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Wild Places
Get back to nature and explore sites unspoilt by humankind with the latest addition to the Inspired Traveller’s Guide series.
We humans don't just love wild places. We need them; we need their scale, their breath, their drama and enigma. Wild places can be a balm and a solace; an escape or a returning; a best friend; an inner cleanse. And they can remind us of our unimportance in the world.
Travel writer Sarah Baxter presents 25 untameable natural wonders that reveal the curious story of our wild planet and why we need to protect it. Despite all the advances of human civilisation, we’ve yet to come up with anything to rival the majesty of Lapland's snow-capped mountain summits, the haunting song of humpback whale in a Namibian paradise or the epic sculptural forms of Utah's vast Canyonlands. Escape to each of these unforgettable sites and more with Wild Places, an insightful and stunningly illustrated guide to all Mother Nature has to offer. Discover spectacular and little-known gems with visits to...
Great Dismal Swamp, USA
Canyonlands, USA
Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
Cenotes, Mexico
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
South Georgia, Atlantic Ocean
Ennerdale, England
Strumble Head, Wales
St Kilda, Scotland
Camargue, France
Sápmi, Lapland, Sweden
Green Belt, Germany
Wadden Sea, Netherlands
Stromboli, Italy
Las Medulas, Spain
Coa Valley, Portugal
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Erg Chigaga, Morocco
Kinabatangan, Malaysia
Mount Siguniang, China
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Gangkar Puensum, Bhutan
Wilpena Pound, Australia
Wahipounamu, New Zealand
This is the perfect title for anyone who is fascinated by the marvels of the natural world.
We humans don't just love wild places. We need them; we need their scale, their breath, their drama and enigma. Wild places can be a balm and a solace; an escape or a returning; a best friend; an inner cleanse. And they can remind us of our unimportance in the world.
Travel writer Sarah Baxter presents 25 untameable natural wonders that reveal the curious story of our wild planet and why we need to protect it. Despite all the advances of human civilisation, we’ve yet to come up with anything to rival the majesty of Lapland's snow-capped mountain summits, the haunting song of humpback whale in a Namibian paradise or the epic sculptural forms of Utah's vast Canyonlands. Escape to each of these unforgettable sites and more with Wild Places, an insightful and stunningly illustrated guide to all Mother Nature has to offer. Discover spectacular and little-known gems with visits to...
Great Dismal Swamp, USA
Canyonlands, USA
Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
Cenotes, Mexico
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
South Georgia, Atlantic Ocean
Ennerdale, England
Strumble Head, Wales
St Kilda, Scotland
Camargue, France
Sápmi, Lapland, Sweden
Green Belt, Germany
Wadden Sea, Netherlands
Stromboli, Italy
Las Medulas, Spain
Coa Valley, Portugal
Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Erg Chigaga, Morocco
Kinabatangan, Malaysia
Mount Siguniang, China
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Gangkar Puensum, Bhutan
Wilpena Pound, Australia
Wahipounamu, New Zealand
This is the perfect title for anyone who is fascinated by the marvels of the natural world.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2022
7 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Baxter
20 books93 followersSarah Baxter is a writer, book author and editor specialising in travel, adventure, history and the great outdoors. In the name of exploration, she's climbed Kilimanjaro, snorkelled with killer whales, eaten sheep's brain, walked on the wings of a bi-plane, descended into an Icelandic volcano, learned to salsa in Barcelona and much, much more. Formerly deputy editor at Wanderlust travel magazine, she now writes for a range of outlets including The Telegraph, The Independent, iPaper, Wanderlust, Sunday Times Travel magazine, Country Walking and others. She has also authored many books, including A History of the World in 500 Walks, The Inspired Traveller's Guide to Spiritual Places and Lonely Planet's Where to Go When.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 4, 2022
Happy Publication Day! I just got the advance review copy in time too from the publishers, Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion. Thank you.
