Cols and Passes of the British Isles by Graham Robb, £20

Renowned historian and bestselling author of The Ancient Paths Graham Robb has spent years uncovering and cataloguing the 2,002 cols and 105 passes scattered across the British Isles many of which are in the Lake District.

A col is the lowest point on the saddle between two mountains and many are well known but some of these obscure and magical sites are virgin cols that have never been crossed. Dozens were lost by the Ordnance Survey and are recorded only in ballads or monastic charters. The 11 cols of Hadrian's Wall are practically unknown and have never been properly identified.

These under-appreciated slices of natural beauty provide a new way of looking at British history, and a challenge for cyclists and walkers.

This new book is regarded as “the one and only guide to every col and pass in the British Isles, for cyclists, walkers and armchair travellers.”

CAROLINE REECE

WATERSTONES KENDAL