Episodes

SeriesTitleFirst
Broadcast
RepeatedComments
20060407Charles Collingwood and Judy Bennett ramble up Old Winchester Hill in Hampshire.
95 Ethels In The Peak District2022031020220312 (R4)From the Redmires Reservoirs near Sheffield, Clare walks up to Stanage Edge ('stone edge') a gritstone escarpment in the Peak District. Angela Lawrence and Anna Jorgensen are Clare's guests and are retired fell-runners (an accident with a vacuum cleaner ended Angela's running career) but their passion for the hills of the Peak District, which they have run across many times, remains undimmed. They have simply slowed down a little, and are now committed walkers. They wrote to Ramblings to suggest that Clare hike with them up to Stanage Pole. Along the way, on a beautiful, clear-skied day, they take in stunning views, a sociable lunch in a stone bothy, and tell Clare about another of their passions: Argentine Tango.

During the walk they also talk about the 'Ethels'. In honour of the pioneering environmentalist, Ethel Haythornthwaite, 95 hilltops have been classified by the countryside charity, CPRE, as 'Ethels'. Clare, Angela and Anna delve into Ethel's fascinating life-story as they immerse themselves in the scenery that inspired her. The Ethels were recently created following an idea from Doug Colton.

The Grid Reference for Redmires Reservoirs is SK265858.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare walks with two ex fell-runners who are passionate about the Peak District.

A Brand New Waymarked Walking Route In South Wales2020031920200321 (R4)In one of the rainiest Ramblings we've ever recorded, Clare Balding discovers a brand new waymarked walking route in South Wales which has been established on the path of an ancient pilgrimage. It's called the Penrhys Pilgrimage and connects Llandaff to Penrhys.

As Clare hears, while walking (and getting soaked) along the final five mile stretch from Trebanog to Penrhys, a huge amount of work from local volunteers has gone into making this project happen.

Penrhys is the site of an ancient well and a statue of Mary and already has a pilgrimage passing through from east to west (the Cistercian Way) but from March 25th 2020 this new route , running south to north, will be available to all comers, pilgrims or not. Please scroll down to the 'related links' box to find out more.

(Please note: the launch events mentioned in the programme have now been cancelled due to Covid-19)

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding discovers a brand new waymarked walking route in South Wales.

A Stunning Hike Around Malham Cove2022090120220903 (R4)Our listeners are taking over Ramblings and guiding Clare on every walk of this new series. Today's adventure is led by three women who all qualified as mountain leaders in their 50s. Linda Moran, Angie Jaleel and Bev England explain why they wanted to take their love of the outdoors to a professional level by gaining qualifications later in life. Linda wrote to Ramblings and asked Clare to join them on one of their adventures, so - on a July afternoon, not long after the intense heatwave - they set off on a challenging six-mile hike around Malham in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Starting at Malham Car Park, they walked towards the dramatic, natural amphitheatre that is Malham Cove before ascending the steps that rise alongside it. After a steep climb they arrived at the top and - as they were making their way across the gappy, wobbly limestone pavement - watched a natural drama unfold as crows failed to guard their nest against a persistent and hungry peregrine falcon.

From there they rambled east along part of the Dales High Way, taking in Gordale Scar (full of climbers scaling the almost sheer cliffs) before completing the loop via Janet's Foss waterfall.

Grid Ref for Malham Car Park: SD 899 627

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

Join Clare in the breathtaking scenery of North Yorkshire

A Sunny Stomp On The Pentland Hills2021090220210904 (R4)Clare hikes with the inspirational adventurers Hazel and Luke Robertson on the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh. They are mountain leaders, polar explorers and public speakers with many personal experiences to draw upon. Hazel spent four years of her childhood growing up in Canada and Alaska, which developed her love of the outdoors. At the age of 30, Luke became the first Scot to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. This was in 2016, just two years after major brain surgery. Both are originally from the North East of Scotland, but now live in Edinburgh from where they run their company 'Everyday Exploring'. They've chosen to take Clare on one of their favourite local walks: Starting at Bonaly (Grid Ref: NT 211 674) they head up White Hill and onto Capelaw hoping, first, for views across the three bridges that span the Firth of Forth and then a broader view taking in more of the Pentlands range. See the 'related links' box on the Ramblings webpage for more information about what's been discussed in the programme.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

Clare hikes near Edinburgh with inspirational adventurers Hazel and Luke Robertson.

After Eunice, Guarlford, Worcestershire2022030320220305 (R4)Clare explores a rural route near the Worcestershire village of Guarlford. Storm Eunice has just left, Franklin is underway and the River Severn is up so this is a last-minute change to the planned walk. Originally Clare and her guest, poet Catherine Swire, had planned to hike the first stretch of the Monarch's Way which runs along the banks of the Rivers Teme and Severn in Worcester but flooding has pushed them a little further south.

Catherine has recently published her first book of poetry, 'Soil', which takes the theme of historic trauma and explores how it is etched on our landscape. Worcester was the site of the first proper skirmish, and the last battle, of the English Civil War, something featured within Catherine's work.

The Monarch's Way is a long distance path which traces the very indirect escape route - from Worcester to Suffolk - of Charles II after his loss at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

Guarlford (not on the Monarch's Way) is about two miles east of Great Malvern, and a good mile and a half west of the River Severn - hopefully far enough to keep their feet dry.

The grid reference for their starting point in Guarlford is SO 813 453. The map is OS Explorer 190 Malvern Hills and Bredon Hill

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

An Art Walk In The Forest Of Dean2023030220230304 (R4)Sara Rickard takes groups of local people on a walk through the forest to write, draw and take photographs and simply observe their surroundings. Canopy Arts was set up during Covid when the artists who live in the forest found themselves especially isolated and now runs monthly or fortnightly walks for both seasoned artists and walkers who want to be creatively inspired by the magical atmosphere of this part of the world. Sharon who moved there a year ago is fascinated by what she calls the edgeland that this area is. Sandwiched between the River Severn and the River Wye, the Forest of Dean is actually in Gloucestershire but sometimes feels as though it should be in Wales. It has a long history of free mining and Foresters are traditionally independent in spirit. Clare taps into her own artistic side and joins the group painting with feathers, writing about the landscape and rubbing gravestones.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare does a walk with an art group in the Forest of Dean

An Aussie Walkabout... In Norfolk2019051620190518 (R4)Clare Balding goes walkabout with a group of Australian women who call themselves The Norfolk Broads. They include a Colman, of mustard fame, and one ‘honorary Aussie', actually a Texan who once dated John Wayne's son. They've all ended up living in this eastern corner of England and have discovered fun and companionship by exploring their new home on foot. They walk a stretch of Norfolk's Boudicca Way from Diss to Shimpling. On the way, Clare discovers what brought them here, how they've adapted to their new home, and how to pronounce local town names...

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding goes walkabout with a group of Australians called The Norfolk Broads.

Anita Rani On Hackney And Walthamstow Marshes2020101520201017 (R4)Clare Balding walks with Anita Rani on Hackney and Walthamstow Marshes. They also explore Walthamstow Wetlands, an internationally important nature reserve opened to the public in 2017. The Countryfile presenter recalls her outdoorsy upbringing in Yorkshire and how much she values London's green spaces. She also discusses her plans to write a childhood memoir; how appearing on 'Who Do You Think You Are' changed her life; and the intriguing story behind her choice of name for a new puppy.

Clare and Anita started their walk in Millfields Park, Grid Ref: TQ353862

Producer: Karen Gregor

Anneka Rice On The Thames Path In London2021021120210213 (R4)Anneka Rice is a self-declared obsessive rambler who says she feels out of sorts if she doesn't walk every day. Today she takes Clare on her favourite route along the banks of the Thames where she discusses how the river ‘tethers' her, something she needs following a childhood that left her feeling ‘untethered'. Anneka became a household name in the 1980s thanks to the TV series Treasure Hunt, which followed her zipping about in a helicopter and racing against the clock to find clues on behalf of studio-bound contestants. Next came Challenge Anneka where she led groups of volunteers in the creation of community-based projects. At the height of her TV success, she took time out to study at Chelsea College of Art and now spends much of her time painting.

Clare and Anneka start the walk at approx Grid Ref: TQ215764, and walk along the Thames Path in the direction of Kew Gardens, then return on the opposite side of the river ending at Dukes Meadows Bandstand, Grid Ref: TQ214767

Producer: Karen Gregor

Anneka Rice shares her favourite Thames-side walk with Clare Balding.

Around Dulwich Woods With Floella Benjamin2022031720220319 (R4)Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE joins Clare for a walk around one of her favourite woodlands in London. Starting in Dulwich College where her mother worked in the laundry and later her son attended, Floella and husband Keith head off into the woods on a rainy March day. Their walk takes them up from the College past the Golf range and into the woods where parakeets dart among the trees shrieking and providing a dash of bright emerald green on a grey day. Along the way Floella talks about her life and all her achievements.

She was born in Trinidad and emigrated with her family in the 1960s settling in London. After leaving school she worked in a bank before becoming an actress and then getting her break into children's television in Play School. The education and wellbeing of children is one of her greatest priorities and she is hugely proud of all that she has achieved in this field.

The walk takes them along routes she has walked for many years from when her own children were small. She and Keith are great walkers and love to hike in the Lake District but when that's not possible, a walk in these woods is a sanctuary in the middle of the city - a place to relax, think and destress.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins Baroness Floella Benjamin on a walk in a favourite London greenspace.

Ashdown Forest20230525The group Clare walks with see Ashdown Forest as a national treasure in its own right - and largely an unsung one. They think it's remarkable that this ten square miles of open access land has survived, only thirty miles south of London. Estate agents in the past even described it as ‘Scotland in Sussex'. A local resident and podcaster Eka Morgan is keen to reconnect visitors from far and wide back to the natural world of Ashdown Forest. Many of the 1.5 million annual visitors don't understand that it's actually not a forest at all, but a heath - one of the rarest habitats in the world, rarer than tropical rainforest. So, she is using audio to tell stories of the Forest with a podcast.

Joining Eka on the walk are Tom Forward a wildlife guide and bird mimic, James Adler of the Conservators of Ashdown Forest and Kari Dunbar, whose new job focuses on raising dog owners' awareness of the impact of dogs in wildlife habitats.

In memory of James Adler Chief Executive Officer Ashdown Forest

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins a walking group in Ashdown Forest.

Barry Farrimond, Who Plays Ed Grundy, On Dartmoor2020092420200926 (R4)Barry Farrimond, who plays Ed Grundy in The Archers, takes Clare Balding for an adventurous hike across Dartmoor. As they navigate the granite boulders of Wistman's Wood and scramble cross the West Dart River, Barry discusses the challenges of recording The Archers during lockdown, the knot he invented a few years ago (the Farrimond Friction Hitch) and Open Up Music, an organisation he co-founded to ensure that orchestras are accessible to young disabled musicians; this led to the establishment of the National Open Youth Orchestra, the world's first disabled-led national youth ensemble.

Barry and Clare began their walk at Two Bridges, in the car park for Wistman's Wood: grid reference SX609750.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Barry Farrimond who plays Ed Grundy in The Archers walks with Clare Balding on Dartmoor.

Beachcombing On The Isle Of Sheppey2020100820201010 (R4)Clare goes beachcombing on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent with author Lisa Woollett. Lisa is fascinated by what we throw away and how it reflects our changing lifestyles. Her new book ‘Rag and Bone' tells the story of her discoveries in beachcombing and mudlarking and how it links to her family history: her great grandfather was a scavenger and her grandfather was a dustman.

Clare and Lisa begin their walk (crucially, at low tide) at grid reference TQ954737.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare goes beachcombing on the Isle of Sheppey with author Lisa Woollett.

Beeley Edge With David Blunkett2019101020191012 (R4)David Blunkett takes Clare Balding for a walk across Beeley Edge in the Peak District. Joining them are his wife, Margaret, and his guide dog, Barley. Despite being blind from birth, Lord Blunkett has always been a keen rambler and is President of his local Ramblers group.

En route they encounter half a dozen cattle, which have to be navigated carefully as David once had three ribs broken by a cow which, he recalls, came towards him with a 'primeval bellow' and knocked him over. They also pass the lakes that supply the extraordinary gardens at Chatsworth House, including the Emperor Fountain built to impress a visiting Russian Czar... who didn't turn up.

Scroll down to 'related links' for information about the local area.

Location Producer: Tom Bonnett

Producer: Karen Gregor

Big Cats! Rick Minter In Gloucestershire2021031120210313 (R4)Do big cats roam the British countryside? It's a long running debate, one that's never far from the headlines. A few years ago on Ramblings, Clare saw what she described as an `enormous black cat` on a walk near Ross on Wye. Several newspapers followed this up, as did the ‘Big Cat Conversations' podcast which is hosted by Rick Minter: he set up a camera trap close to Clare's sighting and made contact with Ramblings. So, for today's walk, Clare and Rick explore the area around Selsley Common in Gloucestershire and discuss why he's so sure big cats do exist in rural Britain.

Grid Ref for the layby where we parked: SO830027

Producer: Karen Gregor

Bloody Bridge2022051920220521 (R4)In the first of two back-to-back hikes in the Mourne Mountains Clare walks from Bloody Bridge near Newcastle, on the coast of County Down, up into the hills. Led by Alex Rose of the Northern Ireland Young Walkers, they begin at a stone sculpture which - from a certain angle - look like a human face in profile. This is the Smuggler's Head which helps to tell the story of the ‘Brandy Pad' a local smuggler's route. It's a history-rich Ramblings which continues by following the Bloody Bridge River, so called because bodies thrown into the water, following a massacre during the 1641 rebellion, turned it blood red. Soon they're climbing steeply up to one of the Mourne summits, Chimney Rock, partly following an old quarry-rail track used to bring granite down to sea-level.

The Northern Ireland Young Walkers were formed in 2005 as a way of getting more youthful hikers out and about. It's such a successful club that people don't like to leave, so the age range has widened as the members have aged.

The second Mournes ramble - recorded on the same day - will be broadcast next in the series. It starts at a place whose name couldn't be more of a contrast: Happy Valley.

Grid Ref for Bloody Bridge Car Park: SB472822

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding heads up to Chimney Rock in the Mourne Mountains.

Boxing On The Beach At Ainsdale2023101920231021 (R4)Rose Mac moved to the North West from London a year ago and is constantly delighted by the nature and walking possibilities of her new home. Ainsdale Nature Reserve houses a rare species of sand lizard as well as natterjack toads. A walk through the pine woodland close to the town's railway station brings you out into beautiful sand dunes and a massive expanse of beach with views of Blackpool Tower to the North and on a clear day the Isle of Man to the west. Rose enthusiastically shows Clare her new home territory and gives her an impromptu boxing lesson on Ainsdale Beach. She says people are becoming increasingly drawn to exercising on UK beaches. Tai chi and yoga work particularly well outdoors and Rose says there's something magical about watching the sunset whilst exercising.

The long walk along the beach is a workout in itself because of the sand underfoot.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins boxing coach Rose Mac for a walk through the sand dunes at Ainsdale.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Just a hop away from the station at Ainsdale lies one of the most beautiful stretches of coast adjoined by a nature reserve. Clare and Rose take a five-mile hike.

Brotherly Love In Burton Bradstock2023060120230603 (R4)Clare joins brothers Manni and Reuben Coe as they amble for a mile and a half to Hive beach at Burton Bradstock in Dorset. Reuben has Down's Syndrome and enjoys short, slow walks something that Manni, a professional walking guide more used to long hikes at an active pace, has learned to enjoy.

Manni lives between Spain and Dorset and, during Covid, was in Spain while Reuben was in a care home in the UK. This took its toll on Reuben who became isolated and lonely. It all came to a head when, one day, Manni received a text from Reuben saying simply `brother do you love me`. Manni knew this was a cry for help, and as soon as he could returned to the UK to visit Reuben who had become very depressed, insular and had stopped talking. As Manni puts it he `broke Reuben out of his care home` and went to live with him in the cottage where today's walk starts. There he gradually saw Reuben's mental health improve, and says that love, nature and walking was key to this.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare joins brothers Manni and Reuben Coe as they amble to Hive beach on the Dorset Coast.

Buckinghamshire With Professor David Wilson2020100120201003 (R4)David Wilson is a well known criminologist and former prison governor. Clare meets him in the village of Wicken on the Northamptonshire/Buckinghamshire border near to where he lives for a walk to the nearby village of Leckhampstead. This is one of David's regular routes. He has been walking around 50 miles a week since lockdown began in March. He does it to keep his weight down and to help process the horrors he often faces in his work dealing with murderers and serial killers. Clare talks to him about a case in his hometown in Scotland which he has recently written a book about. In it he reexamines the brutal murder of a young woman in 1973. Many people in the town believed the wrong man was tried and convicted. With the help of his sisters, David revisits the case and tracks down the man he believes to be the real killer.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

The route starts on OS Landranger 152 Grid Ref SP 745394 Wicken to Leckhampstead

Clare walks with criminologist David Wilson

Clare Gets Lost In Lancashire2019053020190601 (R4)Clare gets lost in the rain as she walks to meet two extraordinary sisters in their 90s. Both were code-breakers during WW2, and one invented the TV classic, Ask the Family.

Pat Davies and Jean Argles both worked in espionage during WW2. Pat helped the Royal Navy intercept German Naval Traffic at coastal stations, while Jean was a code and cipher officer based in Cairo, then Italy.

Throughout the war, their father was a Prisoner of War. He was Lt Colonel Cary Owtram who was in charge of the infamous Chungkai Japanese Prisoner of War camp. There, he found himself responsible for the wellbeing of thousands of other prisoners including those used to build the notorious Death Railway which featured in the film, Bridge on the River Kwai. Incredibly, Lt Col Cary Owtram managed to keep a secret diary which Pat and Jean have recently published: '1000 Days on The River Kwai' (scroll down to 'related links' to find out more).

Following the war, Pat worked in TV. She produced University Challenge and the Sky at Night. She also devised and produced ‘Ask the Family'.

Pat and Jean grew up in the Dolphinholme area of Lancashire and have fond memories of walking, riding horses and fishing with their family. They still enjoy walking, although the routes they take are now understandably shorter than they once were.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Two extraordinary sisters, both WWII code-breakers, walk near Dolphinholme in Lancashire.

Clare's Highlights2023122520231230 (R4)

Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year:

Join brothers Manni and Reuben Coe who amble down to Hive Beach in Dorset on a calm summer's day. On the way they recall the emotional story of how Reuben, who has Down's Syndrome, was nurtured back to health partly by walking that very route. Head to Orkney where Clare battles 60mph winds in one of the wildest episodes we've yet recorded. Hike up Shutlingsloe with Frank Milner, in training to climb Kilimanjaro on his 82nd birthday. Hear David and Iain recall some youthful misadventures as they stroll along the cliffs towards Portpatrick on the remote Rhins of Galloway. And meet Sam and Roger by the waterfall in south Wales where their romance began thanks to an online walking group.

Boff Whalley of Chumbawamba leads his Commoners Choir in song as they march up to Gaddings Dam in Calderdale. On the Thames Path, Tina and Cas share how their adopted son's way of coping with the world is by long distance hiking. The inspirational Halifax Hikers lead Clare on their favourite local route. And Ali Allen, in Herefordshire, takes time out from running her tiny walking shop to march with Clare up to a section of the Offa's Dyke footpath.

