The perfect gift for nature lovers and weather watchers. A fascinating month-by-month collection of facts, figures and explanations related to UK weather with details of famous meteorologists and their influence. Discover historical facts, notable weather events, amazing statistics and stories that will keep you informed all year round. You can delve as deeply as you like, or follow your own favourite topic throughout the year. discover little-known secrets about the weather learn fascinating facts and notable meteorological anniversaries track weather patterns over the previous 12 months examine weather extremes, temperature and atmospheric pressure highs and lows check wind, rainfall and snowfall extremes discover the times for sunrise, sunset, moonrise and moonset across the UK capital cities find the Moon's Phases and Ages for the year Written by weather expert, Storm Dunlop.

The ideal gift for anyone interested in language, geography and people. We communicate through the spoken and written word and language has evolved over the centuries. Many languages have survived although only in small pockets throughout the world. This book explores a selection of those languages. Did you know that some people believe that the speakers of Burushaski, the language of a distant valley below the Himalayas, are actually the descendants of the soldiers of Alexander the Great? And that, even though the Venetian language is not official in Venice, it is spoken in several locations in Latin America? From 'language isolates' such as Basque, spoken in Spain and France, and Ainu in Japan and Russia, to language islands including a Welsh speaking colony in Argentina-discover how geography shapes communication and societies. What can we learn from the existence of Gutnish, a dialect of the extinct Eastern Germanic Gothic, on several islands of the Baltic Sea? And how widely spoken is Cornish? These and many more intriguing linguistic questions are answered in this absorbing exploration of lesser known languages.

A highly popular and informative guide to the Scots language in an attractive format. Contains words and phrases from both literary and everyday language, this is the perfect wee dictionary of Scots for native and non-native speakers alike. This is by far the most popular guide to the language of today’s Scotland, with nearly 1800 everyday words and phrases from all over Scotland clearly explained and with lots of helpful examples of usage. Colour text makes this best-selling dictionary even more user-friendly. With its durable and eye-catching cover, this is a must for every bookshelf.

The ideal gift for Grand Prix fans this Christmas Explore the unique stories behind every Grand Prix track in this fully updated second edition. Written by award-winning journalist Maurice Hamilton and complete with bespoke digital maps of each course, this is the ultimate guide to the circuits of Formula One. Each venue is listed in chronological order from the first time it hosted a Grand Prix, starting with Monza, then taking in renowned locations such as Spa, Nurburgring, Monaco and Silverstone, all the way up to F1's latest destination: Miami. Uncover little-known facts about famous circuits and discover the story behind some of the sport's lesser-known venues. This fully updated second edition includes: * All 77 Formula 1 circuits, featuring six additional venues from the previous edition * Bespoke digital maps of every racetrack * Statistics including circuit lengths, lap records, and names of corners and straights * Alphabetical and 'by country' indices for ease of reference

The perfect gift for nature lovers and weather watchers. A fascinating month-by-month collection of facts, figures and explanations related to UK weather alongside details of famous meteorologists and their influence. Discover historical facts, amazing statistics and anecdotes that will keep you informed and entertained all year round. You can delve as deeply as you like, or follow your own favourite subject throughout the year. discover little-known secrets about the weather learn fascinating facts and notable meterological anniversaries Written by weather expert, Storm Dunlop.

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of Card Games. 40 popular card games, with clear instructions and guidance on how to master each one. Easy to follow helpful advice on learning more than 40 of the most popular card games. This beautifully presented edition will offer all the help and guidance you need to learn how to play these ever-popular games. Illustrated throughout with colour diagrams showing hands, moves and simple to follow instructions.

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of English History. A concise guide to key events, people and places in English history and how England has come to be what it is today. From prehistoric England, Stonehenge and the Romans to modern times. Key events, people and places include: The Anglo-Saxons and Vikings 1066, Battle of Hastings Richard 1 and The Crusades Henry VIII, Thomas More, The Spanish Armada, Gunpowder Plot Cromwell World Wars 1 and 2 The NHS The 1953 Coronation World Cup win The Beatles Margaret Thatcher Princess Diana Brexit Beautifully produced, Collins Little Book of English History is a treasure in itself and makes a perfect gift for any visitor to England or enthusiast about its history.

