The Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize is awarded annually to the book which most successfully reflects the ethos of renowned nature writer Alfred Wainwright’s work, to inspire readers to explore the outdoors and to nurture a respect for the natural world.

This year’s longlist features a children’s book for the first time and a book by two-time Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize winner John Lewis-Stempel.

Here are the longlisted books for 2018:

• 21st Century Yokel by Tom Cox
• Hidden Nature by Alys Fowler
• Outskirts by John Grindrod
• Islander by Patrick Barkham
• The Secret Life of Cows by Rosamund Young
• Owl Sense by Miriam Darlington
• The Dun Cow Rib by John Lister-Kaye
• The Last Wilderness by Neil Ansell
• The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
• The Seabird’s Cry by Adam Nicolson
• The Wood by John Lewis-Stempel
• A Wood of One’s Own by Ruth Pavey
• The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris

Chair of judges, Julia Bradbury comments: ‘Time spent outdoors in nature and green spaces is well known to have a positive impact on our physical health and mental wellbeing. I feel that these books play a vital role in encouraging people to get out there to enjoy and appreciate our natural world up close. It’s a privilege to help to recognize and promote nature writing and the fantastic authors and illustrators working in this genre’

The prize is supported by White Lion Publishing, publisher of the Wainwright Guides, Wainwright Golden Beer, the Wainwright estate and in partnership with the National Trust. The winner will receive a cheque for £5000.

The 2018 shortlist will be announced on 5 July, with the winner to be revealed on 2 August and receive a cheque for £5000. Find out more about the Wainwright Golden Beer Book Prize here.