PUT your best foot forward and stride out on the toe of England . . . and there are few better companions to take on a walk on the dramatic Penwith peninsula than the latest in the 'Pocket Cornwall' series.

'Walking Penwith' is written by the acclaimed photographer David Chapman and offers his favourite walks. Each includes not just superb photographs and a clear, unfussy map, but also details of distance, time and — vitally — the timings so as not to be caught out by shifting tides.

No visit to Penwith would be complete without taking in the visually stunning, light-bathed town of St Ives. Two of the walks take in that artists' and tourists' haven — one from Trevalgan and another from Trencrom. At almost nine miles and seven miles respectively, they both take the walkers along the coast and venture inland to explore more of the granite kingdom — the latter walk includes a mausoleum built by St Ives' 18th century collector of customs, John Knill, who was born in Callington. He intended to be buried in his mausoleum but fate's fickle finger saw him expire in London and his resting place is far from his home county. Not forgotten, though, his will left money for the structure's upkeep and for joyful celebrations in the town every five years.

For a more placid, inland walk, try St Erth to the Hayle Estuary, along the river of which, Chapman's photographs show a golden embankment of reeds, home to many birds.

In the same series is Paul Lightfoot's 'Exploring the Fowey Valley'. The town, now forever connected with the author Daphne Du Maurier, is best viewed from one of Cornwall's most famous walks, the 'Hall Walk', from where, seen across the River Fowey, the town's houses clamber up the valley sides.

Away from the sought after town, the walks venture inland to Bodmin Moor, often appearing bleak but containing some soft lushness within its heart, as at Cardinham Woods and along the Warleggan River.

Another charming walk is in and around Lerryn — a photograph in the book shows a boat, dwarfed by towering valley trees, being rowed up a tranquil river.

'Walking Penwith' by David Chapman and 'Exploring the Fowey Valley' by Paul Lightfoot, are published by Alison Hodge Publishers, of Penzance, and are priced £5 each.

Colin Brent