Our Favourite Books

Spending his weekends exploring historic churches across the idyllic English countryside – and sharing their beauty and unsung history across social media – Luke Sherlock is bringing English history and the heritage of our rural countryside to a new audience. England is full of incredible...

Embarking on a transformative journey, Gráinne Lyons decided to traverse Ireland's western shoreline on foot. Her mission was twofold: to tread the paths of eleven trailblazing Irish women intrinsically linked to this coastal terrain, delving into their lives and accomplishments, whilst simultaneously exploring her...

Hailed as 'one of the best books' by Richard Osman and lauded for its 'tender and elegant' prose by the Guardian, J L Carr's 'A Month in the Country' stands as a singular masterpiece in modern English literature. This poignant tale follows Tom Birkin,...

Delve into Katherine May's 'Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times', a Sunday Times bestseller and BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week. This masterful exploration of life's fallow periods offers a profound insight into the art of self-care and rejuvenation...

A Sunday Times bestseller and Samuel Johnson Prize nominee, 'The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot' is a masterful exploration of Britain's ancient pathways by the acclaimed author of 'Underland', 'Landmarks', and 'The Lost Words'. Robert Macfarlane, renowned for his eloquent observations of nature,...

The Sunday Times paperback bestseller and Waterstones Non-Fiction Book of the Month*Featuring a brand new chapter!*'Never have the joys of exploring the churches and cathedrals of this country been so vividly conveyed as they are in this engaging and elegiac book.' - New Statesman...

Prepare for a cinematic treat as Helena Bonham-Carter takes the lead in the forthcoming adaptation of this remarkable novella. Penned by the Walter Scott Prize laureate behind 'The Gallows Pole', this powerful work has earned its place as a Times Book of the Year....

A long-time confidante of the rain and snow, I am ninety years old. The rain and snow have weathered me, and I too have weathered them'At the end of the twentieth century an old woman sits among the birch trees and reflects on the...

Storyland, a captivating reimagining of British mythology by Amy Jeffs, has garnered widespread acclaim, earning its place on numerous bestseller lists and award shortlists. This enchanting tome weaves a tapestry of ancient tales, from the misty origins of creation to the Norman conquest, breathing...

Immerse yourself in the tranquil realm of untamed nature, where creatures exist unburdened by the weight of future sorrows. Wendell Berry's poetic prowess invites readers to pause and contemplate, urging us to perceive the world anew and relish its inherent goodness. This collection of...

Forests have long been a cornerstone of eerie tales, weaving their way through horror, fantasy, gothic, and weird fiction. These shadowy realms are ripe with mystery, where visibility is often obscured and the unexpected lurks at every turn. Amidst the dense foliage, otherworldly beings...

In 'Wilding', Isabella Tree unfolds the captivating tale of the Knepp experiment, a groundbreaking rewilding endeavour in West Sussex. With the precision of a detective and the passion of a naturalist, Tree chronicles how free-roaming grazing animals are crafting new wildlife habitats, breathing life...

From the acclaimed author of Storyland comes a captivating journey through the untamed landscapes of early medieval Britain. Amy Jeffs' 'Wild' invites readers to traverse treacherous cliffs, stormy seas, and dense forests, immersing them in a world both alien and strangely familiar. Divided into...

Hailed as the pinnacle of British nature writing, Nan Shepherd's 'The Living Mountain' is a captivating exploration of the Cairngorm mountains in Scotland. This masterpiece, featuring an introduction by Robert Macfarlane and an afterword by Jeanette Winterson, invites readers on an extraordinary journey through...

Prepare to embark on a captivating odyssey through a millennium of English lore and history. Christopher Hadley's 'Hollow Places' defies easy categorisation, offering readers a delightfully immersive experience that the Sunday Times hails as 'comfortably the most unexpected history book of the year'. Picture,...

Prepare to have your perception of the Middle Ages utterly transformed. 'Femina', the instant Sunday Times bestseller and Cundill History Prize longlisted sensation, peels back the layers of time to reveal the hidden influence of medieval women. Dr Janina Ramirez's groundbreaking work has set...

Immerse yourself in a year-long journey through the finest nature writing, with a carefully curated passage to relish each day. This exquisitely illustrated daily anthology presents a treasure trove of prose from across the globe and throughout history, spanning from Pliny the Elder's Natural...

Imagine being gifted your very own remote islands. For Adam Nicolson, this extraordinary scenario became reality three decades ago. At the tender age of 21, he found himself the custodian of the Shiants, a trio of secluded Hebridean isles nestled in treacherous waters off...

Behold, a literary triumph that has captured the imagination of readers and critics alike! This Sunday Times bestseller and Science and Environment Book of the Year has garnered numerous accolades, including the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award. It has also been...

Subtle, compendious and rich' - James McConnachie, The Sunday Times'Dazzling ... Finlay's adventures, vividly recounted, make enthralling reading ... This book is equally an inspiration and an education' - Bel Mooney, Daily Mail'A gorgeous adventure through the history of cloth' - StylistThe Sunday Times...

Honoured with a place on the Women's Prize for Fiction 2022 shortlist and celebrated as a Sunday Times top ten bestseller, this captivating tale has also captured the heart of Reese Witherspoon's Book Club. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1974 Cyprus, two star-crossed...

Embark on a captivating journey through Scotland's rich tapestry of folklore with this exquisite compilation of tales. Culled from The History Press' esteemed Folk Tales series, this volume presents a veritable treasure chest of narratives from a cadre of gifted raconteurs. Within these pages,...