Please scroll down to the 'related links' box on the Ramblings page of the Radio 4 website for links to all these individual episodes.

Presenter: Clare Balding
Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year.

Clare's Highlights20231225

Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year:

Join brothers Manni and Reuben Coe who amble down to Hive Beach in Dorset on a calm summer's day. On the way they recall the emotional story of how Reuben, who has Down's Syndrome, was nurtured back to health partly by walking that very route. Head to Orkney where Clare battles 60mph winds in one of the wildest episodes we've yet recorded. Hike up Shutlingsloe with Frank Milner, in training to climb Kilimanjaro on his 82nd birthday. Hear David and Iain recall some youthful misadventures as they stroll along the cliffs towards Portpatrick on the remote Rhins of Galloway. And meet Sam and Roger by the waterfall in south Wales where their romance began thanks to an online walking group.

Boff Whalley of Chumbawamba leads his Commoners Choir in song as they march up to Gaddings Dam in Calderdale. On the Thames Path, Tina and Cas share how their adopted son's way of coping with the world is by long distance hiking. The inspirational Halifax Hikers lead Clare on their favourite local route. And Ali Allen, in Herefordshire, takes time out from running her tiny walking shop to march with Clare up to a section of the Offa's Dyke footpath.

Please scroll down to the 'related links' box on the Ramblings page of the Radio 4 website for links to all these individual episodes.

Presenter: Clare Balding
Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year.

Clare's Highlights2023122520231230 (R4)Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year:

Join brothers Manni and Reuben Coe who amble down to Hive Beach in Dorset on a calm summer's day. On the way they recall the emotional story of how Reuben, who has Down's Syndrome, was nurtured back to health partly by walking that very route. Head to Orkney where Clare battles 60mph winds in one of the wildest episodes we've yet recorded. Hike up Shutlingsloe with Frank Milner, in training to climb Kilimanjaro on his 82nd birthday. Hear David and Iain recall some youthful misadventures as they stroll along the cliffs towards Portpatrick on the remote Rhins of Galloway. And meet Sam and Roger by the waterfall in south Wales where their romance began thanks to an online walking group.

Boff Whalley of Chumbawamba leads his Commoners Choir in song as they march up to Gaddings Dam in Calderdale. On the Thames Path, Tina and Cas share how their adopted son's way of coping with the world is by long distance hiking. The inspirational Halifax Hikers lead Clare on their favourite local route. And Ali Allen, in Herefordshire, takes time out from running her tiny walking shop to march with Clare up to a section of the Offa's Dyke footpath.

Please scroll down to the 'related links' box on the Ramblings page of the Radio 4 website for links to all these individual episodes.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare chooses some favourite moments from her Ramblings year.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Cressida Cowell In West Sussex2021050620210508 (R4)
20230527 (R4)
The best-selling author Cressida Cowell takes Clare for a nostalgic walk near Chichester in West Sussex. As well as writing the whoppingly successful ‘How to Train Your Dragon' series, Cressida created ‘The Wizards of Once' books which draw upon her childhood memories of roaming across the South Downs. She grew up in London but during school holidays would visit her grandparents where she found the freedom of the Sussex countryside intoxicating. Clare and Cressida walk for roughly six miles on a route known as The Trundle Loop, which begins and ends in the village of Charlton.

Grid Ref for start of walk: SU 888 130

Producer: Karen Gregor

The best-selling author Cressida Cowell takes Clare for a nostalgic walk in West Sussex.

Dovedale With Caravan2022090820220910 (R4)Clare walks with a listener known as Caravan, who spent six years living homeless in the Peak District, an area he knows well thanks to his love of outdoor pursuits.

This series of Ramblings is being led by its listeners, people who have written to the programme with a story and a walk that they want to share. Caravan (not his real name) emailed to tell us about his experience of prolonged homelessness over thirty years ago. Central to his survival was the Peak District where he found both physical shelter, by way of railway stations, and also a feeling of sanctuary and anonymity during the most difficult years of his life.

They recorded this walk just after the intense July heatwave which meant their planned Kinder Scout hike was inaccessible, closed due to the risk of wildfires. Instead they met in the village of Hartington and followed a route through Dovedale.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

Clare walks with Caravan, who spent six years living homeless in the Peak District.

Epsom Downs And Langley Vale Wood2022092220220924 (R4)Listener Jo Forrest got in touch inviting Clare to walk with her and a group of fellow walkers with T1 Diabetes who discovered the beautiful lush landscapes around Epsom Downs Racecourse during their lockdown walks. Jo, Chiara, Nicole and Denise are keen to share awareness of Type 1 Diabetes and how they manage it in their every day lives. Their walk takes them beyond the racecourse to Langley Vale Wood scene of Lord Kitchener's inspection of the troops in 1915. Wooden sculptures of the soldiers haunt the landscape and even on a Summer's day the stillness and solemness make for a poignant reminder of the Fallen.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare walks beyond the familiar racecourse to discover the countryside beyond.

Four Waterfalls Walk, South Wales2023022320230225 (R4)Sam and Roger met through a walking group on social media. Both were already keen walkers and Sam posted on the Walking In Wales page looking for a walking companion for a walk she wanted to do. Roger offered to go with her... and the rest is history. Reader, they got engaged. They take Clare on one of their favourite walks in Waterfall Country in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales on a beautiful frosty sunny February day.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare meets two people who met and fell in love through walking.

From Solicitor To Sculptor: Simon Gudgeon In Dorset2021022520210227 (R4)Simon Gudgeon is one of our leading sculptors, but he didn't practice his art until his mid 40s. He'd worked as a solicitor, a photographer, and a landscape gardener before, one day, picking up a lump of clay to see what he could create. It wasn't long before he knew that sculpting was all he wanted to do. His distinctive creations, often inspired by the natural world, are showcased at his own venture, Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorset. Set in 26 acres and featuring over 40 lake and riverside works of art, establishing Sculpture by the Lakes proved a financially risky labour of love. Simon tells his story to Clare Balding on a walk from the historic St. Nicholas Church in Moreton, to his home at the sculpture park in Pallington, Dorset.

Grid Ref for St. Nicholas Church: SY805892

Grid Ref for Sculpture by the Lakes: SY786912

Producer: Karen gregor

From solicitor to sculptor: Simon Gudgeon tells Clare his story on a walk in Dorset.

Gloucestershire With Dom Joly2020091020200912 (R4)Dom Joly, famous for Trigger Happy TV, takes Clare on a walk near to his home in Gloucestershire. Leaving the village of Winchcombe, they walk up Spoonley Hill to see the remains of a Roman Villa. As they walk, Dom talks about his love of walking, discovered later in life after he became a travel writer. Recently he walked the entire length of Lebanon where he was born. His book The Hezbollah Hiking Club is an account of the 27 day walk. And he has been an avid walker since moving to Gloucestershire.

Produced by Maggie Ayre for BBC Audio in Bristol

Clare walks with travel writer and comedian Dom Joly.

Going Dutch In Dorset2019062020190622 (R4)Clare Balding joins a unique family ramble in Dorset. She is walking from Osmington Mills to Weymouth with Simon Waley and his three Dutch sons-in-law. They are here, from their home in the Netherlands, for a three day hike along a stretch of the South West Coastal Path. Simon is British; he met and married a Dutch woman and moved to the Netherlands more than twenty five years ago. They have three daughters and each met a Dutch man. For the first time, Simon - a very keen walker, who regularly comes back to the UK - is bringing his three Dutch sons-in-law to experience long-distance British trekking. He says the culture of walking is very different in the Netherlands where every square inch of land has a specific purpose, there aren't many public footpaths, and agricultural land is out of bounds. When people do walk, it's usually in huge, organised groups along a network of rural roads. Simon wants his family to experience both the freedom of British walking and the unique delight of youth-hostelling, something they haven't done before.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding joins a unique family ramble in Dorset, from Osmington Mills to Weymouth.

Going Wild In The West Country2019061320190615 (R4)Clare Balding walks with sisters Georgina and Rebecca - both mothers of young children - who started a group called Go Wild Go West to help inspire other young families to get out and enjoy the outdoors. They have happy childhood memories of exploring and adventuring in nature and are concerned that children today are losing touch with the thrill of walking and playing outdoors. They take Clare on a circular route around from East Harptree in North Somerset. It's a walk designed to delight and entertain the children who build a den, climb trees and find a rope swing along the way. The children are free to roam and explore with the mums a safe distance behind.

There are more walks and ideas for days out on their Facebook page GoWildGoWest

The walk is from East Harptree Woods up Smitham Hill and down Harptree Combe

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding walks with two sisters and their children in Somerset

Great Alne, Warwickshire2023033020230401 (R4)Retirement villages, recently made very famous by the Thursday Murder Club series of books, are becoming a popular choice for older people who want to, and can afford to, live within a supportive community environment but still retain their independence. For this episode of Ramblings, Clare is walking with Stephen Walsh and his partner, Pat, who live at Great Alne Park retirement village not far from Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire. Along with the village's visiting fitness instructor, Tania Skerritt, they lead Clare around a four mile route directly from the centre of the village into the local countryside.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare walks with residents of a retirement village in Warwickshire.

Halifax Hikers2022092920221001 (R4)Clare goes to Halifax to walk with a group of Muslim men who came together to support each other to become mentally and physically fitter through walking in the countryside around Halifax. One of the things the group enjoys about their town is the ability to be out into beautiful countryside within ten minutes - albeit up some very steep hills! The group's leader is Zaheer Khalil. He is passionate about the benefits of fresh air and walking. He also believes walking is a way of connecting with other people outside of their immediate community. They are a group of professional men who started to find their lives becoming stressful, unhealthy and at times overwhelming. The walks have helped them come together to keep fit and also share problems. They are all passionate about their town and keen to give back to the community in many different ways. They are proud of Halifax's industrial heritage, the contributions made by their elders and their own place in its history.

Their walk begins and ends at the town's magnificent centrepiece The Piece Hall. All together it's 6.2 miles and takes them from the town centre up Trooper Lane to Beacon Hill before they walk along the ridge and drop down into Shibden Valley through the grounds of Shibden Hall, former home of Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack). After a break at the Shibden Mill Inn nestled amongst the trees by a stream, another steep climb takes the group up Lee Lane to Ploughcroft, which offers another panorama of Halifax. There is then a gradual descent back towards the town centre, via Claremount and North Bridge, finishing off in the opulent Georgian splendour of the Piece Hall plaza for the guys' customary chai and samosas.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare meets the Halifax Hikers, who walk together twice a week for fitness and wellbeing.

Happy Valley2022052620220528 (R4)Today's walk starts at Happy Valley in the Mourne Mountains about thirty minutes inland from the coast of County Down. Clare is walking with Kelly Hargie who, for very personal reasons, launched Wild Women Events as a way of encouraging female walkers to explore the countryside of Northern Ireland. Kelly has long understood that escaping into the wild helped her greatly with postnatal depression and recovery from injury and she wanted to share this discovery with like-minded women.

From Happy Valley they head steeply up towards the 7th highest peak in the Mournes, Slieve Meelmore, partly alongside the Shimna River.

This is the second of two back-to-back hikes in the Mournes, recorded on the same day. The first walk was broadcast last week and began - in great contrast to today's route - at Bloody Bridge.

Grid Ref for their starting point: SB 379 857

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Karen Gregor

Clare is heading steeply uphill in the second of two back-to-back hikes in the Mournes.

Harbottle Craggs20081031Clare Balding walks from Harbottle Craggs in Northumberland in the company of Jon Monks.
Here Comes The Summer, Feargal Sharkey2019052320190525 (R4)Clare Balding joins singer Feargal Sharkey for a river walk on the south London/Surrey border along the River Hogsmill one of just 200 chalk streams in the world. He's always been a rambler and is currently walking all of the river routes of London. He is often dismayed and pleased in equal measure at the state of our rivers as he is a passionate advocate for water health and quality.

The walk is part of the London Loop and starts from Ewell West Station and ends at Kingston upon Thames passing through Old Malden.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins singer Feargal Sharkey for a river walk.

Herefordshire Interfaith Group On The Malverns2020032620200328 (R4)Clare Balding walks across a section of The Malverns, from Hollybush car park towards British Camp, with members of the Herefordshire Interfaith Group. In a world that feels increasingly divided, this group draws together Muslims, Quakers, Buddhists, Bahᒀ퀀s, Methodists and more. It's a leisurely stroll, with many pauses to reflect and share readings on the themes of Pilgrimage and Nature. Note: when we walked this route, in early March 2020, it was affected by flooding in the lower lying sections.

In this series, Clare has walked with people and groups of many faiths and none to discover how being in the natural world can affect our inner lives.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding walks across the Malverns with the Herefordshire Interfaith Group.

High Winds And Hail On Orkney2023030920230311 (R4)Clare explores the wild and stormy west coast of mainland Orkney in the company of beachcomber, conservationist and former Polar-guide, Martin Gray. Their plan to walk along the cliffs between Yesnaby and Marwick Bay were stymied by consistently high winds of around 60mph. Instead they watched the churning ocean at Yesnaby, drove to the Bay of Skaill for a walk along the rocky beach, then headed up to Birsay for a very slightly more sheltered walk to the Earl's Palace.

This is the first of three consecutive Orkney walks. Next week Clare is with Sandra Miller of Historic Environment Scotland walking from the Stones of Stenness to the Ring of Brodgar.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer, for BBC Audio in Bristol: Karen Gregor

Clare explores the wild and stormy west coast of mainland Orkney.

Hiking With Hounds2023032320230325 (R4)Walking your dog in the countryside can be tricky: What if you need to cross a field of cattle or horses? Should you let your dog off the lead or keep it on? Is it best to poo-pick or ‘stick and flick' in a remote area? Steve Jenkinson has a unique job, having studied the psychology of people and their pets he now works with a range of organisations helping them develop a harmonious relationship with dog walkers who use their land. He lives on Orkney where Clare met him and his dog, Teal, for a coastal walk which passes by the Broch of Gurness. This Iron Age settlement is around 2000 years old and is on the north eastern edge of Orkney's west Mainland. The St. Magnus Way, a 58 mile long-distance walking route passes by. This is the third of three consecutive walks that Clare recorded on Orkney where she explored its landscape, rich history and archaeology.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer, for BBC Audio in Bristol: Karen Gregor

Clare discovers how to safely and considerately walk with your dog in the countryside.

Hope Valley With Anita Sethi2023102620231028 (R4)In 2019 Anita Sethi was on a trans Pennine train journey when she was racially abused by a man who later pleaded guilty to the offence. During the attack he told her to go back to where she belonged. Having been born and raised in Manchester Anita feels very strongly that the North of England is where she belongs and as a way of working through the shock and trauma of the incident she began a journey through the Pennines on foot beginning at the uplifting and positively named Hope in the Peak District. Clare joins her for a hike in the steep countryside to Edale taking in Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins writer Anita Sethi in the Peak District.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Clare Balding joins writer Anita Sethi in the Peak District. The walk goes from Hope Railway Station to Edale, taking in Mam Tor and Kinder Scout.

Into Portpatrick On The Rhins Of Galloway2023092820230930 (R4)Clare joins two friends on what could possibly be the slowest walk between Land's End and John O'Groats. Hiking one week at a time (with a gap of several years when the Welsh coastline wasn't fully navigable) it's taken Iain McHenry and David Rowe 18 years to reach the coast of Dumfries and Galloway. That's where Clare joins them, on a beautifully sunny day, as they approach the village of Portpatrick on the remote Rhins of Galloway.

This is the first of two episodes recorded in the area: next week Margaret Hughes and Peter Ross take Clare on a section of the Southern Upland Way, starting in Portpatrick and heading north.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Presenter: Clare Balding

Clare joins two friends on the coastal path between Knockinaam Lodge and Portpatrick.

Joyful Highlight Part 5: Walking Advice2020061120200613 (R4)Clare Balding continues her exploration of the archives and finds a selection of entertaining highlights which give some good advice to walkers both experienced and novice.

Writer, Simon Ingram, recommends walking at 'guide's pace' when climbing steep hills; bothy-bagger, Phoebe Smith, discusses the etiquette of staying in these remote shelters; and experienced long-distance walker, Jenny Walters, tells Clare how best to prepare when tackling a mammoth route.

Please scroll down to the 'related links' box to click through to the programmes featured.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding continues her exploration of the archives and finds some good walking advice

Joyful Highlights Part 1: Friends And Family2020051420200516 (R4)In a joyful celebration of twenty years spent walking on air, Clare Balding digs deep into the exhilarating and exhausting archives of Ramblings to share her favourite walks. This week the theme is Friends and Family as Clare finds the moments that best illustrate how walking is a fantastic way of drawing people together.

Please scroll down to the 'Related Links' box to click through to the programmes featured:

The Nidderdale Way: Gouthwaite to Bewerley

Going Wild in the West Country

An Aussie Walkabout... in Norfolk

Hopetoun with the Monday Walkers

Reigate, Surrey (Refugees)

Producer: Karen Gregor

In a joyful celebration of 20 years spent walking on air, Clare shares her favourite walks

Joyful Highlights Part 2: Health And Happiness2020052120200523 (R4)In a joyful celebration of 20 years spent walking on air, Clare Balding digs deep into the exhilarating archives of Ramblings to share the best moments from her favourite walks. This week she explores the theme of Health and Happiness to discover how walking can provide a real boost to both our physical and mental health.

The featured programmes include The Diamond Ramblers, a group who discuss their achievements with weight loss; the positive and uplifting Forget Me Not dementia group; and Dr. Kate Harding who persuades Clare to walk in silence, always a challenge, however this was an encounter that proved very meaningful for Clare and it's a walk she's never forgotten.

Please scroll down to the 'Related Links' box to access the full programmes included in this edition. Many, many more are available on BBC Sounds.

Walking for Spiritual Renewal

Mental Health Walking Group

Black Men's Walking for Health Group (now Walk4Health)

Up to the Labyrinth on St. Catherine's Hill

Forget Me Not' Dementia Group

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding shares the best moments from her favourite walks.

Joyful Highlights Part 3: Landscape2020052820200530 (R4)In a joyful celebration of 20 years spent walking on air, Clare Balding digs deep into the exhilarating archives of Ramblings to share the best moments from her favourite walks.

This week's highlights showcase the diverse landscape that Clare has explored since the series began. From the Sands of Forvie in Aberdeenshire to the Wicklow Mountains in the Republic of Ireland via a moonlit night walk across the South Downs to the unique landscape of Alderney.

Please scroll down to the 'Related Links' box to click through to the programmes featured today.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding shares the best moments from her favourite walks.

Joyful Highlights Part 4: Singers And Writers2020060420200606 (R4)Clare Balding recalls her favourite walks with a colourful variety of writers and singers including Bill Bryson, Toyah Wilcox, folk duo Ninebarrow, and the choral group Werca's Folk.

Clare has been walking on air since 1999, and for this lockdown series of highlights has been digging into the archives to retrieve some of her most memorable moments: Today she gets dressed with Bill Bryson, takes a lift across a small puddle with Toyah, discovers that Dorothy Wordsworth avoided marriage so she could continue walking, and hears from author Emma Mitchell about exactly why our mood is lifted when we spend time in nature.

