Winter Walks on BBC Four to showcase best Yorkshire and North of England rambling spots as 'Walkshire' scheme gets under way

A new television series exploring some of the best rambling routes at Yorkshire's beauty spots will air from tonight.

BBC Four's Winter Walks aims to capture the "natural beauty of our landscapes, and allows its presenters a chance to reflect and find peace of mind", says the broadcaster.

The first episode will be presented by Scarborough-born Selina Scott, whose walk from Thorpe to Appletreewick in the Yorkshire Dales airs tonight at 7pm.

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Four more episodes will follow each night this week, presented by Lemn Sissay, Holmfirth-based Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, Dewsbury-born Baroness Sayeeda Warsi and Reverend Richard Coles.

Wintry scenes at Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales National Park after snow fell over the weekend. Picture: Tony Johnson.Wintry scenes at Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales National Park after snow fell over the weekend. Picture: Tony Johnson.
Wintry scenes at Burnsall in the Yorkshire Dales National Park after snow fell over the weekend. Picture: Tony Johnson.

The series was mostly shot pre-lockdown by the presenters themselves on hand-held 360-degree cameras, so audiences get an "intimate and immersive" view of each of the walks, mixed with aerial images.

Each discovers "breathtaking views and forgotten histories", and offering personal insights on how they see the world around them.

Filmed in the North of England, audiences will be "able to relax and unwind with walks that offer unique perspectives on majestic landscapes" from the Yorkshire Dales, East Coast of Yorkshire, Cumbria, North York Moors and Robin Hood’s Bay.

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The show comes as scheme to encourage people to discover walking routes across Yorkshire - named Walkshire - is under way.

Aisling O’Connor, Head of TV Commissioning for BBC England, previously said: “I’m very proud of Winter Walks. It showcases the fabulous landscape of the North of England and was ahead of its time, before everyone was out walking for their mental health and well-being. We need a series like this now, more than ever.

“They are perfect programmes to sit back, relax and unwind to. The crunch of the leaves underfoot, the sound of bird call and the contemplation of the presenters allows viewers to experience the outdoors in the comfort of their own homes. We are bringing glorious nature right into your front room.”

Reverend Richard Coles added: "At the centre of what we do in order to be who we are, we need silence, we need retreat, we need contemplation.”

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Winter Walks was made for BBC England and produced by Cy Chadwick at Atypical.

All documentaries were filmed between January and March 2020, except Baroness Sayeeda Warsi's, who filmed her walk November.

Running order:

January 4 - Selina Scott

January 5 - Lemn Sissay

January 6 - Simon Armitage

January 7 - Baroness Warsi

January 8 - Reverend Richard Coles

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