UK

Published on 01/09/2015: During the twentieth century, Gateshead experienced huge changes. Major slum clearance programmes resulted (read more)

Published on 01/09/2015: During the twentieth century, Gateshead experienced huge changes. Major slum clearance programmes resulted in wide scale demolition of some areas, and many streets and buildings have been lost to us. This book takes a look at some of the many photographs taken during this period, and reminds us of times gone by yet times which are still in some people's memories.

Gateshead Local History Society celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2014. Over the years members have carried out various research projects. In 2012 they produced their first book, Gateshead's Grand Houses, this will be their second. (hide)

From the vibrant city of Glasgow, perfect for shopaholics, to the sparkling lochs and the deep, forested glens of the Trossachs, (read more)

From the vibrant city of Glasgow, perfect for shopaholics, to the sparkling lochs and the deep, forested glens of the Trossachs, FootprintFocus Glasgow will provide you with the essential information for you to make the most of your trip. This guide contains useful tips for getting there and around, plus comprehensive listings on where to eat, sleep and party. * Essentials section with useful advice on getting to and around Glasgow * Comprehensive, up-to-date listings of where to eat, sleep and play.

* Includes information on tour operators, activities, walks and festivals. * Detailed maps for Glasgow and other key areas. * Slim enough to fit in your pocket.

With detailed information on all the main sights, plus many lesser-known attractions, FootprintFocus Glasgow provides concise and comprehensive coverage of Scotland's most energetic city. The content of the Footprintfocus Glasgow guide has been partially extracted from Scotland Highlands and Islands Footprint Handbook. (hide)

19/03/2015 - It's 1987 and 26-year-old Malcolm Castle is going up in the world. He's made it through eight long years as a rookie (read more)

19/03/2015 - It's 1987 and 26-year-old Malcolm Castle is going up in the world. He's made it through eight long years as a rookie fire-fighter, he's become an accepted member of Red Watch in Shrewsbury - and he's just got his pilot's licence so he can fly far above the town in his brand new microlight. From the skies the glorious medieval streets of Shrewsbury and the endless rolling hills of Shropshire look infinitely peaceful.

But Malcolm knows they will always spring plenty of surprises. Life in the country fire service is as crazy, dramatic and heart-warming as ever. And it is changing fast.

Out on the watch Malcolm has qualified to crew the two-man Emergency Tender that is first on the scene after the worst road traffic accidents. He's got a whole lot of new cutting, lifting and other kit to train on and operate - and he will do so amidst some of the most emotional incidents of his career. Back at base he's in the thick of it as colleagues face a series of challenges to the old order. (hide)

A glorious insight into Britain over the last 150 years - its history, landscape and people - from the window of Britain's many and (read more)

A glorious insight into Britain over the last 150 years - its history, landscape and people - from the window of Britain's many and magnificent railway journeys. Inspired by George Bradshaw, a 19th-century cartographer who mapped Britain's railways as they sprung up around him, Charlie Bunce and Michael Portillo take a journey along nine classic British railway routes and surround themselves with the history, the charm and the people at the heart of the railways. (hide)

London's gardeners are twice blessed: not only do they live in one of the world's most vibrant capitals, it is also one of the most (read more)

London's gardeners are twice blessed: not only do they live in one of the world's most vibrant capitals, it is also one of the most verdant. Gardens of every imaginable style, shape and size abound on rooftops, within palaces, surrounding churches, behind walls - on every piece of dry land - even if it is floating on or lapped by the river Thames. In Great Gardens of London, Victoria Summerley, Hugo Rittson Thomas and Marianne Majerus collaborate to unearth the most fascinating stories of plants and people inside London's most exciting gardens.

Some of the gardens are strictly private, while others are regularly open to visitors, but all can now be savoured and enjoyed along with those who know them best. Great Gardens of London is a captivating photographic portrait of the greatest gardens of the capital which are primarily closed to the public or rarely open their gates. It will feature gardens designed by some of the leading contemporary garden designers from across the world. (hide)

All the mapping you need to complete the 84 mile (135km) Hadrian's Wall Path from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend, Newcastle. (read more)

All the mapping you need to complete the 84 mile (135km) Hadrian's Wall Path from Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria to Wallsend, Newcastle. One of the UK's most visited national trails, it typically takes a week to walk, and is suitable for walkers and trekkers at all levels of experience. This booklet of Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer maps has been designed for convenient use on the trail.

