Walking Through History Explained

Walking Through History is a British television documentary history programme that ran for four series on Channel 4 and was presented by actor Tony Robinson. It first aired in March 2013.

History

Channel 4 commissioned the series Walking Through History as a new vehicle for actor and comedian Tony Robinson after the cancellation of Time Team.[1]

The programme was devised as a 60-mile walk, with each series aiming to be made up of four parts, with each walk highlighting history from different eras along the path taken.

Episode List

Series 1

Episode numberEpisode titleOriginal date airedEpisode informationViewing figure[2] DirectorExecutive Producer/sSeries Producer
1The Birth of Industry30 March 2013Tony visits the Peak District, travelling down the Derwent Valley and recounting the change brought about by the Industrial Revolution and the role played by Richard Arkwright. Tony also visits Haddon Hall and Cromford Canal.[3] 1.26mTom Cholmondeley Philip Clarke / Simon RaikesDavid Johnson
2Frontline Dorset6 April 2013Tony visits Dorset walking along the Jurassic Coast exposing the county's World War II history. He starts the walk on Chesil Beach, finishing in Swanage.[4] ^Mike Wadding Philip Clarke / Simon RaikesDavid Johnson
3The Tudor Way13 April 2013Tony crosses the Weald in Kent to the South Downs in East Sussex visiting locations with connections to Henry VIII. Starting at Penshurst Place he discovers the fate of the 3rd Duke of Buckingham, before following secret paths to Hever Castle. He visits sites that were home to the Tudor iron and beer industries, before finishing in Lewes.[5] 1.1mOwen RoddPhilip Clarke / Simon RaikesDavid Johnson
4Battle in the Glens20 April 2013Tony visits the Kintail region of the north western Highlands. While there he examines the story of the Jacobite risings, visits Iron Age dwellings in Shiel Bridge and a rebuilt castle at Eilean Donan before finishing at Glen Shiel.[6] 1.11mDavid JohnsonPhilip Clarke / Simon RaikesDavid Johnson
^Not available as not in the Top 30 programs on Channel 4 that week.

Series 2

Episode numberEpisode titleOriginal date airedEpisode informationViewing figureDirectorExecutive Producer/sSeries Producer
1The Path to Stonehenge[7] 23 November 2013Tony walks 45 miles across Wiltshire, starting in Avebury and finishing at Stonehenge. Along the way he visits Silbury Hill and the West Kennett Long Barrow, tries his hand at dowsing ley lines and walking the processional avenue towards Stonehenge.[8] ^Andy RobbinsPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
2Rome in the Lakes30 November 2013Tony followed the steps taken by the Roman legions, by walking from Penrith to Ambleside in the Lake District then onto Ravenglass. On the way he saw the history of 300 years of occupation including buildings and lead mines.[9] ^Nick Gillam-SmithPhilip ClarkeOwed Rodd
3Smugglers Cornwall14 December 2013Tony walks from Plymouth to Falmouth following in the footsteps of Cornwall's smugglers. He visits secluded harbours and coves where the illicit trade of smuggling took place and finds out that in 1780 half of the brandy drunk in Britain was smuggled through Cornwall.[10] 1.37mAndy RobbinsPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
^Not available as not in the Top 30 programs on Channel 4 that week.

Series 3

Episode numberEpisode titleOriginal date airedEpisode informationViewing figureDirectorExecutive Producer/sSeries Producer
1The Way to Wigan Pier8 February 2014Tony walks from Liverpool to Wigan, conveying stories regarding the construction of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, visits a Jam factory and Aintree Racecourse finishing at Wigan Pier.[11] 1.37mNick Gillam-SmithPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
2The Dark Age of Northumbria15 February 2014Tony explores the ancient kingdom of Northumbria starting in Melrose in Scotland before finishing on Holy Island. He follows in the footsteps of Saint Cuthbert travelling through Tweed Valley and Cheviot Hills.[12] 1.51mMichael WaterhousePhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
3North Norfolk22 February 2014Tony visits North Norfolk conveying how landowners had restricted the vestiges of changes that had occurred across the rest of Britain during the Industrial Revolution. Along the way he visits Cromer Pier, disused railway lines, Sandringham and Salt marshes.[13] 1.41mOwen RoddPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd

