Wainwright retired from his role as Borough Treasurer of Kendal in 1967. He could now focus more time on his passions, walking and writing books. In some personal notes in conclusion at the rear of Wainwright’s final Lakeland guidebook, The Western Fells, he considers a possible new series of books that would highlight the very best of Lakeland in pictures....
Read moreA Second Lakeland Sketchbook was published in November 1970. Wainwright was well into his retirement but showed no signs of slowing down. He worked nine hours a day, seven days a week, on his drawing books. Wainwright married Betty this year, who acted as his chauffeur for many of his book projects. Life was good. The General Printing and Book...
Read moreThe 70s were now in full swing, and Wainwright was as busy as ever. Immediately after A Third Lakeland Sketchbook was published in December 1971, he began working on the next one in the series. As well as producing sketchbooks, he was finishing off his tenth guide, Walks on the Howgill Fells. Work also began on one of his most...
Read moreA Fourth Lakeland Sketchbook was published in October 1972. Henry Roberts, the bookshop chain in Cumbria, was the first to advertise the publication of Wainwright’s new sketchbook in Cumbria magazine. The Westmorland Gazette didn’t announce it until the following issue in November. Wainwright completed the work for his A Coast to Coast Walk guide back in June, and it was...
Read moreOld Roads of Eastern Lakeland is one of Alfred Wainwright’s most overlooked guides. It describes the old pre-turnpike tracks and roads of Eastern Lakeland. Roads include: The Roman Road over High Street The road across Moor Divock Social roads east of Ullswater The Corpse Road Swinedale to Mosedale Quarry Garburn Pass Kentmere to Longsleddale Nan Bield Pass Gatesgarth Pass Longsleddale...
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