The Great North Road is part of British folklore, the Route 66 of Britain, except instead of gas stations and diners we have magnificent coaching inns, part of the living history of our islands. Taking in the history of these buildings (including a feature on highwaymen, who often concealed themselves in secret rooms and tunnels in these inns,) as well as the literature that has celebrated them - from Charles Dickens through to J B Priestley - Roger Protz describes these coaching houses with an expert and discerning eye, producing not only a great pub guide but a gazetteer of the history and culture that are draped along this iconic road.

Roger Protz is a campaigner and broadcaster and the author of over 25 books about beer and brewing. He appears regularly in the media and was recently the subject of a BBC Radio 4 Food Show special. Roger currently edits CAMRA's market-leading Good Beer Guide.