Rock Trails Peak District

This is the story of the Peak landscape from its tropical beginnings to its rugged gritty present. Paul Gannon leads you on a series of 15 walks which afford spectacular views of the best of the Peak District scenery and reveal evidence of the landscape's intriguing history.

This book is one of a popular and exciting series that seeks to tell the story of some of Britain's most beautiful landscapes. Written with the general reader - the walker, the lover of the countryside - firmly in mind, these pages open the door to a fascinating story of ancient oceans, deltas, mineralization and tundra landscapes. Over millions of years the rocks that now form the spectacular terrains of the White Peak and the Dark Peak were laid down on the floors of tropical seas and deformed by plate tectonics before being shaped by streams and rivers. The white limestone was fretted into its own distinctive landscape above hidden cave systems; then generations of miners and farmers modified and contributed to the landscapes we see today. With the help of photographs that are largely his own, geologist Tony Waltham tells the remarkable story of the Peak District, explaining just how the landscapes of limestone plateau, grit moors and river valleys came to look as they do. Including suggestions for walks and places to visit in order to appreciate the best of the National Park's landforms, this accessible and readable book opens up an amazing new perspective for anyone who enjoys this varied and beautiful area.

Every year, more and more people are choosing to snub the long-haul flights and rigorous security checks and holiday in Britain. 22 million people visit the Peak District every year, making it one of the most popular national parks in the world. No wonder, given the range of stunning scenery and traditional life. There are many walking guides to the Peaks, but this is the first guidebook to focus on having a superb holiday in the area, covering all the attractions and modern facilities for the visitor, all written by locals who know the area like the back of their hand. The Best of Britain series uniquely brings together local knowledge of the area and expert advice, to make sure you get the most out of your visit. The guide includes: - The best attractions for young couples, families and groups of friends - Recommendations from local characters and celebrities - Where to find fresh organic and local produce and tucked-away farm shops and delis - Recommended places to eat out - from quirky cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants - Wet-weather options - for when the unpredictable British weather lets you down - Great things to do with children (and where to go to get away from them!) - The best places to stay - from cosy cottages to boutique hotels - Local legends, festivals and pubs

‘Somerville’s infectious enthusiasm and wry humour infuse his journey from the Isle of Lewis to southern England, revealing our rich geological history with vibrant local and natural history’ Observer ‘A meticulous exploration of the ground beneath our feet. Glorious’ Katharine Norbury ‘A remarkable achievement’ Tom Chesshyre ‘His writing is utterly enticing’ Country Walking ............................................................................................................................................... The influence Britain’s geology has had on our daily lives is profound. While we may be unaware of it, every aspect of our history has been affected by events that happened ten thousand, a million, or a thousand million years ago. In Walking the Bones of Britain, Christopher Somerville takes a journey of a thousand miles, beginning in the far north, at the three-billion-year-old rocks of the Isle of Lewis, formed when the world was still molten, and travelling south-eastwards to the furthest corner of Essex, where new land is being formed. Crossing bogs, scaling peaks and skirting quarry pits, he unearths the stories bound up in the layers of rock beneath our feet, and examines how they have influenced everything from how we farm to how we build our houses, from the Industrial Revolution to the current climate crisis. Told with characteristic humour and insight, this gripping exploration of the British landscape and its remarkable history cannot fail to change the way you see the world beyond your door. ‘Somerville is a walker’s writer’ Nicholas Crane

Virginia Summits guides readers to the very best hikes to peaks in the state. Organized geographically, this book features worthy summit hikes that range from an elevation of 3,000 feet to more than 5,000 feet. From world-renowned summit hikes like Old Rag at Shenandoah National Park to high points that can be tackled by even novice hikers, the variety and range of Virginia’s summits offer something to hikers of all skill levels. Look inside to find a trail finder that highlights best hikes for kids, sunsets/sunrise viewing, rock scrambles, and wildlife viewing.

This book explains to the hillwalker, in easy to understand but accurate terms, how geology has shaped the landscape of the Cumbrian Lakeland. A selection of fifteen guided walks are used to illustrate this in terms of what can be seen on the ground. Divided into two parts, Paul describes the view out over the fells and back through time, charting the formation of the Cumbrian Lake District. Factors such as undersea sedimentation, tectonic collisions which heaved up the land, great flows of lava and explosive eruptions which mixed and reformed old rock, catastrophic caldera collapses, freeze/thaw creation of rocky tors, the pointed tops of pikes carved by the flowing glaciers and the human influence of mining and tourism have all contributed to shape the landscape.The second half of the book describes fifteen walks ranging from easy to challenging, with revealing views of the geology.