Historic Tracks: Exploring Britain's Heritage

by Des Hannigan

Ancient Tracks : Walking Through Historic Britain [Hardcover] Des Hannigan and Simon McBride

Genres: History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1996

About the author

Des Hannigan lives on the Atlantic coast of the Land’s End Peninsula, Cornwall; a home from home for a northerly Scot. He has been a journalist, travel writer & photographer for over thirty years, first as a news reporter for Cornish newspapers & the Press Association and latterly as a writer for publishers such as Lonely Planet & AA Publishing.

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exploring the ancient routes across Britain, the historical content was excellent. It's too large to take on the walks, though it's unlikely I'd do them anyway. There was a lack of photos which was a bit disappointing but I enjoyed it nevertheless.

[Richard Newbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 208 page book describes 17 point to point walks along the cross country tracks that often have their origins in the ancient droving routes that criss-cross Britain. The size of the book (a sort of narrow A4) and the high quality semi-gloss paper used make it unwieldy for use "in the field", but the great strength of Mr Hannigan's narrative, explaining the historical context, the scenery and wildlife, alongside reasonable detail of the routes themselves, probably tips the balance in favour of taking it along.

Many of the ancient routes kept to the drier, higher ground, which is a kind of "quality mark" when the wet cold weather comes. Views are spectacular, and as these byways somehow or other escaped becoming part of the national highways system, mostly traffic-free - though some of them are vulnerable to the dreaded 4x4 off roaders, many fragile lanes finding themselves deeply rutted and as busy roads on a sunny weekend.

Some are known to me, High Street in the Lake District, East Anglia's Peddars Way and Jaggers' Gate in the Peak District are three I can recommend personally. A little disappointed that my local patch in the Midlands gets little coverage, and the ancient salt routes from Bronze Age times on get no mention, but patchy coverage is a minor criticism and it is a very good walking guide and history book rolled into one.

[Peter Coomber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking through Historic Britain:

This is a book for adventurous people. People who prefer to do things rather than reading a book. Twenty-plus walks in Scotland, Wales and England, ranging from the tough terrain of Highland mountain routes, to quiet strolls over gentle rolling hills. All steeped in history. Steeped. Most walks about twenty miles long (at least one, twice that length).

If you would rather be out there, instead of reading a book, then buy this book and read it, and try out some of the routes (I've managed four).

You will need a new pair of boots (and some waterproofs).