The Lake District: The Ultimate Guide, by Gordon Readyhough. Hayloft, Kirkby Stephen, 2004. £25.

THIS is a hefty book that is jam-packed with easy-to-access information.

Eleven years in the making, Gordon Readyhough's book chiefly consists of an A to Z of everything that is notable in the national park.

From Aaron Crags to Youdell Tarn, people, places and activities are listed in a considerable distillation of learning.

The scope of knowledge that is condensed into its 515 pages is amply demonstrated by the bibliography, which runs to no less than 135 references.

Clear, unambiguous information with a predilection for dates, heights and map references makes for a superbly useful reference work.

This is not, however, a book most people would enjoy as bedside reading.

The layout, despite being lightened by the inclusion of regular and original drawings, is very text heavy with little relief.

Those who persevere or browse further than the main listings, will find some of the most fascinating chunks of the book.

An interesting glossary of Lakeland language includes more commonly understood words like brock' for badger' but extends to the more obscure, such as hest' (horse) and snarker' (snake).

There follows a series of lists of islands, lakes, tarns, waterfalls, mines and quarries, all of which will be of interest to the keen fact hunter.

Most Cumbrias know the highest mountain in the Lake District, indeed all of England, is Scafell Pike.

But less common, perhaps, is the knowledge that the deepest tarn is close to the drowned village of Mardale - Blea Tarn at 68m (223ft).

All in all, an authoritative reference book but better for browsing than bedtime.