The Wild Road Home: Simon Parker

The Wild Road HomeOutdoor enthusiast, cyclist and acclaimed travel writer Simon Parker was restless for a new adventure, but with a small baby his explorations needed to begin at home. He decided to cycle through all 15 of the UK's national parks in the anniversary year of the first one's founding, the Peak District. This became a life-changing journey through a landscape, and nation, in flux.
While each of the national parks offered beauty and surprises, all of them revealed the challenges of making space for nature on an overpopulated island. His days within the parks, from Dartmoor to Cairngorms, via the Yorkshire Dales and The Broads, could be idyllic or enraging. He explored wild and remote moors and mountain tops but also got stuck in plenty of holiday traffic. He developed an injury, walked where the bike wouldn't go, accepted pints and campsite pitches, and talked to everyone he met.
From campers, conservationists, walkers, landowners, farmers, small business owners, commoners, pony lovers, newcomers, tourists, birders and artists - everyone is seeking something different from the hills, dales and waters of the UK. Yet all share the urge for space, fresh air, beauty and the humbled humanity it brings. This is a page-turning, revealing perspective of the British and the wild-ish landscapes they love.Simon Parker is a multi-award-winning travel writer and filmmaker who has reported from more than half of the world's countries. He has cycled across the USA, produced films about endangered species in Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and writes for the Telegraph, The Times and National Geographic.
When he's not writing books or newspaper articles he manages his own production company, Simon Parker Creative. www.simonwparker.co.uk
@SimonWIParkerThis event is brought to you by FOLDE Dorset in partnership with the Grosvenor Arms.If you dine at the Grosvenor on the day of this talk, you'll receive 10% off your food bill on presentation of your ticket. We strongly recommend booking in advance.