Tops of the North

by Graham Wilson, Gerry Dale (Illustrator)

Don't mothball those walking boots yet. In Tops of the North Graham Wilson takes you on his 1100km circular walk based on the county tops (old and new) of northern England. In Volume 1 he tackles the western reaches, starting at Three Shire Head (where Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire meet) and finishing at Carlisle. His high-level route takes in (among others) Kinder Scout, Black Hill, Pendle Hill, Arnside Knot and the Old Man of Coniston, culminating in a continuous traverse of the Lakes Threethousanders. In between, he travels across the South Lancs moors, the Forest of Bowland, Leighton Moss nature reserve, Morecambe Bay, Arthur Ransome country and a variety of national parks. Encounters (brief or otherwise) include Pendle witches, Rossendale bonesetters, Lakeland smugglers, a Victorian pepperpot, and much more plus, of course, the odd inn or two.

184 pages, Hardcover

Published July 1, 2008

About the author

My fiction has been described as "economical and traditional." I try to define my characters through their actions rather than relying on elaborate descriptions or analysis of motivations. I like lots of surprises and feel that the primary role of the writer is to entertain. As a result I tell strong stories that are hopefully well paced and exciting.

I have written professionally for more than two decades. I started my career writing for newspapers, magazines and radio. I have also written dramas for TV and have authored nine books. I studied book publishing at the Banff Centre for the Arts and Stanford University and worked as a Book Publisher for twenty years.

Reviews

[Andrew Chapman]

Tops of the North plots an intricate and highly rewarding course from Shire Head to Carlisle. Beautifully bound with a line drawing of part of the route on the dust cover, it catches the eye and gives the reader an idea of the delights to come. The author sets his objective, to walk from Three Shire Head to Carlisle, a long distance walk of considerable difficulty crossing through Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. A book like this could be a dry tome, featuring directions and way points to allow a walker to steer their way along the route but Graham Wilson (the author) does not adopt this approach. Instead, he peppers the book with anecdotes regarding various places en-route, ranging from Pendle Witches to Arthur Ransom. To accompany these, a series of line drawings show the progress of the route, not enough to navigate on but then again, this was never the objective of this book.
To conclude, a must have for any serious or armchair walker, inspiring and informative in equal measures. A series of books which could become 'Wainwrights' for the long distance walker.

[Philip Chaston]

An enjoyable walk around the wilder edges of England, with some diversions into climbing, history and hunting. A slim travelogue with an air of wry disdain for the uninitiated.