Home Ground

The essence of Home Ground is a collection of 20 nature walks, ranging from about five to 15 miles in length, and situated in Northwest England. The criterion for selection is that each walk must be situated in whole or in part on Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 ‘Landranger’ map no. 103 (Blackburn and Burnley). This was the map used by the author when he first began to explore the area almost 50 years ago, and these long personal associations, heightened by a long absence from the area, make this truly his Home Ground. Within this relatively small areais a rich variety of beautiful scenery, largely unsung, and all lying within 20 miles of industrial East Lancashire. From the suburbs of Blackburn to the fringe of the Yorkshire Dales, from the sweeping fells of the Forest of Bowland to the wooded valleys and heights of Calderdale, these walks have something to offer walkers of all tastes. Both the Forest of Bowland and the Pennine Way feature strongly on the map and in the book, and extra sections discuss these features. Especially the Forest of Bowland, recognized as an area of outstanding national beauty but not a national park, is introduced in some detail as its charm and many opportunities for the walker and day visitor are still little known. The Pennine Way, features three of the walks.