The Pictorial Guides To The Lakeland Fells 7 Books Collection Set by Alfred Wainwright - Non Fiction - Paperback
Titles in This Set:
Eastern Fells
Far Eastern
Central
Southern
Northern
North Western
Western
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
Overview:
The Pictorial Guides To The Lakeland Fells Series Books 1 - 7 Collection Set brings together the complete seven-volume exploration of the Lake District’s most storied peaks. Authored and illustrated in the renowned Wainwright tradition, these volumes map the Lake District’s diverse fells with clear, hand-drawn contour lines and affectionate, practical guidance. In this collection, you’ll journey through the Eastern Fells, Far Eastern, Central, Southern, Northern, North Western, and Western groups, each book offering intimate footholds into a landscape beloved by walkers and dreamers alike. The set is a gateway to classic British outdoor writing, pairing precise routes with evocative sketches that invite you to plan, recall, or simply savour the adventures they describe. All seven volumes are presented in a uniform, durable paperback format, ideal for both field use and home libraries. Whether you’re a long-time fell-walker or new to Lakeland, this collection promises a comprehensive, immersive experience of England’s most iconic hills.
What Makes This Collection Special:
This multi-volume set is more than a library of walks; it’s a complete reading and hiking journey through the Lakeland Fells. Built on Alfred Wainwright’s enduring legacy, the five-fingered sequence of the fells offers a coherent progression from lower slopes to high-profile summits. The seven volumes collectively capture the character and mood of each region—ranging from serene, bird-filled hollows to dramatic, wind-swept ridges—while maintaining a consistent visual style and practical map-based approach. Purchasing the full set provides a seamless, binge-worthy reading and planning experience, making it an indispensable reference for serious walkers, collectors, and gifting enthusiasts who prize authenticity, craftsmanship, and the sense of place only Lakeland can offer. The edition’s cohesive presentation makes on-shelf display feel curated and premium, perfect for gifting to nature lovers and veteran hikers alike.
Books Included in This Collection:
Eastern Fells
This volume surveys the eastern block of Lakeland’s plateau and valleys, home to the most concentrated high ground in the region. Expect routes that lead to sweeping viewpoints and classic crags, with Helvellyn—the Lake District’s most climbed peak—featured prominently as a focal point. The pages balance practical ascent directions with Wainwright’s characteristic warmth and humor, guiding readers through gentle approaches and more challenging shoulders alike. It’s ideal for walkers seeking accessible, scenic itineraries that still deliver a sense of accomplishment after a day on the hills.
Far Eastern
Covering a rugged corridor of summits between Pooley Bridge and Windermere, this volume presents a broader tapestry of peaks and ridges designed for longer, more adventurous days. Expect detailed route suggestions across a landscape where long, rewarding lines of travel weave together with intimate, ground-level observations. The Far Eastern collection offers a satisfying sense of scale and progression, inviting explorers to push their limits while enjoying the distinctive quiet drama of Lakeland’s far eastern slopes.
Central
The Central Fells spotlight the Langdale Pikes, foothills above Borrowdale, and the forested and megalithic character of Thirlmere’s shores. Wainwright’s notes encourage careful pacing and mindful viewing, turning a day’s walk into a narrative of crag, vale, and lake interludes. This volume balances breadth and detail, making it a favorite for readers who want a fuller sense of Lakeland’s spine through interconnected routes and landscapes.
Southern
Home to England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike, the Southern Fells deliver grandeur, ruggedness, and a sense of sublime exposure. Readers discover bold ascents, dramatic horizons, and the rewarding sense of conquest that comes with standing atop Lakeland’s grandest shoulders. The book blends practical ascent information with rich descriptive passages, helping you visualise rocky ledges, moorland downs, and the weather’s changing moods as you plan your next trek.
Northern
The Northern Fells include the Caldbeck and Uldale sections, with Skiddaw among their most memorable sentinels. Detailed contour maps sit beside inviting, readable directions that suit both day hikes and longer excursions. This volume embodies Wainwright’s knack for pairing precise navigation with lyrical, grounded observations of upland life, perfect for walkers who relish classic, steady ascents and broad, open views.
North Western
Bounded by the Derwent and Cocker rivers, this region is famed for ridge-walking that showcases Lakeland’s most dramatic contrasts. The book’s routes reward patient climbers with long, uninterrupted panoramas and a sense of mountain-scale momentum. It’s a satisfying choice for readers who enjoy methodical, scenic progress along high, airy paths that feel both intimate and expansive.
Western
The Western Fells carve a storied arc from Buttermere to Crummock Water, with steep descents and big skies. This volume captures the characterful ravines, lake glimpses, and alpine-style scrambles that make Lakeland’s west coast edge so beloved. Wainwright’s precise guidance and generous storytelling invite readers to savour every step, whether you’re planning a weekend circuit or a contemplative, longer ascent.
Who This Set Is Perfect For:
This collection is tailor-made for outdoor enthusiasts and book lovers who crave a definitive, beautifully crafted guide to the Lakeland fells. It’s ideal for serious hikers planning multi-day Lake District itineraries, collectors seeking a complete, prestige set, vintage-map aficionados, and gift buyers looking for a thoughtful, enduring present for climbers, walkers, teachers, and families. It also serves armchair adventurers who relish vivid natural history and the lore of Wainwright’s Lakeland portraits. If you want a reliable, beautifully produced reference that doubles as a tribute to Britain’s most iconic hills, this seven-volume set is your perfect companion.
Key Benefits:
- Complete, seven-volume collection for a full Lakeland reading and walking journey
- Authentic Wainwright-style drawings and contour maps for precise navigation
- Uniform paperback edition designed for durability and field use
- Ideal gift for hikers, walkers, collectors, and nature lovers
- Timeless, UK-edition appeal that sits proudly on any bookshelf
- Rich in place-specific lore, enhances planning and anticipation for hikes
About the Author:
Alfred Wainwright is the synonymous name behind the Lakeland Fells’ most enduring guides. A celebrated English illustrator and author, his seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells (published between 1955 and 1966) set the standard for hill-walking literature. Renowned for his clear, hand-drawn contour maps and accessible prose, Wainwright transformed seaside and hill-walking lore into a practical, aesthetically engaging framework. His work remains a cornerstone for walkers and map lovers, and this collection preserves his influential approach in a modern, beautifully produced edition suitable for today’s readers and explorers.
Why You’ll Love This Set:
Owning the complete Lakeland Fells Pictorial Guides offers more than individual titles; it secures a coherent, lifelong reading and hiking companion. The uniform design, combined with Wainwright’s intimate observations and practical routes, makes planning easier and adventures more rewarding. This is a premium gift for serious walkers and for anyone who cherishes the Lakes’ poetic landscape—an heirloom-quality collection that will be revisited again and again as awe-inspiring scenery unfolds with every page.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.