Book 1

Lake District Sketchbook

by Jim Watson

Published 24 June 2010
A celebration of one of England's most alluring and picturesque regions, the Lake District Sketchbook is packed with over 200 beautiful line and watercolour illustrations of some of the author's favourite places in the magnificent English lakeland. The illustrations are accompanied by historical footnotes, quirky facts, some easy walks, identification of mountain scenes, a gazetteer and, most importantly, where to park and get a cup of tea! The Lake District is Britain's premier tourist region, attracting visitors from throughout the world, which ensures a huge market for the Lake District Sketchbook, which is both a useful guidebook and ideal souvenir. Jim Watson is an experienced illustrator and writer with three best-selling, award-winning books on the English Lake District to his credit: Lakeland Villages, Lakeland Towns and Lakeland Panoramas. He has also written and illustrated the definitive guide to two long-distance walks across Lakeland: The Cumbria Way and The Allerdale Ramble.
A unique book, in handy A5 format, beautifully bound and printed in colour throughout, the Lake District Sketchbook, along with the Cotswolds Sketchbook, are the first titles in a new series celebrating the most beautiful regions of Britain. Casebound and printed in colour.

Book 4

Cornwall Sketchbook

by Jim Watson

Published 31 May 2012
A unique celebration of one of Britain's most beloved regions, beautifully bound and printed in colour. The perfect guide, gift or souvenir for visitors - or an inspiration to anyone planning a trip to Cornwall. Illustrated and written by Jim Watson, a celebrated artist and writer with a number of award-winning books to his name. The latest title in the 'Sketchbook' series (including the Lake District, Cotswolds and London). Cornwall is one of Britain's most popular regions, attracting over 5 million visitors a year.

Book 6

Yorkshire Sketchbook

by Jim Watson

Published 7 May 2015
Yorkshire Sketchbook is a unique guide to some of the most popular places in the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors and the City of York - three of the UK's best-loved tourist destinations. There's suggested road trips taking in all the featured places and quirky facts about flat caps, Yorkshire pudding, 'On Ilkley Moor Baht'at' and more! It's easy to scoff when you hear that 'Yorkshire has everything', especially when said by a Tyke (Yorkshire person) but the more I explore this vibrant and diverse county the more I'm convinced that it's true. The county is largest in the UK, which helps if you have to fit everything in, but there's still space to spare for the wild areas where you can walk all day and never meet anybody else. Yorkshire abounds in stunning vistas across rolling fields, hills and beaches. There's breathtaking rivers, cliffs, dales and moorland to explore. It boasts five national museums, three national parks, three UNESCO sites, a stunning coastline and seven vibrant cities.
With Worldclass attractions, historic houses and castles, picturesque villages, fine restaurants, vibrant culture, abundant shopping, cricket, fish and chips and real ale there's truly something for everyone. The Yorkshire folk I met travelling round were unfailingly friendly, helpful and funny. I never had any problem getting them to talk. Shutting them up was another matter. A book of this size couldn't possible cover all of the county so it concentrates on the two national parks - the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. Plus the city of York. Nobody should ever tour North Yorkshire without going to York. The places I've chosen to illustrate are my own favourites, some were new to me but the majority I've been to before. None of them were a disappointment and I'll go back to all of them again at the drop of a flat cap. Most are popular tourist destinations so you'll probably find some of your own favourites amongst them. This book will tell you how you can drive to each place, where you can park, some relevant history and what to look out for.
I also hope that it not only informs, but also entertains and, if you're a visitor, gives you something to enjoy when you're back home. What it can't do is provide the unexpected surprise that will stay with you forever. You have to experience those for yourself. I've enjoyed many of them on my travels throughout this remarkable county. I do hope you will too.

Cotswold Sketchbook

by Jim Watson

Published 21 October 2010
A celebration of one of Britain's most beautiful and beloved regions, the Cotswold Sketchbook is packed with over 200 evocative line and watercolour illustrations of some of the author's favourite villages and towns in this charming part of England. The illustrations are accompanied by historical footnotes, quirky facts, a gazetteer - and, most importantly, where to park and get a cup of tea! The Cotswolds is one of Britain's premier tourist areas, drawing visitors from all over the world, which ensures a huge market for the Cotswold Sketchbook, which is both a useful guidebook and a perfect souvenir. Jim Watson is an experienced illustrator and writer with three best-selling, award-winning books on the English Lake District to his credit. A unique book, in handy hardback A5 format, beautifully bound and printed in colour throughout, the Cotswold Sketchbook, along with the Lake District Sketchbook, are the first titles in a new series celebrating the most beautiful regions of Britain. Casebound and printed in colour.

Devon Sketchbook

by Jim Watson

Published 24 April 2014
Devon is many people's idea of the ideal country place to live. But the county is far more than a country idyll set in an equitable climate. Whatever you like to do outdoors you'll find all you need in here. Some counties are pleased to boast one National Park, but Devon contains two: all of Dartmoor and a significant third of Exmoor. Unique in England, the county also boasts two separate and distinct coastlines, with some of the best beaches in the southwest. You can tramp across wild moorland and walk along the South West Coast Path; or east from Exmouth on the south coast and explore the beginning of the geological treasure house, the Jurassic Coast. Devon also has some of Britain's most-loved seaside resorts, historic towns and cities; picturesque villages set in gentle hedged landscapes crossed by narrow winding roads; and some of the best sailing and boating centres in the southwest. Truly, it has something for everybody. The author has been visiting and enjoying Devon for well over 40 years and researching this book enabled him to renew acquaintances with old friends and to discover new places that he looks forward to visiting again.
Most of his favourite locations were largely unchanged. Devon has a timelessness that's reassuring and comforting, especially if you live in a part of the country that's rapidly changing. Devon Sketchbook will guide you to a plethora of favourite places along the north and south coasts of the county, plus some in the Exmoor and Dartmoor National Parks. It will tell you how to get there, where you can park and what to look out for. It's intended to inform, entertain and, if you're a visitor, give you something to enjoy when you're back home. With more than 180 of the author's line and watercolour illustrations, 66 hand drawn maps and in colour throughout, Devon Sketchbook is a unique guidebook and souvenir of this remarkable county. Beautifully bound in hardback, it also makes the perfect gift.