Wild Wales

by George Borrow

Published December 1955
George Borrow, who knew the Welsh language and travelled the country in 1854 by a route that is still possible to follow today, wrote this account of Welsh landscape, history, mythology, literature and culture. It includes conversations with the diverse characters he met on his journey, ranging from inn keepers and maids, farmers, church wardens and country people to sailors and other travellers. George Borrow travelled to many parts of Britain and Ireland with his father who was an army officer. On his father's death he spent seven years wandering around England - sometimes with gypsies - as described in "Lavengo" and "The Romany Rye". He also wrote "The Bible in Spain". Viscount Tonypandy, who writes an introduction to this edition, is the author of "George Thomas, Mr Speaker" and "My Wales".