Britain’s Best Walks with Julia Bradbury

Julia Bradbury sits in front of the tea-room building at Watersmeet, with tables and parasols in the background — Julia Bradbury refuels at the Watersmeet tea-room, filming Britain’s Best Walks (2017) | © The Outdoor Guide

In 2017, TV presenter and walking guru Julia Bradbury laced up her boots and set out to discover Britain’s Best Walks. During the six-part series she explored breathtaking landscapes, heard local stories and tried out the best watering holes. Discover three of her favourite trails that featured the places in our care.

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.

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.

A quote by Julia Bradbury TV Presenter

Three places we look after featured in 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.

Explore the routes for yourself below.

A view of waves crashing against Dancing Ledge, part of the Spyway Farm Estate, Dorset — Waves crashing against Dancing Ledge | © National Trust Images / Joe Cornish

Episode One – The Coastal Walk: This episode explores a famous landmark on the Jurassic Coast – the Old Harry Rocks chalk stacks at Studland. Julia’s trail has views to the Needles and the Isle of Wight, along ancient Dorset coastline and inland over the Purbeck countryside. Taking in miles of golden beaches, the dramatic history of the bay and internationally important heathlands, this is the British coastline at its most beautiful.See Old Harry Rocks on the Coastal Walk

Julia Bradbury standing on the coast path with the white cliffs of Old Harry Rocks in the background — Visiting Old Harry Rocks on the Jurassic Coast | © The Outdoor Guide

Episode Four – The Countryside Walk: Julia explores rolling countryside pastures and panoramic views along Cheshire’s Sandstone Trail – north-west England’s most popular mid-distance walk. There’s lots to see en route, including medieval Beeston Castle and the spectacular viewpoint of Bulkeley Hill. Bulkeley’s slopes offer a quiet spot to walk among ancient woodland and grassland, which we look after to provide important habitats for wildlife.Discover Bulkeley Woods on the Countryside Walk

Julia Bradbury wearing a backpack and walking gear films with a crew in a grassy field — Filming on the Sandstone Trail in the Cheshire countryside | © The Outdoor Guide

Episode Five – The River Walk: The walk begins at the harbour town of Lynmouth, then meanders under the tree-green canopy following the East Lyn and Hoar Oak rivers, which merge beside the National Trust tea-room at Watersmeet House. Treat yourself to a hard-earned cream tea at the end of your walk, and take in the peaceful river sounds from the tea-room’s outdoor seating.Explore Watersmeet on the River Walk

Visitors standing on a bridge over a river in woods, in summer — Enjoy the peace and tranquillity of Watersmeet on your walk | © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey

Supporting special places

As well as showing off beautiful locations, filming directly benefits the places in our care that star in the production. The income from location fees goes straight back into conservation work to care for historic houses and landscapes, so that we’ll all be able to see them both on screen and in real life for years to come.