Biography
Hugh Westacott was for many years a librarian working both in England and the
United States. After the success of his seminal book The Walker's Handbook
he took early retirement and devoted himself to writing, guiding and
lecturing about walking. He is married to Joan from San Antonio, Texas
and they have two sons. Joan is a librarian at the American School in London. Hugh has two daughters
by a previous marriage, two grandsons and a granddaughter. Joan and Hugh have reversed
traditional marriage roles so that he is the househusband and fits his walking activities around his domestic chores.
In 1974 he founded his own imprint, Footpath Publications, which issued a number
of footpath guides, and in 1984, when living in the United States, he started
Rucksack Holidays which brought Americans to Britain for walking holidays.
Hugh now specializes in guiding Americans and Canadians on
walks and hiking trips.
Interests:
All aspects of walking, hiking and backpacking
The history of walking
for pleasure
The relationship between literature and the English landscape
The
history and development of the English landscape
The history of navigational
techniques
The etymology and history of English place-names
All aspects of English
history
Member of the following associations and societies:
Charles Close Society for the Study of Ordnance Survey Maps
Chiltern Society
Constitutional Monarchy Association
Countryside Alliance
English Heritage
Long Distance Walkers' Association
National Trust
Ramblers' Association
Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child
Society of Authors
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