Transport for Wales has announced a creative new literary partnership that will see acclaimed author and broadcaster Jon Gower embark on a journey across the country to capture the spirit, history and soul of Wales through its rail and bus network.

Gower, who has written more than 40 books, will act as Transport for Wales’ first ever ‘author in residence’. Over the coming months he will travel extensively across the Wales and Borders network, uncovering stories, folklore, natural history and cultural insights from the places and communities he visits. The ambitious project will blend travel writing with heritage, myth, and local voices to paint a rich portrait of modern and historic Wales.

The resulting book, titled The Great Book of Wales, is scheduled for publication in late 2026 by the H’mm Publishing Foundation, an organisation dedicated to championing the importance of arts and culture in everyday life. It aims to serve as a literary celebration of Wales, showcasing the nation through its landscapes, settlements and public transport links.

James Williams, Head of Media at TfW said: “Storytelling has always been at the heart of Welsh culture and our rail and bus networks have many tales to tell. Spanning throughout the country and into the Borders, our public transport network connects communities, towns and people. Travelling on our new trains and buses, Jon will explore Wales and weave together interesting stories about what he’s seen and who he’s met along the way. We’re looking forward to working with Jon, promoting Wales and our public transport network, and helping create ‘The Great Book of Wales’.”

Jon Gower added: “I am simply delighted to be working with Transport for Wales in this way, gathering stories as I travel the length and breadth of the network, by train and bus. I guess my special qualification is that my father, Des was a railwayman and so was his brother Derek and I spent a lot of time as a child on and around trains. I’ve been fortunate enough to work in Wales for all of my adult life and it never fails to amaze me that just when you think you know this small country well you’ll be reminded there’s a discovery to make around every corner.”

Ali Anwar, Director of the H’mm Foundation said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work in partnership with Transport for Wales and Jon Gower on this new and very exciting project. We will collect these amazing stories, histories and accounts of a very special country and publish them in ‘The Great Book of Wales’.”

With its blend of cultural exploration and public transport storytelling, the project aims to inspire both visitors and residents to discover more of Wales and appreciate the important role rail and bus journeys play in connecting its communities and heritage.

Image: Transport for Wales