We were thrilled to be invited to create the illustrated map for The Real Abbot’s Way, a beautifully written book by Nick Pannell that guides readers on a pilgrimage across the wild heart of Dartmoor.
This wasn’t just any map – it was a visual storytelling project steeped in history, landscape and spiritual journeying. Nick’s writing captures the essence of the Abbot’s Way – a long-distance route believed to have been walked by monks travelling between the great abbeys of Buckfast and Tavistock – and our role was to translate that essence into a visual that could live at the heart of the book.
The Creative Process
Working closely with Nick, we immersed ourselves in the route – not just the geography, but the significance of the places along the way. From Bronze Age ruins and ancient stone crosses to reservoirs and remote tors, every feature had a story. The goal was to honour the terrain while making the journey accessible to the reader, whether they were walking it themselves or travelling with Nick in spirit.
We began by exploring how to capture the sweep of the moorland while maintaining clarity and narrative flow. Dartmoor is not a flat place – in terms of elevation, emotion or atmosphere – so it was important to strike the right balance between simplicity and texture.
A Map with Soul
What emerged is a map that’s both informative and inviting – rich with hand-drawn elements and rooted in the lived experience of the landscape. Each cross was carefully rendered by Nicks friend to echo its weathered presence in the landscape and then passed to us to include. Forests, rivers, tors and ruins are illustrated in a way that complements the text, inviting the reader to trace the path and imagine the experience of walking it.
Nick’s vision was always at the centre. His passion for Dartmoor and the spiritual significance of the route made this collaboration something truly special. It wasn’t about accuracy alone (though of course, the map is carefully researched) – it was about evoking the quiet magic of the moor.
The Final Piece
Seeing the map in print, surrounded by Nick’s words and the wild sweep of Dartmoor photography, was a proud moment. It’s a reminder that illustration can do more than show where something is – it can give a sense of what it means to be there.
Whether you’re a seasoned pilgrim, a Dartmoor local, or simply curious about this ancient path, we hope the map offers a moment of connection – and a little nudge to explore.
The book is available to purchase: https://www.bridgebookshop.co.uk/gift-books/p/the-real-abbotss-way-by-nick-pannell
