Pre-order now to discover the rich history of Britain's millennia-old network of pathways, and it will be impossible to take an unremarkable walk again...
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Hundreds of thousands of miles of paths reach into, and connect, communities across England and Wales. More than just a practical way for us to walk, ride and cycle around, they are an inheritance from the past, revealing how our ancestors interacted with and shaped their landscapes in the pursuit of commerce, salvation, escape, war, and leisure.

Jack Cornish, head of historical paths at The Ramblers Association, explores the deep history of English and Welsh paths, and through his journeys along these routes, reveals how this millennia-old network was created, has evolved, and been transformed.

It is the story of traders, soldiers, artists, farmers, radicals, hikers, and gentry; a lyrical journey, which takes us to ancient forests, exposed mountainsides, urban back streets and coastal vistas.

From prehistoric trackways to the modern creation of whole new towns, our paths reflect the contours of the past and the changing fortunes of a society. They are crucial to understanding our cultural and environmental history and our relationship with the landscape. But thousands of miles of paths are missing still from this network and from our maps.

This is a celebration of an ancient network and a rallying cry to reclaim what has been lost and preserve it for future generations.
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