Book description
A history of walking over the British countryside.
Published to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Ramblers'
Association, 'Ramble On' tells the story of how country walks were
transformed from a small and often illegal pastime to the most popular
recreational activity in the country.
From the brave band of hikers who scaled the off-limits peak Kinder
Scout in 1932, via the intricate Lake District guides of Alfred
Wainwright, to the resistant landowners (including the notorious
Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, Madonna and Jeremy Clarkson) who have done
their level best (and worst) to keep walkers off their land - this is
the definitive history of rambling.
Perfectly capturing the sense of exhilaration on reaching the summit of
a blustery hill-top path, 'Ramble On' is for anyone who has ever pulled
on a pair of walking boots or is partial to the taste of Kendal
mintcake. '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
'Chronicles the changing relationship between landowners and roamers,
and branches out into B&B, Wordsworth, Wainwright, shifting patterns
of class and the history of walking togs' Country Life
'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 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'.