Scroll down to the 'Related Links' box where you can click through to all the featured programmes.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding recalls her favourite walks with a colourful variety of writers and singers.

Joyful Highlights Part 6: Extreme Walking2020061820200620 (R4)Clare Balding digs into the archives to find the most dramatic weather conditions she's recorded in; she also hears from those walkers who've had had the biggest adventures.

The highlights include: Satish Kumar who covered 8000 miles when he walked from India to North America in the 1960s, to protest about nuclear arms;

retired RAF officer, Lucy Newcombe, who has walked around the British coastline; and back in 2012 Clare found herself in the wildest of conditions on Dartmoor, luckily she was with a group from the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

Please scroll down to the 'related links' box to click through to the featured programmes.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Dramatic weather and unfeasibly long routes.

Kingfishers On The River Frome With Nadeem Perera2024030720240309 (R4)Nadeem Perera is not your conventional image of a birdwatcher. In fact growing up in inner city London he was not raised as or encouraged to be a 'nature boy'. But dropping out of school as a troubled teen he had a revelation. One day he was sitting in woodland and saw a green spotted woodpecker in front of him and his passion for birds was born. Now he can be seen on BBC 1 on the One Show talking about birds and has moved to Bristol to further his career in wildlife presenting. He takes Clare for a walk along the River Frome starting in Eastville Park. It's a grey Winter's day but they are overjoyed to be accompanied along the river by kingfishers lighting up the landscape. Along the way he talks about the project he runs called Flock Together and about his passion for combining young people of colour with the outdoors and nature.

They walk from Eastville Park to Snuff Mills and the Stoke Park Estate

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare joins wildlife presenter Nadeem Perera in Bristol.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

A flash of bright on a grey winter's day. Clare joins wildlife presenter Nadeem Perera in Bristol.

Lgbt+ Outdoor Adventures Group2019091920190921 (R4)Clare Balding is with a group of young LGBT+ ramblers who meet once a month to explore the green spaces close to Manchester. Run by The Proud Trust, the outdoor adventures group is for 18-25-year-olds and is designed to combat social isolation and build both confidence and physical fitness. They always meet within striking distance of public transport and, today, are starting on the Chester Road in Stretford which is a mile from Trafford Park station. From there they walk partly along the River Mersey to Chorlton Water Park. It's a local nature reserve which was created during the construction of the M60 motorway, when gravel was excavated and the resulting pit flooded to create the lake.

Please scroll down to 'related links' for information connected to the walk location and The Proud Trust.

Location Producer: Tom Bonnett

(Producer: Karen Gregor)

Clare is with a group of young LGBT+ ramblers walking to Chorlton Water Park nr Manchester

Lowsonford, Warwickshire20081024David Carrington-Porter and Sheila Wooley ramble around Lowsonford in Warwickshire.
Mallerstang In Cumbria With Debbie North.2021060320210605 (R4)Debbie North uses a motorised wheelchair and is a powerful advocate for making the countryside accessible for all. Debbie had always been a keen walker but, in her 40s, was diagnosed with spinal degeneration. Very quickly she became a wheelchair user yet made the decision that this wasn't going to stop her accessing the countryside that she loves. Today she takes Clare on one of her favourite rambles in Mallerstang. It starts at The Thrang, south of Outhgill. Although officially at the eastern edge of Cumbria, the walk is in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Their destination is the 'Water Cut' stone sculpture which overlooks some of the area's most beautiful and expansive scenery.

Grid Ref for start of walk: NY783004

OS Map: OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley

Producer: Karen Gregor

Debbie North takes Clare for a motorised-wheelchair ramble in Mallerstang, Cumbria.

Mousehole To Lamorna With Jane Johnson And Abdel Bakrim2022051220220514 (R4)Having grown up in Cornwall Jane Johnson has a deep love of the landscape of the south west. She and her husband Abdel take Clare on a coastal walk along steep rocky footpaths that offer breathtaking views of the Cornish coastline around the Lizard to Lands End. It's a favourite walk for the couple who often see dolphins, whales and basking sharks along the way. They tell Clare the story of their extraordinary meeting in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco and how a near death experience for Jane while climbing led to a love affair with a Berber restaurant owner who tried to rescue her. Seventeen years on the couple live mainly in Cornwall but try to divide their time between there and Morocco. Jane is a writer and publisher while Abdel is now developing his artwork.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare walks in Cornwall and hears about Jane and Abdel's unusual meeting.

Nightjar Impressions Near The Hampshire Hangers2022091520220917 (R4)A sunny hike, with added party tricks, in the pretty countryside around East Worldham. Led ably by members of Walk Alton, Clare discovers the beauty of this part of east Hampshire.

Every episode in this series has been suggested by a Ramblings listener. Helen Dudley and Ian Fleming from Walk Alton wrote to the programme and invited Clare to discover more about this very active organisation and the national scheme to which it belongs, Walkers Are Welcome. For its small size, a population of around twenty thousand, Alton has a disproportionately large number of walking groups and two walking festivals, all run by committed volunteers.

Today's route is around 7 miles long and starts in the village of East Worldham, two miles east of Alton. They follow the map south, along part of the Hangers Way (hangers are very steep, wooded slopes) to Binswood, an ancient area of woodland managed by the Woodland Trust. Next they head to Shortheath Common, an important area of heathland, before looping back via another part of Binswood and returning to East Worldham via King John's Hill. Joining them en route is Elinor Newman of the South Downs National Park who discusses a rare habitat known as 'quaking bog', and surprises everyone with her uncanny impressions of both nightjars and beetles.

Scroll down on the Radio 4 Ramblings webpage to the 'related links' section for more info.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

Ninebarrow In Dorset2019101720191019 (R4)Clare walks with Jon Whitley and James (Jay) La Bouchardiere, two childhood friends born and bred in Dorset who moved back there after university and began playing folk music. Jon's father had run a folk club so it was in his blood so to speak as is the Dorset countryside.

When they started writing songs it was a natural process to incorporate the landscape and folklore of the county and this eventually led to them producing a book of the walks that they have enjoyed and written songs about. They perform as a duo called Ninebarrow, a hill near Corfe Castle.

They're walking one of their favourite and oldest walks of coastline, a circular walk beginning and ending in Worth Matravers. OS Ref SY 974 777

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding walks with folk duo Ninebarrow in Dorset.

Off The Beaten Track On The Island Of Iona2021093020211002 (R4)Clare is walking on the beautiful island of Iona in today's Ramblings. One of the Inner Hebrides, Iona is just three miles long by around a mile wide yet punches well above its weight both in terms of scenery and history. Her companion is David Allaway: a keen photographer, founding member of the island's craft co-operative and a volunteer fire-fighter he also runs guided walking tours. Beginning and ending at the ferry terminal, they circumnavigate the coast at the north end of the island.

See the 'related links' box at the bottom of the Ramblings webpage for more info about David Allaway.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

Walking guide, David Allaway, takes Clare away from the tourist hub on this famous island

Old And New Winchelsea With Historian Dr Matthew Green2022032420220326 (R4)The walk begins on the shingle at Winchelsea Beach - the possible site of the drowned city that was engulfed by waves in the 11th century. Crossing the marshy fields inland Clare and Matthew climb the steep hill to the gate of the rebuilt and fortified town of Winchelsea that was once a thriving wine port. They walk through the town passing open wine cellars as they go. The town was built on a grid system and as with similar towns in France and Italy it became known as a medieval Manhattan. Trade with European ports in France, Italy, Spain and Portugal was vibrant and it was said that in the Middle Ages Winchelsea was close to becoming the wine capital of Europe. Fierce fighting took place between its citizens and bands of marauding pirates from across the Channel to protects its wealth and prosperity.

Dr Matthew Green specialises in walking as a way of understanding history and gives wine and gin tours in London. He says he prefers to try and understand how people lived and felt at the time they were living rather than to focus on the politics and conflicts of the past.

Crossing into fields on the south side of Winchelsea they walk over buried streets of houses, a hospital and the market place down to the stone towngate on the road to Icklesham.

Having submerged the original town, the sea then played another cruel trick on Winchelsea. Large deposits of shingle amassed meaning ships could no longer enter the harbour. Trade dwindled and the town declined. Only around a third of the original settlement remains.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Young 'walking' historian Dr Matthew Green shows Clare a lost city on the Sussex coast

Oldbury On Severn And Inside Planet Earth2023101220231014 (R4)Clare walks with Mike Gunton, the man in charge of Planet Earth III, another blockbuster series from the BBC's Natural History Unit. Mike's a passionate walker and he takes Clare on a favourite local route around Oldbury on Severn where he courted his wife, and once filmed a sequence in a graveyard about the grim sounding ‘burying beetle'. He also shares stories of his many years working with Sir David Attenborough, and what it's like making some of the most beautiful and memorable TV shows of recent years. Oldbury on Severn is, as it sounds, near the banks of the longest river in the UK which runs 220 miles from its source in the Cambrian Mountains in mid-Wales to where it meets the sea at the Bristol channel. They meet at St. Arilda's Church and head off on a circular walk of around five miles ending back in the village, at the local pub.

Map: OS Explorer 167 Thornbury, Dursley and Yate

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare walks with Mike Gunton and hears about his career in natural history film-making.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Clare walks with Mike Gunton, the man in charge of Planet Earth III, another blockbuster from the BBC's Natural History Unit.

Clare walks with Mike Gunton, the man in charge of Planet Earth III, another blockbuster series from the BBC's Natural History Unit. Mike's a passionate walker and he takes Clare on a favourite local route around Oldbury on Severn where he courted his wife, and once filmed a sequence in a graveyard about the grim sounding ‘burying beetle'. He also shares stories of his many years working with Sir David Attenborough, and what it's like making some of the most beautiful and memorable TV shows of recent years. Oldbury on Severn is, as it sounds, near the banks of the longest river in the UK which runs 220 miles from its source in the Cambrian Mountains in mid-Wales to where it meets the sea at the Bristol channel. They meet at St. Arilda's Church and head off on a circular walk of around five miles ending back in the village, at the local pub.

Oliver Jeffers In Outer Space2022050520220507 (R4)In the first of a new series, Clare is in Derry-Londonderry to meet the celebrated children's author and artist, Oliver Jeffers. As part of a free nationwide arts project called Unboxed, he's created a 10 kilometre sculpture trail, designed as a scale model of the solar system. It starts at Bay Road Park and runs alongside the River Foyle. The trail, ‘Our Place in Space', is there until 22 May 2022 before moving to Belfast, Cambridge, and the North Down Coastal Path.

Oliver says he's a ‘pretty serious rambler': he walked everywhere when he lived in New York City, and once led three-day hikes in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York.

Explaining his inspiration for the project, he says: `If we could look back at Earth from the vastness of the solar system, what would we feel? Wouldn't squabbles look stupid from Saturn? Wouldn't violence seem senseless from Venus? Forget about ‘Us' and ‘Them', from the perspective of Pluto, it's just US!`

Oliver Jeffers collaborated with the Nerve Centre and Professor Stephen Smartt of Queen's University Belfast to design the trail which has its own free interactive App to download.

Grid Ref for their starting point: NV 611 818

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Karen Gregor

Much-loved children's author Oliver Jeffers rambles with Clare in Derry-Londonderry.

Oscar Winner Gareth Ellis-unwin On His Local Riverside Route In Berkshire2021021820210220 (R4)The Oscar winning producer of The King's Speech, Gareth Ellis-Unwin, takes Clare on one of his regular rambles from Pangbourne in Berkshire to Goring on Thames in South Oxfordshire. Gareth had an unusual route into film-making and now works with the charity, ScreenSkills, which is trying to make it easier for people of all backgrounds to join the industry. Walking - Gareth says - is vital for the creative process, and he has a lot bubbling under: including a project about the extraordinary Georgian explorer, Lady Hester Stanhope.

We started in Pangbourne at Grid Ref: SU636767 and walked along the Thames Path to Goring on Thames. Our final landmark was Goring Lock, Grid Ref: SU596808

Producer: Karen Gregor

Oscar winner Gareth Ellis-Unwin shares his local riverside route with Clare Balding

Out Of Portpatrick On The Rhins Of Galloway2023100520231007 (R4)On a beautiful late summer's day Clare and guests explore a coastal walk on a remote peninsula in southern Scotland - the Rhins of Galloway.

Walking with her are Peter Ross, who runs a walking for health group, and Margaret Hughes who is one of the members. They start their hike in Portpatrick and head along the coast for a few miles before dropping down into Sandeel Bay and returning to Portpatrick on an inland path through woodland.

Margaret is registered blind due to an acquired brain injury, and has had a tough time recovering. Walking is a huge part of her life, and Peter's group plays a significant part in this especially as Margaret needs a sighted guide to help her along the way.

This is the second of two walks on the Rhins of Galloway: last week's episode was with two friends who are taking what could be the longest, slowest route between Land's End and John O'Groats.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

On a beautiful summer's day, Clare and guests explore a coastal walk on a remote peninsula

Outdoor Counselling In Derbyshire2020031220200314 (R4)Psychotherapist, Dr. Ruth Allen, explains how outdoor counselling works. She takes Clare Balding on a walk near Kelstedge in Derbyshire to discuss the healing power of walking & talking.

In this series of Ramblings, Clare Balding is exploring the impact that walking in nature can have on our inner lives. She's been up Glastonbury Tor with Druids, walked the Wilberforce Way with a Methodist minister, been on retreat in Winchester and rambled across the Malverns with the Herefordshire Interfaith Group.

Scroll down to the 'related links' box for more information.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Psychotherapist Dr Ruth Allen explains how outdoor counselling works.

Proud, Resilient And Native American In The Uk2019060620190608 (R4)Clare Balding meets a group of native American women who live and work in the UK. A sense of isolation and homesickness led them to the Rainmaker Gallery in Bristol seeking connection with other indigenous people. They now meet regularly. Clare joins them on a walk around Henley in Arden in Warwickshire and hears how despite different tribal affiliations, the common cultural and spiritual backgrounds they share bring great comfort to them thousands of miles from home. Leandra Nephin is from the Omaha tribe of Nebraska and grew up on the reservation there. Sarah Sense is a Chitimacha artist who met her husband while she was exhibiting her work at the Rainmaker Gallery in Bristol run by Joanne Prince, while Stephanie Pratt is an academic and art historian from the Dakota Crow Creek tribe. Melinda Schwakhofer is Muscogee Creek and through her artwork is attempting to reconnect with her culture from her home on Dartmoor.

The walk: Start Henley in Arden Centre ending Preston Bagot Church. Distance approximately four miles OS grid reference SP151660

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding walks with a group of Native American women who live in the UK.

Reading The Landscape With Mary-ann Ochota: Pegsdon Hills2021030420210306 (R4)How many times have you been out for a walk and spotted intriguing shapes in the landscape? Your instinct tells you that these dips, hollows, lumps, bumps and oddly shaped stones aren't natural features, but what on (and under) the earth are they? Mary-Ann Ochota is an anthropologist who writes about these curious archaeological forms and how to understand them. In her book, Hidden Histories, she shows how anyone can become a landscape detective, and start to read the history of the countryside from the clues around them. On today's Ramblings she takes Clare Balding for a walk around the Pegsdon Hills on the Hertfordshire-Bedfordshire border, and through 6000 years of British history.

Grid Ref for where we parked: TL133301

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding learns how to identify the curious features in our landscape.

Rhiane Fatinikun Of Black Girls Hike In The Peak District2021051320210515 (R4)Rhiane Fatinikun takes Clare on one of her favourite walks in the Peak District. Starting in Edale they take in Hollins Cross, Lose Hill and Mam Tor. Rhiane set up Black Girls Hike to provide a safe space for black women to explore the countryside. It's been such a success that there are now three branches: in the North West, the West Midlands and London. As she tells Clare, it's a way of building confidence and increasing diversity in the outdoors. It's an exhilarating and challenging walk, made more so by the changeable weather they had on the day... from bright sunshine to snow and strong, biting wind.

We started at the main car park in Edale, which is near the railway station (station grid ref: SK 123 853)

Producer: Karen Gregor

Rhiane Fatinikun of Black Girls Hike puts Clare through her paces in the Peak District

Ricky Ross And Lorraine Mcintosh Of Deacon Blue In Fife2019091220190914 (R4)Clare Balding is joined by singers Ricky Ross and Lorraine McIntosh of the band Deacon Blue to walk one of their favourite coastal routes in Fife. Starting at Elie they walk along the beach passing through the village of St Monan's ending in the picturesque fishing town of Pittenweem. Ricky and Lorraine have been married for over thirty years and perform together as part of the band, as well as having their own careers in broadcasting and acting. They say the secret to their enduring relationship is doing things together as a couple and sharing the same interests, one of which is walking. One of their favourite areas to walk is the East Neuk in Fife reputed to have some of the driest sunniest weather in the UK because of its sheltered position between the Rivers Forth and Tay.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding is joined by Ricky Ross and Lorraine Mcintosh of Deacon Blue in Fife.

Riverside Rambling Near Reading2023060820230610 (R4)Two friends, Karen and Emma, who say they met when both were post-covid slumped on the sofa and doing no exercise, take Clare for a walk along the Thames Path near Reading in Berkshire. Their friendship is based on walking and they're notching up the miles, including the Grand Union Canal (188 miles), the Ridgeway (72 miles) and 150 miles of the Portuguese Camino.

Karen says that `Emma has gone from a neighbour I sort of knew to my very best friend. We have laughed so hard together we could barely stand; we have howled with pain together; we have picked each other up when the other could barely go on; we have gotten so grumpy with each other that we could barely speak to each other but always found a way back to friendship`.

Clare hears their inspirational story of building a supportive and healing friendship as they ramble riverside one morning in late Spring. They start at the end of the Kennet and Avon canal and walk for around 9 miles to Henley on Thames. This is a section of a long distance route the friends are completing, coast to coast, from Bristol to the Isle of Grain on the Thames Estuary.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Two friends who met during the pandemic take Clare for a walk along the Thames

Sandstone Trail2023092120230923 (R4)Sunshine and summer downpours on a hilly Cheshire hike with great views. On the way Clare hears from two friends about how walking has helped them cope with life changing events.

Linda Ashworth only discovered walking after her children left home but it became a stress-relieving necessity when her husband suffered a serious accident. Her love of putting one foot in front of the other grew to such an extent that she went onto gain hill and moorland leadership qualifications and set up a business leading walks for ‘ladies of my age'.

Tracey was diagnosed, age 40, with acute myeloid leukaemia. The treatment, she says, 'turned my bones to sugar' and she broke her back in five places. This left her unable to walk properly for years, relying on a mobility scooter to get her into the countryside. However, as she slowly recovered, she discovered rambling was a good way to rebuild strength, balance and coordination. To mark her 50th year she went with a group of supportive friends and family on a celebratory three day hike around the Lake District. Linda led the way.