I am absolutely in love with the cover and the contents. It's like entering a perfect dream world of amazing art and nature made picture perfect just for you!
The book will not take up much of your time but I cannot guarantee that you will not get lost in a page for hours! You will know what I mean when you open up this book.
Kudos to the artists! You deserve all the love and support. All the efforts and the talent. You are a blessing to all of us. (I am going crazy over the illustrations.....)
I am absolutely in love with the cover and the contents. It's like entering a perfect dream world of amazing art and nature made picture perfect just for you!
The book will not take up much of your time but I cannot guarantee that you will not get lost in a page for hours! You will know what I mean when you open up this book.
Kudos to the artists! You deserve all the love and support. All the efforts and the talent. You are a blessing to all of us. (I am going crazy over the illustrations.....)
October 9, 2023
4.5
Quando passeggi per la libreria e ti capita sotto gli occhi una nuova uscita che era sfuggita ai tuoi radar: check.
Adoro questi momenti di stupore che ti fanno sentire come un bambino alla mattina di Natale.
Se nelle precedenti guide erano stati esaminati luoghi costruiti o plasmati dall’uomo, questa volta la lente d’ingrandimento sul mappamondo si soffermerà sull’operato di Madre Natura stessa. E inutile dirlo: ho amato questa guida.
C’è qualcosa di incredibilmente selvaggio e liberatorio tra le sue pagine e il desiderio di visitare questi angoli di paradiso mi ha fatto davvero venire voglia di abbandonare il mio letto… se non fosse per i dolori alle gambe e alla schiena. Insomma, le gioie come sempre.
Sta di fatto che la tematica di questa guida è diventata una delle mie preferite.
Come sempre la cura dei dettagli e la narrazione sono on point e riescono a trasportare mentalmente il lettore nei posti citati. Di cui, per alcuni, serve un permesso scritto essendo zone protette o appartenenti alle comunità autoctone. Ma sicuramente ne varrà la pena di vedersela con la burocrazia. In fondo sono esperienze che si fanno una volta nella vita.
Se siete amanti della natura o volete semplicemente uno sfondo particolare per le vostre foto sui social, qui troverete quello che fa al caso vostro. Ma ricordate: sempre rispettare l’ambiente!
Quando passeggi per la libreria e ti capita sotto gli occhi una nuova uscita che era sfuggita ai tuoi radar: check.
Adoro questi momenti di stupore che ti fanno sentire come un bambino alla mattina di Natale.
Se nelle precedenti guide erano stati esaminati luoghi costruiti o plasmati dall’uomo, questa volta la lente d’ingrandimento sul mappamondo si soffermerà sull’operato di Madre Natura stessa. E inutile dirlo: ho amato questa guida.
C’è qualcosa di incredibilmente selvaggio e liberatorio tra le sue pagine e il desiderio di visitare questi angoli di paradiso mi ha fatto davvero venire voglia di abbandonare il mio letto… se non fosse per i dolori alle gambe e alla schiena. Insomma, le gioie come sempre.
Sta di fatto che la tematica di questa guida è diventata una delle mie preferite.
Come sempre la cura dei dettagli e la narrazione sono on point e riescono a trasportare mentalmente il lettore nei posti citati. Di cui, per alcuni, serve un permesso scritto essendo zone protette o appartenenti alle comunità autoctone. Ma sicuramente ne varrà la pena di vedersela con la burocrazia. In fondo sono esperienze che si fanno una volta nella vita.
Se siete amanti della natura o volete semplicemente uno sfondo particolare per le vostre foto sui social, qui troverete quello che fa al caso vostro. Ma ricordate: sempre rispettare l’ambiente!
August 20, 2022
The 6th and latest in the Inspired Traveler's series and this time, Baxter tries to take her readers to locations least impacted by humans - for example, the Green Belt that separated Europe by an Iron Curtain until 'recently' and provided a natural stronghold for diversity across the environmental gamut of near North Sea through plains, meadows, and mountains to the Caspian and Black Seas. While others, like the Skeleton Coast of Namibia or the depths of the Sahara in Morocco or the storm-ravaged island of St. Kilda which are stark, inhospitable areas. Or temperamental Stromboli who grumbles with near constant minor eruptions. The cenotes of the Yucatan.
