‘Our National Parks are essential for our country’s health, hope, and connection.’ – From the foreword by Alastair Humphreys.

From the UNESCO-listed Lake District to the arctic plateau of the Cairngorms, the UK’s 15 National Parks are home to some of the country’s most spectacular landscapes. This comprehensive guide celebrates their rich history, heritage and natural beauty, while helping you plan every visit with confidence.

Organised by Park and packed with practical advice, this book will help you make the most of your time – whether you’re seeking iconic landmarks, unforgettable walks, local food spots or memorable places to stay. You’ll also find inspirational insights from National Park champions, must-see sites and must-do activities tailored to each Park’s unique character. With accessible walking routes, family-friendly ideas for days out, plus adventures ranging from wild swimming and birdwatching to stargazing and caving, there’s something for everyone.

Complete with beautiful photography and maps, plus a foreword by Alastair Humphreys, this is the only guide you need to explore and uncover the very best parts of our National Parks, make amazing new memories and leave nothing behind but footprints.

Published by Bloomsbury on April 9, 2026.

Order here.

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Featuring more than 75 images, Celebrating The Yorkshire Dales is a personal homage to my favourite National Park, covering everything from Auction Marts and caves to Dales’ sport and village fetes.

Along the way, I interview authors, speleologists, farmers, musical legends and cheese makers.

There is something for everyone who loves this special place – food, villages, folklore, meadows and the ubiquitous pub.

You can buy your copy here.

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Both legends of Rugby League, you can read more about their fascinating life stories in these entertaining and humbling books.

Off the Cuff: The Lee Briers Autobiography can be bought here  whilst you can read about St Helens legend Kel Coslett here.

Both come with free shipping and are ideal for Father’s Day!

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A huge variety of people, landscapes and wildlife can be found within its boundaries, from churches that acted as places of rest on long routes, pubs that doubled up as courthouses and Neolithic discoveries in the new extension of the park,  to the longest, deepest and oddest caves in the region and rare flora and fauna – there’s plenty to discover.

A-Z of the Yorkshire Dales reveals the history behind the area, its streets and buildings, businesses and the people connected with the region. Alongside the famous historical connections are unusual characters, tucked-away places and unique events that are less well known. It is fully illustrated throughout and will appeal to all those with an interest in this spectacular corner of England.

A to Z of the Yorkshire Dales

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Size: 234mm x 165mm
• Pictures: 100, full colour throughout
• Publisher: Amberley Publishing
• Publication Date:  July 15 2023
• Price: £15.99

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Designated a national park in 1954, it attracts millions of visitors each year who are lured there by the spectacular scenery. Then there are historic towns such as Skipton, Settle and Hawes.

Its landscapes are famous and rewarding, whilst picturesque chocolate box villages are untouched by a bygone era and yield a life full of character. But there is more to the Dales than meets the eye. With 841 square miles of beauty and things to do, it’s full of hidden gems that show a glimpse of its lesser-known heritage.

In Secret Yorkshire Dales, author Mike Appleton takes the reader on an enlightening and entertaining journey through the park’s past, delving beneath the surface to uncover its secrets.

You’ll discover a network of passages that have shaped the landscape above it, learn why the clack of needles was to be feared and hear folk tales from years past. You’ll also find out about hidden kilns and mines, discover why a village had to drive a spike through the heart of a dead man and tread along long-forgotten routes and pathways.

Then there are the secret inns, meeting places, notable folk, the intriguing cottage industries and much more that make this area special.

Secret Yorkshire Dales is Mike Appleton’s tenth book and his most researched and varied to date.

Secret Dales – Information

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Size: 235mm x 165mm
• Pictures: More than 100, full colour throughout
• Publisher: Amberley Publishing
• Publication Date:  November 15 2021
• Price: £15.99

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I grew up waiting for the bongs watching Clive James give his candid view of the previous 52 weeks. I loved his simple style as he  ran the rule over what had happened that year.

Angus Deaton was next up, but it didn’t seem to work for me – I always felt he was trying too hard, or perhaps he and his writers just simply didn’t  have the aplomb and delivery that Clive had.

Nowadays they don’t really bother with review shows, apart from Charlie Brooker who’s Wipe delivers me pretty close to Mr James. But even that is getting more sanitised – this year’s version was far away from the genius of the one at the end of 2014. It was decent, but felt very mainstream compared to recent iterations. Cunk on Christmas however made me snort.

Moving On…

Anyway, my 2016 was pretty decent as it happens and I don’t want to make an apology for it.

I first thought about writing something that summed up the turmoil of the last 12 months and ignoring the above. Something about how me and many others feel about the environment, Brexit, and the USA elections. I know that for some though 2016 was a good year politically. People who wanted change, who wanted to send a message. I only hope those people are right and can lead the rest of us along with them. Because we all need to be in this together.

