Revised 2nd edition. The Yorkshire Wolds are one of Yorkshire and England's most magical but least known landscapes - dry grassy valleys through undulating chalk hills, unspoiled villages, a dramatic coastline, delightful market towns such as Beverley and Pocklington, and as a focal point, 2017 City of Culture, Kingston upon Hull. This book provides an insight into the rich history and culture of the Wolds, a story shaped by saints, soldier-adventurers, merchants, fisherman, engineers, architects, farmers, landowners, writers, and in most recent times, England's greatest living painter David Hockney, whose work has created a national awareness of the natural beauty and unique landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds. But this is also a practical guide, with detailed information and advice on how to explore the area whether by car, local train and bus, by cycle, horseback or, on foot, with suggestions on how to reach those special places, that will make a visit to the Yorkshire Wolds such a memorable experience. "- a perfect travel companion for those who have decided to visit the Yorkshire Wolds." - Councillor Caroline Fox. Chairman East Riding Council. "a pretty but practical introduction to the Wolds - rolling chalk hills, green valleys, unspoilt towns and villages and spectacular coastline." Debbie Hall, Hull Daily Mail. "often said to be the UK's most under-appreciated landscape, the Yorkshire Wolds has largely been ignored by publishers. Now a major new book redresses the balance." Roger Ratcliffe, Yorkshire Post "The Many photographs taken by Dorian Speakman and the authors' are a delight. The alone whet the appetite for discovery as well as giving pleasure to the armchair explorer," Keith Wadd, West Riding Rambler

This is an important book about one of England's most fascinating regions - Yorkshire. Colin Speakman explores Yorkshire's origin as an independent Anglo-Viking Kingdom whose capital was York, which for many centuries was England's second city. Yorkshire was divided into not one but three ancient counties or shires, East, North and West Riding, which survived until 1974. The book celebrates the extraordinary variety of landscapes and rich cultural heritage through what is described as the nine great 'cultural landscapes' that make Yorkshire one of the most distinctive and fascinating regions of England. As an environmentalist, Speakman's interest lies primarily in the landscapes of the Dales, Moors, Wolds and South Pennines, but this is blended with an understanding of the cultural and industrial forces that shaped the landscapes we see today. But this ground-breaking book also looks ahead to a new post Brexit, post pandemic world in which the environment takes centre stage, with the emergence of new greener technologies that promise new economic prosperity for the people of the region, making a powerful case for English Devolution to allow Yorkshire to fulfil its potential within both Britain and Europe.