Steve Davison – författare

Discover the New Forest National Park through a diverse collection of 30 waymarked walks that reveal the essence of one of England’s most historic and enchanting landscapes. Explore iconic areas such as Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Burley, and Lymington. Ranging from gentle woodland strolls to expansive heathland rambles, these routes weave through the heart of Hampshire and Wiltshire, offering a rich tapestry of open heaths, ancient forests, tranquil rivers, picturesque villages, and the New Forest coastline. Ideal for both new and experienced walkers, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook suggests 30 manageable day walks in the New Forest, each designed to be completed in two to four hours. Terrain is mostly level and accessible to all ages, with routes ranging from 5 to 17km (3–10 miles), making these walks perfect for families, casual explorers, or ramblers seeking a deeper connection to the Forest’s wild character. Traverse the varied landscapes of the New Forest: wander through ancient and ornamental woods in Bolderwood and Rhinefield, home to the greatest concentration of veteran trees in western Europe; cross sweeping heaths near Blackwater and Hatchet Pond grazed by wild ponies and deer; and explore stretches of unspoilt coastline and magical valley mires unique to the New Forest National Park.Experience the New Forest’s seasonal beauty: bursts of wildflowers in spring, vibrant foliage in autumn, and abundant wildlife year-round. Birdsong mingles with the rustle of leaves, while glimpses of deer, ponies, and rare plants enhance every outing.Walks can be tailored to suit your schedule, combine routes for a full day’s exploration or select shorter loops for a leisurely afternoon. The guide highlights which New Forest walks can be easily linked together.Each route features a detailed summary box with start and finish points, OS Explorer map references, parking, estimated walking time, and information on nearby pubs and cafés in villages such as Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Beaulieu, Burley, and Lymington. Refreshment and transport options are included for every walk, with guidance on public transport links to key New Forest locations.Extracts from 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps accompany every route, and free GPX tracks are available for download, making navigation in the New Forest simple and reliable, whether you’re on a well-marked track or a hidden forest path. Plan your New Forest adventure with confidence and immerse yourself in landscapes shaped by nearly a thousand years of history, from William the Conqueror’s royal hunting ground to Britain’s smallest national park. With the definitive Cicerone’s guidebook, discover the Forest’s captivating blend of wildlife, heritage, and natural beauty at your own pace, in every season.

The Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty have been described as the jewels of the English landscape, and the North Wessex Downs, the third largest AONB, is no exception. Its predominant feature is its underlying chalk geology, and it covers one of the most continuous tracts of chalk downland in England. As well as its treasures in the form of chalk and ancient woodland, the North Wessex Downs also has a fascinating human history, stretching back some 5,000 years. The archaeology of the area is both rich and varied, with a number of impressive monuments, including the Neolithic stone circle at Avebury-which forms part of a World Heritage Site-the truly beautiful Uffington White Horse, and the magical Wayland's Smithy, plus a myriad of Bronze Age barrows and Iron Age hill forts. Despite being located in southern England-a densely populated region-the North Wessex Downs is surprisingly unspoiled and sparsely populated, giving it a true sense of the idyllic England of old. Hidden amongst the folded contours of this chalk countryside are picture-postcard villages with thatched cottages, historic churches, and magnificent stately houses, while out on the open downs breathtaking views stretch over rounded chalk hills, with wide open skies above.

Dartmoor National Park is one of England’s most distinctive walking landscapes, known for its dramatic granite tors, open moorland and ancient archaeological sites scattered across the wild Devon countryside. From sweeping high moors and deep wooded valleys to prehistoric stone circles and remote rivers, Dartmoor offers walkers a landscape rich in history, wildlife and far-reaching views. This comprehensive Cicerone guidebook to walking on Dartmoor provides 39 varied day walks across the national park, plus a challenging two-day version of the famous Ten Tors Challenge. Written by experienced guidebook author Steve Davison, it combines clear route descriptions with practical planning advice, making it an ideal companion for discovering the best of Dartmoor on foot. 39 day walks across Dartmoor National Park, ranging from 7–19km (4 to 12 miles), exploring landscapes from the granite tors of the high moor to the wooded valleys, reservoirs and historic villages of the Devon moorlandA 2-day, 58km (36-mile) route inspired by the famous Ten Tors Challenge for those seeking a longer moorland challengeStep-by-step route instructions with 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey maps and downloadable GPX files, perfect for navigating granite tors, open heaths, and secluded valleysDetailed insights into local geology, wildlife, and archaeology, including tors, stone rows, stone circles, and Bronze Age settlementsPractical information on parking, public transport, and refreshment stops, covering key access points such as Tavistock, Ivybridge, and Okehampton From the granite tors of Yes Tor and High Willhays to ancient stone circles and quiet wooded valleys, the landscapes of Dartmoor and the Devon uplands offer some of the most atmospheric walking in southern England. With this guidebook in your pack, you can confidently plan your walks, uncover hidden corners of the moor, and experience the timeless beauty of Devon on foot.

