Shropshire

With no directly competing titles, Bradt's Slow Shropshire fills a much-needed gap in the market for a guide to an area that, of all of the UK's regions, is perhaps most synonymous with 'Slow'. This new title from Bradt written by local author Marie Kreft places an emphasis on car-free travel, local produce and characterful accommodation. It includes detailed descriptions of place, historical overviews, ghost stories and folk tales, and first-hand accounts from Shropshire locals, as well as hand-picked restaurant recommendations based on long-standing knowledge and consultation with locals. Warm and witty writing combines with a natural enthusiasm for the region making this an indispensable guide to one of Britain's most scenic areas.

Ludlow is acknowledged as the Slow Food capital of the UK, while the region as a whole is much celebrated, described by PG Wodehouse as the "nearest earthly place to paradise". The guide is unapologetic in taking you the long way round: through ancient woodland, over bridges and 'Blue Remembered Hills', back in time, down footpaths, into castles, churches and interesting pubs, cheerfully savouring the authentic, the offbeat and the local.