Countryside Books

Countryside Books Countryside Books is an independent publisher based in Newbury, Berkshire.

50 years. Blimey. 🎉What started as a small side project back in 1976 has grown into 1,416 books (and counting), helping ...
27/05/2026

50 years. Blimey. 🎉

What started as a small side project back in 1976 has grown into 1,416 books (and counting), helping people get out and explore the British countryside.

To celebrate turning 50, we’re saying thank you with 20% off ALL books 🌿📚

No code needed. Just browse, choose your next adventure, and the discount will be applied automatically.

Shop here 👉 countrysidebooks.co.uk

Here’s to 50 years of muddy boots, fresh air and great walks. And hopefully many more to come.

Sale ends midnight, 7 June.

MEET THE AUTHOR! ✍️📚On Saturday 2nd May, Julie Dodsworth will be signing copies of her latest book at the in Thirsk ☕🍰J...
29/04/2026

MEET THE AUTHOR! ✍️📚

On Saturday 2nd May, Julie Dodsworth will be signing copies of her latest book at the in Thirsk ☕🍰

Julie’s new book, Lovely Walks That End with Coffee & Cake in Yorkshire, packs in 24 walks showcasing the very best of God’s own country 🏞️✨ And of course, every walk comes with the promise of great coffee and homemade cake at the end 🤝☕🍰

🎨 It’s more than just a walking guide though… it’s a proper work of art (you’ll see what we mean when you flick through it)

Copies will be available on the day, along with her massively popular first title, Not Just Where to Walk, But When, in Yorkshire 📚🔥

If you can make it, we’d love to see you! 🙌
🕙 10am-12pm
📍 White Rose Book Cafe, Thirsk

☕🍰 📚

16/04/2026

🏰 There are castles and then there are CASTLES. Leeds Castle falls into the latter category.

🥾 This 3-mile walk packs in history, quiet woodland paths, open parkland and fab views of a place that very much deserves its nickname of the “loveliest castle in the world”.

✨ Combine the walk with a visit inside the castle or just admire it from afar. Either way, there’s something just a bit magical about this one.

🌷As you’ll see in the video, the bluebells, daffodils, and tulips were in bloom for this spring outing, but rest assured, there’s no bad time to do this walk.

🍻 The excellent makes for a perfect pub stop at the beginning or end.

👉 This walk is taken from our book, “Kent Pub Walks”, which contains 20 circular routes across the county.

📍 Leeds, Kent
🥾 3 miles, some gentle hill climbs
🍺 Pub stop included (obviously)
🏰 Castle!

13/04/2026

☕️🍰 Is there a better way to round off a country walk than with a slice of cake and a steaming cup of coffee?

❤️ In this new book, our rather brilliant author has put together 24 routes in Yorkshire that tick all the boxes.

🥾 This is Yorkshire at its best, from wild countryside to historic towns and winding waterways. And of course, every walk comes with the promise of good coffee and homemade cake at the end.

✨As you can see, it’s more than just a walking book too. It’s a work of art.

👀 Here are just a few highlights:

🔥 Sutton Bank - your chance to decide whether this really is the ‘finest view in England’

🔥 Round off your riverside walk in Boroughbridge with a trip to for deli treats & cakes galore

🔥 Explore the picturesque village of Dent with its famous stepping stones

🔥 Take a walk among the bluebells at

🔥 A classic Dales walk at Aysgarth with the award-winning en route

🔥Muker: majestic views & waterfalls at Kisdon Fell, plus of course for afternoon tea with a view

🔥 Hawes & Gayle: waterfalls, wildflower meadows & an essential stop at

🔥 Ilkley: a climb to the famous Cow and Calf Rocks followed by a stop at the equally famous

🔥 Explore the ancient woodland of Grassington. Be rude not to also visit the promingly named

🔥 York - walk the walls of this historic city & round off your visit at situated within the fortified walls

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👉 For more info, tap the link in our bio

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10/04/2026

🌊 What’s not to love about Whitstable? One of Britain’s favourite seaside towns, in 2025 it was ranked by Time Out as the best place for a day trip from London.