For today's walk, Linda and Tracey take Clare along a section of the Sandstone Trail. It's a 34 mile long route stretching from Frodsham in Cheshire to Whitchurch just over the Shropshire border. They started at grid ref SJ494526 and headed north. The map they used: OS 257 Crewe and Nantwich.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

Screenwriter Kay Mellor At Harewood In Leeds2021052020210522 (R4)Kay Mellor is one of our most successful screenwriters. On today's ramble she takes Clare on her favourite route at Harewood House in her home city of Leeds. En route they discuss The Syndicate, Kay's hit drama series on BBC One and the iPlayer, which tells the story of a group of people who have won a huge amount of money on a lottery. Kay also discusses how walking helps her in the writing process, her desire to nurture more new writers, and how she started directing her own work.

The walk they do is on land which is free to enter, but there is a charge to enter the main house and grounds of Harewood. They met at Grid Reference: SE 325 431 by large iron gates.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Screenwriter Kay Mellor takes Clare for a ramble at Harewood House in Leeds.

Sheffield20081017Clare Balding walks with a group of refugees and asylum seekers in Sheffield.
Slippy Rocks And Otter Spotting On The Island Of Mull2021092320210925 (R4)Clare takes on a challenging coastal route from Lochbuie to Carsaig on the island of Mull. Her guide is Wendy Lloyd who - like most islanders - has several strings to her bow. As well as working for Christian Aid, farming pigs on her croft, and hosting visitors in a yurt, she is interested in helping people navigate pilgrimage walking routes across Mull and over to Iona. She tells Clare about all of this as they attempt a long and arduous hike across slippy rocks and through shoulder-high bracken but the rewards are immense with spectacular scenery and obliging wildlife.

Scroll down to the foot of the Ramblings webpage to the 'related links' box where there is further information available.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

Clare takes on a challenging coastal route from Lochbuie to Carsaig.

St Mary On The Isles Of Scilly With Will Wagstaff And Lucy Mcrobert2022060920220611 (R4)Starting her walk overlooking the harbour outside the Star Castle Hotel once a Civil War fortress Clare hikes around the largest of the Isles of Scilly in the company of Will Wagstaff and Lucy McRobert. Will came to the island in 1985 and began giving walking tours which he has done ever since pointing out the variety of flora and fauna encouraged by the mild climate. Lucy McRobert came to St Marys three years ago with her keen birdwatching husband and infant daughter. Lucy is now just as keen a birder and like every islander has different roles including taking care of stranded seal pups each winter. As they take in the diverse landscapes of this small island they discuss the appeal of life there.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

The second of two walks on the Isles of Scilly.

Stained Glass In Minsmere With Arabella Marshall2021032520210327 (R4)Glass artist, Arabella Marshall, takes Clare for a walk at Minsmere in Suffolk. Their focus is an old chapel ‘bleak and broken' which provided Arabella with the inspiration for a major work of art: a new stained-glass window fitted into one of the ruin's old apertures. It's a striking modern feature in the abandoned building. The idea came to her when out walking which, alongside her artistic practice, is the thing she loves best in life. She says rambling alone provides creative inspiration and a space for problem solving.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Glass artist Arabella Marshall takes Clare for a walk at Minsmere in Suffolk.

Tales Of International Adventure On A Walk In Somerset2021052720210529 (R4)Bex Band was not an outdoorsy person, but one day she decided to hike the length of Israel. Whilst there she noticed very few women walking the 1000km National Trail so, on her return, decided to do something about it. She set up Love Her Wild, an organisation that encourages women to become more adventurous. The community now has over 25,000 members. On today's walk, she takes Clare for a loop around King Alfred's Tower near the Stourhead Estate, not far from Shepton Mallet in Somerset. As they walk, Bex discusses her forthcoming book; why women need encouragement and support to access the outdoors; and the other adventures she's completed including kick-scooting the length of the United States.

Car Park Grid Ref: ST749354

King Alfred's Tower Grid Ref: ST746351

OS Map: Explorer 142 Shepton Mallet and Mendip Hills East

Producer: Karen Gregor

Bex Band of Love Her Wild takes Clare for a loop around King Alfred's Tower in Somerset.

The Golden Road, Pembrokeshire2022020320220205 (R4)Clare explores part of a challenging route in the Preseli Hills taken by hardy cattle drovers who, over generations, would walk herds of two to three hundred animals from Pembrokeshire to livestock markets in London. With her is Nick Gammage who, in the summer of 2021, spent 17 arduous days completing the entire 250 mile trek. They begin their walk at Grid Ref SN075321 and head east along one of the most popular walks in the area, the Golden Road, which stretches for seven miles along the length of the Preselis.

Nick spent childhood holidays in Pembrokeshire and remembers hearing stories of the Welsh Black cattle and their drovers. In the rain, steam could be seen rising from the hot animals whose feet were shod to protect them on their journey. Now retired and looking for new adventures, he decided to set himself this challenge which he started with a broken toe, and a tent which he hoped he wouldn't have to use.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

A boggy adventure in the Preseli Hills of west Wales.

The Highest Hill In The Cotswolds2019092620190928 (R4)Clare is climbing Cleeve Hill near Cheltenham in today's Ramblings. At 330 metres above sea level it's the highest point in Gloucestershire, and of the Cotswold Hills. With her are Chas and Sue Howes who live at the foot of the hill, and have a strong connection to it. Until 2012 Chas was the Finance Director of a major international clothing company. When he left he spiralled into a severe depression, something he now realises he had suffered from for many years. He says the business world is still a place where it's very difficult to discuss mental health issues.

Cleeve Hill and Common have been something of a lifeline for Chas: alongside medication, walking and running on the hill have improved his physical and mental health. He is now a trustee of its conservation body which raises money to protect and improve the hill and its surrounding land.

Details of organisations offering information and support are available at bbc.co.uk/actionline

Please scroll down to 'related links' for more information on the support available. Also for more information about Cleeve Hill.

Location Producer: Tom Bonnett

(Producer: Karen Gregor)

Clare Balding heads to the highest point in the Cotswolds, the top of Cleeve Hill.

The Hills Are Alive! Commoners Choir In Calderdale2023020220230204 (R4)Boff Whalley is best known for Tubthumping with the band Chumbawamba but now he's a core member of the Leeds based Commoners Choir which he founded. They sing about the world around them, about inequality and injustice, and they also love to walk. Cath Long, a fellow member, wrote to Ramblings to ask Clare to join them on a hike in the South Pennines near Todmorden in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. So, on a chilly, wet and blustery Saturday in early January, they met by the Shepherd's Rest pub and headed into the hills to ramble and sing. Boff created a choir manifesto, and one aim was to 'rehearse until we're brilliant' and they really are. Their Skelmanthorpe Flag Song, which they performed at the historic Basin Stone, was heard by fellow walkers at least two miles down in the valley. On a circular hike, which began and ended at the pub, they stopped off at Gaddings Dam, often described as the highest beach in the UK, where some choir members took the plunge and sang out from the wind-blown waves of the reservoir.

Grid Ref for start of walk: SD 945 231

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

Boff Whalley and Commoners Choir take Clare for a hike and a sing in Calderdale.

The Icknield Way2023020920230211 (R4)David Falk is Green Access Manager on the Public Rights of Way Team for Suffolk County Council. He works hard to encourage people to enjoy walking in the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Along with fellow walker former local radio presenter Leslie Dolphin he takes Clare on a walk along part of the Icknield Way starting at Stow Country Park just north of Bury St Edmunds. . It is claimed to be the oldest road in Britain (5,000 years old!). This section goes through a large pine forest and open heathlands and is lovely walking terrain.

Producer Maggie Ayre

Clare walks part of the Icknield Way in Suffolk.

The Lake District20081010Four schoolmates retrace a walk in the Lake District with their former teacher.
The Mendips With Professor Alice Roberts2020091720200919 (R4)On a hot day, Clare and Alice Roberts walk from the village of Draycott in Somerset up through the Draycott Sleights Nature Reserve with views opening out across the Bristol Channel to Wales and across the Somerset Levels to Glastonbury Tor.

Alice says she finds the ancient landscape fascinating and imagines the inhabitants of past centuries who would have lived on the small settlements on the Levels.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare walks with TV anthropologist and academic Alice Roberts.

The Saxon Shore Way In Kent2022033120220402 (R4)Colleen Thirkell and her husband Richard have been walking stretches of the Saxon Shore Way with their friends Bev and John. In autumn 2020 Colleen fell seriously ill with a rare reaction to a flu jab. She was unable to walk and spent months in hospital. But she has slowly recovered and part of her rehabilitation has been to get out walking with her friends again. They invited Clare to walk one of the final stages of the 168 mile route they have been walking together when time has allowed. The ramble takes them from the village of Hamstreet to Appledore on the edge or Romney Marsh. Along the way they talk about their love of walking together as a group and how Colleen's recovery was aided by the thought of being outdoors with friends and family again.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

A group of friends walk from Hamstreet to Appledore in Kent.

The Slate Island Of Seil2021100720211009 (R4)Clare crosses the famous ‘Bridge over the Atlantic' for a ramble on the island of Seil. Her guide is the writer, educator, and director of the Scottish Centre for Geopoetics, Norrie Bissell. Geopoetics is described as `creatively expressing the earth` and is critical of the western way of thinking which separates humans from the rest of the natural world. Norrie has also published a novel, ‘Barnhill', about George Orwell's final years on the relatively nearby Island of Jura where he wrote 1984.

Approximately twelve miles south of Oban, Seil is a small island separated from the mainland by the narrowest of sea channels. It became known as one of the ‘slate islands' thanks to its slate rock deposits which were quarried and used to ‘roof the world'. Norrie and Clare begin their walk on the mainland side of the bridge, at Grid Ref NM 785 196.

Please scroll down to the 'related links' box on the Ramblings webpage for more info.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer for BBC Audio in Bristol: Karen Gregor

From the House of Trousers to the Pool of the Otter.

The Thames Path In Oxfordshire With Freddie2023051820230520 (R4)When Freddie was adopted by Tina and Cas he was not in a good way. The first three years of his life left him with anxiety, trauma and PTSD. Tina and Cas discovered that walking is a great way of relieving some of the symptoms and in the six years he has been with them they have already completed several long distance routes including the West Highland Way - twice!

They are currently walking the Thames Path - 185 miles of the river from sea to source in preparation for walking the Portuguese Camino this Summer.

Clare joins the family on a stretch of the Thames Path in Oxfordshire. Meeting at Wallingford just over the border from Berkshire they follow the path to Dorchester-on-Thames as Freddie talks about his knowledge of trees and plants and introduces her to his amazing assistance dog Garlic.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare joins 9-year-old Freddie and his mums on part of the Thames Path.

The Trundle Sussex With Harriet Thomas2022100620221008 (R4)The final listener's walk of the series is with Harriet Thomas who wrote to the programme to invite Clare to share her regular walk to The Trundle near Goodwood Racecourse in West Sussex. When lockdown struck and Harriet decamped from London to be near her elderly father she began walking regularly. Sadly her father passed away in Spring 2020 and Harriet kept up the walking as a way of processing her grief. She never returned to London and now immerses herself in the Sussex landscape on her daily rambles. They meet and start out from near the village of West Dean and do a 6 mile circular walk that takes them up to The Trundle an ancient hillfort that provides a spectacular view down into Chichester and beyond to Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare joins listener Harriet Thomas on her favourite walk.

The Turquoise Sea And White Sands Of Ardnamurchan2021091620210918 (R4)Clare explores a remote and beautiful stretch of coastline between Portuairk and Sanna Bay on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Ardnamurchan's far coastline is the most westerly part of the British mainland and has some of Scotland's most gorgeous beaches. Sanna Bay, in particular, is an expanse of white sand and turquoise seas with views that stretch across to the inner Hebridean islands of Rum, Eigg and Muck. Her guide is Dee Heddon, a Professor of Theatre at the University of Glasgow. She co-created the ‘Walking Library', a project that brings together walking and reading; and she's recently launched a new study to explore how creativity and walking have become more connected during the pandemic.

Scroll down on the Ramblings webpage to the 'related links' box to find out more about Dee's projects.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

The Wicklow Mountains With Eanna Ni Lamhna20020927Clare Balding explores the Wicklow Mountains with broadcaster Eanna Ni Lamhna.
The Wild Cliffs Of St. David's20240314A cliff edge walk at St. David's in Pembrokeshire with artists Jackie Morris and Tamsin Abbott who are creating a book of illuminated folk stories. Jackie is writing the words and Tamsin is creating original pieces of stained glass for the book's artwork.

Jackie is an artist and writer possibly best known for her illustrations in The Lost Words, a large and beautiful book about language and nature. Tamsin is an established stained glass artist and illustrator inspired by the natural world.

As they ramble along the coast, Clare hears about their new project - Wild Folk: Tales from the Stones - seven ‘fables of transformation and power summoned from the ancient stones beneath our feet'. Inhabiting the pages are selkies and salmon, a great white raven, a huge black fox and a woman who lives as an owl.

Wild Folk doesn't exist quite yet - It's being crowd-funded and will be available in 2025.

They began their walk at Whitesands carpark and walked cliff-side towards the Coetan Arthur burial chamber on St. David's Head.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

A cliff edge walk in Pembrokeshire with artists Jackie Morris and Tamsin Abbott

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

To The Ring Of Brodgar2023031620230318 (R4)On a windy hike from the Stones of Stenness to the Ring of Brodgar, Clare discovers Orkney's standing stones are as impressive and mysterious as Stonehenge. Her guide is Sandra Miller from Historic Environment Scotland. Their route takes them past the Watchstone and across the Brodgar Peninsula which has a fresh water loch on one side, and a salty one on the other. Sandra, born and brought up on Orkney, shares her love of the landscape and its history on a dramatic wintery day of high winds and hail storms.

This is the second of three consecutive Orkney walks within this series of Ramblings, next week Clare is off to the Broch of Gurness.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer, for BBC Audio in Bristol: Karen Gregor

To The World's End, North Wales2022021720220219 (R4)Clare hikes through the Eglwyseg Valley in north Wales with two very different characters: Guy Kennaway and Hussein Sharif. The two men became family when Guy's son married Hussein's sister. Guy wanted to get to know Hussein better and show him a different side of Britain, so he suggested they go on a long walk. A book followed, ‘Foot Notes', which describes both the adventure they had attempting to hike forty miles and their developing understanding of each other's lives and experiences.

Clare, Guy and Hussein walked for around three sodden, sleety miles through the Eglwyseg Valley to World's End at Grid Reference SJ229479

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare walks with two very different characters in the Eglwyseg Valley, Denbighshire.

Training For Kilimanjaro In Cheshire2023062220230624 (R4)Clare joins a group of friends as they climb Shutlingsloe as part of their preparation for the much bigger adventure of trekking up Kilimanjaro later this year. Known as the 'Matterhorn of the Peak District' Shutlingsloe is around 500 metres high, where Kilimanjaro is closer to 6000 metres, but it's not a bad training ground with its steep incline as well as the reward of beautiful views from the top.

Leading the group is former Royal Engineer, Sean Milner, who has arranged the Kilimanjaro trek for his adventurer father, Frank Milner, who plans to reach the summit on his 82nd birthday. Although unable to join the Ramblings hike, also going up Kilimanjaro will be two of Frank's grandsons, making it a three generation event.

The starting grid reference for today's walk is SJ 952 715 which is just by the Leather's Smithy pub in Langley, about 15 mins drive from Macclesfield.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Climbing Shutlingsloe in preparation for a bigger adventure.

Tree To Tree Trekking2023061520230617 (R4)Martin Hügi is taking an unconventional approach to his long distance hike from Land's End to John O'Groats. He's planned the route so he can visit as many ancient and veteran trees as possible. It's a busman's holiday as his day job is with the Woodland Trust and it's their Ancient Tree Inventory, created in collaboration with the Ancient Tree Forum and the Tree Register, that he's using to guide him.

He's taken a four month sabbatical from work and Clare is joining him in the early stages of his trek near Marlborough in Wiltshire.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Martin H\u00fcgi is walking from Land's End to John O'Groats visiting ancient trees en route.

Tresco With Mike Nelhams2022060220220604 (R4)Mike Nelhams has recently retired as Head Gardener of the beautiful gardens on Tresco but remains very active and involved in island life. He meets Clare off the boat from St Marys and takes her on a tour of the island explaining the appeal of life on one of the most beautiful islands in Britain. They walk through the gardens observing the red squirrels which were introduced ten years ago on the request of Prince Charles who owns the island leasing it to the Dorrien-Smith family. They are responsible for the upkeep of the gardens as well as managing life on the island where there's a thriving tourist industry that sees visitors returning year after year.

Tresco has its own micro-climate and is on the Gulf Stream that makes ideal growing conditions for exotic plants from South Africa and New Zealand.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

In the first of two walks on the Scilly Isles, Clare walks on the island of Tresco.

Up To The Labyrinth On St Catherine's Hill, Winchester2020030520200307 (R4)Clare Balding visits the ancient and mysterious labyrinth on top of St. Catherine's Hill in Winchester. Leading the walk is Brian Draper, who runs soulful retreats in nature.

Throughout this series of Ramblings Clare is exploring how walking affects our inner life. She is hiking with people of differing beliefs and none to discover how the simple act of being in the natural world can change how we feel. Today, she joins a retreat run by Brian Draper - you may recognise his voice from Thought For The Day on Radio 4 - who encourages the group to slow down and be a part of nature, and discusses the benefits this can have. Together they climb St. Catherine's Hill to discover the meaning and purpose of labyrinths, a kind of spiritual maze-like path used for walking meditation.

Scroll down to the 'related links' box for more information.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding visits the mysterious labyrinth on top of St Catherine's Hill in Winchester.

Urban Ambling In Cultural Coventry2021061020210612 (R4)A fascinating wander through Coventry, the 2021 UK City of Culture. Ian Harrabin is a Trustee of the City of Culture so is the perfect guide to lead Clare Balding along a richly historic urban route. He is also Chair of the 'Historic Coventry Trust' which is running a host of projects designed to preserve, and make more accessible, some of the most interesting and little known parts of the city.

The walk began at Nauls Mill Park, Coundon Road, Coventry CV1 4AR. Map: OS Explorer 221 Coventry & Warwick. Grid Ref for Nauls Mill Park - SP 328 796

Producer: Karen Gregor

Villagers' Walks Around Timsbury2023021620230218 (R4)Clare joins three walkers from the village of Timsbury in Somerset who have created several books detailing100 walks for local people to enjoy in the area. Peter Bradshaw, Larry Cunningham and Sue Fraser stress the books are very much a community project with any proceeds going back into the village. On an extremely wet and windy winter day they take Clare from the village centre around the valley to explore the area's little known coal mining history. All the former mines are obviously closed and the slag heaps are now covered over rich green hillocks which make for safe and easy walking.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare walks with a group who have created walks around North Somerset.

Walking At Night On The South Downs Near Seaford2024022920240302 (R4)When author Annabel Abbs suffered a series of bereavements she found herself unable to sleep. Eventually she began getting up and walking around her garden and neighbouring fields around 3am. But when she heard about Caroline Whiteman who runs guided walks at night without head torches, she just had to go along on one. Caroline began the walks as an experiment in overcoming her fear of the dark. She has found other people keen to get out at night and experience the dark in a totally different way under her care and supervision. Although Clare is walking on a winter's night with barely any moon visible it's amazing how quickly the landscape lights up and the chalk cliffs stand out against the sea.

