County S.
2 total works
Somerset, with its moors and pastoral landscapes, and its wealth of vernacular architecture in its market towns and villages, is one of England's glories. This is a guide to circular walks of between 3 and 12 miles, varying from strenuous hikes on Exmoor and the Quantocks to gentle rambles in the lowlands - most of which include at least one pub. There is full information on many long-distance paths and on accommodation for every walk. Many of the walks can be adjusted in length to suit every level of fitness or inclination. The county has been the scene of some of England's most significant historic events - battles of the Anglo-Saxon Conquest linked with Arthurian legend, the struggle against the Viking invasion and the last battle to be fought in England, the Battle of Sedgemoor. There is a wealth of information with particular reference to local history and literary heritage, including Blackmore's Lorna Doone, Thomas Hardy, Henry Fielding, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, William Wordsworth, Robert Southey, Jane Austen, Evelyn and Auberon Waugh, and others.
Dorset is one of the finest counties for walking in lowland Britain. It is richly endowed with a spectacular coastline and a wide variety of inland scenery including chalk downs, ancient woods, rich riverbanks, limestone hills and more. This is a guide to circular walks of between 5 and 12 miles. The majority of the walks take you to some of the county's finest pubs. There are details of long-distance paths, with directions to follow the Dorset Ridgeway, the Wessex Way and the Liberty Trail, as well as details of the Dorset Coast Path and the Stour Valley Path. Many of the walks can be adjusted in length to suit every level of fitness or inclination. There are frequent references to the county's rich history and even richer literary heritage: not only Thomas Hardy, who did so much to make his native county famous, but also Jane Austen, John Fowles, J. Meade Falkner, Henry Fielding and others. Every step of the way has been covered by the author, often a number of times. There is a guide to accommodation in pubs, farmhouses and bed and breakfast to accompany each walk.