❤️ We love it too, and on this short walk we’ll take you on a whistlestop tour of its best bits.

🔱 This walk is perfect for any time of year (we were lucky enough to be there on a bluebird spring day), taking in atmospheric winding lanes, easy waterfront pathways, hilltop views and one of the country’s most iconic seafront pubs,

❤️ Make sure you factor in plenty of time for browsing the boutique shops and settling in somewhere for an oyster or two.

📚This walk is taken from our book Kent Pub Walks, which contains 20 circular routes, all with a great pub at the end.

📍 Whitstable, Kent
🥾 2 miles, some gentle hill climbs
🍻 Pub stop included (obviously)
🦪 Oysters not obligatory, but recommended!

20/03/2026

Early spring might just be the best time to get out walking 🌱

This 3-mile loop in Donnington, Berkshire packs in a proper mix of history, quiet woodland paths and wide-open views. You start beneath the ruins of Donnington Castle, climb up to explore the site, then drop down into peaceful countryside and onto Snelsmore Common.

If you’ve got a dog, they’ll love it - plenty of smells, sticks and space to roam 🐕

We love this one right now for its early spring magic… fresh green shoots and wildflowers (including bluebells) starting to appear. It’s worth remembering this one for summer too, as there’s lots of shade when it heats up.

Plus, it finishes at the - award-winning, dog-friendly and ideal for post-walk refreshments 🍻

This walk is taken from our book Berkshire Pub Walks, which contains 20 circular routes, all with a great pub at the end.

📍 Donnington, Berkshire
🥾 3 miles, some gentle hill climbs
🍺 Pub stop included (obviously)
🏰 Castle!

SpringWalks ExploreBerkshire WalkingUK GetOutside CountrysideBooks

❤️ Late-summer magic in the Berkshire countryside. A dog walk heartily approved by the Woody the lab. 📍 Frilsham, Berksh...
27/08/2025

❤️ Late-summer magic in the Berkshire countryside. A dog walk heartily approved by the Woody the lab.
📍 Frilsham, Berkshire
🍻 Featured pub: the Pot Kiln
ℹ️ One-line summary: winding woodland paths, wild flowers, meandering streams & one of the county's finest pubs
👀 As featured in: Berkshire - A Dog Walker's Guide
👉 bit.ly/4n7h0CA

Happy to report that this ever-popular title is back in stock. How to Attack a Castle (And How to Defend It) is a richly...
22/08/2025

Happy to report that this ever-popular title is back in stock.

How to Attack a Castle (And How to Defend It) is a richly illustrated deep dive into the grim & grisly business of medieval castle warfare. Every aspect of it is brought vividly to life in this book.

Packed with info but easy to read, this is a cracking read for history buffs of all ages.

Inside you'll find:

⚔️ Accounts of actual sieges in every chapter
🏹 In-depth look at weapons - from crossbows to trebuchets
🏰 Castle fortifications explained
🗡️ Attack methods & defence tactics revealed
📍 Extensive list of places to visit

Buy it from us direct right here: bit.ly/4mNYrms

Or from Amazon, right here: bit.ly/4mqvEoj

🌷 An old favourite gets a little makeover. We felt the time was right to give this one a new cover. The new image, we th...
21/03/2025

🌷 An old favourite gets a little makeover. We felt the time was right to give this one a new cover. The new image, we think, does full justice to the splendid array of walks inside. We hope you agree!
Find out more 👉 https://bit.ly/essexpubwalks

The perfect Autumn walk earlier. If only all of October was like this!
19/10/2024

The perfect Autumn walk earlier. If only all of October was like this!

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35a Kingfisher Court, Hambridge Road
Newbury
RG145SJ

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Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
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