They walked in a loop starting and ending at South Hill Barn Car Park BN25 4JQ near Seaford

Producer: Maggie Ayre

An unlit walk at night across the South Downs.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Walking For Spiritual Renewal20081003Clare Balding walks the North Devon Coast Path with Satish Kumar.
Walking In All Weathers With Nature Writer Melissa Harrison.2022021020220212 (R4)Writer Melissa Harrison celebrates the joy of walking in every season of the year and in wet and dry weather. Given that we can count on it raining on many days of the year it's a good thing to learn to love being out in it. Melissa has written a book about rain and discovered that there are hundreds of different words and expressions for weather from around Britain. Clare and Melissa do a circular walk from Gidleigh on Darmoor to Scorhill and Shovel Down. Dartmoor is a place that holds a strong pull for Melissa dating back to childhood. She returns often to walk this wild country where stone circles and rocky tors dot the landscape.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins writer and walker Melissa Harrison for a walk on Dartmoor.

Walking In Sound: Ellie Williams In North Somerset2021031820210320 (R4)Sound Recordist, Ellie Williams, takes Clare for an audio-rich wander at Abbots Pool in North Somerset. Walking, she says, is as essential to her as food and sleep and - whether she's recording, or not - she's always super-aware of the richness of the sounds around her. En route she contemplates why her profession is still so male-dominated and how it can be opened up to more women.

Grid Ref for Abbots Pool Car Park: ST 537 730

Producer: Karen Gregor

Sound recordist Ellie Williams takes Clare for an audio-rich wander in North Somerset.

Walking The Pipe In Shropshire2019100320191005 (R4)Clare Balding walks part of the Elan Valley pipeline: 73 miles of Victorian engineering running water from mid Wales into the city of Birmingham. Clare is walking with artist Kate Green who has spent the summer walking the pipe and getting to know people and places along the way. They're walking a stretch that runs around the town of Ludlow in the Welsh Marches. Joining them are Andy Holman who runs a horse rescue centre on his land which holds part of the pipelines, and Tim Hipkiss part of a group of walkers called the Laura Ashley Pate Spreaders who she encountered as they were walking the pipeline too.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding walks part of the Elan Valley water pipeline that runs into Birmingham

Walking With Resistance Bands On The South Downs With Julie Ford2024022220240224 (R4)Clare joins PE Teacher Julie Ford for a bracing walk on the Seven Sisters near Eastbourne. It's a walk with a difference. Following a brush with breast cancer Julie was keen to keep fit but no longer wanted to go to the gym. As a passionate walker she was getting good exercise but needed to maintain her upper body strength. So through a process of trial and error Julie has created a way of walking with resistance bands. She takes Clare on a walk on the South Downs on a beautiful sunny Winter's day to show her how to tone her arms while she walks as well as to appreciate health and fitness in the outdoors.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

A beautiful winter's walk near Eastbourne.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside.

Walkington, Herefordshire2023062920230701 (R4)Ali Allen takes Clare for a sunny hike just outside Kington, a town she would like to be renamed 'WalKington' because it's such a magnet for ramblers.

Ali runs a tiny walking shop where her dog, Roo, keeps a look out from the window display full of boots and socks and maps. She lived in Utah for thirty years, working as a nurse, but returned six years ago with no firm plan. Somehow she landed in the tiny town of Kington in Herefordshire where she opened her shop which now has a B&B above it, mostly serving ramblers trekking along Offa's Dyke. On today's walk she leads Clare up Bradnor Hill - crossing the highest 18 hole golf course in England - and onto a stretch of Offa's Dyke. On the way she shares her story of life and love in Utah, making a home back in the UK, and coping with rheumatoid arthritis which, despite the problems it causes, doesn't stop her outdoor adventures.

The starting grid reference is SO297566

Ali Allen takes Clare for a sunny hike near Kington or, as she calls it, WalKington

We In Front!2024021520240217 (R4)A joyful hike up Castle Hill near Huddersfield with We In Front, an inspirational group of walkers.

Leading the way is Errol Hamlet who, having retired, felt bored, unhealthy and wanted a new challenge. He spotted a neighbour out walking during the pandemic and decided to join her. Then, one by one, more people joined until they eventually had a decent sized group. Most are senior citizens from the local West Indian community and they can often be heard singing as they disappear into the countryside surrounding Huddersfield.

As they walk Clare hears about Carriacou, the Caribbean island where nine of the walkers spent at least some of their childhood. Apparently everyone on that island knows someone in Huddersfield... the two places are closely linked. There's also an unexpected conversation about the niche hobby of bottle-top collecting...

The group started today's walk at grid reference SE155152 from where they followed a circuitous route up to Castle Hill.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Producer: Karen Gregor

A joyful hike up Castle Hill near Huddersfield with an inspirational group of walkers.

Clare Balding joins notable and interesting people for a walk through the countryside

White Stags And Kidney Donation In Fife2021090920210911 (R4)Clare is in Fife hiking with John Fletcher who, in 2009, was the first man in Scotland to donate a kidney to a stranger. In another pioneering first, he launched Britain's first commercial deer farm back in 1973.

Their route begins on John's farm in Auchtermuchty, surrounded by rare white stags. Walking brings John great joy and he - along with a fellow kidney donor, and a renal nurse - takes Clare on one of his favourite rambles.

See the 'related links' section at the bottom of the Ramblings webpage for a list of organisations, including the NHS blood and transplant website.

Presenter: Clare Balding

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Karen Gregor

Clare is in Auchtermuchty, Fife, for a broad conversation across a beautiful landscape.

Wicken Fen With Ajay Tegala2022022420220226 (R4)Starting by the village of Burwell Clare and Ajay set off around Wicken Fen. As part of its rewilding vision the National Trust have created wetlands for birds and introduced Highland cattle and Konik ponies to graze the grassland. Ajay Tegala is a warden with the Trust and takes people on guided walks around the fen. He has also done some work with the BBC Natural History Unit and has featured in Springwatch. It's a perfect bright January morning as they set off on the paths around the fen spotting birds and animals along the way.

Walk Wicken Fen starting from postcode CB25 OBW

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins National Trust warden Ajay Tegala on a walk around Wicken Fen.

08Cornwall, Gurnard's Head20070810Clare Balding walks on the Cornish coast path between Bosigran and Gurnard's Head.
08Cumbria, Howgills20070727Clare Balding is accompanied by Alison O'Neill for a walk in the Howgills in Cumbria.
08Isles Of Scilly, Bryher20070720Clare takes a stroll around Bryher in the Isles of Scilly.
08Norfolk, The Broads20070817Clare Balding explores an area of the Norfolk Broads, walking along the river Ant.
08Scotland, Glen Affric20070803Clare Balding visits one of the last strongholds of the Caledonian Forest in Glen Affric.
08The Orkney Islands, Hoy20070824Clare Balding visits the Orkneys and walks the spectacular coast path on the island of Hoy
09North Wales, Betws-y-coed20071214Clare Balding walks around Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia with parents, toddlers and pushchairs
09Northumbria, Northumbrian Coast2007113020081226 (R4)Clare Balding walks the Northumbrian coast with walking magazine editor Jonathan Manning.
09Perthshire, Glen Tilt20071123Clare Balding, Chris Smith and director Nancy Meckler explore Glen Tilt in Perthshire.
09Scotland, Angus20071221Clare Balding visits eastern Scotland to join the Forfar Ramblers on their weekly walk.
09West Country, Wraxall2007120720090102 (R4)Clare Balding walks in the West Country with Beryl Griffiths, founder of Granny Treks.
10Alderney, Fort Clonque20080801Clare Balding explores holiday walking routes.

She walks the rugged landscape of Alderney with the island's harbour master. With a population of only two and a half thousand, there is plenty of space on the most northerly of the Channel Islands to get away from it all, as Clare discovers when she joins a group of local walkers.

Clare Balding walks the rugged landscape of Alderney with the island's harbour master.

10Guernsey, Vazon Bay20080725Clare Balding explores holiday walking routes.

She visits Guernsey to preview the island's walking festival. In the company of Frances Le Tissier, whose family have lived on the island for generations, and local walking guide Elizabeth Gardener Wheeler, she discovers the island's hidden pathways. The history of the island and its folklore is revealed as they set off inland to explore the miles of green footpaths that dissect the landscape.

Clare Balding visits Guernsey to preview the island's walking festival.

10Ireland, Lough Allen20080815Clare Balding explores holiday walking routes.

Walking from St Hugh's to St Bridget's wells on the shores of Lough Allen in the Republic of Ireland, Clare is joined by a group of local women who have fallen in love with the area. Aedin McCloughlin, the originator of the walk, hopes that the healing properties of these sacred places might give some relief to Clare's bad back.

Clare walks from St Hugh's to St Bridget's wells on the shores of Lough Allen in Ireland.

10Ireland, Mullaghmore Head20080808Clare goes to a remote but idyllic part of Ireland to walk round Mullaghmore Head.
10Lake District, Borrowdale20080718Clare Balding explores holiday walking routes. She visits Borrowdale in the Lake District to discover what it takes to walk over long distances. She meets walking coach Heather Waring, who helps people prepare for tackling sponsored charity walks all over the world. She discusses the importance of preparation, good socks and a cheerful disposition. They are joined by her group the East-End girls, who have walked many miles and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

Clare Balding visits Borrowdale in the Lake District, meeting walking coach Heather Waring

11Cornish Coast20081128Clare Balding walks along the Cornish coast in the company of novelist Patrick Gale.
11East Riding20081121Clare Balding joins the annual Market Weighton School walk in the East Riding of Yorkshire
11Forvie Dunes20081219Clare Balding walks along the River Ythan in Aberdeenshire to the Forvie dunes.
11Gloucestershire20081205Clare Balding joins the Bristol Walk and Talk group on a 7-mile hike in Gloucestershire.
11Mither Tap20081212Clare Balding climbs Mither Tap, part of Bennachie, a range of hills west of Aberdeen.
11Mullion, Cornwall20081114Clare Balding meets former Spitfire pilot Geoffrey Wellum for a walk in Mullion, Cornwall.
12Dorset, Isle Of Purbeck2009061320090618 (R4)Clare Balding explores walks that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Clare meets Garth Gunn and his son Craig on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, as they embark on the training route that got Garth back on his feet as he recovered from ME.

Garth had been a keen long distance walker since the late 1960s, trekking across the Isle of Wight east to west in a day. In the early 1990s, however, he suffered a series of traumas and was diagnosed with the energy-depleting condition ME, leaving him unable to even sweep the leaves up in his garden.

Walking played a huge role in his recovery. His son Craig, who is a postman, would finish work at lunchtime and walk Garth down to Poole harbour, a little bit further each day to try and build up his confidence. Garth would look across at the Purbeck Hills and think that he would never feel them under his feet again, but with a little help he did. He now regularly walks what he calls his 'training circuit', even conquering the 210 hillside steps of Jacob's Ladder to enjoy the stunning views across Dorset's Jurassic coast.

Clare joins father, son and friends as they all complete the seven-mile circuit.

Clare Balding meets Garth Gunn and his son Craig on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset.

12Northumberland, Hulne Park2009053020090604 (R4)Clare Balding explores walks that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Clare joins blind walker Rob Davies at Hulne Park - part of the Duke of Northumberland's estate - where he shares his love of birdsong. Rob regularly joins Alnwick Health Walks in Northumberland and delights fellow walkers by sharing his extensive knowledge of birdsong, something he developed through an online group called 'blind-birders'.

Clare joins blind walker Rob Davies at Hulne Park, on the Duke of Northumberland's estate.

12Scotland, Cromarty2009062020090625 (R4)Clare Balding explores walks that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Clare walks in Cromarty, a name that conjures the dulcet tones of the Shipping Forecast and prompts images of storm-battered ships wrestling with the sea on a cold, dark night. Perched at the top of the Black Isle, a peninsular stretching north from Inverness, Cromarty is a small, picturesque town of tiny streets and Georgian cottages, with a harbour flanked by the Sutors: two hills that are believed to be the slumbering forms of two giant shoe makers who protected Cromarty from ancient invaders. In their heyday, at night, oil platforms would light up the shoreline.

Clare walks with Douglas Willis, a retired geography teacher and author who brings to life the spirit of Cromarty's most famous son, Hugh Miller - stone mason, chronicler of life on the Black Isle, church reformer and pioneering, self-taught geologist. Born in 1802 and standing at over 6ft tall with a shock of red hair, his fossil collection of over 6,000 specimens became the founding core of what is today's Scottish national collection in the Royal Scottish Museum in Edinburgh.

Clare Balding walks on the Scottish peninsular of Cromarty with author Douglas Willis.

12Scotland, Wester Ross2009062720090702 (R4)Clare Balding explores walks that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Clare joins polar explorers Caroline Hamilton and Zoe Hudson to walk in Scotland's picturesque Wester Ross. Caroline is a record breaking polar explorer who led the first all-female teams to have trekked to the North and South Pole. Clare walks with Caroline and Zoe in what they both describe as the landscape of their heart, the remote outpost of Lower Diabaig.

Isolated and wild, with sweeping expanses of sky, it is a landscape of extremes - with soaring mountains and deep sea lochs, it is a place of space that begs to be explored. Look north and you can almost taste the cold air of the North Pole, a place that Caroline still longs for.

Walking from the tiny harbour dotted with white cottages, and through the rocky headland towards views of the Isle of Skye, Caroline and Zoe share their memories of polar adventures at minus 50 degrees celsius, self-sufficient living and wearing hats that look like mountains.

Clare Balding joins two polar explorers to walk in Scotland's picturesque Wester Ross.

12Suffolk, Aldeburgh2009052320090528 (R4)Clare Balding explores walks that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Clare joins The Times' music critic Richard Morrison, who shares with her the inspirational landscape of Benjamin Britten's Suffolk - journeying from the rich sounds of the ocean crashing on the shingle beach at Aldeburgh to the watery reed beds of Snape Maltings, the site of the annual Aldeburgh Festival.

Britten would often walk this land, consuming the sights and sounds and composing great works that were later notated at his piano back at The Red House, the Aldeburgh home that he shared with partner and collaborator Peter Pears. It was at this house that, as a student, Richard first met Britten, shortly before his death in 1976.

Travelling along the historic Sailor's Path, infused with the sounds of Britten's Peter Grimes, Richard recalls this first meeting and discusses the relationship between music, mind and the landscape.

Clare Balding joins The Times' music critic Richard Morrison in Suffolk.

12Wiltshire, Avebury2009060620090611 (R4)Clare Balding explores walks that are good for the mind, body and soul.

Clare walks in Wiltshire with the 'modern-day Troubadours' who have been singing for their supper as they tramp the length and breadth of Britain. After studying The Canterbury Tales from his university desk, Will decided he needed to experience the route on foot, a journey that has now expanded to walking across Britain with school friends Ed and Ginger.

It is a full time expedition, in which they travel on foot and live outside, getting them right to the soul of the land. They hope the folk music of yesteryear they play will ancient rekindle memories and knowledge.

Clare Balding walks in Wiltshire with 'modern-day Troubadours'.

13Northumberland, St Oswald's Way: Alnmouth2009100320091008 (R4)Clare Balding walks the length of St Oswald's Way in Northumberland.

Clare walks the third stretch of the route, from Alnmouth to Warkworth, in the company of local artisit Sue Fenlon and photographer Barbara Aitchison. They explain why they find this part of the Northumberland coast so inspiring.

St Oswald's Way is a 97-mile route, running from Holy Island in the north, along the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland to Heavensfield and Hadrian's Wall. The path links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early-seventh century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.

Clare walks the third stretch of the route, from Alnmouth to Warkworth.

13Northumberland, St Oswald's Way: Belford2009092620091001 (R4)Clare Balding walks the length of St Oswald's Way in Northumberland.

The second section of the route takes Clare from Belford to Beadnell in the company of Iain Robson and Tom Cadwallender, who guide Clare through the highlights of this stretch of the route. Iain and Tom both help to maintain the area for the Northumberland National Park, and the two long-distance paths on their patch help to ensure that a steady stream of enthusiastic walkers visit the county.

St Oswald's Way is a 97-mile route, running from Holy Island in the north, along the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland to Heavensfield and Hadrian's Wall. The path links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early-seventh century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.

Clare walks the second section of the route, from Belford to Beadnell, via Bamburgh Castle

13Northumberland, St Oswald's Way: Hadrian's Wall2009102420091029 (R4)Clare Balding walks the length of St Oswald's Way in Northumberland.

Clare walks the final part of the route in the company of the men who were responsible for designing and looking after the path, Gary Cambell and Martin Paminter. They explain how the route was launched three years ago and their plans for its future. Clare is also, once again, joined by walking expert Jenny Walters, who wants to discover if the advice she gave Clare 90 miles ago has helped her remain fit and healthy throughout her journey.

St Oswald's Way is a 97-mile route, running from Holy Island in the north, along the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland to Heavensfield and Hadrian's Wall. The path links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early-seventh century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.

Clare Balding walks the final stage of St Oswald's Way.

13Northumberland, St Oswald's Way: Holy Island2009091920090924 (R4)Clare Balding walks the length of St Oswald's Way in Northumberland.

The first section of the route takes Clare from Holy Island to St Cuthbert's Cave. She is joined by local clergyman Michael Mountney, the creator of the route, who conceived the idea as a millenium project for his parish. They are joined by long-distance walking expert Jenny Walters, who offers Clare advice on how to keep her feet in shape for the miles ahead and the kit she needs to keep on track.

St Oswald's Way is a 97-mile route, running from Holy Island in the north, along the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland to Heavensfield and Hadrian's Wall. The path links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early seventh century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.

Clare walks the first section of the route, from Holy Island to St Cuthbert's Cave.

13Northumberland, St Oswald's Way: Rothbury2009101720091022 (R4)Clare Balding walks the length of St Oswald's Way in Northumberland.

Former hill shepherd Russell Tait, Northumberland's answer to George Clooney, is Clare's guide as she walk's the fifth leg of the route from Rothbury to Simonside.

St Oswald's Way is a 97-mile route, running from Holy Island in the north, along the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland to Heavensfield and Hadrian's Wall. The path links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early-seventh century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.

Clare Balding walks the fifth leg of St Oswald's Way, from Rothbury to Simonside.

13Northumberland, St Oswald's Way: Warkworth2009101020091015 (R4)Clare Balding walks the length of St Oswald's Way in Northumberland.

On the fourth leg of the route, Jon Monks explains to Clare why he believes St Oswald's Way is the thinking man's walking route.

St Oswald's Way is a 97-mile route, running from Holy Island in the north, along the stunning Northumberland coast before heading inland to Heavensfield and Hadrian's Wall. The path links some of the places associated with St Oswald, the King of Northumbria in the early-seventh century, who played a major part in bringing Christianity to his people.

Clare continues her journey in the company of a group of local walkers, led by Jon Monks.

14Gloucestershire, Stroud2010021320100218 (R4)Clare Balding explores the joys of group walking.

Clare walks with artists Richard and Tom Keating, and Kel Portman. They all lead guided walks in the area, encouraging their companions to enjoy the landscape by drawing and painting what they see as they go. The artists use their knowledge of the area and of creating art to assist the other walkers in the work, suggest different techniques or views and to generally encourage and support.

Clare Balding walks Laurie Lee's Slad Valley with a group of artists inspired by the area.