Most of the sites she lists are either UNESCO-listed World Heritage or Natural Heritage sites as well as conservation parks or regions across the world. And these are not places that are a simple drive away - most require boat or plane along with multiple-mile hikes before arriving. That's if the traveler can even get permission to enter these parks/locations.
Amy Grimes again provides lavish illustrations for each entry.
2022-183
Most of the sites she lists are either UNESCO-listed World Heritage or Natural Heritage sites as well as conservation parks or regions across the world. And these are not places that are a simple drive away - most require boat or plane along with multiple-mile hikes before arriving. That's if the traveler can even get permission to enter these parks/locations.
Amy Grimes again provides lavish illustrations for each entry.
2022-183
May 6, 2022
Attention arm chair travelers and adventurers: I am pretty sure that you might like to give this beautiful book a look. Both the illustrations and the text are enticing. I adored the paintings that encouraged me to dream.
Some of the many destinations include Ennerdale, England; st. Kilda, Scotland; Carmargue, France; Wadden Sea, The Netherlands; Coa Valley, Portugal; Er Chigaga, Morocco; Wilpena Pound, Australia and many others. Each has interest for the reader.
The book begins with an introduction that acknowledges people’s need for the breadth, scale and drama of the wild. For one thing, the wilds offer perspective and a source of wonder. The author also notes that each of the places selected has a human story to tell. Dive in and learn more about them.
Many thanks to Quarto publishing and NetGalley for this title that I highly recommend. All opinions are my own.
Some of the many destinations include Ennerdale, England; st. Kilda, Scotland; Carmargue, France; Wadden Sea, The Netherlands; Coa Valley, Portugal; Er Chigaga, Morocco; Wilpena Pound, Australia and many others. Each has interest for the reader.
The book begins with an introduction that acknowledges people’s need for the breadth, scale and drama of the wild. For one thing, the wilds offer perspective and a source of wonder. The author also notes that each of the places selected has a human story to tell. Dive in and learn more about them.
Many thanks to Quarto publishing and NetGalley for this title that I highly recommend. All opinions are my own.
August 9, 2022
Nicely written but imo, there was an excessive focus on Europe.
June 26, 2022
This book is a beautiful list of travel inspiration world wide with some of the most gorgeous nature illustrations you've ever seen. This is as much a travel list as it is an art book. I would love to gift this to my favorite globetrotter in my life and keep a copy for myself out on display.
June 10, 2022
A little surprisingly, yet also a little reassuringly, this book starts looking at the world's lesser-tamed places by going to that completely remote and uninhabited island country called England. Yes, I know. And then Wales and Scotland follow – not them in total, you understand, just a tiny, rarefied corner of each. But if an author who knows her stuff to the extent I click 'download' to check out all her volumes, even if they have such a recurringly familiar style, thinks wilderness and the best isolation nature can bring starts in the Lake District, who am I to quibble?
There was a Punch magazine cartoon decades ago, featuring two uncouth slobs looking over a sylvan landscape in a rainbow of gorgeous colours. The text with it was one of them saying to the other something along the lines of "God, what a dump!". Us readers of this will not be those slobs, and will admire mountainous regions of China hiding giant pandas in their grasp, idyllic riverways that are home to copious endemic critters – or rare prehistoric rock engravings. These are the Raja Ampats of the world, not the armpits. And it's all well-judged; the bits of Australia that could be said to qualify are as big as India; the little visit to the Himalayas goes to a nicely-chosen corner.
