Dixe Wills
Dixe Wills is the author of a shelf-wearying host of books about Britain including The Z-Z of Great Britain, Tiny Islands and Tiny Churches. His volumes on the natural world include At Night, The Armchair Naturalist and The Wisdom of Nature. You’ll find more of his words in The Guardian’s Travel section where he muses on the joys of eco-friendly, outdoorsy, non-flying holidays. On account of his long-standing allergy to tuxedos, he's careful to ensure his output isn’t quite good enough to be nominated for awards, so do manage your expectations accordingly.
Recent articles by Dixe Wills
What is a trig point? Discover the secrets behind these odd pillars that dot the UK countryside
There are thousands of trig points all over the UK – but who built them, and for what purpose?
‘I’d have gone plummeting down the mountain without it’ – a hiking expert on the one thing to pack on your next trek
While wrongly regarded as being for 'old people', a pair of walking poles are an essential bit of kit for your next hiking trip
10 reasons why you shouldn't date a farmer
Farmers seem eminently eligible – they love the outdoors, are good with their hands and skilled with a quad bike – but what about those 4am starts?
This walking route might be better than the South West Coast Path – discover Devon and Cornwall’s best kept secret
Skirting the Devon and Cornwall border, the pretty Tamara Coast to Coast Way offers a peaceful alternative to the busier South West Coast Path. Dixe Wills satisfies his adventurous spirit on an 87-mile walk beside the River Tamar
Was Stonehenge built to unite early farming communities and defend their way of life against impending change? One expert thinks so
Why do sprouts make you fart?
The science behind the sprout's special talent for making people fart
Bitter, smelly, odd-looking and invited for Christmas – but here’s how Brussels sprouts could save your life
Humdrum, bitter and smelly? Wait – there’s more to Brussels Sprouts than you might think. Cast aside your preconceptions, urges our Brussels correspondent, Dixe Wills
Full moon names 2025: your month by month guide
The lunar calendar includes 12, or sometimes 13, full moons per year. Each moon has a different name - find out what they are called and where their names come from with our guide to full moons.
Discover Britain’s best seaside towns: 8 coastal gems you need to visit
We take a look at some of the UK's best seaside towns across the length and breadth of the country
The best UK UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit for unforgettable days out
Culturally remarkable and naturally significant, the UK now has over 30 World Heritage Sites.
Here are Dixe Wills’ essential picks to visit
Blenheim Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage Site and birthplace of Winston Churchill
Explore its rich history, architectural grandeur, and beautiful landscapes, making it one of the UK's most iconic stately homes.
Forth Bridge: Scotland's Victorian engineering marvel and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Completed in 1890, this iconic cantilever railway bridge spans the Firth of Forth and remains a symbol of Scotland's industrial heritage.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: London's botanical treasure and UNESCO World Heritage Site
The gardens are not only a haven for plant enthusiasts but also a vital centre for scientific research and education, making it a treasure of global importance.
Saltaire: A UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing 19th Century industrial innovation
A pioneers vision, renowned for its stunning Victorian architecture and rich industrial history.
St Kilda: A UNESCO World Heritage gem with Europe's largest seabird colony
Evacuated in 1930, it now offers visitors a glimpse into an isolated past and Europe's largest seabird colony.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: The UNESCO World Heritage Site that redefined civil engineering
Spanning the picturesque River Dee and showcases the remarkable intersection of natural beauty and human innovation.
New Lanark: A UNESCO World Heritage Site showcasing industrial innovation and social reform
Experience living history in Scotland's industrial heartland.
Ironbridge Gorge: The birthplace of the Industrial Revolution and a UNESCO World Heritage gem
Experience the legacy of innovation that changed the world...
Giant's Causeway: Northern Ireland's iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site and geological wonder
Discover Durham Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site with nearly 1000 years of history
Located above the River Wear, Durham Castle offers a unique glimpse into England's medieval past.
'Dorset Stonehenge' discovered under Thomas Hardy's home, plus five more amazing prehistoric finds
The Neolithic site, discovered in the garden of Max Gate in Dorchester, has been given protected status
Stonehenge: 6 bamboozling facts about the planet’s most famous prehistoric monument
Discover 6 facts you probably didn't know about Stonehenge
15 highest mountains in Wales
A quick guide to the highest mountains in Wales, from the dizzying summits of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and Carnedd Llewelyn to the iconic tops of Tryfan, Crib Goch and Glyder Fach.
Tryfan mountain was used by Sir Edmund Hillary as an Everest training ground – here's how to climb the iconic Welsh peak
A Grade 1 scramble with more than 600m of ascent makes this a challenging yet rewarding climb.