Tag Archives: A Road for all Seasons

Celebrating the idiosyncrasies and landscape of Britain: Harry Bucknall’s A Road for All Seasons

1 Reply

The launch of Harry Bucknall’s latest book, A Road for all Seasons, was recently held in the Officers’ Mess at Wellington Barracks, and was pure Bucknall. A wonderfully eclectic mix of Harry’s old friends and acquaintances including Chelsea Pensioner, Warrant Officer Class 2 Colin Thackery a British Korean War veteran and singer who won the thirteenth series of Britain’s Got Talent in June 2019 at the ripe old age of 89. Now 96 years of age Colin was tremendous company, and I was privileged to have a long conversation with Colin and his friend.

Harry made what for him was a short speech, ably supported by his publisher. The launch party was tremendous fun, reflecting Harry’s character and that of his book which is a true celebration of these marvellous Isles and its people.

Avid Harry Bucknall fans at the launch of his book A Road for all Seasons

During the course of his ‘research’ for this book which aimed to take the pulse of a post-Brexit Britain, Harry made four seasonal journeys across the four nations of the UK; effectively starting at the ‘top’ in Iona and Scotland and working his way southward. The journey covered over 6,500 miles, visiting half of the 95 counties and almost as many of his friends and acquaintances. Like Paddy, everyone knows Harry Bucknall!

Harry Bucknall at the launch of his book A Road for all Seasons

A Road for All Seasons is an enjoyable read and it reminds me of Harry’s first book, In the Dolphin’s Wake, where he visited many of the Greek islands. Road takes one through many of the counties, cities and villages of our Kingdom, and offers up vignettes about the landscape, history and people Harry encountered along the way, wrapped up in his own characteristic powers of observation.

Subtitled ‘A Tribute to Britain’ it certainly is; Harry’s love for this country, its people, cities and countryside shines through and includes many funny events; things that could only happen to Harry!

A Road for All Seasons by Harry Bucknall: It has been a long time coming!

Leave a reply

It is now official. Blandford Forum’s most successful travel writer, good friend, and friend of the blog, Harry Bucknall, has a date for publication of his long awaited third travel book titled A Road For All Seasons: A Tribute to Britain 

Those familiar with Harry’s previous works, In the Dolphin’s Wake, and Like a Tramp, Like a Pilgrim must be salivating at the prospect of A Road for All Seasons: A Tribute to Britain being finally published! It is now available for pre-order on Amazon with a launch date of 18 March 2026.

This book is about a journey of 6,518 miles, that filled 14 notebooks and encompassed all 4 countries of the United Kingdom, travelling through 42 out of its 95 counties, visiting 23 cities; requiring 75 trains, 60 maps, 26 cars, 16 buses, 9 ferries, 4 tubes, 4 uber taxis, 4 black cabs, 2 DLR, 2 vans, a canal boat, a probation service minibus, an intercontinental articulated lorry, a 1953 Morris Oxford and a pair of size 9 boots …

A tumultuous period in British politics left writer Harry Bucknall questioning whether he really knew the place he called home. Propelled by a growing desire to better understand his island nation, Harry decided to undertake a pilgrimage of sorts; he embarked on a series of four walks across Britain that would mirror the changing seasons, covering a distance of nearly 1,600 miles.

From fresh and heady spring through to the gloriously crisp winter months, Harry journeyed across Britain visiting cities, towns and vast swathes of the countryside from Mull to Sunderland and Aberystwyth to Lowestoft, meeting a host of diverse and charismatic characters along the way as he strove to uncover the beating heart of the nation.

Uplifting, joyous and charming, A Road for All Seasons is a vivid, social and cultural snapshot of 21st-century Britain. Focusing as much on the beauty of the fertile land as the people who inhabit it, it explores a unique culture, its folklore both past and present, as well as the wealth of the nation’s history and heritage. Exquisitely written and filled with delightful people and places, this is Harry’s ardent tribute to the British Isles.

I’m sure we will hear more about the book in the coming weeks!