It shows the full and up-to-date line of the Hadrian's Wall Path, along with the relevant extract from the OS Explorer map legend. It can be used when walking the trail west-east or east-west, and includes an extension to the east coast at South Shields. It is conveniently sized for slipping into a jacket pocket or top of a rucksack and comes in a clear PVC sleeve.

Amazon UK comparison price - £7.95 (plus any postage cost). (hide)

'Rain pelted down on the back of my neck and saltwater rushed down my throat as I tried to breathe into a wave. A foghorn started (read more)

'Rain pelted down on the back of my neck and saltwater rushed down my throat as I tried to breathe into a wave. A foghorn started booming from a lighthouse in the distance. For a moment I thought it was a rescue siren for me.

Imagine if I got rescued on day two! That would be embarrassing.' In June 2013 Sean Conway set out from Land's End in his bid to be the first person to swim the length of Britain. It was a challenge so extreme that not only had it never been attempted before, but most of the sponsors Sean approached turned him down as they were worried that he would die trying. Landlocked Cheltenham - Sean's hometown - isn't really the ideal place to train for a long sea swim, and he only managed three miles in a local pool before setting off from Land's End. (hide)

A familiar sight on the Thames at London Bridge, HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser, launched in March 1938. Belfast was part (read more)

A familiar sight on the Thames at London Bridge, HMS Belfast is a Royal Navy light cruiser, launched in March 1938. Belfast was part of the British naval blockade against Germany and from November 1942 escorted Arctic convoys to the Soviet Union and assisted in the destruction of the German warship Scharnhorst. In June 1944 Belfast supported the Normandy landings and in 1945 was redeployed to the British Pacific Fleet. (hide)

A pack of 12 charts covering the North and West coasts of Wales. In A2 format suitable for small chart tables and compatible with (read more)

A pack of 12 charts covering the North and West coasts of Wales. In A2 format suitable for small chart tables and compatible with Yeoman plotters. The pack includes: 2700.1 Liverpool Bay to Anglesey (1: 280 000 WGS 84) Plans: Holyhead 2700.2 Anglesey and Menai (1: 145 000 WGS 84) Plans: Conwy Bay, Conwy 2700.3 Southern Anglesey and Lleyn Peninsula (1: 145 000 WGS 84) Plans: Porth Dinllaen 2700.4 Cardigan Bay to South East of Ireland (1: 300 000 WGS 84) 2700.5 Cardigan Bay (1: 145 000 WGS 84) 2700.6 Aberaeron to St David's (1: 155 000 WGS 84) 2700.7 St George's Channel (1: 280 000 WGS 84) Plans: Kilmore Quay 2700.8 Menai Strait and The Swellies (1: 70 000 WGS 84) Plans: Bangor and Beaumaris, The Swellies, Port Dinorwic, Caernarfon, Llanddwyn Island 2700.9 Cardigan Bay Plans (1: various WGS 84) Plans: Abersoch, Pwllheli, Porthmadog, Mochras Lagoon, Barmouth, Aberdovey, Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, New Quay, Aberporth, Cardigan, Newport Bay, Fishguard 2700.10 Tremadog Bay (1: 80 000 WGS 84) 2700.11 Dublin Bay to Anglesey (1: 280 000 WGS 84) Plans: Dublin Bay 2700.12 Liverpool Bay (1: 145 000 WGS 84) Plans: Liverpool For this May 2016 edition the chart pack has been fully updated throughout with the latest known depth surveys and up to date Wind Farm information.
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'Evocatively written and charming' - CountryfileThe January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave (read more)

'Evocatively written and charming' - CountryfileThe January Man is the story of a year of walks that was inspired by a song, Dave Goulder's `The January Man'. Month by month, season by season and region by region, Christopher Somerville walks the British Isles, following routes that continually bring his father to mind. As he travels the country - from the winter floodlands of the River Severn to the lambing pastures of Nidderdale, the towering seabird cliffs on the Shetland Isle of Foula in June and the ancient oaks of Sherwood Forest in autumn - he describes the history, wildlife, landscapes and people he encounters, down back lanes and old paths, in rain and fair weather. (hide)