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Rural Rides book cover
Historic English Countryside Classic

Rural Rides

by William Cobbett

Format

Audiobook Narrated by Peter Wickham 22 hrs and 22 mins

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William Cobbett's journeys through the English countryside in the 1820s offer a vivid portrait of rural life during a period of profound social and agricultural change. Travelling on horseback through southern England, he documents the landscapes, farming practices, and living conditions of ordinary people with an eye both critical and compassionate.

These observations go far beyond mere travelogue. Cobbett combines his keen observations of the natural world with passionate political commentary, railing against the injustices he witnesses and celebrating the resilience of rural communities. His prose is direct, vigorous, and often surprisingly modern in its concerns about industrialisation and social inequality.

A classic of English literature that remains essential reading for anyone interested in countryside history, agricultural heritage, or the roots of rural Britain's enduring character.