The North Wessex Downs is a vast sweep of rolling chalk hills, open downland and hidden valleys stretching across Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire. Rich in prehistoric heritage, ancient trackways and sweeping countryside views, it offers walkers a peaceful yet fascinating landscape to explore in southern England, with easy access from towns and cities such as Swindon, Reading and Basingstoke.This Cicerone guidebook helps you discover the very best of the North Wessex Downs through 30 circular walks ranging from 6–21km (4–13 miles), perfect for everything from relaxed countryside strolls to rewarding full-day hikes. With clear directions, mapping and practical planning advice, it provides everything you need to confidently explore one of England’s most beautiful protected landscapes. This guide to walking in the North Wessex Downs features 30 circular routes across this beautiful National Landscape, including the historic trails of The Ridgeway and panoramic viewpoints above the chalk downsClear step-by-step route descriptions with 1:40,000 OS mapping make navigation straightforward as you explore highlights such as the ancient hillside figure of the Uffington White HorseDownloadable GPX files allow you to follow the routes easily on a GPS device or smartphone while discovering historic landscapes like Avebury Stone CircleRoutes of 2–6 hours make it easy to plan memorable walking days across varied terrain, from the open chalk uplands to the tranquil river valleys near the River Kennet, perfect for a day out in the regionPractical planning information and local insights highlight picturesque villages, historic sites and countryside viewpoints across the wider North Wessex Downs National Landscape With inspiring routes, reliable navigation and expert local insight, this guidebook is the perfect companion for discovering the timeless landscapes, ancient history and wide-open views of the North Wessex Downs on foot.

Walk through the heart of England’s chalk landscapes on the Sarsen Way and Cranborne Droves Way, two connected long-distance paths forming part of the Great Chalk Way. The 79km Sarsen Way runs from Coate Water Park near Swindon to Salisbury, while the 28km Cranborne Droves Way continues south to join the Wessex Ridgeway at Win Green. Together, these historic routes follow ancient trackways across downland, farmland, and prehistoric landscapes shaped by sarsen stones and centuries of human movement. Suitable for walkers of all abilities, both routes can be comfortably completed within a week. The walks pass through villages and historic sites, including Chiseldon, Avebury, Durrington, Amesbury, Old Sarum, and Salisbury, with frequent opportunities to explore Neolithic monuments, Iron Age earthworks, and cathedral cities. The Sarsen Way is presented in 6 stages of between 10.5km and 19.3km, plus three additional variant loops, while the Cranborne Droves Way is presented in 2 stages (17.3km and 10.7km). 8 stage-by-stage route descriptions covering the Sarsen Way from Coate Water Park to Salisbury and the Cranborne Droves Way to Win Green on the Wessex Ridgeway.Reverse route descriptions provided for both the Sarsen Way and Cranborne Droves Way, allowing you to plan in either direction along each route.Clear step-by-step directions for both the Sarsen Way and Cranborne Droves Way, with 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping for accurate navigation across chalk downland and rural paths.Each stage on the Sarsen Way and Cranborne Droves Way includes distance, walking time, ascent, terrain notes, and information on key places such as Swindon, Avebury, Durrington, Old Sarum, and Salisbury.Comprehensive planning information, with notes on archaeological sites, historic landmarks, and points of interest along both the Sarsen Way and Cranborne Droves Way sections of the Great Chalk Way.Downloadable GPX files for both the Sarsen Way and Cranborne Droves Way make it easy to follow your chosen route using GPS devices or smartphone apps. Plan your walk along the Sarsen Way and Cranborne Droves Way with confidence, and explore one of southern England’s most atmospheric chalkland routes with this practical and informative guidebook.

