A very decent volume, at least if you know what to expect. Each walk gets a page of the book, unless you count the full-page photos that are here and there. Alongside a small but functional (just) map – many have the contours taken off – we get a more poetic and experiential description of the sights and benefits of choosing each particular hike, with alongside that the most blunt and perfunctory directions to guide us, Explorers map in hand. There's a nod to where we can stop for lunch – and a lot of those would probably be a welcome liquid lunch. Yes, beer is featured here – as is, too, Beer, the village in Devon.

We obviously get the start and end points as well, and it's a quick scan that proves the bulk of these are circular. Well, public transport can be a pig in the rural parts discussed – and you can take that as literally as your knowledge of English colloquialisms allows. These are all day walks – even if they hit on the South Downs Way, the Ridgeway or the full coastal path it's only for a mile or three at a time. Which makes efforts such as the one near Ditchling, to get us to the Jack and Jill windmills and back by a very different route, actually something to applaud. I'm not saying this author is the first person to have found that trail and spun the route from A to B and back that way, but it's of obvious benefit to have different scenery both directions.

And also of benefit is the depth here – this touches on some famous places (Dungeness, perhaps, Cannock Chase or the Ladybower Reservoir the biggest names, at least south of Manchester) but leaves off the likes of Avebury and the most well-trodden places. This is an impetus to get you to the more hidden corners of our countries, where the walk can be the experience rather than the sight at the end to tick off. You're not clogging the roads when you park up for the duration, you're in a welcoming pub's car park, with the aim to get back before kitchens shut after the lunch shift. It's highly impractical to expect to get to all the remote places to do them all, but this makes for some decent armchair trave-, well, armchair walking, and will always be one of those projects on the backburner where we promise ourselves we'll do more of it. One fine day. However long it stays static on the shelf, it won't be a regrettable purchase.

Thank you NetGalley and Collins Reference for this eCopy to review

Christopher Somerville’s The Times Britain’s Best Walks is a true celebration of the UK’s stunning landscapes. The book is an invitation to explore Britain’s diverse beauty, from rolling hills and rugged coastlines to tranquil woodlands and historic trails.

The guide features 200 carefully curated walks, each meticulously described with practical details like distance, difficulty, and terrain. Somerville’s warm and personable writing brings each route to life, as he weaves in local history, wildlife, and cultural titbits. His passion for walking and Britain’s countryside is infectious, making it not just a practical guide but also an inspiring read for both seasoned hikers and casual walkers.

What sets this book apart is its accessibility. Somerville includes walks for every skill level and occasion, ensuring there’s something for everyone—whether you’re seeking a family-friendly stroll or a challenging trek. The accompanying maps and photographs enhance the experience, offering a visual preview of the journeys ahead.

Overall, The Times Britain’s Best Walks is not only an essential resource for outdoor enthusiasts but also a love letter to Britain’s natural heritage. Whether you’re planning your next adventure or simply dreaming of the great outdoors, this book is a must-have.

The ARC was very difficult to read, even on my iPad on a bigger screen. The formatting was out in the text in the index. It was impossible to find walks I wanted to look at.
I’m sure it is a very different experience reading the physical book however.

Actual walks I looked at:
Limited text, and one photo at best. Very limited visual appeal to give you some idea of the walk you’ve chosen.
Descriptions are also very limited and I can imagine getting lost is quite easy given this. I’m used to following maps and instructions too.

I feel The Times has bitten off too much to chew here. It’s clearly a large area covered, and has many walks. I get the coffee table appeal, but to fully fulfil this premise it would need more visual appeal with photos and maps even.

I prefer the smaller concise walk book covering a realistic area in more detail. Even the Michelin Guide for Wales covers the walks in full detail with maps and photos relevant to the user. And it fits in a backpack.

Thank you for allowing me the chance to review this book, and I have possibly given it some injustice due to the electronic version.

What a wonderful guide for anyone who wants to get out there and see Great Britain at it's best. This is a detailed book and is something you would want to carry with you at all times so you can find the best walks for a great experience. It has plenty of information, great photos and is a guide book for any walker, trekker, adventurer.

The advance copy I did find a bit hard to read but I think if you have the actual hard copy it would make for a much easier book to take and refer to. I know I will be using it on my next trip to Great Britain!

Thank you NetGalley and Collins Reference for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

An interesting and comprehensive book of walks across the UK. Each walk is accompanied by a colour picture, grid and OS references as well as places to stop for refreshments. The walks are detailed and easy to follow perfect for those who love being outside and exploring.

Since moving to the UK more than ten years ago, I thought I'd already explored everything. This book is a good guide and takes you through different regions in the UK, the best places to go for walks, complete with maps and the estimated time to finish the walk. As a bonus, it even has suggestions about where to have lunch!

Some of the best walks in the UK, demonstrated using maps and with handy information and insights.
The presentation makes it easy to pick a walk and plan ahead as well as to scan for other walks in the same region or country.

I received a free copy of, The Times Britain's Best Walks, by Christopher Somerville, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This a great book for walking in Britain, It tells you how long the walk is, where to have lunch and more.

Very interesting book
Got because moved north east recently and got dogs so wanted see what best walks are
Have tried couple and wow

Informative with a good selection of walks across the UK. It was slightly difficult to read in this version I think the actual physical book would be more user friendly. I'm a visual person so I would have loved some more photos or the walks as there was only one small photo per walk. I think you have to be a regular walker and someone who knows the lingo in order to read these walks.