I was going to mention my concerns too, like  local councils looking to chop at the Green Belt. My hometown of St. Helens seems hell bent on handing over green land to developers to make it a logistics hub. We won’t worry about not only removing green land – stuff that helps us breathe – but we’ll add a load of trucks into the equation as well. Same for HS2. By the time it is built tech will be so different but the damage is likely to be irreversible. Many towns have brownfield sites that  seem to have been forgotten as well … or housing stock that could be made more attractive.

I was also going to talk about  fracking – which seems pointless given that renewables are clearly the way forward – and the badger cull. I was going to ask  why  the Tories would go against public opinion and 1) allow fracking and 2) allow fox hunting to return as well. All this coming at the same time May said there needs to be more local government and politicians need to listen to the people. Ahem.

Then there’s the whole potential cold war and climate change conversation. The two aren’t linked but could well be!

But anyone who talks up on the net these days gets shouted at. Like Brooker said on Wipe this year – we’ve gone from “meh” to just arguing and saying what we want without considering others. I was brought up to respect those around me but that seems to have gone from our society. That’s sad.

Anyway, it looks like I am going down that post road so let’s return to why  2016 has been pretty good for me, Mascarandy and my family.

2016…

I welcomed a new four-legged member of the family in Lhotse  and she is now in  front of the fire as I write these notes. She has been an excellent addition to the house; very loyal and always hungry. I forgot how greedy Lhasa Apsos are! She has been a good walker too, locally, but we  haven’t ventured too far north just yet. I need to get her into the Dales asap.

Early in the year Mascarandy underwent a bit of a rebrand to reflect more of what we are doing. It was fresh, modern, more professional and well received. We will continue to develop over the coming year.

I also had the pleasure of reviewing Terry Abraham’s new film about Blencathra  and that was a real highlight.

In May I launched my seventh book – 25 Great Walkers’ Pubs of the Yorkshire Dales  – and that was well received too. You can read a review here.

And my second daughter, Emma, came into the world… a little early as it happens. That was a surprise to all!

I probably didn’t get out as much as I wanted to in 2016 but enjoyed three great trips of note. There was a bivvy in Silverdale  which was horrifically wet, followed by one on Norber  that resulted in a severely infected foot after an accidental scalding. Looking back at my trip report I made no reference to the fact my Brukit fell over and poured hot water into my shoe and thus foot, but it was pretty bad. A course of antibiotics followed and talk of a possible skin graft. Thankfully, the latter didn’t occur.

The year walking wise was finished off with a walk along the High Street – easily one of my best to date.

2017…

So what has 2017 got in store?

After watching Jen Randall’s film The Bivvy Project  I texted a friend today to say 2017 needed walks, caving, bivvy and whisky and I don’t think you can go too wrong with that.

Mascarandy is waiting on a couple of projects in the new year to be given the nodbut what WILL be happening is the publishing of Danny Sculthorpe’s autobiography with Vertical Editions.

50 Gems of Derbyshire will also be in research and my  many pics will be on sale on Alamy, Shutterstock and Adobe Stock.

I’ll be out and about blogging as per usual and hopefully getting underground a lot more.

I’d like to thank everyone who made 2016 a good year for Mascarandy and in particular Danny Sculthorpe, Karl at Vertical Editions, the chaps at Amberley, Johnny Hartnell and Inglesport and Mike Law at Walking-Books.

Finally, my Yorkshire Dales books are now just £10 each at my store. Take a look and order!

Here’s to 2017… I have a bottle of unopened Talisker that is about to be no longer closed!

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You can discover more about  Yorkshire’s Three Peaks; the real story away from the trudging boots in The Inside Story of the Dales and find hidden gems in the Yorkshire Dales National Park with 50 Gems of the Yorkshire Dales.

And, if pubs, history and walking is your thing then grab a copy of 25 Great Walkers’ Pubs in the Yorkshire Dales too. It’s not just about the pub, it covers its history, quirks and folklore as well as defining a superb walk right from the front door.

You can buy your copies here – cheaper than Amazon – and we’ll throw in free post and packaging too.

The offer is open until September 12.

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Mountains, sweeping fells, remote gems, hidden  ravines – it’s a magical place.

Two of my books chart this National Park – with prints and postcards depicting its beauty.

Yorkshire’s Three Peaks: The Inside Story of the Dales

The  Three Peaks Of Yorkshire – Ingleborough, Pen-y-ghent and Whernside – hold a unique fascination and focal point for all who head to the Dales.

They dominate the landscape, shape those who work with and around them, and together offer one of the toughest challenges England can offer.

Using the famous Three Peaks Walk as a road map, Mike Appleton takes a tour around this most popular of areas and finds the real story of the picturesque dales in  Yorkshire’s Three Peaks: The Inside Story of the Dales

Away from the trudging boots the farmers who have been abandoned by the EU and are left to fight on. The tourist villages still picking up the pieces following Foot and Mouth. The locals struggling to find affordable housing.