Experience the diverse and unspoilt landscapes of Exmoor, where open heather moorland, rugged coastal cliffs, ancient woodland and characterful villages combine to create a truly memorable walking destination. This collection of 15 short walks in Exmoor National Park has been carefully designed to be completed in under three hours, with circular routes ideal for families, weekend explorers, and anyone wanting to enjoy spectacular scenery without tackling a longer hike. Routes range from 4.5 to 11km (3 to 7 miles) and feature clear step-by-step directions alongside Ordnance Survey maps and GPX files, helping you navigate Exmoor’s moorland paths, coastal trails, wooded valleys and quiet country tracks with easeExplore some of Exmoor’s most iconic landscapes, including panoramic views from Dunkery Beacon, the dramatic rock formations of the Valley of Rocks, the historic riverside setting of Tarr Steps and the South West Coast PathEach walk includes helpful practical information such as parking details, terrain descriptions, public transport options and suggestions for nearby cafés or pubs in towns and villages like Combe Martin, Lynton and Simonsbath, making it easy to organise relaxed half-day adventuresAlong the way, uncover Exmoor’s rich heritage and wildlife, from picturesque villages and centuries-old bridges to ancient woodland habitats where red deer and Exmoor ponies are often seenSeveral routes offer optional variations to shorten or extend the distance, allowing you to tailor each walk to your time available, weather conditions or preferred level of challenge From sweeping coastal viewpoints and high moorland ridges to peaceful riverside paths and charming rural villages, Exmoor offers remarkable variety within a compact landscape. With this easy-to-use Cicerone Short Walks guidebook, you can explore the national park with confidence, discovering its scenery, history and wildlife through a series of rewarding short walks.

Discover the untamed beauty of southern Dartmoor, where windswept tors, wooded valleys, bubbling rivers and historic villages combine to create a walker’s paradise. This collection of 15 short walks around Ivybridge, Princetown and the surrounding moorland is designed to be completed in under three hours, offering circular routes that are perfect for families, weekend visitors, or anyone seeking memorable Dartmoor scenery without the commitment of a full-day hike. Walks range from 5 to 11 km (3 to 7 miles) and include detailed step-by-step instructions with 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey maps and GPX files, allowing you to confidently explore Dartmoor’s tors, lanes, rivers, and wooded pathsExperience the region’s iconic landscapes, from the ancient oaks and mossy stones of Wistman’s Wood to the rugged tors of Great Staple Tor and Buckland Beacon, and the prehistoric stone rows and historic quarries of DrizzlecombeFor each route, practical guidance covers parking, terrain notes, public transport options and nearby cafés or pubs, helping you plan enjoyable, stress-free half-day walksExplore Dartmoor’s heritage and natural highlights, including Princetown’s granite-built village, atmospheric quarries at Foggintor and Swelltor, and medieval settlement remains, combining scenic walking with cultural interestMany routes include flexible options to lengthen or shorten your walk, letting you tailor your adventure to the weather, your available time, or your energy levels From windswept moorlands and hidden wooded valleys to riverside paths and ancient stone monuments, southern Dartmoor offers surprises on every short walk. With this Cicerone Short Walks guide in hand, you can explore the area with confidence, enjoying its dramatic landscapes, rich history and charming villages, whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or discovering new routes close to home.

Stretching across southern England, the Kennet and Avon Canal offers walkers 152km (94 miles) of scenic towpaths linking the historic towns of Reading and Bristol through gentle river valleys, chalk hills and rolling countryside. This iconic route passes through the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bath and Bristol’s vibrant Floating Harbour, offering walkers a unique blend of industrial heritage, waterways, nature, historic towns and rural landscapes.The Kennet and Avon Canal from Cicerone is a comprehensive two-part walking guide to this classic route, combining the full canal path with a selection of shorter day walks that explore the best sections and surroundings. Whether you’re planning to walk the canal end-to-end or enjoy a series of rewarding excursions, this guide provides clear directions, practical insight and inspirational highlights for every stage and outing. Complete coverage of the 152km (94-mile) canal path from Reading to Bristol, described in seven manageable stages with step-by-step guidance for navigation along towpaths, locks, aqueducts and canal towns — ideal for long-distance walkers on a week-long break Twenty circular day walks ranging from approximately 7 to 15km (4¼–9miles) that take in the canal’s most scenic and historic sections, perfect for half-day excursions and exploring nearby villages and countryside1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping, downloadable GPX files and detailed route descriptions are included for every walk and canal stage, helping you walk with confidence whether you’re tackling the full route or a shorter outingEasy access points to the walks from towns and cities such as Reading, Newbury, Hungerford, Great Bedwyn, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford-on-Avon, Bath, Keynsham and Bristol, making planning logistics, accommodation, and transport simpleHighlights of the route include Crofton Pumping Station, the remarkable Caen Hill flight of locks at Devizes, the ornate aqueducts at Avoncliff and Dundas, and the rolling landscapes of the North Wessex Downs and Cotswolds National LandscapeFrom tranquil towpaths winding through riverside meadows to the engineering marvels of lock flights and aqueducts, the Kennet and Avon Canal invites walkers to immerse themselves in southern England’s scenery and heritage. With this guidebook, you can explore the canal at your own pace, enjoying hidden corners, historic towns, and the ever-changing landscapes along this classic inland waterway.

