A limited edition book has been produced to mark Cicerone's 50 years

One of the best known publishers in the outdoor world is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

Kendal-based Cicerone was founded by two married couples, Walt and Dorothy Unsworth and Brian and Aileen Evans, with its first guidebooks published in 1969, the year of the first moon landings.

The guides to the Northern Lake District and Ben Nevis and Glen Coe have been followed by hundreds of subsequent books, covering walking, climbing and other outdoor activities in the UK, Europe and farther afield.

The company, which started life in Milnthorpe and is now owned by Jonathan and Lesley Williams, is celebrating its golden anniversary with a major competition, offering a range of prizes aimed at trekkers, walkers and cyclists.

Top prize in each category is an overseas trip provided by KE Adventure Travel. There is also outdoor gear on offer to winners, including clothing, packs, a tent, boots and even a bike. The walkers’ competition also has a year’s subscription to the grough route mapping and route-planning system as a prize.

Cicerone is also teaming up with two charities, with £1 being donated for each book sold through its website during its anniversary year. The beneficiaries are the Bendrigg Trust, which helps disabled and disadvantaged people of any age experience the outdoors; and the Juniper Trust, which will work with Cicerone to rebuild a damaged school in Nepal.

The publishing company has also produced a limited-edition hardback book, Fifty Years of Adventure, to mark its anniversary. The book has contributions from many Cicerone regulars and also details the history of the company from its origins in two Cumbrian cottages to its recent move to modern offices on the outskirts of Kendal.

Cicerone kicked off its anniversary celebrations at last month’s Adventure Travel Show in London, and plans events throughout 2019.

Details of the Cicerone competition are on the publisher’s website.