But in a time when the countryside is facing a crisis from cuts and reduced spending, he also finds beauty in the labyrinth of passages hidden beneath the earth, how countless species continue to thrive and how those characters of the Dales carry on regardless. And he speaks to those who are charged with making sure this boundless natural wonder continues to serve its people and the rest of the country for generations to come.

50 Gems of the Yorkshire Dales

The  Yorkshire Dales is one of the most diverse and rich landscapes in the British Isles.

Limestone interlaces with sweeping and rolling fells and dramatic peaks arise from its plains.

Within are caverns that stretch for miles under the surface, emphatic flora and fauna that thrive in this unique environment and the hardiest of local folk who eke out a living in unison with their surroundings.

This equilibrium is is harnessed and interwoven by a revered heritage that not only stretches back hundreds of years but is retained, protected and celebrated today.

In this book, we explore 50 of these magical places and discover what makes the the Yorkshire Dales a unique place to live, visit and be part of.

See the majestic Skipton Castle and Skipton Canal, enjoy the splendour of Bolton Abbey and the fascinating views and history from the Three Peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside then compare them to the tragedy and triumph of Ribblehead Viaduct.

Follow the underground routes overground at Clapham and Chapel Le Dale and find out the secrets of life in Dent, Malham, Settle and Gunnerside.

Discover some of this area’s secrets and treasures, and learn the fascinating history behind them with this handy guide.

Prints and Postcards

There are several iconic pictures I have taken in the Mascarandy Store  and all make great presents. Take a look – they’ll look great on someone’s wall!

More prints coming soon!

All are  now available in the  Mascarandy Online Store  – and are in stock (unlike some other online retailers!)

For a limited time only both are cheaper than Amazon too – and we offer free shipping to UK addresses.

And, until December 13 you can get  10 per cent off  in the store by using the code  xmas10  at the checkout!

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Who wouldn’t want to read about that!

Tony Hand MBE – A Life In British Ice Hockey, tells the  story of quite simply the UK’s greatest ever player.

It starts with him growing up on a council estate in Edinburgh and playing his first senior game at the tender age of fourteen for the Murrayfield Racers to training with the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL and landing the grand slam with the Sheffield Steelers.

In his own words, Tony takes you through his life from winning and losing at Wembley to the highs and lows with the GB national team. Tony has coached Belfast, Dundee Stars (whom he took to a league and play-off double) and Edinburgh and is now with Manchester Phoenix. Find out why he didn’t take up Edmonton’s offer to stay in the NHL, what really happens on a European tour and why he was banned for taking a cold remedy. Savvy, witty and often controversial, Tony pulls no punches in describing his time in ice hockey and outlining how the sport should move forward.

The Book  is now available in the  Mascarandy Online Store  – and are in stock (unlike some other online retailers!)

For a limited time only both are cheaper than Amazon too – and we offer free shipping to UK addresses.

And, until December 13 you can get  10 per cent off  in the store by using the code  xmas10  at the checkout!

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Off The Cuff: The Lee Briers Story:  tells the story of one of Warrington’s – and Rugby League’s – true greats.

In his own words,  he charts his meteoric rise from mayhem causing kid on the streets of St Helens around Knowsley Road to lifting the Challenge Cup at Wembley.  He talks about his debut with his boyhood club and how he was shirked in the 1997 Cup Final, his move to Warrington, why he feels he didn’t play for Great Britain, and the charge of the Wolves.

There’s affection too as he remembers the people that have helped him grow up, his brother and family as well as the coaches, the players, the long nights out, the beers and the irrepressible skill that has kept him top of the sport for so long.

Find out why he talks to referees, how he thinks the game should develop and why the future of Rugby League is squarely in the hands of everyone who loves it. It’s a no holds-barred look at a true sporting great.

Kel Coslett: A Welsh Saint:  is the story of a no nonsense bloke who still can’t believe his luck!

To the fans and historians of St.Helens R.F.C., Coslett is remembered as the Club’s highest ever points scorer, one of its finest captains, and a gentleman who continues to act as an ambassador to this day.

From the early days of a childhood in the industrial valleys of South Wales, through his success in Rugby Union with the giants of Llanelli and Aberavon, to the night when he came home to find two men at his mother’s kitchen table with an offer that would change his life forever as a player and a coach.

But there are lows as well as highs – serious injury threatening his career, fallings out with the ‘men in suits’, and the constant pressure to perform.  It’s not all work, work, work of course, and there are plenty of recollections – however hazy – of the lighter side of being a professional sportsman.  All this is told with the modest understatement that has made Coslett so popular within the game.

Both books are now available in the Mascarandy Online Store – and are in stock (unlike some other online retailers!)

For a limited time only both are cheaper than Amazon too – and we offer free shipping to UK addresses.

And, until December 13 you can get 10 per cent off  in the store by using the code xmas10  at the checkout!

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