funny and personal, this book celebrates Britain's unique and extraordinary network of footpaths. It examines their chequered and surprisingly turbulent history, from the Enclosures Acts of the eighteenth century to the 1932 Mass Trespass on Kinder Scout in Derbyshire; and from the hard-won post-war establishment of great National Trails like the Pennine Way to the dramatic latter-day battles by the likes of Nicholas van Hoogstraten and Madonna to keep ramblers off their land.

The story ranges far and wide, to all corners of the country and beyond, and is filled …

1 edition

A fascinating history

5 stars

A fascinating history of footpaths and the various walking associations in Britain which Mike Parker unravels as he undertakes selected walks around the country. I did not really appreciate how much of a struggle previous generations have had to keep our intricate network open, and how many battles have been, and are still being, fought for their preservation.
From trudging along uber-sterile new Long Distance Paths, to exploring possibly haunted corpse paths, to simply discovering all the paths within 3 miles of home, this book has been an inspiring distraction from my daily commute. And as I am now (apparently!) coming up to the right age to truly enjoy a good walk, I shall pull on my own boots and set off - just as soon as I've downloaded something else to listen to!

Subjects

  • Trails
  • History
  • Land tenure

Places

  • Great Britain