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ROB COWEN

@robcowen.bsky.social
2.5K followers 73 following 102 posts

Author of THE NORTH ROAD (2025) // COMMON GROUND (2015) // THE HEEDING (2021) // and others... Writer // journalist // poet

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Doug Wept @thiefoftime.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
@robcowen.bsky.social absolute belter this, thank you!
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Seán Costello @seanjcostello.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Greatly enjoyed seeing @robcowen.bsky.social talking about The North Road at Helmsley Arts Centre tonight. Looking forward to embarking on the book itself.
A copy of The Great North Road by Rob Cowen
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Carole Bruce @cabruce.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I’m listening to this book read by its author @robcowen.bsky.social It’s astonishing! Layer upon layer of poetic prose and hard fact, it’s like reaching down to the soul of the land and its tracks, Rob’s personal story makes us contemplate our own and the roads we live by and have traveled. So good!
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Helen Shair - Authors In Oundle @authorsinoundle.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
www.ticketsource.com/authors-in-o...
ticketsource.com
Rob Cowen – The North Road: A journey through time, place and memory at The Whitwell Room, The Talbot Hotel
Tickets are now available for Rob Cowen – The North Road: A journey through time, place and memory at The Whitwell Room, The Talbot Hotel, Oundle on Wed 30 Sep 2026. Click the link for further informa...
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Ken Wilson @therealkenwilson.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
readingandwalking.ca/2026/08/04/3...
readingandwalking.ca
38. Rob Cowen, The North Road
When I read a review of Rob Cowen’s The North Road in The Guardian last winter, I knew I had to read it. A study of a highway? On foot? Yes! Of course I was interested. My first book, Walking…
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On Viewless Wings @onviewlesswings.bsky.social · 06/01/2026
I agree. But this is good. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/a...
theguardian.com
The North Road by Rob Cowen review – the poetry and pain of Britain’s backbone
A beautifully written study of our longest numbered route, the A1, is full of rich asides and haunting explorations, conjuring the visual pleasure of a road movie
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Folk on Foot @folkonfoot.com · 07/07/2026
Now, it's time for a taster of the next episode of Folk on Foot, featuring Rob Cowen and Johnny Flynn. The episode is out on Friday 17th July, but you can get a taster right now on this month's Chart Show. Watch here: youtu.be/oUud4tKckAE?...
Screenshot of Rob Cowen & Johnny Flynn singing in the woods on the upcoming episode of Folk on Foot.
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Bob Fry @bobfry.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I recommend this podcast. The wonder of Thornborough henges & the writing of Rob Cowen & the songs of Johnny Flynn. Do your ears a favour.
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Folk on Foot @folkonfoot.com · 24/07/2026
🍺 On our walk with @robcowen.bsky.social at the Thornborough Henges, @johnnyflynnmusic.bsky.social recalls a close encounter with one of his favourite poets - Edward Thomas. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/44c958
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Folk on Foot @folkonfoot.com · 25/07/2026
Rob Cowen’s evocative description of the Thornborough Henges, re-imagined by the artist Imogen Taylor in this lovely animation. Find out more in our latest episode here: pod.fo/e/44c958 @robcowen.bsky.social @johnnyflynnmusic.bsky.social
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Folk on Foot @folkonfoot.com · 21/07/2026
On our walk with @robcowen.bsky.social at the ancient Thornborough Henges in Yorkshire, @johnnyflynnmusic.bsky.social conjures “The Ghost of O’Donahue”. 👻🎶 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/44c958
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Folk on Foot @folkonfoot.com · 22/07/2026
Sitting in the centre of one of the ancient Thornborough Henges, @johnnyflynnmusic.bsky.social sings “Murmuration”. It’s one of many highlights of our walk with Johnny and award winning author, @robcowen.bsky.social. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: pod.fo/e/44c958
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Folk on Foot @folkonfoot.com · 19/07/2026
⭕ Why are the Thornborough Henges in Yorkshire so special? @robcowen.bsky.social explains as we walk with him and @johnnyflynnmusic.bsky.social in our new episode, out now. 🎧Listen at pod.fo/e/44c958
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Helen Shair - Authors In Oundle @authorsinoundle.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Hi Rob, this is the link to your event on my website: www.authorsinoundle.co.uk/aio-event/ro... Please add this link to your website, and feel free to share my social media posts and add your own. Thank you!