As such then the case can definitely be made that this is pictorial in the wrong way – however artistic and however true-to-life the artworks may be they might always have been photos, and they do take up a lot of space here. But that's expected now from this range of books, which are still really quite wonderful for the armchair traveller. That said, the smallest room might be the better place to absorb these bitty little patches of perfection, in this little volume of pleasures. Finally, if you remain too worried about the state of the world's nature to contemplate places we've yet to ruin, bear in mind a lot of these entries have the history and the lore of humanity at said sites – many have managed to get along fine in their own sweet and wild way.
There was a Punch magazine cartoon decades ago, featuring two uncouth slobs looking over a sylvan landscape in a rainbow of gorgeous colours. The text with it was one of them saying to the other something along the lines of "God, what a dump!". Us readers of this will not be those slobs, and will admire mountainous regions of China hiding giant pandas in their grasp, idyllic riverways that are home to copious endemic critters – or rare prehistoric rock engravings. These are the Raja Ampats of the world, not the armpits. And it's all well-judged; the bits of Australia that could be said to qualify are as big as India; the little visit to the Himalayas goes to a nicely-chosen corner.
As such then the case can definitely be made that this is pictorial in the wrong way – however artistic and however true-to-life the artworks may be they might always have been photos, and they do take up a lot of space here. But that's expected now from this range of books, which are still really quite wonderful for the armchair traveller. That said, the smallest room might be the better place to absorb these bitty little patches of perfection, in this little volume of pleasures. Finally, if you remain too worried about the state of the world's nature to contemplate places we've yet to ruin, bear in mind a lot of these entries have the history and the lore of humanity at said sites – many have managed to get along fine in their own sweet and wild way.
May 9, 2022
Sarah Baxter’s Wild Places is a beautiful little book with vivid illustrations by Amy Grimes. In Wild Places, Sarah describes around 25 locations that can aptly be described as wild. Some of them you’ve probably heard of like the Galapagos Islands, while others like Raja Ampat you may not have.
Each location has a brief but poetically described and informative write up, telling about any ancient mythology, the original inhabitants, the landscape, and the types of wildlife that could be found there. I learned a lot. In fact, I also Googled a lot while I was reading to see and learn more. It’s just that kind of book.
The places that struck my fancy were Bhutan because I know next to nothing about it and loved the fact that the people of Bhutan are nature-oriented and spiritual. I have a very large place in my heart for people who love nature and wish to preserve it as much as I do. Also, I never knew that the Green Belt in Germany existed nor that it came about after the fall of the Wall and was once the barrier between the East and West but is now being taken over by native species. It would probably suffice to say that there were not too many places that didn’t strike my fancy.
Amy Grimes illustrations are bold and beautiful, worthy of framing, and add an extra layer of magic to an already magical book.
The only thing I wished for were maps for each location. While Sarah does tell where the areas are, I wished I could see on a map where they were—thus, I did Google the locations for many of these places.
This book is for anyone who loves nature and places that, despite “progress,” are still wild.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Each location has a brief but poetically described and informative write up, telling about any ancient mythology, the original inhabitants, the landscape, and the types of wildlife that could be found there. I learned a lot. In fact, I also Googled a lot while I was reading to see and learn more. It’s just that kind of book.
The places that struck my fancy were Bhutan because I know next to nothing about it and loved the fact that the people of Bhutan are nature-oriented and spiritual. I have a very large place in my heart for people who love nature and wish to preserve it as much as I do. Also, I never knew that the Green Belt in Germany existed nor that it came about after the fall of the Wall and was once the barrier between the East and West but is now being taken over by native species. It would probably suffice to say that there were not too many places that didn’t strike my fancy.
Amy Grimes illustrations are bold and beautiful, worthy of framing, and add an extra layer of magic to an already magical book.
The only thing I wished for were maps for each location. While Sarah does tell where the areas are, I wished I could see on a map where they were—thus, I did Google the locations for many of these places.
This book is for anyone who loves nature and places that, despite “progress,” are still wild.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2022
Wild Places, written by Sarah Baxter and illustrated by Amy Grimes, is an absolute delight. The places here are "wild" yet enticing.
