Ward Lock Red Guides
The Red Guides were a series of popular British travel handbooks published by Ward, Lock & Co. from the late 19th century to the 1970s. Known for their distinctive red covers, they provided accessible, practical information for domestic tourists during a time when most Britons holidayed at home. Covering towns, cities, seaside resorts, and scenic regions across the UK, each guide included maps, town plans, walking routes, and descriptions of local attractions. They catered to independent travellers exploring by rail or road, long before the rise of air travel and overseas tourism. Updated through the decades, the Red Guides reflected changing travel habits while retaining their clear, helpful style. Today, they’re valued for their cheerful cartography and nostalgic charm, offering a vivid snapshot of British holidaymaking in a bygone era.