Follow Britain’s oldest road on the Ridgeway National Trail, a 139km (86 mile) journey from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. This ancient trackway winds along chalk ridges and open downs, passing Neolithic burial mounds, Iron Age hill forts and sweeping viewpoints across the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns. With gentle gradients and well-waymarked paths that rarely rise above 300m, the Ridgeway National Trail offers relatively easy, low-level walking suitable for all abilities. The route is presented in 12 manageable stages of 8–16km (plus a separate pull-out map booklet) and is described in both directions, allowing flexibility for shorter itineraries or a relaxed week-long traverse across southern England. Step-by-step stage-by-stage route descriptions for the Ridgeway National Trail between Avebury and Ivinghoe Beacon, presented in both directions and including detours to nearby prehistoric and historic sites such as Uffington White Horse and Wayland’s Smithy.Each stage features 1:50,000 OS mapping alongside detailed navigation notes, distance, terrain summary and estimated walking times, plus a separate pull-out 1:25,000 OS mapping booklet covering the entire Ridgeway National Trail.Comprehensive accommodation and refreshment listings for inns, B&Bs, pubs and village cafés, with public transport information for each stage to help plan flexible start and finish points.Historical and archaeological background on the Ridgeway National Trail, exploring its prehistoric origins, hill forts, ancient monuments and centuries of use as a trading and droving route.GPX files for the Ridgeway National Trail available for download, enabling straightforward navigation using GPS devices or smartphone mapping apps.A handy route summary table and facilities planner offering quick reference for daily distances, services and logistical details along the Ridgeway National Trail. Plan your Ridgeway National Trail adventure with confidence and explore ancient landscapes, chalk hill panoramas and thousands of years of history with this comprehensive guidebook.

Discover the ancient landscapes and rich heritage of southern England on the Ridgeway National Trail. Stretching 139km (87 miles) from Avebury in Wiltshire to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire, this historic trail follows chalk ridges, rolling downland, and wooded valleys along Britain’s oldest road. The Ridgeway National Trail is a mostly low-level route, suitable for all abilities, that takes 6 to 9 days to hike. This map book provides all the mapping you need to walk the Ridgeway National Trail: Features 1:25,000 Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping, showing the full route line with clarity and precision.Covers the trail in both directions, from Avebury to Ivinghoe Beacon or vice versa, presented in 12 stages.Includes detours and diversions to nearby historic and archaeological sites, from Neolithic burial mounds to Iron Age hill forts.Compact and portable design, sized to fit easily in a jacket pocket or daypack.An accompanying Cicerone guidebook, Walking The Ridgeway, is also available and includes a copy of this map booklet.Extracts from the OS Explorer map legend are provided for easy reference while on the trail. Whether you are exploring ancient trackways, enjoying scenic chalk downs, or planning a week-long walking adventure, this map booklet ensures you can navigate the Ridgeway National Trail with confidence and ease.

Discover Dorset's lovely countryside with this guide to some of the best walks in the county. There are 20 circular routes here varying in length from 23/4 to 61/4 miles. At the heart of each walk is a great local pub.Explore the county's world-famous Jurassic coastline, including the chalk stack of Old Harry and the south coast's highest point at Golden Cap. Wander through rolling downland scenery with flower-rich meadows, visiting Iron Age hillforts with commanding defensive positions that offer great views. Take a walk along the former Saxon defences at Wareham or meander alongside peaceful rivers, follow paths through a patchwork of hedge-lined fields accompanied by birdsong, or explore picture-postcard villages and enjoy the tranquillity of their historic churches.