Publication: 26 February 2026

A fascinating insight to a much-loved county before the arrival of railways, when tourism was in its infancy.

Before the railway came to Cornwall, novelist Wilkie Collins and his artist friend Henry Brandling set out on foot from Plymouth to explore the then ‘rarely visited’ peninsula. In 1850, tourism was in its infancy and the pair had many adventures, visiting Land’s End, Tintagel, St Michael’s Mount and Loe Pool. A local guide took them on an extraordinary tour down Botallack mine, and another showed them how to scramble up the Devil’s Bellows at Kynance Cove.

This charming account of their travels includes fascinating descriptions of legends and customs, pilchard fishing, ancient monuments, eccentric innkeepers and local cuisine, painting a vivid and affectionate picture of Cornwall as it was nearly 200 years ago.

WILKIE COLLINS (1824–1889) was the author of the popular early
detective novels The Woman in White and The Moonstone.

HENRY BRANDLING (1823–1897) was a landscape artist and member of
the Royal Academy.

RICK STEIN is a chef, restaurateur, writer and television presenter. His
series Rick Stein’s Cornwall aired on BBC One from 2021–3.

• Hardback
• ISBN: 9781851246564
• 240 pages
• Size: 198 x 129 mm
• 14 Black & white illustrations