Stan L Abbott
Stan L Abbott is an award-winning writer on the outdoors and conservation, whose career as a journalist began in Yorkshire. He has written on travel and the outdoors for national and regional newspapers and magazines. He has also worked in industry and tourism in the UK and Europe. He has written and edited many books about local history, travel and walking, and published or edited several travel and conservation magazines. A prominent member of the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild, he led a rail restoration group in Yorkshire and writes regularly for the New European newspaper. Walking the Line was longlisted for the Lakeland Book of the Year prize. His most recent book, Ring of Stone Circles, was published in April 2022.
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***SHORTLISTED FOR THE LAKELAND BOOK OF THE YEAR – STRIDING EDGE PRIZE FOR GUIDES & PLACES***
Widely known as England’s most picturesque line, the enduring Settle – Carlisle Railway crosses the north Pennines between Yorkshire and Cumbria, traversing stunning scenery from the Dales through the lonely and lofty fells to the limestone pavements of Westmorland, and on into the lush, green Eden Valley. The line was built by the Midland Railway company in the 1870s, to forge an independent route connecting its English network with Scotland. Uniquely for a railway in the UK, the entire infrastructure is a Conservation Area in its own right – comprising viaducts, stations, bridges, tunnels, trackside structures and railway workers’ cottages. By walking all or parts of the route from Settle to Carlisle, you get the chance to get up close to this iconic railway’s magnificent architecture. And in the company of a knowledgeable guide, you’ll also discover centuries’-worth of local history and traditions: Roman remains, medieval castles, the annual Appleby Horse Fair gathering, and much more besides.
Prizes and awards
SHORTLIST: Lakeland Book of the Year
REVIEWS OF Walking the Line
"A compelling journey along the Settle-Carlisle railway, full of detailed research and engaging insights on this treasured line." Emily Atherton , Cumberland & Westmorland Herald
'An endearing love-letter to the Settle to Carlisle Railway. It is an enticing mix of reminiscence, history, characters and practical information that lift it far above the level of a conventional guide book. It is evocative and affecting, with a rich sense of time and place. Written with both style and clarity, it is a must for anyone who wants to walk the route or ride the train.' Peter Gillman (author & Chairman of the Outdoor Writers & Photographers Guild)