The Lake District famous for its association with the Romantic poets became a very popular destination for travellers towards the end of the eighteenth century, part of a growing trend of making picturesque tours during which nature was viewed with an emphasis on its spiritual qualities. During this period a variety of tourist guides, including Wordsworth s successful Guide to the Lakes, were published.

This is the very first collection of such travel guides to the Lake District and eight important titles are reprinted here in a facsimile edition. Together with many pictures and...