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of English Castles. A handy guide to England’s most dramatic castles and strongholds, many of which are open to visitors. Includes an eight-page map section showing the locations of castles covered in the book. Features historical background and architectural details for each of the castles, accompanied by beautiful colour photographs. The book covers the major sites of Windsor, Warwick and Leeds Castle, as well as lesser known fortresses scattered across the country. Includes details on the property’s custodianship, whether cared for by the National Trust, English Heritage or another body, a description of the gardens where relevant, location, website and phone number. A concise guide to English castles in an accessible format. Of interest to English, local and architectural historians, as well as international visitors to England.

100 beautiful places in Scotland to walk, eat and sleep Peter Irvine, bestselling author of SCOTLAND THE BEST, has selected 100 extraordinary places that epitomise what is truly great about Scotland. This personal and diverse compendium is illustrated with beautiful and evocative images by some of Scotland's best photographers. Peter Irvine has drawn on a lifetime of experiences to create this list of the 100 best places in Scotland: reflective, magnificent and human places. Some choices may be surprising but all are exceptional. This book is Pete's ultimate collection selected from the hundreds of places that feature in the bestselling independent guide to Scotland, SCOTLAND THE BEST. As well as expert commentary, all 100 places include highly selective recommendations of where to walk, eat and sleep nearby. Some of Scotland's finest photographers have captured the essence of each place. From wild glens to ancient buildings, remote islands to vibrant cities, this is Pete's list of the places in Scotland that you really should visit in your lifetime.

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of Whisky. An excellent introduction to the world of Scotch whiskies. It includes the major Scotch whiskies and the distilleries that produce them. The book includes details of the very best of Scottish single malts and deluxe whiskies, covering Speyside (Cardhu, Glenfarclas, Glenfiddich) the Highlands and Islands (Blair Athol, Glenmorangie, Talisker), to Islay (Ardbeg, Laphroaig), the Lowlands (Auchentoshan, Glenkinchie) and Campbeltown (Glen Scotia). It is completely up-to-date, including new Scottish distilleries which have yet to bottle spirit or establish a core product. What's more, an introduction exploring the current whisky boom and how distilleries are coping with this surge in demand makes this attractive Little Book a great introduction for anyone looking to learn about whisky.

Support and protect the natural world with tips from expert gardener Joe Swift.

With around 16 million UK gardens covering a larger area than all our nature reserves, you could say our largest nature reserve is one big garden! In this practical guide, Joe shows you how to support and protect our rich and varied wildlife habitats.

Joe's no-nonsense approach covers everything you need to know about doing your bit for wildlife. Learn how to manage soil and carefully select plants to create rich and varied habitats, from tall trees down to tiny, spring-flowering bulbs. In this book, Joe demonstrates how to manage your outdoor space sensitively, and debunks the common misconception that 'wildlife-friendly gardens' have to be unkempt.

From bug hotels to pollinators, he also shares his ideas on fun and innovative projects to help kids, as the future custodians of our planet, engage with nature. Joe Swift is an author, TV presenter and garden designer. He makes regular appearances on BBC's Gardener's World and the RHS Flower Shows

Discover the history of Ireland through maps From early maps of the Emerald Isle to modern day, Ireland has evolved rapidly – along with the ways in which it has been mapped. Cartography has not only kept pace with these changes, but has often driven them. Explore Ireland’s fascinating history with this stunning volume of over 100 maps. Combining the artistic world of early cartography with modern computerised surveys, this is a beautiful and unique addition to any map- or history-lover’s collection. Irish author and historian Pat Liddy produces an invaluable history of Ireland and its relationship with its neighbours, and indeed, the world. Topics explored in Collins History of Ireland in Maps include: • The making of Ireland • The shaping of Ireland • Prehistoric peoples • Medieval Ireland • Arrival of the Tudors • Victoria’s Ireland • The First World War and Ireland’s opportunity • Neutrality amidst the Second World War • Ireland into Europe • Peeping into the future Other books in the Collins History in Maps series: • History of War in Maps by Philip Parker (ISBN 9780008506490) • History of World Trade in Maps by Philip Parker (ISBN 9780008409296)

