Walking has long been a favourite way for Mancunians to escape the stresses of their city and to enjoy the tranquillity of the nearby countryside. In this popular guide David Frith explores little-known beauty spots, accessible by public transport from the city centre, and guides visitor and local alike into the nearby Pennine uplands, as well as along canals and former railway lines. He not only reveals some of the most beautiful English countryside, but also offers a deeper insight into the past and the traditions of the land the walker treads.

The book gives full directions for every walk, presented in clear, unambiguous prose, together with descriptions of major centres and points of interest en route. Specially drawn sketch maps accompany the text. Practical advice on clothing, equipment and safety is also included.

There are routes to suit walkers of all levels of ability and experience. We cannot list them all here, but the book groups the walks into localities with the following section headings: Around Rochdale Canal; Lower Tame Valley; Along the Huddersfield Narrows Canal; Oldham Way; Upper Tame Valley; Irk Valley; Medlock Valley; Tameside; Manchester' industrial zone; Cheshire Ring Canal; River Mersey; Gore Brook; Etherow watershed; The Valley Way; The Cown Edge Way; Lower Goyt Valley; A Hundred mile hike from Buxton to Bolton; Ladybrook watershed; Cheshire Gritstone Trail; The Pennine Way; Early roads and pack trails.

No - not along the city streets or down suburban roads, but out and about in the super scenery that is easily accessible from the city by car or public transport. This book includes 16 circular routes which can be varied to give around 100 fabulous walks. The areas covered include the South Pennines, the Ribble Valley, West Lancashire, Delamere Forest, North Staffordshire and the Peak District. The main walk in each chapter is circular and the variations described are sometimes circular and sometimes linear. The main walks are about 12 miles or more, but with the options there is a range from about 4 miles for each chapter. All of the main walks and most of the variations are accessible by public transport, although directions to the starting points by car are also given.

Written with style and wit Rambles Around Manchester informs, educates and entertains. Attractive easy-to-follow sketch maps supplement the accurate route descriptions and the walks are illustrated with striking black and white photographs.

The walk locations are: (1)Hebden Bridge, Hardcastle Crags, Heptonstall; (2)Todmorden, Stoodley Pike, Mankinholes; (3) Littleborough, Allescholes, Blackstone Edge; (4) Whalley, Wiswell, Sabden, Read; (5) Ribchester, Hurst Green, Hud Lee, Stydd; (6) Burscough Bridge, Rufford, Mere Sands Wood, Martin Mere; (7) Parbold, Harrock Hill, Fairy Glen, Ashhurst's Beacon; (8) Frodsham, Kingsley, Delamere, Manley Common, Woodhouse Hill; (9) Congleton, Mow Cop, Little Moreton Hall, Macclesfield Canal; (10) Marple, Lyme Park, Disley, Peak Forest Canal; (11) Whaley Bridge, Windgather Rocks, Pym Chair, Shining Tor, Fernilee Reservoir, Taxal; (12) Wyedale, Cheedale, Miller's Dale, Monk's Dale, Blackwell; (13) Hope, Aston, Win Hill, Townhead, Lose Hill, Back Tor; (14) Hayfield, Snake Path, Kinder Downfall, Edale Cross; (15) Uppermill, Greenfield, Bishops Park, Castleshaw; (16) Marsden, Tunnel End, Diggle, Millstone Edge.

What better way to spend a leisurely few hours than to drive to the countryside, stretch your legs and then visit a good pub for some fine food. The 40 circular routes in this book show how this can be done. Each route, starting and finishing at or near a recommended pub, is between 3 and 8 miles in length and takes the walker through some of the most beautiful scenery in England.

In Lancashire there are walks starting at Hornby, with panoramic views across the Lune Valley; the market town of Chipping and its 17th century stone buildings; Foulridge, passing both ends of the historic Mile Tunnel; Hutton, along part of the Ribble Way; and Halsall which crosses the Clieves Hills above the West Lancashire Plain.

Routes in Merseyside include Freshfield which features the sandy beaches along the Sefton Coastal Trail; Garswood, in traditional mining country; Tarbock Green, a rural hamlet and green belt conservation area; and the ancient Saxon township of Cronton.

The Greater Manchester northern area offers a walk from the hilltop village of Blackrod which follows farm lanes and tracks to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; Norden, where the Rossendale hills are explored; Grains Bar, crossing the infant River Tame; Chorlton village, along pleasant tree-lined avenues; and Ringley, with views of the West Pennine Moors.

The full walk locations are: Lancashire - Cowan Bridge; Whittington; Hornby; Conder Green; Garstang; Chipping; Whitewell; Downham; Catforth; Hurst Green; Whalley; Sabden; Barley; Foulridge; Laneshaw Bridge; Hutton; Roach Bridge; Riley Green; Belthorn; Runshaw Moor; Halsall; Mawdesley; Limbrick; Edgworth; Dalton. Merseyside - Freshfield; Lydiate; Garswood; Tarbock Green; Cronton. Greater Manchester - Blackrod; Affetside; Holcombe Brook; Norden; Hollingworth; Ogden; Ringley; Grains Bar; Greenfield; Chorlton.