14North Wales, Anglesey2010022020100225 (R4)Clare Balding joins members of the North Wales Gay Outdoor Club for a coastal walk on Anglesey.

Many of the members joined the group because they wanted to meet like-minded people in a relaxed and positive environment. Pete Burling hopes the group is an antidote to the gay clubbing scene and finds that it offers a non-threatening and supportive atmosphere to those taking the first steps in coming out.

Keen birdwatcher Jane Prosser helps Clare look for some of the rare chough that can be found around the cliffs of Anglesey. Identifiable as a member of the crow family with its black plumage, it has a startling red bill and legs, making it look more exotic than the usual gulls that you expect on a coastal walk. Jane grew up near here and says that her father was a botanist and was for ever dragging her through hedges, and it seems to have rubbed off on her.

Clare Balding walks on Anglesey with members of the North Wales Gay Outdoor Club.

14Peak District, Hathersage2010031320100318 (R4)Clare heads for the Peak District to join the Sheffield Dog Walking Group. When dog owners Chris Bird and Victoria Cooper discovered that their four-footed friends were not always warmly received by all ramblers clubs they decided to set up their own, where all well-mannered dogs and their owners would be welcome. They enjoy exploring further afield than just the local parks and they discuss with Clare the joys and drawbacks of dogs in the countryside.

The Sheffield Dog Walking Group gather to join Clare Balding for a walk in the Peaks.

14Shropshire, Shrewsbury2010030620100311 (R4)Clare Balding meets members of the Shropshire Bereavement Walking Group.
14The Cotswolds, Cranham2010022720100304 (R4)Clare Balding walks the first section of the proposed Gustav Holst trail near Cheltenham.
14Wensleydale, Middleham2010020620100211 (R4)Clare Balding explores the joys of group walking.

For 25 years a group of Yorkshire friends have been meeting every few months for a hike through the countryside of northern England. Clare joins them on their silver jubilee walk.

The group first met as anxious parents watching their sons play rugby at Bradford Grammar School; when their sons left home they decided to keep in touch by organising regular rambles. Since then the walkers have helped each other through all that life can throw at you, using the healing powers of friendship, stunning landscapes and a good walk.

Clare meets up with the group as it tackles one of its favourite routes across the horse racing gallops of Middleham in Wensleydale.

Clare Balding discovers the joys of group walking. First stop, Wensleydale.

15East Sussex, South Downs Way: Brighton2010052920100603 (R4)Clare Balding continues her walk along the South Downs Way near to Brighton.

Clare Balding continues her walk along the South Downs Way from Ditchling Beacon near Brighton to Devil's Dyke with Jeremy Burgess of the AONB South Downs, and film maker Matt Hulse who walked the entire South Downs Way in tribute to his grandfather Eric who died in 2008 aged 96. Matt's film Follow The Master documents the walk from Winchester to Eastbourne and he talks to Clare about his affection for the stretch of the South Downs around Lewes where he would walk with his grandfather as a child.

Producer: Maggie Ayre.

15East Sussex, South Downs Way: Eastbourne2010052220100527 (R4)Clare Balding walks the South Downs Way.
15West Sussex, South Downs Way: Amberley2010061220100617 (R4)Clare Balding continues her route along the South Downs Way in the company of natural navigator Tristan Gooley, who guides her on a night walk at full moon, using the stars and the elements to determine their direction. It's an altogether different experience walking in the dark in the moonlight that gives them the chance to explore the sounds and shapes of the countryside and the sky at night.

Producer: Maggie Ayre.

Clare Balding continues her route along the South Downs Way, walking at night at full moon

15West Sussex, South Downs Way: Bramber2010060520100610 (R4)Clare Balding walks her third stretch of the South Downs Way with a group of friends who've been walking together for twenty five years. The route is Bramber to Washington and passes Chanctonbury Ring, one of the most prominent landmarks along the Way and has many supernatural myths and legends attached to it.

The walking group comprise poet and music lover, Dr Brian Hick and his wife, as well as Sally Phillips, a keen Esperanto speaker. They tell Clare how they've maintained their friendship through regular walking, and especially through embarking on long distance walks such as the South Downs Way and more recently, the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Producer: Maggie Ayre.

Clare Balding walks from Bramber to Washington with a group of friends.

15West Sussex, South Downs Way: East Meon2010062620100701 (R4)Clare Balding walks the final stretch of the South Downs Way, starting at the Sustainability Centre at East Meon. The group walking with her have all opted for a life that's as green as possible, and includes Mary Lewis who lives with her family in a yurt on the site of the former Naval Signals base where Tim and Maddy Harland run their green publishing company. Joining them is Alan McVittie of the Old Winchester Hill Hampshire Downs Reserve, and for the very end of the trail heading into Winchester, Andy Gatticker of the South Downs National Trail who met Clare back in Eastbourne at the start of the series.

Clare Balding walks the final stretch of the South Downs way, from East Meon to Winchester

15West Sussex, South Downs Way: South Harting2010061920100624 (R4)Clare Balding continues her walk along the South Downs Way, starting at South Harting with Commander Nick Pope and Major Yam Gurung of the Gurkha Regiment. Each year the Gurkhas stage a fundraising event which sees teams of four complete the 100 mile trail in one go. The admirably fit Gurkha soldiers complete the stretch from Winchester to Eastbourne in as little as ten hours. Clare gets some tips on this kind of extreme walking from Nick and Yam, and meets some of the participants of this year's event, who are training to make the epic hike in as short a time as possible.

Clare Balding walks a stretch of the South Downs Way near Petersfield with Gurkhas.

16Derbyshire, Wardlow2010100920101014 (R4)Clare Balding is with a group of women who have made a book of walks in the Peak District.
16Gloucestershire, Forest Of Dean2010100220101007 (R4)Clare Balding is in the Forest of Dean with a group who've been walking through the county of Gloucestershire for two months with donkeys. As part of the Cultural Olympiad Sarah Blowers, along with various artists, children and people who've just tagged along, set off to discover the beauty of the countryside at a slow pace, setting camp at the end of each day's walk. Everyone Clare meets as she joins them at Soudley to walk through the forest is enthusiastic about the gentle pace of life they're experiencing walking with the donkeys carrying their provisions.

Producer: Maggie Ayre.

Clare Balding is in the Forest of Dean with a group walking with donkeys.

16London, Hampstead Heath2010091820100923 (R4)Clare Balding takes a walk on Hampstead Heath with a group of inner city Londoners who are being encouraged to discover the green places of their city, often for the first time. The residents of the Harrow Road are mainly non white, so there has been a special drive to help them discover the joys of walking called 'It's My Country'.

Clare Balding takes a walk on Hampstead Heath with a group of inner city Londoners.

16Scotland, Glasgow Necropolis2010102320101028 (R4)Clare Balding walks through the Glasgow Necropolis.
16Scotland, Pentland Hills2010101620101021 (R4)Clare Balding walks with the Friends of the Pentland Hills near Edinburgh.
16Wiltshire, Swindon2010092520100930 (R4)Clare Balding walks through the Wiltshire countryside with a Swindon based group of people with early onset dementia. The support they give one another on their weekly walks means they feel less isolated and more positive about the condition, and so what if they occasionally get lost.

Producer: Maggie Ayre.

Clare Balding walks with a group of people with early onset dementia in Wiltshire.

17Birmingham, Lickey Hills2011031220110317 (R4)Stuart Maconie walks the Lickey Hills near Birmingham.
17Ireland, Belfast Hills2011021220110217 (R4)Journalist and keen walker Stuart Maconie is presenting this series of Ramblings and is setting out to find accessible walks that offer great city views, perfect for people who want to get out and walk on these short, dark winter days. Among the cities he has in his sights are Belfast, Bath and Cardiff.

Stuart Maconie takes the second of six city skyline walks.

17Lancaster, Slyne2011021920110224 (R4)Broadcaster, journalist and keen walker Stuart Maconie continues this series of Ramblings, finding walks that are perfect for short winter days and which offer skyline views of British cities. Today, he's setting out from the village of Slyne in Lancashire and heading to look over the historical city of Lancaster.

Producer: Helen Chetwynd.

Stuart Maconie continues a series of city skyline walks for winter days.

17Manchester, Marsden2011030520110310 (R4)Stuart Maconie takes in the Manchester skyline with poet Simon Armitage.
17Somerset, Bath Skyline2011020520110210 (R4)Journalist and passionate hiker, Stuart Maconie hosts this series of Ramblings on Radio 4, embarking on the first of six city skyline walks, perfect for first time walkers or for those who don't want to venture too far on these short winter days, but who still want to enjoy the fresh air. In this first programme, Stuart takes in the stunning views on the Bath Skyline Walk.

Keen walker Stuart Maconie takes in the stunning views on the Bath Skyline Walk.

17Wales, Garth2011022620110303 (R4)Continuing his series of short walks for winter days that take in city skylines, Stuart Maconie walks the Garth outside of Cardiff with a group who call themselves Welsh Women Walking. As they admire spectacular views of the city and over the Bristol Channel to Somerset and Devon, Stuart hears from one woman who says these walks with her friends, saved her life and sanity after the death of her son.

Stuart Maconie hikes up the Garth outside Cardiff with a group of women walkers.

21Alnmouth, Northumberland2012060720120609 (R4)Clare Balding is walking with dogs (and their owners) in this series of Ramblings.

Programme 3: Alnmouth, Northumberland

If you go walking with a dog, something extraordinary happens: complete strangers will talk to you. Sometimes this doesn't go any further than a regular 'good morning' but occasionally strong friendships are formed.

On this week's Ramblings Clare Balding goes walking in rural Northumberland with Kelly Smith and her friend Carolyn Ryan. They met while dog-walking and struck up a close friendship which is mirrored by the incredibly strong connection between their dogs: Mel the Border Terrier and Kizzy the Lurcher.

The walk begins in Kelly's kitchen, where her partner (the author Val McDermid) explains why a Border Terrier was such an obvious choice of dog for this neck of the woods. Then (leaving Val behind to make bacon sandwiches for their return), Clare, Kelly and Carolyn head down to the beach for a bracing, uplifting walk. Kelly and Carolyn explain how their friendship works, and how - despite an initially difficult start their dogs are now inseparable.

Producer Karen Gregor.

Clare walks with Kelly and Carolyn and dogs Mel the border terrier and Kizzy the lurcher.

21Dartmoor2012053120120602 (R4)Clare Balding is walking with dogs (and their owners) in this new series of Ramblings.

Prog 5: Dartmoor with Alex Lyons who is a search and rescue dog handler.

Alex Lyons is a dog handler with the Tavistock-Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team. He and several members of his team - and their dogs - take Clare for a wild, wet and windy walk on Dartmoor. Clare sees how the rescue dogs work, and asks why anyone would want to spend their leisure time doing a voluntary job which is exhausting and occasionally upsetting. The answer? A sense of fulfilment, the opportunity to spend time in beautiful and remote countryside, and - of course - the joy of working with highly trained and intelligent dogs (who make their presence felt, and heard, throughout the programme).

Producer Karen Gregor.

Clare walks with members of the Tavistock-Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team, and their dogs.

21Flamborough Head To Bridlington2012052420120526 (R4)Clare Balding is walking with dogs (and their owners) in this new series of Ramblings.

Programme 1: Flamborough Head to Bridlington with Stuart Jessup, Kate Atkin and Poppy the springer spaniel.

Stuart Jessup and his springer spaniel, Poppy, started an 8 month, 2,500 mile walk around the English coast in October 2011. Occasionally joined by Stuart's wife, Kate, Stuart is walking as part of a campaign to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness, and to raise money for Sane and Anxiety UK. Clare Balding joined Stuart, Kate and Poppy for a stretch of the walk from Flamborough Head to Bridlington on the Yorkshire Coast, to hear more about his adventures. Poppy has been central to the success of the walk; her friendliness encourages conversations between Stuart and other walkers, who often reveal their own problems with depression - both parties leaving the encounter enriched.

Producer Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding meets Stuart and his dog Poppy, walking round England for charity.

21Larkhall, South Lanarkshire2012061420120616 (R4)Clare Balding is walking with dogs (and their owners) throughout this series of Ramblings.

Prog 4: Larkhall, South Lanarkshire.

This week Clare Balding travels to Larkhall in South Lanarkshire to meet Scott Cunningham. A veteran of some of Britain's long-distance walks (including the West Highland Way, the Pennine Way and the Southern Upland Way) as well as the bagger of multiple Munroes, he never walks without the dog, he describes as his 'best-mate', Travis.

On this walk around the Larkhall area, he describes the intensity of their relationship and the joy of his companionship. This will be a particularly moving walk for Scott, as Travis - who is a guide-dog - is retiring the following day, and a new dog, Milo, will take over.

Scott was awarded an MBE last year for his achievements, which include raising over £150,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Producer Karen Gregor.

Clare walks with veteran long-distance walker Scott Cunningham and his 'best mate', Travis

21Pen Farthing On Dartmoor2012062120120623 (R4)Clare Balding is walking with dogs (and their owners) throughout this series of Ramblings.

Prog 5: Pen Farthing on Dartmoor

Pen Farthing is a former Royal Marine; while serving in Afghanistan he rescued an Afghan fighting dog which he named NowZad after the village where his unit was based. He brought NowZad back to the UK (which in itself required military-style planning) and when he left the Marines started a charity which runs a shelter in Afghanistan for stray and abandoned animals. The central aim of the charity is to catch, neuter and release stray dogs to prevent the population growing yet further.

Pen lives in Tiverton in Devon and, for this edition of Ramblings, he takes Clare Balding on a wild walk across Dartmoor. Accompanying them is Patchdog (a massive Afghan Kuchi) and Maxchap (rescued from Iraq). Sadly Nowzad is a little old for such a long walk, but his story is central.

Producer Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks across a wild Dartmoor with former Royal Marine Pen Farthing.

21Whitley Bay With Barry Stone2012062820120630 (R4)Clare Balding is walking with dogs (and their owners) throughout this series of Ramblings.

Prog 6 - Whitley Bay with Barry Stone

In this week's programme Clare Balding meets author Barry Stone, his partner Paul and their dog, Bonzo the black Lab.

Barry's childhood was coloured by the secret of his father's homosexuality and alcoholism; both parents had been traumatised by their experiences during the second world war and Barry had a deep personal struggle in coming to terms with his own sexuality.

Over the years he attempted to write his story - eventually burning one manuscript of 300,000 words - and it was only at his mother's funeral that he was struck by the need to write through the 'voice' of Brucie (his childhood pet dog). The resulting book, a semi-autobiographical novel called 'Barking at Winston' was initially self-published with local distribution but was quickly picked up commercially and is now selling successfully around the country.

Barry and Paul take Clare on a favourite local walk through Whitley Bay to the village of Holywell. Starting at Barry's childhood home, the place where Brucie first came into his life, they head down to the beach and then the promenade of Whitley Bay sea-front. From there they turn inland and walk through Holywell Dene - a beautiful and peaceful area of ancient woodland - before heading home.

Producer Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding meets author Barry Stone, his partner Paul and their dog, Bonzo.

22Dublin Bay With Eanna Ni Lamhna2012100420121006 (R4)Clare Balding continues her series of wildlife walks with a visit to the Irish Coast.

Today it's 'Ramblings reunited', as she is joined again by Irish naturalist and broadcaster Eanna Ni Lamhna and her husband John Harding. Clare Balding last walked with her on a 'holiday hike' in the Wicklow mountains in September 2002. Today expert naturalist and broadcaster Eanna, takes her on a beautiful tour of the diverse wildlife havens of her home city, Dublin.

They dig for lugworms and talk Ulysses in Sandymount strand. They discover the unlikely winter stopover of flocks of thousands of Brent geese - Fontenoy Football Club (the geese have a taste for the well mown turf!)

On they walk to Ringsend Nature Reserve. In this a wonderful elevated wooded area, built on reclaimed builders rubble, they find a haven for linnets, goldfinches, blackbirds, wrens, curlews and egrets in the surrounded by wonderful views of the Dublin mountains and city spires.

As they walk, they revisit their walk, conversations and friendship built in the rainy Wicklow Mountains ten years ago, and explore how much their lives, and their walks, have changed since Clare's last visit.

22Richmond Park, London, With Artist Nicola Hicks2012092020120922 (R4)In this series of Ramblings Clare Balding is going on wildlife walks around the UK.

Today she is in Richmond Park in London with internationally renowned sculptor and artist Nicola Hicks M.B.E. Nicola's work focuses on animals sculpted in straw and clay and drawn on huge sheets of paper. Dynamic and distinctive, it has gained wide critical and public acclaim. Her statues of a dog in Battersea Park and a giant beetle in Bristol have become local landmarks.

Twenty years ago, Hicks grew tired of the pressures of the London art scene and decided to make her artistic love of wildlife a reality. She decided to move her growing family to Cumbria and become a sheep farmer. It was steep learning curve with many joys and setbacks. As Clare and Nicola explore the surprisingly rich wildlife habitats of Richmond Park, she discusses her acclaimed artwork, her deep love of British countryside and wildlife and the highs and lows of adapting to rural living.

Having just taken the decision to sell the farm and the rolling hills to return to London for good, Nicola shares with Clare her excitement and sadness at the transition. Can you really find walking and wildlife satisfaction in London? Nicola shows Clare how, she passionately believes, you can find natural beauty, insects and animals as rich and diverse as that in the countryside.

Producer: Lucy Dichmont.

Clare is in Richmond Park exploring a sculptor's unique view of London's animal park-life.

22Samuel West At Rainham Marshes In Essex2012101120121013 (R4)Clare Balding walks with the actor, and passionate bird-watcher, Samuel West around one of his favourite birding spots, the RSPB reserve at Rainham Marshes in Essex.

Currently in rehearsals for a West End production of Uncle Vanya, Samuel West takes a day off to share with Clare Balding his deep love of birding.

He's drawn to birdlife because, he says, it reflects human-nature so well, 'birds interact with the world through colour and song, both of which we - as humans - really get.

A trip to Kenya at the age of 14 ignited this passion; 'In Britain, birds were 3 inches long and brown.. in Kenya they were 7ft tall and couldn't fly, or bright blue... they were easy to tell apart... that's where it all started'.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with actor and passionate birdwatcher Samuel West.

22Simon Evans Of The Wye And Usk Foundation2012101820121020 (R4)Clare Balding walks with Simon Evans and his family along a tributary of the Usk, in the shadow of the Sugar Loaf. Simon is a passionate fisherman and river conservationist who works for the Wye and Usk Foundation.

Simon's wife Hazel and their two children - Freya and Arlo - also joined in... Freya contributing musical accompaniment (Peter Rabbit had a fly upon his nose...) and Arlo narrowly avoiding tree-branches from his elevated position in Simon's backpack. A highlight was discovering otter spraint under a bridge - concrete evidence of recent otter activity. It's lilac-scented although perhaps not (as Clare pointed out) enough to warrant taking it home and putting it in her chest of drawers...

An extraordinary 1000 year old sweet chestnut tree loomed into view towards the end of the walk... one of the boughs as big as a sizable tree. Clare's attempts to create a human circle ended in tears.. not her's... rather Freya's nose got rather too close to the trunk.

We started at the Red Lion pub in Llanbedr, the walk took us along a tributary of the River Usk...(with a small trout leaping upstream) to our end point at The Bell in the village of Glangrwyney

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with Simon Evans, fisherman and river conservationist.

