Travel & Exploration Books

Venture into our travel and exploration books, covering polar and mountain expeditions, sailing narratives and vintage guidebooks. Our Scottish Books collection is worth a look too, since a good number of our travel titles focus on Scotland specifically.

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Travel & exploration books: journeys from the armchair to the ends of the earth

“To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.”

— Robert Louis Stevenson

What makes someone sail into open water with no certainty of what lies past the horizon, or cross ice on supplies that won't stretch to the return journey? Travel and exploration books put you inside that decision, written by people who'd actually made it rather than imagined it.

The collection covers genuine expedition narratives, from polar and mountain journeys to circumnavigation and long sea voyages, alongside colonial-era exploration history and accounts like Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki and Aku-Aku. A large part of the collection is Scottish travel writing and guidebooks specifically, so if that's your main interest, there's plenty here beyond the wider world titles.

Every book is inspected and photographed individually, and condition is described honestly rather than glossed over. New stock is added regularly, so it's worth checking back.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of travel and exploration books do you stock?

We stock polar and mountain expedition accounts, sailing and circumnavigation narratives, colonial-era exploration history, and vintage guidebooks, plus much more.

Are these first-hand accounts or later histories?

Both. Many are written by the explorers and travellers themselves, while others are histories written afterwards, and we describe which in each listing.

Do you have Scottish travel books specifically?

Yes, Scotland is one of the strongest themes in this collection, and our Scottish Books collection covers Scottish history and fiction in more depth too.

Can I see the condition before I buy?

We photograph each book closely so you can see its binding, pages and wear before you buy. Condition varies with age and history, and anything worth knowing is noted in the listing.

Do you have books that would make a good gift for someone who loves travel?

Yes, our Travel Book Gifts collection is built specifically for that, and we're happy to help you find the right one if you get in touch.

Do you have books about specific explorers or expeditions, like Shackleton or Kon-Tiki?

Yes, well-known expeditions and voyages are represented alongside lesser-known ones, so it's worth browsing the full collection rather than searching for one name.

How old are the books in this collection?

It varies from Victorian and early twentieth-century expedition accounts through to more recent travel writing, so there's a real range depending on whether you want genuine age or a more modern read.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, we ship to the UK and worldwide, and orders over £50 within the UK qualify for free delivery.

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