Embark on a riveting journey through time with Marc Morris's Sunday Times bestseller, hailed as a "clever, lively ... splendid new book" by Dan Jones. This masterful work delves into the tumultuous period following Britain's departure from the Roman Empire, when the island plunged...

Enchanting, breathtaking and beautiful... If you need me, I'll be in Storyland - Ben Miller IMMERSE YOURSELF IN MIST AND MAGIC AND DISCOVER HEROES AND MONSTERS RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP . . . You will have heard of Thor, Medusa and Hercules. But what...

Nestled in the ancient Mesta valley, one of Europe's longest-inhabited river basins and a haven for wild plant foragers, Elixir offers a captivating journey into the profound bonds between humans, flora, and their environment. Kapka Kassabova, whose forthcoming work 'Anima: A Wild Pastoral' is...

THE SUNDAY TIMES HISTORY BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022 WINNER OF THE POL ROGER DUFF COOPER PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION SHORTLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE Eleven years when Britain had no king. In 1649 Britain was engulfed by revolution. On a raw January afternoon,...

Embark on an extraordinary journey through Britain's mystical landscapes and ancient traditions with this unconventional guide. 'Weird Walk' proposes a revolutionary concept: by traversing the British countryside and embracing the cyclical nature of the year, we can rediscover our collective folklore and forge a...

In this captivating exploration of Britain and Ireland's untamed landscapes, Robert Macfarlane embarks on a quest to uncover the last bastions of true wilderness. From dense forests to windswept moors, rugged mountains to salt-kissed marshes, the acclaimed author of 'Underland' and 'The Lost Words'...

In his quest to curate England's finest ecclesiastical treasures, Simon Jenkins embarked on an odyssey across the nation. The fruit of his labour? A meticulously crafted compendium of the thousand most remarkable churches in the land. With the precision of a detective and the...

Britain's Pilgrim Places captures the spirit of 2,000 years of history, heritage and wonder. It is the complete guide to every spiritual treasure, including 500 enchanting holy places throughout England, Wales and Scotland and covers all major pilgrimage routes. Produced in collaboration with The...

In the tumultuous period of 1860-1890, the American West witnessed a harrowing saga of shattered promises, disillusionment, and bloodshed. Dee Brown's gripping narrative, "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee", chronicles the tragic plight of Native Americans as they faced the relentless tide of white...

Embark on a captivating journey through Britain's architectural history, as told by master stonemason Andrew Ziminski. With three decades of experience working on some of the nation's most iconic structures, Ziminski offers a unique perspective on the evolution of British building techniques. From ancient...

A thrilling celebration of lighthouses' i newspaperAn enthralling history of Britain's rock lighthouses, and the people who built and inhabited themLighthouses are enduring monuments to our relationship with the sea. They encapsulate a romantic vision of solitary homes amongst the waves, but their original...

WINNER OF THE WAINWRIGHT PRIZE FOR CONSERVATION 2023 The Sunday Times Science Book of the Year As seen on Countryfile `If anyone was born to save Britain's rainforests, it was Guy Shrubsole' Sunday Times Shortlisted for the Richard Jefferies Society Literary Prize Temperate rainforest...

Hailed as a TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR, this masterful chronicle of Viking history defies conventional timelines. While traditionally bookended by the Lindisfarne raid of 793 and King Harald Hardrada's fall at Stamford Bridge in 1066, Neil Price's groundbreaking work delves deeper, unearthing the...

Nestled in the heart of the West Country, a village teems with untold stories—some fading into obscurity, others woven into the fabric of local lore. Yet, the destiny of this hamlet is meticulously chronicled by an all-seeing, rather cantankerous presence, etching its tales indelibly...

A Sunday Times bestseller and nominee for prestigious literary awards, 'The Book of Trespass' by Nick Hayes is a groundbreaking exploration of England's hidden landscapes. This captivating work, lauded by literary luminaries, challenges readers to reconsider their perception of the countryside. Hayes unveils a...

Crowned victor of the 2020 Women's Prize for Fiction and reigning supreme as the No. 1 bestseller of 2021, this literary gem has been hailed as "richly sensuous... something special" by The Sunday Times and "a thing of shimmering wonder" by David Mitchell. At...

Jake Fiennes is spearheading a revolution in British farming, transforming the very essence of our countryside. As the Conservation Manager at Holkham, Norfolk's sprawling historic estate, Fiennes has orchestrated a remarkable revival of habitats across 25,000 acres. His innovative approach has not only bolstered...

Exquisite tomes make for indelible presents. This diminutive treasure is the ideal gift for enthusiasts of nature, language, and sumptuous artwork, appealing to both adults and children alike! Whilst sharing a kindred spirit with The Lost Words, The Lost Spells presents a fresh approach,...

Sunday Times Bestseller `A paradigm-smashing chronicle of joyous entanglement' Charles Foster Waterstones Non-Fiction Book of the Month (September) Are trees social beings? How do trees live? Do they feel pain or have awareness of their surroundings? In The Hidden Life of Trees Peter Wohlleben...

THE TIMES BEST HISTORY BOOK OF 2023A BOOK OF THE YEAR PICK FOR THE TIMES, SUNDAY TIMES, BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE, GUARDIAN, INDEPENDENT AND FINANCIAL TIMESA BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE WEEK | AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'Humanity has transformed the Earth: Frankopan transforms...

Jared Farmer's 'Elderflora: A Modern History of Ancient Trees' has been honoured with the Jacques Barzun Prize in Cultural History. This captivating work seamlessly intertwines natural and human narratives, presenting ancient trees not merely as extraordinary organisms, but as silent witnesses to human triumphs,...