22Steve Backshall2012102520121027 (R4)Clare Balding walks with naturalist, author & TV presenter, Steve Backshall. Together they stroll along his favourite stretch of the Thames from Bourne End to Boulter's Lock in Buckinghamshire.

Steve is best known for presenting CBBC's 'Deadly 60', and has recently started writing children's fiction - his first book is 'Tiger Wars', about a group of renegade children who become involved with tiger poaching in India.

He spends a lot of time filming abroad so Clare was lucky to catch up with him on his home patch. As they wander along the Thames, Steve explains that his love of the outdoors began when - as a child - his parents sent him and his sister out to play and told them not to come back until it was dark. This kind of 'feral' (as he put it) freedom developed in him an enduring passion for the natural world.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with naturalist, author and TV presenter Steve Backshall.

22Taxidermists In Boston Spa, West Yorkshire2012092720120929 (R4)In this series Clare Balding is going on wildlife walks around the UK.

Today Clare meets taxidermists and life long friends Dave Astley, Mike Gadd and James Dickinson. They follow Mike's daily route along the river Wharfe in West Yorkshire to observe the rich variety of local animals, insects and birds.

Taxidermists might not be the first people who spring to mind when you think about wildlife-lovers. However, the intimate knowledge of the anatomy and behaviour of birds and animals that a successful taxidermist needs, can only be developed through detailed observation of the natural world. So for a taxidermist a walk can become a valuable research trip.

Dave, James and Mike are three of the UK's leading taxidermists. They have worked with exotic animals, repaired museum specimens of extinct creatures and worked with international British Fine artists. They've even created mythical beasts.

Over 20 years the trio have worked and walked together. Clare joins them to find out more about their close and unusual friendship.

Clare accompanies them along the banks of the river to find out about their techniques and the motivation behind their trade. Is it macabre as many might think? On the walk they share their unique insights into viewing the natural world. They seek out kingfishers, wrens and fritillary butterflies.

They share stories from behind the scenes of Britain's thriving, but little known world of taxidermy. They also discuss the profession which they feel is still misunderstood.

Producer: Lucy Dichmont.

Clare joins three taxidermists with a unique take on wildlife by the River Wharfe.

23David Sedaris2013030720130309 (R4)David Sedaris, the American author and comedian, takes Clare Balding on a litter-picking walk in West Sussex.

When David Sedaris was a child he would clear up around the house, and keep his own bedroom perfectly tidy. This obsession has, in recent years, been transferred to the outdoors and Sedaris is now a devoted daily litter-picker, cleaning the roadside verges of Pulborough and the surrounding area.

Clare imagined that this edition of Ramblings might take her across the South Downs, occasionally reaching for a stray bottle or piece of paper. In reality it involved walking less than two miles, and filling six bin bags full to bursting with all manner of filthy rubbish. All while wearing a fetching hi-viz jacket. A very unusual edition of Ramblings!

American author David Sedaris takes Clare Balding on a litter-picking walk in West Sussex.

23Michael Weltike, Barefoot Walker2013031420130316 (R4)Michael Weltike tries to persuade Clare Balding of the benefits of barefoot walking on a wintry wander in the West Country.

They meet at the church of St Andrew in Compton Bishop, near Weston-super-Mare, and walk from there to Crook Peak. Accompanied by Michael's permanently barefoot companion, Woody, Clare and Michael strip off from the ankles down and revel in the unusual pleasure of walking barefoot.

Michael is certain that by 'earthing' himself regularly he maintains a high level of health and well-being.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Michael Weltike tries to persuade Clare Balding of the benefits of barefoot walking.

23The Walking Book Group2013020720130209 (R4)Clare Balding is walking for self improvement in this new series of Ramblings; in six weeks time she hopes to be smarter, fitter, calmer and cleverer. In this first programme she joins a walking book group in North London, who find wandering on Hampstead Heath much more conducive to discussing literature than sitting round a coffee table. The walking book group is the brainchild of Emily Rhodes from the local Daunt book shop.Emily explains to Clare how she chooses the books each month and why she thinks the group attracts a growing and enthusiastic following. The book under discussion today is Elizabeth Taylor's Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont. Clare, an English graduate, joins in enthusiastically with her opinions on the novel as well as discussing with fellow group members the issues of aging, loneliness and retirement homes. Archie, her Tibetan Terrier accompanies Clare but is sadly, not improved by the experience.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks for self improvement, joining a walking book group in North London.

23Toyah Willcox2013022820130302 (R4)Actress and singer, Toyah Willcox, takes Clare Balding for a walk in rural Worcestershire.

The theme for this series of Ramblings is 'self-improvement' and for Toyah - who has always had problems with her joints, including a recent hip replacement - walking is the perfect exercise. She says it helps her keep her weight down and remain active.

Clare met Toyah at Croome Landscape Park, a National Trust Property famous for its stunning grounds designed by Capability Brown. Unfortunately Toyah was injured - 97 pantomime performances over Christmas had taken their toll - but, crutch in hand, the ramble went ahead.

By the end of the walk, during which Toyah discussed her serendipitous route into show business and forthcoming performance in a 'bawdy' show called Hormonal Housewives, she actually felt better. Proof, she said, that walking is one of the best ways to remain healthy.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Actress and singer Toyah Willcox takes Clare Balding for a walk in rural Worcestershire.

23Walking For Spiritual Renewal2013021420130216 (R4)Clare Balding is walking for self improvement in this series of Ramblings and today she hopes to find a new inner calm with the help of Dr Kate Kirkwood. Kate attempts to lead Clare on a path of spiritual renewal by teaching her to walk silently. Silence is not a state that comes naturally to Clare but as she and Kate walk where the mood takes them, in the Herefordshire countryside just outside Hay on Wye, they discover why walking can be one of the bet forms of stress relief.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding attempts to walk in a silent, meditative state. It doesn't come naturally.

23Walking With Friends2013022120130223 (R4)Clare Balding explores the beautiful Longdendale Trail in Derbyshire, joining long -term friends, Tracey Standring and Christine Valentine. They explain the vital role walking has played in their lives, cementing their friendship and keeping them sane and healthy. They've been walking together for over a year now and they explore new places each week. Neither are keen or particularly competent map readers and Clare tries to convert them with her own expertise, although with a gale blowing along the valley, it's not all that easy.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding explores the Longdendale Trail and why walking can cement a friendship.

24Chilterns American Women's Club Hiking Group2013052320130525 (R4)In this new series of Ramblings, Clare Balding will be walking in search of new places, new people and new experiences. In this first programme she joins the Chilterns American Women's Club hiking group, who walk in search of learning more about their new home and meeting other ex-pat spouses. The club offers a range of activities for ex-American and International women who find themselves living in Britain but the walking group is one of the most popular allowing them to discover and explore their adopted home.

Later in the series Clare talks to people who walk in search of a new partner, to discover more about the environment and she walks with the celebrated author Robert MacFarlane who walks to discover the old routes. Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins a hiking group for ex-pat American and international spouses.

24George Monbiot In Search Of The Wild2013053020130606 (R4)
20130608 (R4)
Clare Balding goes rambling, near Machynlleth, with the writer and environmentalist, George Monbiot. The theme of this series of Ramblings is 'In Search Of.' and, together, George and Clare are walking in search of wildness.

George's new book, 'Feral', is partly a personal story about his attempt to stave off the monochrome nature of modern-day life: 'I could not continue just sitting and writing, looking after my daughter and my house, running merely to stay fit, watching the seasons cycling past without ever quite belonging to them. I was, I believed, ecologically bored'.

In this walk, George explains how he has attempted to 'rewild' his own life and describes what he believes needs to be done in order to reintroduce true wildness to our countryside through the large-scale restoration of ecosystems. He says 'researching it felt like stepping through the back of the wardrobe'.

Using OS Explorer OL23 - Cadair Idris and Llyn Tegid - George takes Clare to his favourite place in mid-Wales, a rare stand of ancient native woodland, which stirs him to his very soul.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks in search of the wild with environmentalist George Monbiot.

24In Search Of Love2013060620130530 (R4)
20130601 (R4)
Clare Balding meets those who have found love and companionship through walking when she joins a group to walk a section of the Greensand Way in Surrey.

She speaks to Liz and James who explain how walking side-by-side took the awkwardness out of their first meeting. Liz said she knew James liked her when he started flirting like a teenager over lunch, even though she was wearing her Mum's over-sized waterproof at the time.

Margaret explains how walking transformed her retirement and led to a wider range of social activities. She adds, 'London can be very lonely when you live on your own'.

Clare hears how walk-leader Roger met his wife Sue thirty years ago on a walk, and that this history can provide a map of a relationship both literally and metaphorically. Although they walk at a different pace, Sue's keen to point out that Roger never forgets she's on the walk.

Producer: Toby Field.

Clare Balding meets those who have found love and companionship through walking.

24In Search Of The Old Ways2013061320130615 (R4)Clare Balding walks with the celebrated author and academic, Robert Macfarlane who takes her from his home in Cambridge out onto the Icknield Way. For a man known to love mountains, Robert explains how he's slowly come to love the tame lowlands of Cambridgeshire and how he now relies on climbing trees to give him height and views. While Clare is not tempted to join him at the top of an accommodating beech tree, she's happy to admire the graffiti left on the bark.

Walking out in the summer sunshine Robert shares his fascination for the ancient tracks, drove-roads and sea paths that criss-cross the British Countryside.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks in Cambridgeshire with author and academic Robert Macfarlane.

24Tara Bariana Recalls His Long Walk Home To India2013062720130629 (R4)Clare Balding walks on Cannock Chase with Tara Bariana who recalls his extraordinary walk home to India.

Tara Bariana was born in Punjab, and at the age of 13 came to the UK with his mother. His father and older brother had arrived four years earlier, in 1958.

In 1995 Tara decided he needed an adventure and made the decision to walk from the Midlands - where he'd grown up, married and settled - back to his home village in India.

He walked to Southampton where he caught the ferry to Cherbourg. There he realised he didn't speak any French, he couldn't even say 'bonjour'... but, despite being hit by the reality of what he'd decided to do, he couldn't turn back.

Nineteen months later, of almost non-stop walking, he arrived in his home village but instead of returning home, remembers thinking 'is that it?', and stayed in India for a further 18 months.

On this walk, around Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, Tara is accompanied by his son, Clive, Clive's wife, Jodie, and their two children.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with Tara Bariana, who recalls his extraordinary walk home to India.

24West Highland Way From Balmaha2013062020130622 (R4)Clare Balding walks a section of the West Highland Way, north from Balmaha, with twin sisters Pauline Walker and Fiona Rennie.

Pauline and Fiona are both 'ultra runners' and they haven't, before, walked the West Highland Way. However they have run the entire route, non-stop, several times. It's one of their favourite challenges on the ultra-runner calendar; running through the night, dealing with hallucinations, and pushing themselves to the limit is all part of the experience.

Clare hears about their adventures, their close and supportive relationship, and Fiona's recent battle with mouth cancer as they slow to an unfamiliar pace to enjoy the beautiful scenery north of Balmaha.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with twin sisters Pauline Walker and Fiona Rennie.

25Durham With Maggie And Keith Bell2013100320131005 (R4)Clare Balding is in Durham for today's edition of Radio4's walking series, when she joins Maggie and Keith Bell. They take her on one of their favourite routes from their home, Crook Hall, through the outskirts of the city and along the river. The couple now use walking as a time to catch up, hold business meetings and relive memories of their courtship, when they both arrived in the city over thirty years ago as students.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks around the city of Durham with Maggie and Keith Bell.

25John Mccarthy Walks With Volunteer Rangers On The South Downs2013102420131026 (R4)John McCarthy is this week's guest presenter, while Clare is away.

The theme of this series of Ramblings is listeners' walks .Today's guests are volunteer rangers on the South Downs Way, Anni Townend and Ian Lock. Anni wrote to the programme to suggest we walk with her on a six mile stretch of the Way from Housedean Farm to Southease. This is her 'patch', which - as a ranger - she walks every month carrying out conservation work including scrub clearance and hedge laying, as well as improving public access and surveying wildlife and plantlife.

OS Explorer 122 South Downs Way, Steyning to Newhaven 1:25,000

Producer: Karen Gregor.

25Newbiggin On Lune To Kirkby Stephen2013101020131012 (R4)This week's Ramblings is presented by the broadcaster and musician, Dougie Vipond, who took over the map and microphone on a beautiful July day when Clare Balding was away.

Dougie joined an amazing young girl, ten year old Annabelle Asher, on a stretch of the Coast to Coast walk from Newbiggin on Lune to Kirkby Stephen.

With her parents' support, Annabelle spent the first couple of weeks of her summer holidays walking the entire 190 mile route in order to raise money for the Welsh Guards Afghanistan Appeal.

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe, was the highest ranking officer to die in Afghanistan. He was a pupil at the boarding school where Annabelle's parents teach, and where Annabelle lives. When Annabelle found out what had happened to Lieutenant Colonel Thorneloe, she was determined to raise money in his memory.

Always a keen walker - once turning down a trip to Disney, for the chance to climb Snowdon - Annabelle completed the Cotswold Way last year (for the same charity), and has her sights set on the Pennine Way.

Dougie Vipond was a founding member of Deacon Blue. For BBC Scotland he presents the rural affairs TV programme, Landward, The Adventure Show, and Sportscene.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Dougie Vipond meets 10-year-old Annabelle Asher, walking the 190-mile 'Coast to Coast'.

25The Same Walk 365 Times2013101720131019 (R4)This week's walk is a little unusual. The guest, Cathy Dreyer, wrote to the programme to suggest we join her on a short, local route which she has chosen to walk 365 times.

Cathy began her project after reading the first few pages of Robert Macfarlane's book, 'The Old Ways'. She was filled with envy at his freedom to walk in exciting, far flung places. But rather than moan about her domestic responsibilities, Cathy thought she'd respond by doing a very short walk, 365 times over.

Cathy says she is using the walk to examine 'what's really there' in both the natural world and in her domestic life as a parent which is repetitive and intimate, going over and over the same worn but wonderful ground. Motherhood and work means it's taking longer than a year to complete the project, something Cathy is chronicling in a blog www.walkinginacircle.wordpress.com

The theme of this series of Ramblings is listeners' walks, and this week's presenter is a previous Ramblings' guest: the broadcaster, actor and musician, Toyah Willcox.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Guest presenter Toyah Willcox joins listener Cathy Dreyer for a walk in Oxfordshire.

25The Tuesday Walkers Of North Devon2013091920130921 (R4)Clare Balding walks in Somerset as the guest of The Tuesday Walkers of North Devon. Meeting at the village of Exford on Exmoor, they set out on a six mile circular route, which, like all of the group's walks, begins and ends at a pub. All the members are retired and take their Tuesday hike as an important weekly date in their diaries. While enjoying the scenery, the company and the exercise all have good advice to offer Clare, on how to ensure a fit, healthy, active and happy retirement.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks in Somerset with the Tuesday Walkers of North Devon.

25Werca's Folk, Warkworth In Northumberland2013092620130928 (R4)Clare Balding is in Northumberland to join the walking group from the local women's choir, Wercas Folk. It was formed over eighteen years ago by the well- known folk singer and composer, Sandra Kerr. They set off from the village she lives in and loves very much, Warkworth. Wercas Folk, an unauditioned group, specialise in singing new and traditional folk songs about the area, its people and its history.

Many of the original founder members are still in the choir and they explain it's not just the singing that keeps them turning up week after week. The group have developed a collaborative and mutually supportive ethos that has forged strong friendships, resulting in them enjoying social time together even away from the rehearsal room and concert hall. They regularly escape from home and family for weekends away to walk, talk and indulge in the odd glass of wine.

As they set off on a circular route around the village they talk to Clare about the role the choir plays in their lives and the joy of singing and walking together.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks with Werca's Folk, a women's choir from Warkworth in Northumberland.

26Hopetoun With The Monday Walkers2014022720140301 (R4)In this series Clare Balding revisits some of her favourite walks and walkers from past programmes.

Here she travels to the Hopetoun Estate, just west of Edinburgh to meet up with a group of women she first met twelve years ago. The Monday walkers have been together for over twenty five years, when they first met Clare, their average age was early sixties, now it's mid seventies. They explain that although walking still keeps them fit, they do now tailor their routes to take account of the passing years. A wee dram may still be part of their days outings but skinny dipping is accepted as a past pleasure.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare visits the Hopetoun Estate, just west of Edinburgh, to rejoin the Monday Walkers.

26Mental Health Walking Group, Shrewsbury2014030620140308 (R4)This series of Ramblings is themed 'Ramblings Revisited' as Clare catches up with people she walked with once before.

In 2005 Clare rambled with a group based at the Radbrook Day Service centre in Shrewsbury, for people with mental health difficulties. The group had been running for ten years at the time of the original programme, but in the intervening years the Day Service centre was closed and the walking group folded.

However one of the walkers in the original programme, clinical psychologist Penny Priest, has continued her interest in the mental health benefits of walking and introduces Clare to psychologist Guy Holmes who began a similar 'walk and talk' group in Shrewsbury which allowed original members to continue walking, and also brought new members on board.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with a mental health walking group in Shrewsbury.

26Over The Hill Walkers, Windsor Great Park2014032020140322 (R4)This series is themed 'Ramblings Revisited' as Clare Balding walks again with some of her favourite and most memorable guests.

In the spring of 2006, Clare went rambling with a female hockey team who had been walking together for 15 years. In this time they'd developed enduring friendships on as well as off the pitch.

Now, eight years on - and with most of the original walkers now retired - Clare is going back to catch up with the 'Over the Hill' club. The group started-up after an advertisement was placed on the hockey club wall; it stipulated that the requirements of those attending were 'A sense of humour, walking boots or strong shoes, haversack, waterproof clothing and approximately £65 plus beer and lunch money'.

The group walk in a different location each time they gather, this week they'll be in Windsor Great Park.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with the 'Over the Hill club', a group of veteran hockey players.

26Rachael Kiddey, Avon Estuary2014022020140222 (R4)This series is themed 'Ramblings Revisited' as Clare Balding walks again with some of her favourite and most memorable guests.

In March of 2006 Clare Balding went rambling with Rosie Barrett and her two children, Rachael and Rob. They took her on their local walk around the Avon Estuary in south Devon. It had always been part of their lives, as a route for venting teenage tantrums or simply as a ramble to the pub, but after Rosie's other son, Hugh, died of cancer at the age of 19 the walk took on a deeper significance. The family, and a hundred others, planted trees in Hugh's memory on a nearby hillside and a new section of the walk was created through dense woodland.

For this programme Clare revisits Rachael and Rosie and follows the same route. Rob can't make it this time, but in his place is Jonno, Rosie's husband. It's now 11 years since Hugh died and of course the trees have grown; meanwhile Rachael now works in academia where her speciality is - appropriately enough - memory, landscape and therapeutic heritage.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with Rachael Kiddey and her mother, Rosie Barrett, in Devon.

26Tennyson Down, Isle Of Wight2014031320140315 (R4)In this series of Ramblings, Clare Balding revisits some of her favourite walks and walkers. After thirteen years she returns to the Isle of Wight to meet Elizabeth Hutchings who introduced her to the Tennyson Trail.

