Nature & Outdoors - Page 1

Robson Green is on a mission to discover the weird, the wonderful and the way-off-limits of the angling world, and in this comprehensive and brilliantly entertaining book he collates his findings for you to enjoy. From island-hopping in Canada to ice fishing in Alaska, and even facing crocodiles and octopuses in Australia, Extreme Fishing will take enthusiastic anglers to the ends of the earth alongside some of the finest in their field. Featuring exclusive material such as top locations, need-to-know tips and the very best (and worst) catches, this frank, funny and inspiring books charts plenty of extraordinary adventures and is a treat for fishermen everywhere.

Complete with full-colour maps and photographs, Canal Walks is the brilliant accompaniment by seasoned stomper Julia Bradbury to her fascinating four-part BBC television series. Perfect for exploring Britain's canals and towpath trails, this interesting book features four of the very best walks around the stunning locks, bridges, aqueducts and tunnels in the UK. Connecting towns and cities for centuries, canal routes offer a wealth of historical insight into the country's heritage as well tracking some of Britain's finest scenery. Covering walks in the Highlands, North Wales, Birmingham and Bath, Julia navigates and expertly guides readers along just a handful of stunning restored canals by foot, breaking each walk into sections and handily specifying the distance of each.

Learn how to light a wet match, string a hammock, survive in the wild, and shine at a party, plus many other practical tips, with this entertaining and insightful compendium of life skills compiled from the archives of the ever-popular Scout Association. Full of wise and witty pieces of advice as well as wholly pragmatic snippets of know-how, this handy black-and-white illustrated guide is jam-packed with gems of knowledge, both old and new, that will delight readers of all ages. With a foreword from the UK's Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, Be Prepared is quirky, useful and fun, and ideal for real adventures, adventurers at heart, ex-Scouts and for those who just love gadgets and turning their hands to fixing things! A fascinating treasure trove of facts and ideas.

Not only is Britain an island, but it also rejoices in hundreds of islands of its own and Dixe Wills' Tiny Islands: 60 Remarkable Little Worlds Around Britain is a book that celebrates them. From islands off the coast to those that are situated in lakes, lochs and rivers, each one is accessible to the public and they all have a captivating story to tell. With over 60 islands from in and around Britain featured throughout the hardback, each with its own hand-drawn map, there are a number of descriptions, reviews, maps and photographs to pore over.

Otter Country is Miriam Darlington's account of her year spent travelling around Britain in search of wild otters. From her home in Devon to the wilds of Scotland, Cumbria, Wales, Northumberland, Cornwall and Somerset, the book follows Darlington's search through different landscapes, seasons, weather and light as she tries to track down one of British nature's most elusive animals. Along the way, she meets otter experts, conservationists, ecologists, fishermen and many more. Beautifully written and perfect for nature lovers, the magnificently absorbing prose is complemented by wonderful line-drawing illustrations.

Accompanying Julia's Bradbury's hit BBC series, Railway Walks traces six spectacular old railway lines through the UK and documents in an easy-to-digest way how the rise and fall of these lines has impacted their surrounding communities and beyond. Strolling through overgrown cuttings and over ancient viaducts, Julia enjoys some of the very best old branchlines that are now treasured stomping grounds for ramblers and hikers. Including routes in Cornwall, Derbyshire, Perthshire, Snowdonia, Speyside and Weymouth, the book features colour maps, breaks down each walk into manageable sections and includes stunning photographs. Clearly written with sites to look out for along the way and interesting historical details that can be enjoyed as you walk, this is a great resource for keen walkers looking to explore more of the UK!

A delightful way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Ramblers charity that has helped to make walking in the British countryside safe and accessible for so many years, Ramblers Best Walks Britain is a splendid hardback guide. Filled with vibrant photography and handy maps, this book features the best 75 walks to be found in Britain as chosen by the Ramblers. With walks of every length and difficulty, there is something for everyone and there are few better ways to get to know the beauty of greenest Britain.

Pocket guide professionals DK have joined forces with the wildlife experts at the RSPB to bring nature lovers the ultimate collection of books for identifying all kinds of flora and fauna. Perfect for beginners, each little book provides simple identification guides for spotting flowers, birds and trees throughout the seasons in the UK and Europe. With over 150 subjects in each book, readers will become experts in spotting the differences between a geranium and a pansy, a swift and a swallow, and a Serbian spruce and a Silver birch in no time. With colour pictures, a guide of 'what to look for and where' and commonly confused subjects side by side, these quick reference books will be sure to bloom seasoned nature experts!

Peter Goodfellow's Identification Guide to Birds of Britain and Northern Europe is the perfect birdwatcher's companion as it is packed with useful information and fascinating facts. From birds of prey to seabirds, its concise information provides a wealth of detail to help you identify both resident and visiting birds. The book also contains distribution maps, calendars and describes the best places to watch each bird. There are also beautiful photographs that capture each bird's distinctive features.

There's no better way to explore the natural beauty of northern Britain than on foot. From Hadrian's Wall Path to the Coast to Coast Path, avid and devoted walker David Bathurst takes readers through ten of the best-loved long-distance footpaths of the north in this informative and interesting guide. Ranging in difficulty from green and gently rolling dales to more adventurous rugged mountain paths, this comprehensive companion to exploring the north is ideal for both experienced and novice walkers. Each path in The Big Walks of the North is split into manageable sections and even recommends historical and geographical areas of interest close to the path's route, from ancient burial mounds to detail on flora and fauna. An invaluable resource for any and every kind of walker.

Leave the supermarket behind and enjoy the healthier taste of home-grown fruit and vegetables with DK's Allotment Handbook. A beginner's guide to growing your own, the book comes with a glossary of gardening terms and a picture gallery of common weeds. With step-by-step instructions, the book teaches essential techniques such as sowing, plating, feeding, mulching, watering and weeding. With these basics, you'll soon be able to grow over 70 types of fruit and veg crops and instructions for projects such as making a simple compost bin and planting a fruit tree are also included. The troubleshooting section will help you deal with weeds, pests and diseases too.

The great outdoors is full of crazy creatures and fantastic adventures just waiting to be discovered. Here, the experts at the National Trust have put together a fabulous guide of the 50 coolest things every kid should try before they're 11?. They've tracked down everything that doesn't include a TV, computer or games console, and the best thing is that lots of it is on your doorstep! Fun-filled, inspirational and packed with ideas to encourage sofa-bound offspring to get outside and learn those time-honoured skills every child should know. The book features simple but enjoyable activities such as hunting for fossils and catching butterflies and is full of brilliant ideas for weekends and holidays at any time of year.

Written by renowned garden writer Kay Maguire, RHS Grown Your Own Crops in Pots is the successor to Carol Klein's RHS Grow Your Own Veg and describes how you can transform even the tiniest space into a productive and attractive plot by using the best varieties and techniques. Perfect for those who live in cities and don't have gardens but want to grow crops, the guide offers step-by-step instructions for tubs, planters, baskets, boxes and bags. It also reveals all the essential techniques you'll need to successfully grow more than 60 vegetables, fruit, salads, herbs and edible flowers.