Outdoor enthusiast, cyclist and acclaimed travel writer Simon Parker was restless for a new adventure, but with a small baby his explorations needed to begin at home. He decided to cycle through all 15 of the UK’s national parks in the anniversary year of the first one’s founding, the Peak District. This became a life-changing journey through a landscape, and nation, in flux.

While each of the national parks offered beauty and surprises, all of them revealed the challenges of making space for nature on an overpopulated island. His days within the parks, from Dartmoor to Cairngorms, via the Yorkshire Dales and The Broads, could be idyllic or enraging. He explored wild and remote moors and mountain tops but also got stuck in plenty of holiday traffic. He developed an injury, walked where the bike wouldn’t go, accepted pints and campsite pitches, and talked to everyone he met.

From campers, conservationists, walkers, landowners, farmers, small business owners, commoners, pony lovers, newcomers, tourists, birders and artists – everyone is seeking something different from the hills, dales and waters of the UK. Yet all share the urge for space, fresh air, beauty and the humbled humanity it brings. This is a page-turning, revealing perspective of the British and the wild-ish landscapes they love.

‘Parker is a wonderful companion’ Justin Webb, author of The Gift of a Radio

Praise

‘It’s like riding abreast with a friend who happens to be one of Britain’s most astute, witty travel writers. A lively portrait of our strange little island, from a man who has perfected the art of the travelogue’ Greg Dickinson, Telegraph 

‘The greatest journeys don’t always take us furthest from home. Simon Parker shows that exploring familiar landscapes with fresh curiosity can be every bit as rewarding as travelling to the ends of the earth’ Alastair Humphreys, author of Unwilded and Microadventures

‘A companionable tale of learning to find and appreciate adventure closer to home, packed with a wide array of compelling and eccentric characters. Parker depicts the great beauty and variety of the UK’s national parks while simultaneously providing a timely reflection on the fragility of our few remaining wilderness areas’ Charlie Walker, author of On
Thin Ice

‘A timely cycle through Britain’s many wonderful and troubled national parks, and a provocative, pacey, forward-looking book that explores the momentous potential of the UK’s most treasured spaces’ Louis D Hall, author of In Green

‘Inspiring, energising, edifying and accessible – much like the 15 national parks at its heart’ Ben Aitken, author of Sh*tty Breaks 

‘If you need a kick up the bum to get you off your phone and out on a UK adventure, then this is it. Simon takes you along on the journey as he explores the complicated cultural and historical make up of these vital public spaces, as seen through the eyes of the many local characters he meets on this extraordinary journey. We have a feeling that anyone interested in UK history, culture or indeed pubs will enjoy The Wild Road Home‘ Charlie Wild and Jessica Last, authors of Achievable
Adventures