Series 4

Episode numberEpisode titleOriginal date airedEpisode informationViewing figureDirectorExecutive Producer/sSeries Producer
1Bronte Country26 October 2014Tony starts out in the city of Bradford, walking through the South Pennines to Haworth in West Yorkshire, the home of the Brontë Sisters. He visits their birthplace in Thornton and recalls tales along the way of their childhoods with the help of Bronte experts.[14] ^James FranklinPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
2Victoria and Albert's Highland Fling2 November 2014Tony visits the Highlands to examine the impact of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's visit in 1844, as well as tell the story of the clearances. Along the way he visits the Cairngorms National Park, stopping in Pitlochry, the Pass of Killiecrankie and finished at Balmoral Castle.1mPeter Gauvain Philip ClarkeOwen Rodd
3The Norman Conquest of Pembrokeshire8 November 2014Tony walks through the south west of Wales recalling the long hard guerilla war between the Welsh and the Normans. He uses a guide written by the historical figure Gerald of Wales while walking along the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path.[15] 1.09mJames BuchananPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
4Nazi Occupation: The Channel Islands15 November 2014Tony walks through the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey recalling the arrival of German troops during World War II, the arrival of secret British Commandos and beaches still with bunkers and machine gun posts.[16] ^James FranklinPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
5King John's Ruin: The Peak District22 November 2014Tony walks from Sherwood Forest to the Peak District to discover the real King John as the 800-year anniversary of Magna Carta loomed near. He visits the remains of Laxton Castle and explores the myth of Robin Hood and how its skewed peoples image of him.[17] 1.08mPeter GauvainPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
6England's Last Battle: The West Country29 November 2014Tony recalls the story of the Duke of Monmouth, Charles II illegitimate son and his attempted rebellion against King James II. He starts his trail on the Jurassic Coast at Lyme Regis and ending on the Somerset Levels, following in the footsteps of the young Duke.[18] 1.05mOwen RoddPhilip ClarkeOwen Rodd
^Not available as not in the Top 30 programs on Channel 4 that week.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tony Robinson on Walking Through History, Time Team and Blackadder – Radio Times p.28 March 2013. 13 June 2017.
  2. Web site: BARB Weekly Top 30 programmes. 13 June 2017.
  3. Web site: Walking Through History – Episode 1 of 4 The Birth of Industry – Radio Times. 15 June 2017.
  4. Web site: Walking Through History – Episode 2 of 4 Frontline Dorset – Radio Times. 16 June 2017.
  5. Web site: Walking Through History – Episode 3 of 4 The Tudor Way – Radio Times. 16 June 2017.
  6. Web site: Walking Through History – Episode 4 of 4 Battle in the Glens – Radio Times. 16 June 2017.
  7. Web site: Walking Through History . 20 June 2017.
  8. Web site: Stonehenge: Walking Through History – Radio Times. 21 June 2017.
  9. Web site: The Lakes: Walking Through History – Radio Times. 21 June 2017.
  10. Web site: Cornwall: Walking Through History – Radio Times. 21 June 2017.
  11. Web site: Walking Through History: Wigan Pier – Radio Times. 23 June 2017.
  12. Web site: Walking Through History: Northumbria – Radio Times. 23 June 2017.
  13. Web site: Walking Through History: North Norfolk – Radio Times. 23 June 2017.
  14. Web site: Walking Through History: Bronte Country – Radio Times. 26 June 2017.
  15. Web site: Walking Through History: Norman Conquest of Pembrokeshire – Radio Times. 26 June 2017.
  16. Web site: Walking Through History: Nazi Occupation – Channel Islands – Radio Times. 26 June 2017.
  17. Web site: Walking Through History: King John's Ruin – Peak District – Radio Times. 27 June 2017.
  18. Web site: Walking through History – Series 4 – Episode 6 Englands Last Battle – West Country – Radio Times. 27 June 2017.

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