UKC

What are the best guidebooks for Northumberland trad and bouldering? Should I get the two separate John Earl books or does Northern Rock have a good enough coverage for someone climbing f6's and up to E2?

Also if anyone is selling these books second hand drop me a PM.

Depends on how often you'll use the books or books.

The local book has a the all routes listed, and a lot of small crags probably not worth travelling the length of the country for. 

NR has the main crags, and all but the more obscure (crap) routes on these crags shown. And all of the of the worst stupid sandbag grades changed. It has, in my view, better route descriptions and overall topo info. No boldering tho 

If you want bouldering, get the bouldering book. There's not really another option afaik

Hopefully this is helpfull, can't really decide for you 😉

Steady on, Northern Rock does include bouldering coverage. Howlerhirst, Callerhues highballs, Kyloe In, Back Bowden and Bowden all have good bouldering circuits described. Northern Rock would cater to Ben's grade range very well, I think.

Thanks. I'll look at it again. I eyes must have glazed over those bits. 

Northern Rock, unless you're living there.

Fwiw I'd buy the 2 local books - you're going to spend more than they cost on petrol to get there and campsite fees when you do. Plus it's always good to support the local effort.

I think the Wired guides support and work in collaboration with the local guide book groups . 

The Northumberland section of NR was written by the same Northumbrian MC membership as the two definitives. The NMC also gets all of its share of the income (after production costs) from NR sales as Wired can have no income; therefore buying either the two NMC books or NR is still 100% supporting the efforts of local unpaid volunteer guidebook authors.