Skomer is a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a world-renowned bird paradise. This superb natural history book by Skomer resident Jane Matthews illustrates the landscape, seasons, flora and fauna in over 150 photographs.

Skomer Island lies less than a mile off shore from the Marloes Peninsula in Pembrokeshire, yet it is this short span of water that sets the island a world apart from its neighbours. Free from all land-based predators, Skomer has evolved as its own bustling ecosystem in a unique and spectacular landscape. It is a National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a world-renowned bird paradise.

Skomer includes:
•Birds, flora, fauna and landscapes
•Seasonal timeline
•Map of the island
•Contributions from Iolo Williams and Matthew Parris
•Bird Log poem by Jeremy Grange
•Over 100 photographs
For more books on local wildlife see: Seashore Safaris

Caldey Abbey
Meet the monks of Caldey Abbey, who continue a monastic tradition begun in the sixth century. The guide includes interviews with the monks and Abbot about their vocations, life at the monastery and their personal faith. The book is illustrated with over 150 exclusive photographs of daily life, and the pinnacle of the religious calendar, the Holy Week celebrations. It also follows the history of the Cistercian Order and the birth of Caldey Island monastic community.

Caldey Island community
The island community thrives on tourism and the guide provides a detailed profile of Caldey’s tourist highlights, including an island map with tourist locations. With information on the landscape, wildlife and coastline of Caldey, Caldey Island brings readers closer to this stunning island retreat.

Caldey Island includes:

• Pen portraits of the Caldey Abbey monks
• Exclusive photographs of the Holy Week celebrations
• Visitor map with attractions highlighted
• Caldey Island timeline
• History of the Cistercian Order

For more information on Pembrokeshire island life see: Skomer

We all have an idea of what a village should be. The image is likely to be of a small, friendly and picturesque place, characterised by neighbourliness and a strong sense of community. Writer David Williams provides a delightful insight into some of the Principality’s most idyllic villages.

Village Wales includes:

• Moelfre, Llangernyw, Beddgelert, Berriew, Myddfai, Solva, Llanmadoc, Pendoylan, Llandaff, Tintern
• Location maps, directions and local amenities
• Historical information
• Useful websites
• Over 150 photographs

For more books about Welsh communities, see: Market Town Wales, Discovering Welsh Harbours

The contrast of old and new, abundance of local services and energetic daily bustle preserves these towns’ identities and character.

Market Town Wales includes:

• Brecon
• Ruthin
• Bala
• Dolgellau
• Machynlleth
• Welshpool
• Llandovery
• Mold
• Haverfordwest
• Carmarthen
• Llandeilo

For more books about Welsh communities, see: Village Wales, Discovering Welsh Harbours

Celtic food and recipes
Venison sausages, Scotch broth, Seared fillet of wild river salmon, and Braised pheasant are some of the traditional Celtic recipes included. Each chapter is introduced with a historic overview of Celtic cooking and food, and its influence on modern food.

Celtic Cuisine includes
• Over 160 recipes
• Starters
• Fish and shellfish
• Vegetarian
• Meat
• Puddings
• Baking
• Drinks and preserves
• Over 60 colour photographs

For more cookery books from Wales see: Bryan Webb’s Kitchen, Flavours of Wales, Food Wales- a second helping, Food Wales eating out guide second edition, London Oyster Guide

Welsh food and produce
Food Wales – a second helping will guide you through the four regions of Wales, rich in organic and naturally produced foods. With information about native foods, the best places to eat and the best producers in each area, the guide provides a wealth of information about naturally farmed, fished and foraged foods. With an A-Z of Welsh produce and a seasonality chart, showing the best time to eat natural ingredients, it’s easy to enjoy local foods at their peak.

Welsh recipes
With over twenty recipes from land and sea, the book shows how to use Welsh fresh produce for delicious dishes. Including oysters, pheasant, pigeon and lamb, Food Wales – a second helping is ideal for cooks who wish to eat with the seasons.

Food Wales – a second helping includes:
• Over 150 producers contact details
• Over 175 restaurants, hotels and cafes
• Over 20 recipes using local produce
• Farmers market details
• Food festival dates
• A to Z of Welsh food
• Seasonality chart

For more books on food from Wales see: Bryan Webb’s Kitchen, Celtic Cuisine, Flavours of Wales, Food Wales eating out guide second edition, London Oyster Guide

Some of the most breathtaking landscapes and vantage points in the country including;

• Snowdon
• The Black Mountains
• Sugar Loaf
• Pen y Fan and Corn Du
• Mynydd Tal y Mignedd
• Cwm Idwal
• Carnedd Llewelyn

More books in the Pocket Wales series: Castles of Wales, Coast Wales, Landscape Wales, Rivers of Wales

Welsh castles
Castles of Wales charts the interiors and exteriors of Welsh castles, highlighting the turbulence and unstability of the country throughout history. Covering castles from every region of Wales, it provides a handy summary of the comprehensive defensive architecture that has survived into the second millennium. From the folly of Cardiff Castle to the fortified might of Conway Castle, this Pocket Series guide is a portable commemoration of Wales’s architectural heritage.

Castles of Wales includes
• Cardiff
• Raglan
• Pembroke
• Denbigh
• St Fagans
• Powis
• Penryhn

More books in the Pocket Wales series: Coast Wales, Landscape Wales, Mountain Wales, Rivers of Wales

Wales Coast
From the sophistication of Cardiff Bay to the Victorian splendour of Llandudno; the limestone cliffs of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast to the sands of Newgale, Wales’s shoreline offers dramatic contrasts. Coast Wales celebrates the nation’s coastal landscape, beaches, scenery and wildlife.

Coast Wales includes
• Cardiff Bay
• Caldey Island
• Three Cliffs Bay
• Porthclais
• New Quay
• Aberdovey
• Porth Dinllaen

More books in the Pocket Wales series: Castles of Wales, Landscape Wales, Mountain Wales, Rivers of Wales