BOOK REVIEW by BARRY JONES

THERE are plenty of guide books to Wales full of the usual suspect pictures of Powis Castle, Portmeirion and the Millennium Stadium but for somewhere unusual, untamed and unexpected there’s none like the new “Wild Wales Guide”.

This is an inspiring book that is absolutely crammed with information and stunning pictures of laces even most residents of the localities featured don’t know are practically just around the corner from them.

It takes in the Marches areas over the border into Shropshire and Herefordshire as well as places throughout Wales and the selections astonish.

Climb into the vast catacomb structure of one of the last intact Hoffman lime kilns at Llanymynech, find the giant hand hidden among the monumental conifers of the Giants of Vyrnwy path at Lake Vyrnwy; explore one of the most complete collections of lead mine buildings in England at Snailbeach; sit in the Devil’s Chair at Stiperstones for superb views, walk across one of the footbridges over the river Lugg in one mile of deep pools, weirs and hidden beaches at Eyton; or swim in the waterfall that gives Rhayader its name. with its pretty and secluded gravel beach.

There’s all these as well as ruined castles, churches, ancient forests, cosy or unspoilt pubs, guest houses, shops, sacred sites, natural wonders and other interesting locations.

The publishers of “Wild Swimming”, promise “Hidden Places, Great Adventures and the Good Life” in their new 320 page book and they don’t disappoint with a plethora of wonderful places to go and enjoy without having to travel the world.

It divides the region into 23 areas with Mid Wales and the border covered in detail in Berwyn and Vyrnwy, Radnor and Upper Wye, Shropshire Hills, and Aberystwyth and Cambrians, and Brecon Beacons. Maps and ordnance survey grid references accompany the test and hundreds of pictures by award winning travel writer and photographer Daniel Start who was brought up on the river Wye and later lived on a hill farm in Gwynedd, and naturalist, foodie and photographer Tania Pascoe.

Unlock the secret places of Wales and the border with this book and you will never be short of ideas for a day out.

”WILD GUIDE WALES”, is published in paperback by Wild Things Publishing, priced £16.99.