In 1865 Elihu Burritt, a notable American peace and anti-slavery activist, was appointed the United States consul in Birmingham, at the time a rapidly growing manufacturing city and centre of a major industrial area. He travelling extensively throughout the Midlands, not just in Birmingham and the heavily industrialised Black Country but also in the rural areas that lay beyond the industrial belt in Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire and Shropshire. Burritt was full of enthusiasm for everything he saw and his obvious love for the area shines through in the book that he subsequently wrote about his journeys. That book, published in 1868, was entitled Walks in the Black Country and its Green Borderland. These 20 walks take you through areas of the Midlands which, 150 years since Burritt walked this way, still contain some of the most varied, beautiful and interesting landscapes and some of the finest old towns and villages in the country.

Providing excellent value for the keen walker, this popular series features 100 route descriptions of circular walks ranging from 3-12 miles. Each walk has a map, points of interest and places to eat and drink en route, plus suggestions for easy car parking. Ideal for all those wanting to explore a county the best way on foot. The walking territory in these two central counties remains largely undiscovered, better known, as they are for their towns and cities such as Stratford and Leamington. Those willing to find out, however, will discover some wonderful countryside, and some surprisingly varied routes.

The Rough Guide Snapshot to The West Midlands and the Peak District is the ultimate travel guide to this varied part of England. It guides you through the region with reliable information and comprehensive coverage of all the sights and attractions, from Shakespeare's Stratford to Ironbridge Gorge, and vibrant Birmingham to the bucolic Peak District. Detailed maps and up-to-date listings pinpoint the best cafés, restaurants, hotels, shops, bars and nightlife, ensuring you have the best trip possible, whether passing through, staying for the weekend or longer. Also included is the Basics section from the Rough Guide to England, with all the practical information you need for travelling in and around England, including transport, food, drink, costs, festivals, sports and outdoor activities. Also published as part of the Rough Guide to England. Full coverage: Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Coventry Cathedral, Worcester, Great Malvern, Hereford, Ledbury, Ross-on-Wye, the Wye River Valley, Hay-on-Wye, Ironbridge Gorge, Much Wenlock and Wenlock Edge, Shrewsbury, Church Stretton and the Long Mynd, Ludlow, Birmingham, Lichfield, Derby, Ashbourne, Hartington, Buxton, Castleton, Edale, Hathersage, Eyam, Baslow, Chatsworth and Bakewell. (Equivalent printed page extent 98 pages).

The combination of country walking with visits to battlefields is a most rewarding experience. The Midlands has played a prominent part in the military history of England and the events that form the basis of the 22 walks in this guide range from the 13th to the 20th centuries, from the Battle of Evesham (1265) to the bombing of Coventry (1940).

1001 Walks You Must Experience Before You Die is the perfect guide to the world's most exhilarating walks. The ever-increasing passion for recreational walking is given fresh impetus with the creation of each new national park and wilderness area, the construction of every new walkway and the clearing of another fresh trail. The growth in popularity of pathways and woodland walks, and the conversion of canal banks and disused railways around the world to mixed-use walkand cycle-ways, means we now have unprecedented access to our cities and to ever-increasing tracts of our rural heritage. The wide-ranging, carefully chosen featured routes vary from the rugged delights of Wales's Pembrokeshire Coastal Path to the lush wilderness of Jamaica and the Harz Witches' Trail high in the German mountains. The hand-picked excursions cover overland paths, urban trails, mountain passes, coastal and shoreline strolls, and walks that explore the heritage of the world's most culturally rich destinations. There are gentle walks for beginners - some lasting barely an hour - and more demanding challenges for seasoned enthusiasts that will take months to achieve. Every page provides a wealth of information about a must-try walk, including start and end points, overall distance, difficulty rating, terrain and an estimation of the time it should take to complete, along with links to specially commissioned digital route maps. In short, 1001 Walks You Must Experience Before You Die is an essential reference guide for all those who love to get out of their cars, get off their bikes and lace up their walking shoes.