During his decades long career as a bushcraft and survival expert, one thing always shines through about Ray Mears – his love of the nature and landscape within which he finds himself. His latest book, British Woodland, takes us to the heart of something we can all enjoy, and he talks to Phoebe Smith about this integral part of the fabric of Britain.
Continue reading Ray Mears: British Woodland// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers FestivalOur Children’s Book of the Month for February 2025 is the Africana Activity Book by Claire Saunders, illustrated by Mayowa Alabi.
Discover the wonders of Africa with this informative activity book, featuring over 25 games, quizzes, creative prompts and puzzles that explore and celebrate the diversity of Africa.
Learn to say ‘hello’ in five African languages, take a tour of ancient civilisations and meet iconic African changemakers.
Continue reading Children’s Book of the Month: Africana Activity BookOur Map of the Month is the Collins Rail Map of Europe.
We’ve notice a huge rise is sales of rail maps and guides in the past year. In fact, there are two books about train train travel in the shortlist for our Travel Book of the Year in the upcoming Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards Presented by Viking.
If you are planning your next train adventure, this rail map of Europe is the perfect travel companion.
Taking the Risk is Hilary Bradt’s engaging, insightful, amusing and sometimes alarming memoir about serendipitous adventures in travel and publishing. A travel industry trail-blazer who co-founded Bradt Guides, Hilary Bradt talks to travel journalist Simon Calder about 50 years of escapades, surprises, mishaps and success.
This is a live recording from Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at Olympia, London on 30 January 2025.
Continue reading Hilary Bradt in Conversation with Simon Calder// 2025 Stanfords Travel Writers FestivalOur Book of the Month for February is Walking Europe’s Last Wilderness: A Journey through the Carpathian Mountains by Nick Thorpe.
An evocative voyage through the Carpathian mountain range and its threatened landscape, peoples, and history.
The Carpathian Mountains of Poland, Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine are Europe’s last true wilderness. A landscape of great spruce and beech forests, grass meadows, and ancient villages, its people contend daily with the elements—as well as Europe’s last large carnivores. But this fragile ecosystem is now under threat, from climate change and illegal logging.
Over the next few weeks the judging will commence for the 2025 Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards Presented by Viking. Yesterday the shortlisted entries for the Bradt New Travel Writer of the Year were announced.
Unpublished writers were invited to submit a piece on the theme; ‘A Hasty Exit.’
Here are the finalists, highly commended and commended pieces:
Continue reading Shortlisted Entries Announced for the 2025 New Travel Writer of the Year
✍ Signed by the author
‘My Friends’ by Hisham Matar
This tender and powerful novel, now out in paperback, is the story of three Libyan men living in London, far away from their homeland. It’s a story of belonging, of shared trauma and ultimately, what it means to be human.
Continue reading ‘My Friends’ by Hisham MatarLast night we hosted a fascinating evening talking about André Rostant’s book The Muffin Man.
The Muffin Man is a frank exploration into the lives of those at the heart of bohemian Soho, told from the perspective of George, a fictional Big Issue Vendor in Soho. This story sheds a much needed light on the most pressing issues in society today and the still desperate need for change.
Dom Joly spoke to André about how his book is fiction but very much based on the lives of those who frequent Soho and about how communities in London can change so much that these people who have lived there their whole lives can be like tourists in their own areas.
Thank you to everyone who attended. We are donating all ticket proceeds and a percentage of book sales to the Big Issue.
If you were unable to attend this event but would like to make a donation to support the Big Issue, please click here
We have signed copies of The Muffin Man by André Rostant and The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World by Dom Joly available while stocks last.
Continue reading Author Event with André Rostant and Dom JolyIf your New Year’s resolution is to be more adventurous our Map of the Month The Adventure Map of Ireland will give you some inspiration.
Ireland’s beautiful landscape offers so much potential for adventure whether on foot, bike or boat. This unique map documents thousands of the island’s natural features such as rivers, beaches and mountains as well as the walking, cycling and paddling routes that connect them. So spread it out on the kitchen table and start making plans…
At a scale of 1:450,000, 1cm = 4.5km
Printed on the same press as the Irish and UK Ordnance Survey maps, this large format (890mm x 1125mm), high-quality map is the ideal planning tool for your Irish adventures. The reverse side is packed with a vast amount of detailed information offering suggestions of different routes and activities
Featuring:
The Adventure Map of Ireland is available now for £15.
Our Children’s Book of the Month for January 2025 is The History of Everywhere: All the Stuff That You Never Knew Happened at the Same Time by Philip Parker illustrated by Liz Kay.
Discover history as you’ve never seen it before – and all the stuff you never knew happened at the same time.
Did you know the woolly mammoths were still around when the Egyptians built their pyramids? Or that Leonardo Da Vinci lived at the same time as Henry VIII and the Aztecs? Welcome to The History of Everywhere, a fascinating guide to all the stuff you never knew happened at the same time! In lively maps, see the whole world of history: from ancient times to the modern day, watch civilizations rise and fall, spot fascinating connections and coincidences, and discover the people and events you never learnt about in school. Prepare for a fascinating journey around the world that will change the way you see history.
Continue reading Children’s Book of the Month: The History of Everywhere