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of Bridge. When you open this little book, the state secrets of the game of bridge lie in your hands. They cover everything you need to know to go from being a bridge beginner to an international mastermind! The book is split into short, concise and easy-to-follow tips that will help to improve all aspects of your game and strategy. They reveal how to play a good defensive hand, how to devise a bidding system, what you can read from an opponent's play, plus lots more. The beautifully decorated pages and luxury pocket style make this book something a little bit special. With it by your side you'll always come up trumps!

The perfect stocking filler for lovers of Scottish History. From prehistoric Scotland to the Brexit referendum, this pocket-sized book covers all of the main events in Scottish history. A concise and excellent guide to Scottish history and how Scotland has come to be what it is today. Key events, people and places include: • The Union of Crowns • Bonnie Prince Charlie • Battle of Bannockburn • Culloden • Burns’ Night • Hogmanay • Alexander Graham Bell • Devolution • Indy Ref 1 and 2 Beautifully produced, Collins Little Book of Scottish History is a treasure in itself and makes a perfect gift for any Scotland enthusiast.

A beautful book for anyone interested in exploring the history of trade in maps. Trade is the lifeblood of nations. It has provided vital goods and wealth to countries and merchants from the ancient Egyptians who went in search of gold and ivory to their 21st-century equivalents trading high-tech electronic equipment from the Far East. In this beautiful book, more than 70 maps give a visual representation of the history of World Commerce, accompanied by text which tells the extraordinary story of the merchants, adventurers, middle-men and monarchs who bought, sold, explored and fought in search of profit and power. The maps are all works of art, witnesses to history, and have a fascinating story to tell. The maps include * Catalhoeyuk Plan, c. 6200BC * Babylonian Map of the World, c. 600BC * Stone Map of China, 1136 * Hereford Mappa Mundi, c. 1300 * Buondelmonti Map of Constantinople, c. 1420 * The Waldseemuller Map, 1507 * James Rennell Map of Hindoostan, 1782 * Air Age Map, 1945 * Johns Hopkins Covid-19 Dashboard, 2020

The greatest structures in human history. Explore the constructions that have shaped our world and learn their hidden secrets in this large format highly illustrated book. Each building analysed by the author is illustrated with its architectural details and enriched with intriguing facts, symbols and infographics. 50 unique structures described including; - Kennedy Space Centre - Great Wall of China - Eiffel Tower - Maracana Stadium - Great Pyramids - Svalbard Global Seed Vault

The perfect gift for history buffs this Christmas From the moment towns and cities arose, the struggle for land, resources and power has turned to violence. Almost from the start, maps have been an essential part of planning and waging war. History of War in Maps gives a unique visual representation of the development of warfare and the maps that have helped shaped our history. Each map in this beautifully designed volume plays a crucial role. While countless campaign strategies have relied on detailed and accurate mapping, entire wars have been fought over the maps themselves, with hopes of redrawing boundaries and redefining nations. Spanning more than 2,000 years, this book expertly curates more than 70 historical maps which tell the fascinating story of war: from ancient and medieval warfare to modern-day global conflicts. Featuring maps of historic battles such as: * Battle of Marathon, 490 BC * Battle of Hastings, 1066 * Battle of Crecy, 1346 * Battle of Lutzen (Thirty Years' War), 1632 * Battle of Saratoga, 1777 * Battle of Austerlitz, 1805 * Battle of Balaklava (Crimean War), 1854 * Siege of Vicksburg, 1863 * Battle of Isandhlwana (Anglo-Zulu War), 1879 * Battle of Spion Kop (Anglo-Boer War), 1900 * Gallipoli campaign, 1915 * D-Day, 1944 * Operation Desert Storm, 1993

The ultimate mapping challenge from the world famous map makers. More fiendish mapping puzzles from Gareth Moore, author of best-selling Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book. Do you have the knowledge required to unlock the secrets of Britain's streets? 50 maps with a puzzle for each from iconic locations throughout the country including Tower of London, Warwick Castle, Old Trafford, Murrayfield Stadium and Stonehenge. Puzzle categories included are history, sport, entertainment, transport and nature. A mixture of word games, riddles, code-crackers, anagrams, trivia questions and mathematical conundrums to keep your mind working for hours.

