Hundreds of thousands of miles of paths reach into, and connect, communities across England and Wales. More than just a practical way for us to walk, ride and cycle around, they are an inheritance from the past, revealing how our ancestors interacted with and shaped their landscapes. But thousands of miles are still missing from our maps.

Exploring the deep history of these pathways, Jack Cornish uncovers how this millennia-old network was created and has evolved - from prehistoric trackways to the modern creation of towns - reflecting the contours of the past and the changing fortunes of society.

Discover the rich history of Britain's millennia-old network of pathways, and it will be impossible to take an unremarkable walk again . . . 'A rallying cry to reclaim lost routes and preserve this precious resource for future generations' Walk Magazine ___________ Hundreds of thousands of miles of paths reach into, and connect, communities across England and Wales. But by 2026, 10,000 miles of undiscovered footpaths around Britain stand to be lost. Jack Cornish has dedicated the last five years of his life to walking these forgotten routes. Now, in The Lost Paths, he will show you just how special these forgotten rights of way are, and how embedded each path is in the history of Britain. Footpaths, tracks, country lanes and urban streets illuminate how our ancestors interacted with and shaped their landscapes in the pursuit of commerce, salvation, escape, war, and leisure. Paths are an often-overlooked part of our everyday life and our country's history, crucial to understanding the cultural and environmental history of us, as a nation, in our landscape. This is a celebration of an ancient network and a rallying cry to reclaim what has been lost and preserve it for future generations.