UK

In England, gardening and garden-visiting are national obsessions. More than 80 years ago, the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) was (read more)

In England, gardening and garden-visiting are national obsessions. More than 80 years ago, the National Gardens Scheme (NGS) was founded with the aim of raising money for charity by opening gardens of quality and interest to the public. In the first year, some 600 gardens were opened.

Today, over 3700 gardens - many of them privately owned and opened for just a few days each year - are listed in The Yellow Book, the annual guide published by the NGS. The Gardens of England gives you the opportunity to enjoy 50 of the country's greatest garden gems from the comfort of your armchair. Each of the five chapters is written by a different leading gardens expert, and surveys 10 gardens opened as part of the NGS during a particular period.

George Plumptre, head of the NGS, provides an engaging introduction on garden-visiting, and 12 well-known gardeners offer a personal account of their favourite NGS garden. Featuring established and new gardens of all styles, this is a book that no lover of the English garden should be without. (hide)

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)

The First World War claimed over 995,000 British lives, and its legacy continues to be remembered today. Great War Britain: Liverpool (read more)

The First World War claimed over 995,000 British lives, and its legacy continues to be remembered today. Great War Britain: Liverpool offers a detailed insight into this great city and its people facing the challenges of wartime. This highly accessible volume explores the city's regiments, and includes many individual stories of men on the frontline and the vital role of women against the background of the changing face of industry, attitudes to conscientious objectors, hospitals for the wounded and their rehabilitation, peace celebrations, the fallen heroes and how they are commemorated.
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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)

The thriving city of Liverpool has become particularly well known over the last century for its maritime industry, contributions (read more)

The thriving city of Liverpool has become particularly well known over the last century for its maritime industry, contributions to sport and, of course, its legendary musical heritage. However, this city has a history that stretches back hundreds of years, right back to the early thirteenth century when it was formed as a borough by King John in 1207. It was soon after this that Liverpool's first streets were constructed. (hide)