Wainwrights without a Car
A year on the Lake District Fells
Available to BUY now!
When Alfred Wainwright was working on his pictorial guides to the Lake District, in the 1950’s and 60’s, he did not drive and would use the public transport of buses and trains to travel from Blackburn and then Kendal to access the fells. His first books, the Eastern Fells and Far Eastern Fells, were relatively close but transportation became more complicated when working further afield – though he did make use of car transport later with his wife and friends. In those days there would have been more public transport and a lot less cars on the roads. Over the years the number of visitors to the Lake District has grown greatly and also the use and reliance, by many, on cars.
The Eden Valley Mountaineering Club is based in Penrith and the Eden Valley, and at the AGM at the end of 2022 Robin Illingworth, a member of the Club, put out the idea of the Club collectively ascending all the Wainwrights without the use of a car during 2023. This challenge was duly taken up and members made their ways by bus, train, boat, bike and foot during the year to ascend the 214 fells detailed in the pictorial guidebooks of Alfred Wainwright.
Details of the ascents were recorded on the Club website and details of the various routes taken were on a special Facebook page. Ron Kenyon began to think about the idea of a book about this challenge and also much more to promote the use of public transport and getting folks to leave the car behind.
This book covers a wide range of information about the Lake District and should be seen as a reference book to inspire and help plan trips out onto the fells. It emphasises the pleasure and benefits of getting to know about Lake District fells to enhance days out and also planning any trips so also helping to safeguard those trips. It is not meant as a walking guide to the fells (plenty guides already !) but as a guide to using public transport to access the fells.
The Wainwright Society
aVAILABLE to buy online NOW!
Wainwrights Without a Car is available to buy online from Cordee, and in local bookshops throughout Cumbria.
£20 plus £3 delivery charge for orders under £25
What’s Inside?
The book is split into various chapters including the following
Quotes About Wainwrights Without a Car
you would perhaps not have otherwise be seen.”
Gallery
Transport Links
Here are some links to the rail, bus and boat companies operating throughout the Lake District and Cumbria to help you plan your ‘Wainwrights without a Car’ journey.
