The Lost Paths: A History of How We Walk From Here To There

A journey across Britain's millennia-old network of pathways, revealing key moments throughout our history Hundreds of thousands of miles of paths reach into, and connect, communities across England and Wales. More than just a practical way for us to walk, ride and cycle around, they are an inheritance from the past, revealing how our ancestors interacted with and shaped their landscapes. But thousands of miles are still missing from our maps. Exploring the deep history of these pathways, Jack Cornish uncovers how this millennia-old network was created and has evolved - from prehistoric trackways to the modern creation of towns - reflecting the contours of the past and the changing fortunes of society.

About the Author :
Jack Cornish is head of paths at the Ramblers Association, Britain's largest walking charity. In 2017, he walked across the country from Land's End to John O'Groats, and he has dedicated the last seven years of his life to walking and recording the forgotten routes of England and Wales. He is ten years into an attempt to walk every street in London, where he lives. Twitter @cornish_jack

Review :
A nostalgic amble through the history of travel in England and Wales, and an examination of the routes that make up our modern path network. Jack Cornish interlaces titbits of travel, history, personal reflection and anecdote. His passion for walking, natural beauty and the abundant history of these old ways shines through. Cornish's motivation to protect heritage and relish our spectacular countryside is admirable Cornish’s book delves back in history and is written with a sense of urgency. On each page you discover an enticing new vista Marvellous. Cornish is the ideal companion on the road: interested in everything, learned, acute, and a splendid story-teller A rallying cry to reclaim lost routes and preserve this precious resource for future generations Fascinating A celebration of an ancient network and a rallying cry to reclaim what has been lost and preserve it for future generations [A] fascinating history of path-making and path-taking . . . our guide excels at historic story-telling . . . Cornish’s celebration of our grand wealth of history ways, and the different motivations for walking over the centuries, is a worthy clarion call for us to keep treading paths – so we don’t lose our way . . . A lively account of millennia of movement, and a call to action to preserve an endangered heritage By 2026, some 16,000km of forgotten footpaths around Britain stand to be lost. Jack Cornish’s fascinating book sets out to ensure they aren’t, and en route explains why Britain’s history is buried in these historic rights of way.