Come for the brief descriptions of each place, or come for the wonderful illustrations, either way you'll end up falling in love with both. The descriptions give both straightforward information about each place as well as offering a sense of, or feel for, each place. The pictures capture the essence of each location. Together they make the reader want to travel there, in real life or virtually.
Now that most of my traveling is virtual, this book served my interest very well. I looked up these places and read a little more and, more important for me, found more pictures of most places. Even looking at photographs was made more enjoyable by having read and seen the drawings in the book.
Highly recommended for those who may want to make an actual excursion as well as the many armchair travelers who will enjoy their trips as well.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Come for the brief descriptions of each place, or come for the wonderful illustrations, either way you'll end up falling in love with both. The descriptions give both straightforward information about each place as well as offering a sense of, or feel for, each place. The pictures capture the essence of each location. Together they make the reader want to travel there, in real life or virtually.
Now that most of my traveling is virtual, this book served my interest very well. I looked up these places and read a little more and, more important for me, found more pictures of most places. Even looking at photographs was made more enjoyable by having read and seen the drawings in the book.
Highly recommended for those who may want to make an actual excursion as well as the many armchair travelers who will enjoy their trips as well.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
June 19, 2022
How I adore this book and I have to admit, I got a little teary eyed reading it!
I'm an intrepid traveler who loves to get off the grid and discover remote corners of the world. I always travel with a journal, a tiny tin of watercolors and a handful of brushes and pens.
After being grounded for a couple of years, I'm so eager to get back out and explore. I've been to a number of the destinations in this book and I was so profoundly moved by both the written descriptions and the incredible illustrations, it was almost as if I was visiting each place, once again, in person.
I was also thrilled to learn this book was part of a series which somehow, I never knew about.
I've already ordered print copies of some of the books in the series to add to my personal library.
love. love. love.
I'm an intrepid traveler who loves to get off the grid and discover remote corners of the world. I always travel with a journal, a tiny tin of watercolors and a handful of brushes and pens.
After being grounded for a couple of years, I'm so eager to get back out and explore. I've been to a number of the destinations in this book and I was so profoundly moved by both the written descriptions and the incredible illustrations, it was almost as if I was visiting each place, once again, in person.
I was also thrilled to learn this book was part of a series which somehow, I never knew about.
I've already ordered print copies of some of the books in the series to add to my personal library.
love. love. love.
June 6, 2022
This book is more than just fantastic stories of special locations around the world. It is a bucket list of the most beautiful, unspoilt spots worthy of visiting if your desire is to get back to nature and experience the soul-soothing balm such places possess. Sarah Baxter's descriptions of each location makes the reader feel as if he/she is there with her. She has such a gift for teasing out the smallest detail and turning it into magic. A great little book, beautifully illustrated, as well, and worth your time if you want ideas on places to go or just appreciate the majesty from the comfort of your own home.
November 24, 2025
Favorite entries:
-Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
-Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
-South Georgia, Atlantic Ocean
-Kinabatangan, Malaysia
-Raja Ampat, Indonesia
-Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan
When I first started the book I read it chronologically and lost interest in it a little bit.
I found it much better to just go by interest. I got through it much quicker that way.
Googling stuff along the way made it so much more interesting too!
Just looking up the animals and plants was really inspiring! And getting a better feel for the actual visuals was interesting as well. The illustrations are so beautiful!
Really liked it.
-Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
-Kaieteur Falls, Guyana
-South Georgia, Atlantic Ocean
-Kinabatangan, Malaysia
-Raja Ampat, Indonesia
-Gangkhar Puensum, Bhutan
When I first started the book I read it chronologically and lost interest in it a little bit.
I found it much better to just go by interest. I got through it much quicker that way.
Googling stuff along the way made it so much more interesting too!
Just looking up the animals and plants was really inspiring! And getting a better feel for the actual visuals was interesting as well. The illustrations are so beautiful!
