Tratman Award 2023

The Tratman Award is presented annually to the best caving-related, paper-based publication in memory of E.K. Tratman, to recognise excellence in writing and presentation, encompassing aspects such as the subject’s importance, readability, the quality of the photographs and surveys, the printing and binding and – in short – any aspect that the judges consider applicable.

For 2023 the judges were presented with so much fine work there was much dissent over which title should gain the final accolade. As one of the judges commented of the winner: ‘this is an excellent book, informative, lively, well-presented, thoroughly engrossing and extremely enjoyable, with a commendable layout, production values and image reproduction.’ The accolade goes to Pioneers Beneath the Peak by Martin Wright.

For the full list of citations click HERE and for past winners click HERE (opens new windows).

Ordering for destinations outside the UK

Orders outside the UK

Wild Places has always included postage costs within the quoted price for each item, with drop-down option boxes for different destinations (typically, the UK and ‘outside UK’). We regret that increasing costs and difficulties with posting goods to destinations outside the UK mean that we have removed the option to order from other countries from the product pages, other than for our own books. However, if you wish to purchase any item and no option shows for your delivery destination, please ask and we will quote for the additional postage.

For reasons stated below, we cannot now normally accept orders from the EU, but for these and other international orders, please read the following notes.

EU customers

Following Brexit, in 2021 new customs documentation came into force and the EU removed exemptions for tax and customs duty on low value items posted from the UK to the EU. VAT at your EU country’s current rate plus a post office handling charge is now applied on delivery.

In 2025 the required documentation added an Entry Summary Declaration / Safety and Security Declaration, requiring a risk analysis and contact details of an EU-based agent – while the former is easy (do not drop book on foot, beware of paper cuts) the latter is simply too expensive to comply with. In short, we are no longer able to post goods to the EU.

Nevertheless, and bearing in mind the additional VAT and handling charges (which, to be clear, Wild Places is unable to cover), if you still wish to make a purchase please contact us for the latest information and options in this area of constant change.

We apologise for these limitations, which are entirely outside our control.

Other international customers

The restrictions on posting to the EU do not apply to other international destinations. However, if any customs or tax is applicable in your country, you are responsible for this on delivery (Wild Places cannot advise on local charges or laws).

International postage charges from the UK have increased enormously in recent years and this is a continuing trend. We have removed the drop-down option for most overseas destinations, as continuously updating these prices is too time-intensive for the many second-hand books we carry. However, please ask and we will quote on an individual basis for non-EU destinations and where possible combine books to obtain the best rate possible. To arrive at this price we take off the (otherwise included) UK postage charge then add the international postage charge at cost.

NOTE: Norway and Switzerland are outside the EU and come into this category of postal destinations.

Definitions

The timing of placing goods on sale and their definition has a bearing on which of these we are permitted to post to some destinations. To satisfy any enquiry, please note that all new products on this website were placed on the market before 13 December 2024. Our second-hand books are considered to be collectable.

Delivery

Please see our FAQs relating to deliveries, and the Delivery page linked from the bottom of each item’s page, before placing your order if time is important.

Stock allocation