ITV - Best Walks with a View With Julia Bradbury(2016)

Expert walker Julia Bradbury has spent years wandering Britain’s countryside discovering some of its most beautiful and spectacular landscapes. In this series, Julia chooses her favourite, most accessible family treks in search of the perfect walk with a view which anyone can do in a lovely morning or afternoon ramble.

Part 1: Anglesey: The Coastal Walk
Heading out beside the Menai Straits overlooking Snowdonia, Julia’s costal walk uncovers the birth place of Land-Rover and ends on the romantic Llanddwyn Island, home of Wales’s own female St Valentine and a lighthouse cove with stunning sea views. Teetering on the North Wales Coast, Julia traces the coastal waters of the Menai Straits, helping to save lobsters and meeting local mussel and oyster pickers, getting to taste them in a sunset beach picnic at the climax of her walk. On route, Julia also seeks out the lost prototype of the first ever Land-rover which locals believe maybe buried in the Anglesey sand-dunes where its inventor first put it through trials almost 70 years ago.


Part 2: The Lake District: The Borrowdale Walk.
A haven for the adventurous in England’s wettest, greenest valley, Julia heads for one of her favourite fells – the much-loved and rugged little peak, Castle Crag. Setting off from Rosthwaite, a small village in the jaws of Borrowdale, Julia takes in the history and landscape of the surrounding fells: from the miners and farmers that work this land, to the many sportsmen and adventurers who have called this place home – the likes of record fell runner Billy Bland and early 20th century adventurer Millican Dalton. The climax of this gorgeous valley walk sees Julia head up the much-cherished fell, Castle Crag.


Part 3: Golden Cap, Dorset
Julia heads to West Dorset, near the home of hit ITV series Broadchurch, for a three-hill walk that starts with the iconic Colmer’s Hill and ends with spectacular views of the Jurassic Coast from the top of Golden Cap – the highest point on England’s South Coast. From the Domesday village of Symondsbury, near the trendy country town of Bridport, Julia follows the ancient in-land drovers route, including a climb up the iconic and ever popular, Colmer’s Hill. The walk takes her through the ancient and infamous Dorset Holloways, and culminates with a climb to the highest point on England’s south-coast, Golden Cap. At 191 metres, the views from here across the Jurassic Coast - the only Natural World Heritage Site in England – are truly spectacular. It’s an unforgettable walk ending with fish and chips in a pub with sea views across Lyme Bay.


Part 4: The High Cup Walk, Cumbria
Hidden beneath the hulking great Pennines, Julia sets off from the ancient village of Dufton in search of one of Britain’s best kept secrets – the Grand Canyon of the North, a magnificent hanging glaciated valley, that’s been 500 million years in the making. A true highlight of the Pennine Way, it was described by walking legend, Alfred Wainwright, as a ‘natural wonder’ and ‘unforgettable sight’. Along her route, Julia meets a family of Olympic rake makers, learns about the notorious Helm wind – the only British wind deemed worthy of a name - and meets Mike Hartley, the current record holder of the Pennine Way, who ran the whopping 268 miles in under three days! It’s then on to High Cup Nick, at the top the impressive glaciated valley, with mesmerizing views over High Cup Gill. With over 16 million people visiting the nearby Lake District each year, and just 6000 getting up to High Cup - the Grand Canyon of the North is a very well-kept secret.


Part 5: The South Downs - The Seven Sisters Walk
Following in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes, this classic English walk sees Julia take in the white cliffs of the Seven Sisters, Beachy Head and the seaside charm of Birling Gap. Her walk ends at the Belle Tout lighthouse, with commanding views across the rolling Sussex Downs and the distinctive white English cliffs. Setting off from the award-winning village of East Dean, Julia explores one of the longest undeveloped coastlines on the south coast - one which is also disappearing at a staggering erosion rate of almost one meter a year. A classic holiday spot for all the family, Julia discovers the area’s rich social history at Birling Gap, the mystery of Sherlock Holmes’ retirement, and hears how a lighthouse was shifted 17 metres back from the cliff in a three-hour walk that celebrates the natural wonder of this unspoilt classic English coastline.


Part 6: Yorkshire Dales, the Malham Cove Walk.
Heading off on a round-trip walk from Malham village, Julia takes in the magical Janet’s Foss waterfall, the awe-inspiring Gordale Scar and the stunning limestone pavement at Malham Cove, with its spectacular views across the Yorkshire Dales. A hub for both the adventurous and creative alike, the Malhamdale landscape has been an inspiration for so many – from the likes of J. R.R. Tolkien to influential master painter JMW Turner – not to mention Harry Potter and a few other Hollywood Blockbusters! This walk sees Julia explore what makes Malham so memorable – from its traditional hay meadows and lush green dales, to the high drama of its ancient limestone marvels - including the spectacular crescent-shaped cliff of Malham Cove; a former giant waterfall and true highlight for people taking on the much longer Pennine Way trail.


Part 7: Cotswolds: The Cleeve Hill Walk
Julia travels to the Cotswolds, near Cheltenham, to uncover some of the finest views in the south of England. Starting in Winchcombe, the ‘jewel in the Cotswold Crown’, Julia takes up the many walking trails on offer to discover an ancient burial mound, historic castle and spectacular views from the top of Cleeve Hill - the highest point in Gloucestershire. Heading out of Winchcombe, a village famous for its walking trails, Julia explores the historic Sudeley castle – home to the last of Henry VIII’s six wives. She soon finds herself atop of Belas Knap, an ancient Neolithic barrow that contained the remains of at least 38 human skeletons.


Part 8: The Peak District: The Kinder Scout Walk
Julia comes home to her Peak District roots, exploring the first five miles of The Pennine Way, where she began walking as a young girl. Her route takes in the spiritual home of popular walking as she heads up to Kinder Scout on the moor-tops – the setting for the famous 1932 mass trespass. Heading off from the Derbyshire village of Edale, Julia joins the long history of walkers to ascend the Kinder Plateau, a place so integral to the creation of Britain’s very first National Trail over 50 years ago. On route, she catches up with her dad and discovers other surprising locals - including an ancient wood-bowl maker and the hard-working mountain rescue team who keep us all safe on the wild, misty moors.