Fully updated essential guide to exploring Britain by train, Railway Day Trips is ideal for anyone planning or looking for inspiration for a rail journey. From bestselling railway author Julian Holland. This pocket companion is perfect for both casual and seasoned rail travellers. Plan adventures, follow the changing landscape through the train window and discover fascinating destinations. Each journey incorporates a location map, route diagram and descriptive text on its history and geography, plus some of the highlights awaiting you at each destination. High-quality photographs illustrate every route throughout the book. Based on his extensive knowledge of British rail travel, the author reveals appealing quirks of the various routes and provides practical tips on how to make the most of your journey. 160 day trips from all over the country are featured, departing from major towns and cities and culminating at a variety of interesting destinations. This 2nd edition includes 10 new routes: * Cambridge to Ipswich * Hereford to Newport * Cardiff to Ebbw Vale * Carmarthen to Fishguard * Manchester to Southport * Sheffield to Lincoln * Middlesbrough to Newcastle * Glasgow to Perth * Edinburgh to Tweedbank * Inverness to Wick

Design your own modern green space with expert gardener Joe Swift. Gardens connect us with the natural world, improve our physical and mental health, and allow us to showcase our personalities. Expert gardener Joe Swift's practical, easy-to-follow advice will inspire readers to envision what is possible in even the smallest spaces. There is no one way to design a garden. Joe's no-nonsense guide on modern gardens provides innovative, creative and exciting advice on how to create your perfect escape. This book explores every aspect of designing a garden, from assessing your plot and soil to choosing a style as your inspiration and tackling challenging spaces. Covering topics such as colours, plants, placement, connecting to a view and dealing with awkward spaces, Joe will inspire gardeners to create and maintain a green haven all year long. Joe Swift is an author, TV presenter and garden designer. He makes regular appearances on BBC's Gardener's World and the RHS Flower Shows

A striking look at climate change through dramatic photographs This unique book provides a striking look at the dramatic changes that are happening to our planet. Containing over 230 stunning photographs, this important book documents the effects of climate systems and forces of nature on our world alongside images which strikingly show the impact of climate change. With unique photographs of locations including; * American, European and Asian glaciers * Australian bushfires * Pacific Islands under threat * Rivers drying out * Cities flooding * Alaskan coastline * Advancing deserts * Greenland's shrinking ice Fragile Planet also contains images taken during the recent global COVID-19 pandemic, showing clearer canals in Venice and cleaner air at India Gate in New Delhi.

Create your own small garden with expert gardener Joe Swift. Green spaces are the perfect antidote to fast city living. Learn how to create your own small garden with expert gardener Joe Swift's practical, easy-to-follow advice. From courtyards to rooftops, transform awkward and unexciting spaces with inspirational ideas and solutions. Whatever you want your green space to look like and be used for, Joe's no-nonsense approach guides you through issues such as privacy, boundaries and shade, to growing plants in areas with little to no soil. The wider environmental benefits are significant - helping to reduce pollution and minimise the heat island effect (a result of the hardscape in towns and cities). The plants will increase biodiversity, and many will be an important year-round resource for wildlife. In this book, Joe covers a vast range of exciting, impactful and innovative ways to stamp your personality on your outdoor space. He demonstrates how to use paving, boundaries, containers, furniture, water and sculpture to help structure and define, and how to give the starring role to the plants you choose to draw the seasons into our towns and cities. Joe Swift is an author, TV presenter and garden designer. He makes regular appearances on BBC's Gardener's World and the RHS Flower Shows