Embedded Files
Re-discovering the paths used by rural postmen and women in Britain
Researching, walking and celebrating Britain's postal paths
Researching, walking and celebrating Britain's postal paths
For nearly 200 years rural postmen and women walked (and occasionally cycled) each day to deliver mail to the country's most remote homes. From the late 1960s, these walking routes were phased out and posties were given vans instead (the use of bikes ended in 2014). The posties walked public footpaths but occasionally created their own short-cuts (often still known as 'the postman's path'). In my 2024 book, The Postal Paths, I researched many of these routes and spoke to some of the surviving rural posties. Why not walk these paths too - or perhaps rediscover your local postman's routes.
The book
The book
The Postal Paths (published April 2025 by Monoray) details my five-year's research into these old routes. Paths as far north as the Isle of Harris and as far south as Cornwall are included - plus many inbetween. The book also includes conversations with surviving rural posties. Illustrations by Mark Richards. It is available from UK bookshops.
The Paths
The Paths
The paths were walked six days a week by postmen and women delivering mail - in all weathers. Some of the paths were just three or four miles long, others were up to 20 miles long. They are all public footpaths so you can still follow the routes today. Learn more...
A social history
A social history
The paths are a joy to walk of course but the history behind them is also worth investigating. Who were these men and women who walked 20 miles a day in all weathers? How did they cope carrying heavy mail bags? And why did they ring a bell, blow a whistle or sound a horn to warn villagers they were on their way? Find out more...
Handwritten letters
Handwritten letters
Britain's postal service would not exist were it not for the handwritten letter. In this age of emails, texts and other digital forms of communication, it is easy to forget how precious a handwritten letter can be. Some of us are championing once again this most personal form of communication. Learn more....
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse