Countrywise
Season 1
Factual programme that showcases the fabric of Britain's rural and coastal life and the riches which lie beyond Britain''s major cities. Countrywise highlights exactly what makes our countryside tick. Through the stories of the guardians for our landscape, wildlife and traditions, no stone is left unturned in the quest to uncover the secrets of Britain''s beautiful countryside.
Where to Watch Season 1
35 Episodes
- IntroductionE1
Introduction"The countryside is my home. I love the landscape, and share with the people who live and work there, the endless fascination about what makes it tick. Countrywise is going to take me into every corner of rural Britain. Who could turn down a job like that?" This spring a new series for ITV1 showcases the fabric of Britain's rural and coastal life. Countrywise dedicates 36 episodes to the riches which lie beyond Britain’s major cities. It is presented by journalist turned farmer and sailor Paul Heiney. Countrywise highlights exactly what makes our countryside tick. Combining items presented by Paul with features drawn from ITV’s regions, the programme takes in the breadth of Britain's countryside, from its crumbliest coastline and happiest valley, to its secret tunnels, rescued gardens and haunted hills. On his travels around rural Britain, Paul Heiney visits the only place in the UK to grow tea, learns the inside story of Dover's white cliffs, and discovers the country's most bizarre beach huts. In these credit-crunch times, a growing number are now turning their backs on foreign breaks and Countrywise provides an invaluable reminder of what's here on our doorstep. Through the stories of the guardians for our landscape, wildlife and traditions, Paul leaves no stone unturned in his quest to uncover the secrets of Britain’s beautiful countryside. (24 episodes in summer + 12 episodes in autumn.) - SurreyE2
SurreyPaul Heiney explores Britain's coast and country, and meets the people that make it special. Today, he visits one of Britain's first farm shops which is in Surrey and celebrates its thirtieth birthday with an annual marmalade-making extravaganza. He takes time to try his hand at Victorian farming, and meets some of the champions who keep country traditions alive. - Idyllic HoursE4
Idyllic HoursPaul Heiney presents a series with memorable scenes drawn from the best of the ITV regions. Paul explores Britain's coast and country, and meets the people that make it special. Today, Paul joins anglers at an idyllic spot for the start of the fly-fishing season, and learns more about Victorian farming methods. - Some things worth keepingE6
Some things worth keepingPaul Heiney explores Britain's countryside, and finds memorable scenes from the ITV regions. Today, Paul meets trainee farmers, farriers and blacksmiths who are learning the old skills for a new generation. Paul also finds out how the Victorians farmed, and introduces another country champion keeping tradition alive. - KentE7
KentToday we find out how an historic Kent dockyard changed the landscape forever as whole forests were felled for the timber to build warships such as the Victory. We also learns more about Victorian farming traditions, and are introduced toanother country champion who is working to keep traditions alive. - The Malvern HillsE8
The Malvern HillsThis week, we visit the Malvern Hills, eight hundred million years in the making and officially one of the best places in Britain to walk a dog. Paul also helps to shear sheep the Victorian way, and Selina Scott visits the most remote railway station in the country. - CornwellE9
CornwellToday's adventure starts in Cornwall where Paul meets the crew of the Penzance lifeboat that is celebrating 150 years of service. In Newquay, he visits the 'House in the Sea' and meets a young surfing champion. Meanwhile, Rachel de Thame discovers the only place in Britain that grows tea. - The Lakes DistrictE11
The Lakes DistrictToday, they are in the Lake District celebrating 150 years of the Ullswater steam boats, and watching the annual ritual of salmon fisherman keeping alive a Viking tradition of fishing with wings. Bettany Hughes discovers how the dramatic scenery inspired one of England's most famous poets. - Constable CountryE12
Constable CountryToday we are in Constable country, celebrating the anniversary of the birth of one of Britain's best-loved landscape painters. We also find out about ambitious plans to create the UK's biggest wetland nature reserve AND Bettany Hughes investigates the landmark feat of engineering which stops this area disappearing under the sea. - LondonE13
LondonPaul Heiney and the team explore the countryside in and around London. Paul meets the ranger who looks after Richmond Park's 600 deer, and talks to the man who mows the grass with the capital's last working shire horses. Rachel de Thame visits a rooftop garden in Kensington, and a wealth of birdlife is discovered in a city centre cemetery - Elan ValleyE14
Elan ValleyPaul Heiney and the team explore the dams and reservoirs of the Elan Valley in Wales, test site for Barnes Wallis's bouncing bomb ahead of the Dam Buster raids in World War Two. Kate McIntyre meets a sheep farmer who helped rescue Britain's red kite population and there is a visit to a model village created to replace homes in the flooded valley - CotswoldsE15
CotswoldsPaul Heiney and the team are in the Cotswolds to visit a village that topped a poll of the best places to live in the UK. Rachel de Thame discovers the secret garden belonging to Blenheim Palace, and Bettany Hughes explores an unfinished Gothic mansion that has never been inhabited - DoverE17
DoverIn a programme first show in 2009, the team heads to Dover for a double anniversary. Paul Heiney marks the centenary of the first cross-Channel flight and celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first hovercraft crossing to France. Bettany Hughes visits the White Cliffs, where she explores secret tunnels that have never been opened to the public - North of ScotlandE18
North of ScotlandPaul Heiney visits the north of Scotland and takes a trip on steam train the Jacobite, which follows a route voted the most beautiful rail journey in the world by a travel magazine. Historian Bettany Hughes recounts the tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie, and a local fisherman tells of the day he met a monster in a loch - Isle of WightE19
Isle of WightThe team travels to the Isle of Wight on the eve of the world-famous regatta at Cowes. Paul Heiney joins an Olympic champion at the helm of a 60ft ocean racer, Kate McIntyre meets a fossil hunter searching for new species of dinosaur and Rachel de Thame visits the botanic gardens at Ventnor - Yorkshire and LancashireE20
Yorkshire and LancashireOne-hour special in which Paul Heiney journeys through Yorkshire and Lancashire, from Britain's first seaside resort in Scarborough to the vast natural wilderness of Morecambe Bay, looking at whether an age-old rivalry still exists between the two neighbouring regions - HerefordshireE30
HerefordshirePaul Heiney visits Herefordshire, the largest apple-growing county in Britain, for the start of the harvest. He hears how cider-making has developed from its farmhouse roots and discovers that eating a cider apple can be a bitter-sweet experience. Plus, a report on a ranger who knows every ancient tree in Sherwood Forest - Witley Court in WorcestershireE33
Witley Court in WorcestershirePaul Heiney visits Witley Court in Worcestershire - once one of the great stately homes of England, but destroyed by fire more than 70 years ago. Plus, Selina Scott takes a trip down the Thames in a converted electric bath chair and a falcon is put to work on the Victorian farm - Glastonbury Tor in SomersetE34
Glastonbury Tor in SomersetPaul Heiney meets a farmer who breeds alpacas on the slopes of Glastonbury Tor in Somerset, and tries his hand at dowsing - looking for the magical lines of energy that some people believe run from the hill. Plus, a report on a Fenland farmer-turned-poet and a demonstration of Victorian carpentry skills
