Gateway to the Lakes

Synopsis

Julia Bradbury follows in the footsteps of legendary guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright by walking across the whole of northern England from the west to the east coast.

This was Wainwright's last great venture and has become his greatest legacy - a beautifully simple proposition, linking three national parks that lie between the Irish and the North Sea.

36 years after its creation, Julia is off, through sunshine, wind and rain to cross the changing landscape, understand the history and meet the people that make up almost 200 miles of northern England.

Enthusiasm and expectation are high as Julia begins her grand adventure at the western extremity of northern England, St Bees Head. The coast of west Cumbria is an oft-forgotten industrial strip lying just outside the Lake District, but as Julia reaches the doorway to Wainwright's favourite playground, the weather deteriorates quickly, leaving her no choice but to tackle her first Lakeland valley in appalling conditions.

Credits

Presenter

Julia Bradbury

Producer

Owen Rodd

Executive Producer

Eric Harwood

Broadcasts

1. Thu 9 Apr 2009
   20:30
   BBC Four
2. Thu 9 Apr 2009
   20:30
   BBC HD
3. Fri 10 Apr 2009
   02:00
   BBC Four
4. Sun 12 Apr 2009
   21:30
   BBC Four
5. Wed 15 Apr 2009
   19:30
   BBC Four
6. Wed 15 Apr 2009
   22:00
   BBC Four
7. Sun 17 May 2009
   17:00
   BBC HD
8. Tue 21 Jul 2009
   22:00
   BBC Two (except Northern Ireland (Analogue), Wales (Analogue))