A glorious celebration of Welsh wildness
First published in 2015, Wilder Wales (written by Julian Rollins and illustrated by the sumptuous photography of Drew Buckley) has now been published in a new compact edition for 2018. This book is a celebration of Welsh wildness, nature, and national heritage. It’s presented in the format of a month-by-month guide to the very best of Wales, from Newport Wetlands in the south to the Dee Estuary in the north, and many amazing locations in between.
Each month has a location of its own. For example, the theme of October is ‘mountains and rainforest’, specifically the Rhinogydd. There are fascinating historical anecdotes alongside wonderful portraits of the feral goats that roam these hills. Each chapter also includes practical tips on how to visit and enjoy the area in question. But the photography is the true star of the show here and virtually every page is adorned with some of the very best landscape, nature, and wildlife photography you’ll see of Wales. Drew Buckley’s work is showcased exceptionally well here. I particularly enjoyed the images of black grouse in Coed Llandegla.
The new compact edition isn’t exactly pocketable, but it’s exactly the right size to keep in the glove box of your car, or maybe on a mini bookshelf in your adventure van. It’s just the thing for when you need a quick dose of inspiration.
What a visual feast – what a celebration of wildness. Wilder Wales proves that, while Wales might not have the sheer quantity of wild land that Scotland might boast, in quality it’s right up there with the best of them.
In the foreword, Chris Packham says: “This book is a super calendar catalogue of the best places to visit, teasing us with a lovely portfolio of photographs but essentially equipping us with the practical information to make those visits a well-organised reality.” I think this is an excellent way of summarising what makes Wilder Wales special.
‘Wilder Wales’ written by Julian Rollins, photography by Drew Buckley, published by Graffeg price £9.99. Copyright © Graffeg.
Image: Llanddwyn Island © Drew Buckley, from Wilder Wales, written by Julian Rollins, published by Graffeg © 2018.