Walking is a cornerstone of British identity and the most popular form of exercise in the UK. But how much do we know about the paths that we walk?

The Path More Travelled, by Nicholas Crane, is a coast-to-coast history of footpaths, from the Stone Age paths walked by migrants 12,000 years ago to the Industrial Revolution, and the birth of map and walk apps.

Along the way he takes the reader on some of his own most memorable walks, including Hadrian’s Wall, the outer reaches of the Cairngorms, and the banks of the Severn.

A former president of the Royal Geographical Society, and known for his TV work on the BAFTA-winning series Coast, Crane has received numerous awards.

“In-depth research, rich detail fresh revelations and great storytelling . . . All the characteristics of Nicholas Crane’s work are combined in this absorbing and exhilarating look at the wonderful world of Britain’s pathways.”

Michael Palin