authorsinoundle.co.uk
Rob Cowen – The North Road: A journey through time, place and memory. | Authors in Oundle
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Folk on Foot @folkonfoot.com · 17/07/2026
🆕 New episode out now. Join us on a journey back to Neolithic times, as the award-winning author @robcowen.bsky.social and his friend, the actor and singer @johnnyflynnmusic.bsky.social, walk, talk, sing and play at the ancient Thornborough Henges in Yorkshire. 🎧 Listen here: pod.fo/e/44c958
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Auntie Jellyfish @auntiejellyfish.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
There's a lot of walking in my list for #30DaysWild book a day. For Day 23 it is up the A1 aka 'The North Road' by @robcowen.bsky.social because it was definitely outdoors and a wild ride for this reader which has helped me read many layered landscapes better.
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Rob Chapman @scribblerrob.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
One of the most beautiful things that Beverley Martyn (as was) did in this life was offer shelter and solace and hugs to Nick Drake when he was at his most adrift and unrooted. The demos she faithfully kept and which finally saw the light of day on this were a revelation. We should all be grateful.
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Andrew Furlow @andrewfurlow.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
I finished The North Road by @robcowen.bsky.social today - it was absolutely astonishing and very moving. Also excellently read by Rob too. Hard recommend!
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Sue from SE5 @suefromse5.bsky.social · 23/04/2026
#genealogy #GenHour Am reading The North Road by Rob Cowen. And this passage, although about archaeology, is true of genealogy too. I'm working most days on husband's Irish tree and last night I was explaining how I'd proved that Mary really was living with her uncle Hugh in 1901 and 1911, ...
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Thanks @hannahrosewoods.bsky.social - coming from a talent such as you, this is lovely to read.
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Thanks so much, Graeme. Means a lot from you, sir.
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Nige Tassell @nigetassell.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
In some places, out now! (Waterstones, Worcester, yesterday...)
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
Thanks so much!
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
Out in paperback this Thursday. #TheNorthRoad #TheRoadRemembers
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En Björn @nollbok.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Post 15 books you read in 2025 that you recommend. One book per day for 15 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no expectations, just covers. #booksky
Bokomslag: The North Road, Rob Cowen
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Katharine Norbury @katharinenorbury.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
@kathyburke.bsky.social It has over 10,000 signatures already! 100,000 and they’ll debate it in Parliament. 🌊
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LovePaddington @pdt.org.uk · 12/02/2026
Free discussion on the stories and nature that are hidden within our cities, with award winning author @robcowen.bsky.social Thurs 26th Feb 7-9pm Maison and Fifth, Woodfield Road W9 #nature #london
Free discussion on the stories and nature that are hidden within our cities, with award winning author @robcowen.bsky.social Thurs 26th Feb 7-9pm Maison and Fifth, Woodfield Road W9
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Thanks so much @andrewfurlow.bsky.social
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
The case for Donald Trump being a Russian asset looks pretty nailed on now, doesn’t it?
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Alison Lear @aslear.bsky.social · 12/10/2025
Just finished this incredibly powerful, moving and thought provoking book. ‘The North Road’ By @robcowen.bsky.social The history, the geography, the memories, the personal stories, just brilliant! I’ve never read a book quite like it. I highly recommend! 📘📖 @stanfordstravel.bsky.social 📚
The North Road by Rob Cowen
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Geoff Smith @drgeoffsmith.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Just spent a glorious hour at the #Cambridge Literary Festival listening to @robcowen.bsky.social & @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social discuss Rob's new book The North Road. I do love a book that starts with a map & great to hear satellite images were part of the process. @josefaschbacher.esa.int #eochat
Rob Cowen and Robert Mac Farlane on stage at the Cambridge Literary Festival April 2025.
