Neil Matthews

Neil Matthews has written books on history and travel and is the co-author of several guidebooks. 'Victorians and Edwardians abroad: the beginning of the modern holiday' (2016) tells the story of one of Britain's leading modern travel agencies, the Polytechnic Touring Association. 'Journeys from Wimbledon Common' (2012) is a travelogue of the places from which the Wombles, some of the best-loved characters in children's literature and TV, got their names. Neil's first guidebook ‘The Chilterns and the Thames Valley’ (2nd edition published in 2025, with Helen Matthews) explores one of Britain’s quirkiest and most beautiful regions. Neil and Helen also wrote ‘Heritage Weekends: 52 breaks exploring Britain’s past’ (2022), which covers 52 places in England, Scotland, Wales, Jersey and the Isle of Man that are wonderful examples of natural, architectural, industrial or cultural heritage. Neil and Helen also updated 'Freedom Pass London' (by Mike Pentelow and Peter Arkell) for a new edition published in 2024. Their next title 'Historic Weekends Scotland', to be published in the UK in October 2026, explores Scottish historical and cultural sites.