TEN long-distance walks in Scotland and Northern England, including the Cleveland Way, Hadrian’s Wall and the Pennine Way, are succinctly described.

But there are no route maps, nor even an indication of the relevant OS maps. The author explains that his purpose is to provide a taster of each walk, allowing the reader to decide “which one you like the look of most”. Fair enough – except that there are no pictures either.

He notes the anomaly that Wainwright’s Coast to Coast, probably Britain’s most popular long distance walk, is officially unrecognised.

Shame he doesn’t speculate on the reason. Prime suspect is jealousy by the bureaucrats. They resent that while they spend years, with endless meetings, reports and the engagement of special “project officers”, producing official long-distance walks, Wainwright created a better one all by himself.