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Truman Books @trumanbooks.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
#farsleylitfest #leeds Join us for an evening of discovery with award-winning writer @robcowen.bsky.social as he takes us on an unforgettable exploration of Britain’s great highway, the A1. Be captivated by stories about his genre-defying book 'The North Road'. trumanbooks.co.uk/events
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Geoff Smith @drgeoffsmith.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
What an appropriate place to finish the last few chapters of @robcowen.bsky.social excellent book, The North Road. From #Cambrdge to the historic Netherbow Port & Calton Hill by the modern A1 in #Edinburgh. Routes, maps, journeys, & stories make us. @edfringe.bsky.social @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social
Calton Hill sign boardThe A1 in Edinburgh.The site of Netherbow Port.The world's end.
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Thanks so much @tania55.bsky.social !! Great taste that @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social
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Alison Lear @aslear.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
Struggling to find your next read? Here’s a few for your list! 📚📖 Head to @stanfordstravel.bsky.social and seek them out 🤗 @robcowen.bsky.social @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social @shafikmeghji.bsky.social @guyshrubsole.bsky.social
Travel and Nature Writing
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Ilkley Literature Festival @ilkleylitfest.bsky.social · 24/07/2025
Last week @robcowen.bsky.social delighted Friends of the Festival with a lively conversation on his latest book, The North Road. We also gave our Friends a sneak preview of this year's festival line up (they've promised to keep quiet 🤫). The rest of you will just have to wait until 14 August!
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hushupimreading.bsky.social @hushupimreading.bsky.social · 15/07/2025
The North Road by @robcowen.bsky.social is a bargain 99p on Kindle today #affiliatelink #booksky amzn.to/46aYRyu
amzn.to
The North Road: A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week
The North Road: A BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week eBook : Cowen, Rob: Amazon.co.uk: Books
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 03/07/2025
Hugely honoured to find out that #TheNorthRoad has been longlisted for the @wainwrightprize.bsky.social 😁😁❤️
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 16/06/2025
Thank you! What a view from where to follow the road…
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Andrew Male @andrewmale.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
How the world might have been different if Nick Drake was a dog owner rather than a dope smoker.
Poo bag sticker that reads “3 bags left”.
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Newark Book Festival @newarkbookfestival.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
We're starting to reach sold-out status on quite a few of our events for this year's programme... But these two are definitely sold out 👏 🌟 Rob Cowen - The North Road  🌟 Newark Town Centre Tree Walk
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
Irreplaceable habitats are on the line. This is the reality if an unamended Part 3 of the Bill passes. It must not.
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
What did we do to deserve this government? It promised change, and many people voted on that basis, in good faith. But the change is from bad to worse. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Revealed: 5,000 English nature sites at risk under Labour’s planning proposals
Exclusive: Planning bill includes mechanism for developers to ‘pay to pollute’ valuable ecosystems, experts warn
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Alice Flinta @aliceflinta.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
"It's the sudden jolt of finding yourself at the margins where humans and nature step outside the neat categories we give them" 📖 Rob Cowen, Common Ground, Windmill Books, 2015 #booksky #nature #Yorkshire
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Thanks so much Andrew. Me too!
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
The North Road playlist is up on Spotify. Close to 6 hours of the songs and music that accompanied the journey and shaped the writing. More than this, it echoes the unfolding chapters. A listen along for anyone reading the book. Perfect for a Bank Holiday. 😁 open.spotify.com/playlist/1RD...
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Marian L Thorpe: writer & birder @marianlthorpe.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Newly ordered from Blackwells, because they so nicely deliver to Canada with the postage built into the price (which stops me from wincing...) I did try my local indie bookstore first, but they don't have it even in their 'can be ordered' lists.
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
C’est bon, non?
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ROB COWEN @robcowen.bsky.social · 17/05/2025
Thought I couldn’t love Springsteen more.
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Clemency Cooper @clemencycooper.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
An inspiring listen ahead of #OutAndAboutArchaeology @archaeologyuk.bsky.social www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
The North Road by Rob Cowen - Episode 1 - The Dig - BBC Sounds
An archaeological dig alongside a busy highway inspires a journey through place and time.
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