Britain’s Best Walks With Julia Bradbury

Julia Bradbury outside Watersmeet House, Devon

In early 2017, T.V. presenter and walking guru Julia Bradbury laced up her boots once more and set out to discover 'Britain's Best Walks'.

During the six-part series she explored breath-taking landscapes, heard local stories and tried out the best watering holes. Three of the episodes focused on her favourite trails incorporating special National Trust places.

With a staggering 24 million of us heading to Britain’s hottest walking spots, it’s clear that this is one of the nation’s most-loved activities. This series showcased great routes across the whole country, and revealed Julia’s insights into our love of walking and what we can learn from these diverse locations.

Special National Trust places featured in three of the episodes, from the wide seascapes of Old Harry Rocks in Dorset to the wooded slopes of the Cheshire countryside, and the rivers and valleys of Watersmeet on Exmoor.

Julia said: “It’s always a great feeling to tog up and get the walking boots back on.  In this series I got to explore some of our most distinctive landscapes and show off the enormous variety of our countryside."

"Walking is for everyone, so I’m hoping that this series has inspired viewers to get out there and have fun.”

Julia Bradbury on the cliffs looking over Old Harry Rocks, Dorset

Episode One – The Coastal Walk 

The first episode explored one of the most famous landmarks on the Jurassic Coast - the Old Harry Rocks chalk stacks on Studland. Julia’s trail offers up views to the Needles and the Isle of Wight, along the ancient Dorset coastline and inland over the Purbeck Countryside. Taking in miles of golden sandy beaches, the dramatic history of the bay and internationally important heathlands, this is the British coastline at its most beautiful.

See the spectacular Old Harry Rocks in Dorset
Julia and her crew filming in Cheshire for 'Britain's Best Walks'

Episode Four – The Countryside Walk 

In this episode Julia explored the rolling countryside pastures and takes in panoramic views along the Sandstone Trail in Cheshire - north-west England’s most popular mid-distance walk. It offers a vast array of attractions en-route, from the medieval fortification of Beeston Castle to the spectacular viewpoint of Bulkeley Hill. Nestled at the southern end of the Peckforton Hills, Bulkeley’s slopes offer a quiet spot to walk among ancient woodland and grassland, which we manage to provide important habitats for wildlife.

Discover Bulkeley Woods on the Sandstone Trail
The river at Watersmeet, Devon

Episode Five – The River Walk 

Route number five began at the picturesque harbour-town of Lynmouth, then meandered under the tree-green canopy following the East Lyn and Hoar Oak rivers, which merge together beside our café at the stunning Watersmeet House. The café and immediate surroundings are currently closed while we repair the 100 year old roof, but will be open again from Spring 2017 so you can treat yourself to a hard-earned cream tea at the end of your walk. In the meantime, the rest of the valley remains open for you to enjoy.

Wander around Watersmeet in North Devon
Get a taster of the walks
Julia Bradbury beside the river near Watersmeet Play Video