Discover the rich history of Britain's millennia-old network of pathways, and it will be impossible to take an unremarkable walk again. . .

'An essential read for those who love walking' Jackie Morris, author of The Lost Words and The Lost Spells

'Cornish’s book delves back in history and is written with a sense of urgency' Mail on Sunday

'[Cornish's] passion for walking, natural beauty and the abundant history of these old ways shines through' Times

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Hundreds of thousands of miles of ancient paths crisscross our land. Whether Iron Age footsteps or Anglo-Saxon mercenary trails, Railway Age tracks or Home Army defences, they reveal a hidden story.

Jack Cornish has spent years walking and recording these forgotten routes and The Lost Paths is his history of the people who created and walked these ways.

From sheep drovers to Cornish miners to workhouse wanderers, this tale of the land beneath our feet brings our past to life and puts its future squarely in our hands.

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PRAISE FOR THE LOST PATHS

‘A rallying cry to reclaim lost routes and preserve this precious resource for future generations’ Walk Magazine

‘Fascinating’ Country Walking

‘A celebration of an ancient network and a rallying cry to reclaim what has been lost and preserve it for future generations’ The Best of UK

‘[A] fascinating history of path-making and path-taking . . . our guide excels at historic story-telling . . . Cornish’s celebration of our grand wealth of history ways, and the different motivations for walking over the centuries, is a worthy clarion call for us to keep treading paths – so we don’t lose our way . . . ‘ The Oldie

‘A lively account of millennia of movement, and a call to action to preserve an endangered heritage’ Inkcap Journal

A nostalgic amble through the history of travel in England and Wales, and an examination of the routes that make up our modern path network. Jack Cornish interlaces titbits of travel, history, personal reflection and anecdote. His passion for walking, natural beauty and the abundant history of these old ways shines through. Cornish's motivation to protect heritage and relish our spectacular countryside is admirable * The Times *
Cornish’s book delves back in history and is written with a sense of urgency. On each page you discover an enticing new vista * Mail on Sunday *
Marvellous. Cornish is the ideal companion on the road: interested in everything, learned, acute, and a splendid story-teller * Charles Foster, author of Being a Beast *
A rallying cry to reclaim lost routes and preserve this precious resource for future generations * Walk Magazine *
Fascinating * Country Walking *
A celebration of an ancient network and a rallying cry to reclaim what has been lost and preserve it for future generations * The Best of UK *
[A] fascinating history of path-making and path-taking . . . our guide excels at historic story-telling . . . Cornish’s celebration of our grand wealth of history ways, and the different motivations for walking over the centuries, is a worthy clarion call for us to keep treading paths – so we don’t lose our way . . . * The Oldie *
A lively account of millennia of movement, and a call to action to preserve an endangered heritage * Inkcap Journal *
By 2026, some 16,000km of forgotten footpaths around Britain stand to be lost. Jack Cornish’s fascinating book sets out to ensure they aren’t, and en route explains why Britain’s history is buried in these historic rights of way. * Wanderlust *

Jack Cornish is head of paths at the Ramblers Association, Britain’s largest walking charity. In 2017, he walked across the country from Land’s End to John O’Groats, and he has dedicated the last seven years of his life to walking and recording the forgotten routes of England and Wales. He is ten years into an attempt to walk every street in London, where he lives.

Twitter @cornish_jack