Really liked it.
July 6, 2022
Sixth in the series Inspired Traveller's Guides.
Travel to places you can only dream of visiting in their wild awe-inspiring natural beauty. The verbal descriptions are informative and viscerally attractive to adventurers and armchair travelers alike. These are decidedly the roads less traveled. Wonder full!
The illustrations by Amy Grimes are simple, colorful, and forthright. Every public library needs a copy!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion/White Lion Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
Travel to places you can only dream of visiting in their wild awe-inspiring natural beauty. The verbal descriptions are informative and viscerally attractive to adventurers and armchair travelers alike. These are decidedly the roads less traveled. Wonder full!
The illustrations by Amy Grimes are simple, colorful, and forthright. Every public library needs a copy!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion/White Lion Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!
August 6, 2024
"Non possiamo limitarci a dire che ci piace la natura selvaggia. Noi abbiamo bisogno della natura, abbiamo bisogno della sua dimensione e vastità, della sua solennità, dei misteri che custodisce. Un luogo selvaggio può recarci conforto, consolazione, in esso possiamo trovare un rifugio, un porto sicuro; un luogo selvaggio può fare le veci di un amico e rinfrancarci lo spirito, ricordandoci sempre che siamo poca cosa al suo cospetto."
Descrizioni meravigliose ed illustrazioni ancor più spettacolari: spero sia uno spunto per viaggi futuri!
Descrizioni meravigliose ed illustrazioni ancor più spettacolari: spero sia uno spunto per viaggi futuri!
June 3, 2022
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a nice book!
It's not quite what I expected. There are some beautiful drawings and information about some wild places - or places that are rather desolate. There's some interesting information about each location and where it is. It's fairly high level, but nice to look at.
Overall a nice book to flip through.
This is a nice book!
It's not quite what I expected. There are some beautiful drawings and information about some wild places - or places that are rather desolate. There's some interesting information about each location and where it is. It's fairly high level, but nice to look at.
Overall a nice book to flip through.
September 12, 2022
Beautifully illustrated and an interesting exploration of some of the world's wild places. I think the author does a good job showcasing the value of these places and highlighting their significance, and this is a beautiful addition to the travel series. It's a difficult balance to share appreciation for fragile places with others while not encouraging a flood of overtourism that would threaten the location's existence/wildness.
July 19, 2022
Highly recommend. Sarah Baxter’a Wild Places will inspire your travel bucket list. Some of the wild places described will be familiar to most readers. Some will be new. All are beautifully written and illustrated. All sparked my imagination. I loved this book.
Thank you to Net Galley and White Lion Publishing for the ARC.
Thank you to Net Galley and White Lion Publishing for the ARC.
June 5, 2022
A perfect book for an armchair explorer: gorgeous illustrations and interesting text.
I loved it and it made me travel to places.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I loved it and it made me travel to places.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
June 16, 2023
Burvīgi skaista grāmata par nepieradinātām vietām. Vietām, ko cilvēks ir mēģinājis postīt, izrakņāt, civilizēt un apdzīvot, bet beigās padevies, sapakojis mantiņas un aizvācies, ļaujot dabai darīt savu lietu vienā mieriņā. Fantastiskas ilustrācijas!
January 12, 2023
Lovely illustrations and unique places featured in this book. Definitely have added quite a few on my travel-list
September 5, 2023
Beautiful artwork accompanied by nice, interesting descriptions - a real treat!
April 24, 2024
I learned about many new places that I now want to go!
October 29, 2024
The illustrations are just gorgeous.
January 24, 2025
Another great one in this series.
January 31, 2025
Evocatively written, beautifully illustrated.
March 24, 2025
I loved learning about so many new-to-me places, and the illustrations were absolutely beautiful.
October 23, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, I would read about a few places each day, look them up after, helps you to appreciate the wondereous world and make you want to explore.
October 26, 2025
Beautiful book with beautiful writing about some enthralling wild places.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews