From The Thames to The Wye

Ed. Ray Jones (Cotswold Line Promotion Group, £7.50) This delightful little book describes 12 walks along the route of the railway from Oxford to Hereford. They all have an Ordnance Survey map, and drawings by Glynis Dray.

Mr Jones, who is apparently in his eighties, has done a wonderful job of devising an interesting route, which first follows the Evenlode valley, then winds its way over the Mickleton tunnel, built by Brunel in 1853, crossing the Avon, then the Severn, to the Wye.

It would make a splendid long-distance walk of 12-13 days, or you could do it in sections, getting the train to the first station, Hanborough, then walking back. The next day you go to the second station, and so on. If you start now you would be fit enough to complete the final 20-mile walk from Ledbury to Hereford in one go.

The booklet is available from the Oxford Tourist Information Centre or by post from CLPG, 4 Sandford Rise, Charlbury, OX7 3SZ.