Ramble On: The Story of Our Love for Walking Britain

The story of our love for walking Britain. Ramble On tells the story of how country walks and rambling were transformed from a small and often illegal pastime to the most popular recreational activity in the country. Despite the peaceful, even meditative nature of the pursuit, the story of rambling is actually a story of constant, bitter conflict: one of grand country aristocrats pitted against town-dwelling working class men and women; of farmers with spring-guns and bone-shattering man-traps; of municipal Water-Boards convinced that walkers could infect reservoirs with TB; of gamekeepers certain that the slightest suggestion of footsteps on the moor would disturb the partridges and plovers. The story of rambling is a prism through which we can view the ebbs and flows of social conflict in Britain, from the Reformation to the present day. Above all, though, this book is about the exhilaration of a gusty hill-top path; the curious unease that a labyrinthine forest floor can induce; the feel of different soil, peat and rock; the sight of alternating sunlight and shadow sweeping across vast valleys. Both a biography of Britain's favourite outdoor pursuit and a celebration of our wonderful countryside, Ramble On is for anyone who has ever pulled on a pair of walking boots or is partial to the taste of Kendal Mint Cake.

About the Author :
Sinclair McKay is a features writer for The Telegraph and The Mail on Sunday. He is also the acclaimed author of the bestselling The Secret Life of Bletchley Park.

Review :
Praise for ‘Ramble On’: ‘McKay makes an agreeable tramping companion. For McKay walking is a serious pleasure, which is as it should be’ Tom Fort, Sunday Telegraph ‘Ramble On is a fascinating and lovingly written book that gets to the heart of a pursuit enjoyed by thousands throughout the British Isles every weekend’ Carl Wilkinson, Financial Times ‘Excellent history of the pastime … McKay’s gripping story of the struggle is enlivened by atmospheric descriptions of his own rambles and is rich in anecdote’ John Harding, Daily Mail ‘Sinclair McKay aims to convey the essence of this story through visits to some of the often inspiring places in which it has been acted out.’ Guardian Chronicles the changing relationship between landowners and roamers, and branches out into B&B, Wordsworth, Wainright, shifting patterns of class and the history of walking togs’ Country Life ‘Charming book – part of a history of British walking, part of a memoir of McKay’s wanderings.’ Daily Telegraph ‘Highly companionable … McKay gives a fascinating account of how walkers have since the Thirties battled landowners for the right to roam across Britain. In McKay’s version, walking is a political act and the Rambler’s Association is an advanced guard of egalitarians.’ Sunday Telegraph Books of the Year ‘This book should inspire you to don your walking boots and head for the hills’ Choice Magazine, Paperback Book of the Month