Elizabeth's late husband, Richard, was the founder of the Farringford Tennyson Society, so it was only fitting that he should have a bench, placed in his memory, under the poet's monument on top of the Down. But when Clare last visited this National Trust site, it was their policy not to have memorial plaques on benches, a disappointment to Elizabeth. But thanks to the likes of Head Ranger Robin Lang, they have reversed their position and now the bench has an inscription, to Richard, carved into the wood.

Although now in her mid eighties and unable to make the steep climb onto the Down, with the help of Robin's four by four, Elizabeth and Clare once again visit the monument , the Down and Richard's seat and discuss the role walking has played in Elizabeth's long and eventful life.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding revisits Tennyson Down on the Isle of Wight to meet Elizabeth Hutchings.

26Tom Isaacs, Chorley Wood2014021320140215 (R4)In this new series Clare Balding revisits some of her favourite and most memorable guests. Eleven years ago she joined Tom Isaacs in West Wales as he walked the entire coastline of Britain in an attempt to raise money and awareness for research into a cure for Parkinson's disease. Tom had been diagnosed at the exceptionally young age of twenty-seven but has always been determined not to let his condition get in the way of him leading a fulfilling and productive life. Clare now walks with Tom and his wife Lyndsey, along the river Chess, close to their home just outside London.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks along the river Chess with Tom Isaacs who has Parkinson's disease.

27Arundel, West Sussex2014061920140621 (R4)Tristan Gooley is the self-styled 'Natural Navigator' who makes his living teaching people how to orient themselves by using clues and signs within the landscape.

On today's Ramblings he takes Clare on one of his favourite walks, near Arundel in West Sussex. En route they take their bearings from the most fascinating and unlikely natural sources, and Clare hears where Tristan's passion for the outdoors began at the age of 10, on a sailing course on the Isle of Wight, and how that eventually led to his current career.

Tristan is an adventurer and explorer who has led expeditions across five continents. He's the only living person to have both flown solo and sailed singlehanded across the Atlantic.

Clare walks near Arundel in West Sussex with Tristan Gooley.

27Fingle Bridge To Castle Drogo2014061220140614 (R4)Clare Balding walks from Fingle Bridge to Castle Drogo in South Devon.
27Hay-on-wye2014052920140531 (R4)Today on Ramblings, Clare Balding walks with a group of women who met while on a horse-trekking trip in Outer Mongolia. Firm friendships were formed on that adventure, and since then the group has met many times. For the past five years they've been walking Offa's Dyke bit-by-bit, and they've now reached the section that runs close to Hay on Wye, which is where Ramblings is based this week.

The theme for this series of Ramblings is 'water ways'. This week and next, we explore two different sections of the River Wye.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks near Hay-on-Wye with a group who met while horse-trekking in Mongolia.

27The Diamond Ramblers, Otterton2014062620140628 (R4)Clare Balding has a sparkling day out joining The Diamond Ramblers for a circular walk from the South Devon village of Otterton. The group came together after meeting up at a local slimming club and deciding to accelerate their weight lose by starting walking. Having now been together for just over two years, the eleven have lost more than thirty-six stone between them and despite most of the members being over sixty they now walk for miles together, cementing their friendship and their resolve to remain fit and healthy. With Clare, they share some of their thoughts on dieting, being overweight and the tremendous value they've found in walking out together.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding has a sparkling day out, walking in Devon with the Diamond Ramblers.

27The Doward2014060520140607 (R4)This series of Ramblings is themed 'waterways' and in the second of two programmes based on the banks of the River Wye, Clare Balding walks with Nadia Smith on the Doward, near Ross-on-Wye.

Nadia has a grown-up son with cerebral palsy; when he was younger she needed to lift him a great deal, something she thinks contributed to osteoarthritis, which eventually led to two partial hip-replacements.

She fought having these metal-hips for a long time, fearful that she would lose fitness and mobility.

However, following the first operation, she followed a programme of gentle exercise and learned to adapt her walking posture. Nadia now feels as fit and active as before. Join Clare and Nadia as they walk along a stretch of the Wye close to Nadia's home.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare walks on the Doward with Nadia Smith, who has had two partial hip replacements.

27Thundersley, Essex2014052220140524 (R4)There's a watery theme to this new series of Ramblings, as Clare Balding walks along rivers, lakes and streams. In this first programme we find her exploring part of the Thames estuary in Essex, with local enthusiast, Eileen Peck. Eileen's written a book of local walks around her village of Thundersley trying to encourage locals to enjoy walking in their own area, rather than feeling they have to travel further a field. Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding finds some hidden walking gems around Thundersley, near the Thames Estuary.

28The Dales Way, Part Five2014101620141018 (R4)Clare Balding is now really into her stride as she comes close to the end of her journey along The Dales Way, walking from Dent to Sedbergh. The route is one of the most popular in England and enjoyed by thousands every year, mainly thanks to the enthusiastic group of volunteers who run The Dales Way Association. Today she walks with two of their members, Chris Grogan and Kath Doyle who explain why this route means so much to them.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks from Dent to Sedbergh on her fifth leg of the Dales Way.

28The Dales Way, Part Four2014100920141011 (R4)Clare Balding reaches one of the most beautiful stretches of the Dales Way, setting out from Buckden to Beckermonds, in the company of the Chairman of the Long Distance Walking Association, John Sparshatt and his Californian born friend, Randal Metzger. Despite being very familiar with this part of the route, both men infect Clare with their passion for this landscape and their commitment to ensuring as many people as possible can enjoy walking the path.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks from Buckden to Beckermonds with John Sparshatt and Randal Metzger.

28The Dales Way, Part One2014091820140920 (R4)Clare Balding embarks on her first leg of The Dales Way, in the company of Sarah Howcroft. Sarah, an enthusiastic walker and climber for many years, along with her husband founded one of the foremost outdoor clothing companies. The Dales Way is an 82 mile route, starting at Ilkey in Yorkshire. Sarah and Clare walk along the River Wharfe to Bolton Abbey.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding sets off to walk the Dales Way, one of England's most-loved walking routes.

28The Dales Way, Part Six2014102320141025 (R4)Clare Balding enjoys the final leg of The Dales Way in the company of one of the men who designed it, Colin Spearman. Colin, joined by his wife Fleur, explains his intention of linking the industrial conurbations of West Yorkshire with the Lake District. As they walk from Staveley to Bowness, Clare reflects on her experience of the route and how much it has meant to her. Colin , Fleur and Clare celebrate the end of the journey with ice cream and a paddle in Lake Windermere.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare walks the final leg of her journey with Colin Spearman, designer of the route.

28The Dales Way, Part Three2014100220141004 (R4)Clare Balding continues her journey along The Dales Way, hiking from Grassington to Kettlewell in the company of two experienced long distance walkers, Aileen Strangham and Brenda Dodd. Clare enjoys their company so much and their tales of taking part in every Great North Run, that they wander off track and have to use all their combined map reading skills to get themselves back onto the right route.

Clare Balding walks from Grassington to Kettlewell on the third leg of the Dales Way.

28The Dales Way, Part Two2014092520140927 (R4)Clare Balding embarks on the second leg of her journey along The Dales Way, one of England's most loved long distance walking paths. This week she walks from Cavendish Pavilion to Burnsall Bridge in the company of Phil Richards, Access Ranger for the Yorkshire Dales National Park and photographer and blogger, Charles Hawes.

Producer Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding embarks on the second leg of her journey along the Dales Way.

29Bonding Walks: Stiperstones, Shropshire2015021920150221 (R4)In this new series of Ramblings, Clare Balding explores the way walking can help us bond with other people, the countryside and our history. In this first programme she's invited to take part in the 20th annual walk up to the top of the Stiperstones in Shropshire with a group of men who came together to bond as fathers. Quentin Shaw started the tradition when his sons were at primary school as a way of encouraging the men to get to know each other.

The group has grown from the original five fathers to about fifty men, from teenagers to some in their seventies: fathers, colleagues, friends, sons, friends of sons. The aim is now to keep the group as diverse as possible, introducing men who would not otherwise meet: men working in mental health, children's services, housing, health, education, ex-army, scouting, craftsmen, tradesman etc. Quentin explains to Clare that overall ethos has always been to celebrate fatherhood and friendship in a low key way, and to give men a reason for a day off when they are stressed out just before Christmas.

Clare is the first woman ever to be invited to join the group, who end their morning walk with a large cooked breakfast at a local pub.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks to the top of the Stiperstones in Shropshire with a men's group.

29Cardiac Walkers2015030520150307 (R4)In today's programme Clare Balding walks with a group of medics who have all suffered - as they put it - a 'cardiac event'. With good humour and no real restraint, they gather as often as possible to explore new and familiar routes for friendship and health. The group is made up of GPs, hospital doctors, surgeons and a psychiatrist, and their cardiac experiences range from living with angina to surviving a severe heart-attack. They joke about whose turn it is to carry the defibrillator, but the truth is, they don't let their medical conditions get in the way of a good ramble.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with a group of retired medics who have all suffered a 'cardiac event

29Derbyshire, Family Walk2015032620150328 (R4)Clare Balding travels to Derbyshire this week to ramble with a group of families who gather once a month for a long walk and a pub lunch. Paul Cotton, along with his wife and children, meet with up to seventeen other families - neighbours, colleagues and friends - in any weather, all year round, to share their mutual love of the outdoors.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with a group of families in Derbyshire.

29Hertfordshire, Bell-ringers2015031220150314 (R4)The theme of this series of Ramblings is 'bonding' and this week Clare walks with a group who bond, not just through walking, but through their shared passion for bell-ringing. Twice a year, Janet Betham and a fellow Janet organise what have become known as 'Janets' Jaunts', where a number of bell-ringers gather together for a ramble between two churches. They ring bells at the start of the walk, stop for a pub-lunch mid-way, and ring again at their destination bell-tower. Join Clare Balding for one of her most unusual Ramblings to date.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with a group who share a passion for bell-ringing.

29Nordic Walking In Bramcote Park, Nottingham2015031920150321 (R4)Clare Balding takes a lesson in Nordic Walking as she joins national coach, Catherine Hughes, in one of her classes in Bramcote Park in Nottingham. Some of those who regularly attend, are a group of mothers with their daughters, all of whom have learning difficulties. Nordic walking has proved to be an ideal activity for them all to enjoy. The poles give confidence to those who find walking difficult, the fresh air is beneficial to all and the chance for mothers and daughters to be able to exercise together has made the group very popular.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins a group of Nordic walkers in Bramcote Park, Nottingham.

29Philip Marsden, Truro, Cornwall2015022620150228 (R4)Clare Balding walks with the writer Philip Marsden from his home near the banks of the River Fal out to the Cornish coastal path. Clare and Philip discuss why we react so strongly to certain places and why layers of stories and meaning build up around particular features in the landscape.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks with writer Philip Marsden from his home on the River Fal in Cornwall.

30Edge Hill2015061820150620 (R4)Clare Balding joins a group of fathers who have been walking together for 20 years.
30Lyke Wake Walk2015060420150606 (R4)Clare Balding undertakes a section of the Lyke Wake Walk on the North York Moors. The route was originally devised sixty years ago by a local farmer who issued a challenge in the Dalesman magazine. He thought it might be possible to cross 40 miles of the Moors from near Osmotherley to Ravenscar in 24 hours, crossing only one or two roads. A club was formed following the first successful crossing, and with a blackly humorous nod to the pain and suffering endured by walkers, a tradition grew of reciting an ancient song known as the Lyke-Wake Dirge which tells of the soul's journey from earth to purgatory. The route was named after this dirge. Clare is joined by veterans and newcomers to the walk, who are known - depending on the number of crossings they've made - as Dirgers, Witches, Doctors of Dolefulness, Masters of Misery or, the most senior of all, Past Masters or Mistresses.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

30Old Birds, Pegsdon Hills2015052820150530 (R4)Clare Balding walks in the Pegsdon Hills, Bedfordshire, with a group of female birders who call themselves the 'Old Birds'. The group initially bonded over their mutual love of nature, but also have many members who have been widowed, so find the gatherings a source of support as well as a way of exploring the local countryside.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare walks in the Pegsdon Hills with a group of female birders.

30Royal Greenwich Park2015052120150523 (R4)In the first of a new series of Ramblings, Clare Balding meets a group of parents who regularly share uplifting walks in Royal Greenwich Park. The walkers each have children with special needs and find that rambling in one of London's most beautiful parks is both joyful and supportive.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with a group of parents who each have children with special needs.

30The Malvern Hills2015061120150613 (R4)Clare Balding joins Team Zulu, a group of walkers, led by Tarquin Shaw- Young, who prepare for long distance charity walks by training on the majestic Malvern hills. Tarquin became obsessed by the 1964 epic war film, depicting the Battle of Rorke's Drift, as a small child and now uses Zulu as the motif for bringing friends and family together to embark, each year, on completing the Worcestershire Way.

As Clare marches across the hills with the group she talks to Tarquin's wife, Kelly about what it means to be married to a man who turned up at their wedding in a pith helmet.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding becomes part of Team Zulu as she strides the Malvern Hills in a pith helmet.

30The Red Ramblers In Dorset2015062520150627 (R4)Clare Balding joins The Red Ramblers, members of the local Labour party, who instead of being downhearted after the general election result, are glad to be striding out across the beautiful Dorset countryside, after months of trudging on pavements delivering leaflets.

They walk from Symondsbury, near Dorchester, regaling Clare with their campaigning exploits as well as their plans for the future. They explain that walking together creates a bond for when the political going gets tough.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins the Red Ramblers walking from Symondsbury in Dorset.

31Artists' Ways, Falkirk2015100120151003 (R4)Clare Balding walks along the Forth & Clyde Canal to the spectacular 30-metre high Kelpies
31Artists' Ways, North Somerset2015102220151024 (R4)Clare Balding walks with Carolyn Savidge in the final programme of this series which has been themed Artists' Ways. In the first programme she walked with an artist who created outdoor artworks to help her to come to terms with never having had children. In this final programme, Carolyn explains how walking and art have helped her deal with the loss of her husband.

Carolyn's walk leaves from her front door in the village of Bleadon in North Somerset, and takes her out onto the hills and levels of north Somerset. On the way she describes the written, photographic and sound based project she has created since losing her husband to cancer. It's a moving walk, but also very uplifting as Carolyn describes how embracing the landscape has helped her begin to move forward with her life.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with Carolyn Savidge in north Somerset.

31Artists' Ways, Wiltshire2015101520151017 (R4)Clare Balding has been exploring Artists' Ways in this series of Ramblings. This week she walks with Matthew Hopwood whose project 'A Human Love Story' takes him walking through England as a pilgrim, seeking hospitality where it is offered, meeting people where they are; on the path, in the pub, around the corner, on the street, in prison, in church, on the towpath. The people he meets share their love stories, which Matthew records and publishes on his online audio archive.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with Matthew Hopwood in Wiltshire.

31Artists Ways: Louise Ann Wilson, Warnscale2015091720150919 (R4)Clare Balding discovers the essential role walking plays in contemporary artist's work.

In this programme she walks with Louise Ann Wilson, a sceneographer, who has created a walking guide and artbook specific to, and created in, Warnscale, an area of fells to the south of Buttermere Lake. Louise explains to Clare that this 9 kilometer walk and the accompanying guide, are aimed at women who are childless by circumstance. Society offers no rituals or rites of passage through which women who have missed the life-event of biological motherhood can be acknowledged and can come to terms with that absence. Louise created this project to offer imaginative and creative ways through which women can engage with landscape to reflect upon and even transform their experience of this circumstance.

It provides a multi-layered yet non-prescriptive means for the walker - whether walking alone, with a partner, friend or in a group - to make and perform their own journey, and can also be used by others who are in sympathy with women in this circumstance and persons in comparable situations.

They are joined by Zakyeya Atcha, who has undertaken the walk before and found it a consoling and affirming experience and Dr Celia Roberts of Lancaster University

The route can be followed on OS Explorer - The English Lakes North Western Area

Grid reference NY 196 150

www.louiseannwilson.com

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Louise Ann Wilson discusses her walking guide and art book that reflect on childlessness.

31Nun Appleton House, North Yorkshire2015100820151010 (R4)Clare Balding goes in search of Nun Appleton House in North Yorkshire, the subject of one of Andrew Marvells most famous poems. She's accompanied by contemporary landscape poet,

John Wedgwood Clarke and Stewart Mottram a Lecturer in Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Hull University.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks in the footsteps of the poet Andrew Marvell.

31Windsor Great Park With Bill Bryson2015092420150926 (R4)Clare Balding heads out across Windsor Great Park in the company of writer and prolific walker, Bill Bryson. He explains how he developed a passion for exploring both Britain and parts of America on foot. They discuss how ones notion of distance changes dramatically when you walk.

'A mile becomes a long way, two miles literally considerable, ten miles whopping, fifty miles at the very limits of conception. The world, you realize, is enormous in a way that only you and a small community of fellow hikers know. Planetary scale is your little secret.'

Bill takes Clare on one of his very favourite walks around Windsor Park, a place he has enjoyed walking with his family.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks in Windsor Great Park with writer and journalist Bill Bryson.

32Eyam, Derbyshire2016032420160326 (R4)Clare Balding walks to Eyam this week - the Derbyshire village best known for its heroic approach to the bubonic plague in the 17th century. She rambles along the brand-new Peak Pilgrimage long distance footpath, devised to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the plague, during which Eyam famously put itself into quarantine to stop the disease spreading further.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks to the 'plague village' of Eyam in Derbyshire in this week's programme

32Isle Of Dogs2016033120160402 (R4)An unusual urban walk to finish the series: Clare Balding is in London on the Isle of Dogs for a ramble along the banks of the River Thames. It's not a true island, rather it's enclosed on three sides by the river, and has a rich and fascinating history.

Clare is joined by Sarah Wynne, her sister and a friend. Sarah moved to the Isle of Dogs when she was six and grew up there. People are intrigued when she tells them this, they want to know what her childhood entailed: did she ever play outside, or go to the countryside, how did she get to school?

For Sarah, walking gives her a breathing space in fast-paced London life. She often walks with only a vague idea of where she is going, and likes to see where she'll end up. She finds it empowering to simply follow her instincts about which direction to take.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

An unusual urban walk to finish the series as Clare Balding rambles on the Isle of Dogs.

32Loughrigg Fell, Simon Ingram2016022520160227 (R4)Clare Balding explores Loughrigg Fell, in Cumbria with the writer and journalist, Simon Ingram. With all the passion of a convert, he explains to Clare how he became bitten by the mountain climbing bug and why he wants to pass on his obsession to anyone who'll listen. In the space of a morning they are hit with torrential rain and howling winds but nothing deters them from their walk and Simon also explains how to stay safe while enjoying the mountains of Britain, no matter what the weather.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks up Loughrigg Fellm near Grasmere, with the writer Simon Ingram.

32Oxfordshire: In Memory Of Catherine2016031720160319 (R4)Clare Balding joins a group of women in Oxfordshire, who meet every year to remember their friend Catherine, who died of breast cancer at forty-five. Some in the group knew each other before Catherine's death; others have met, and become good friends since. There are her friends from her school days, her book club and from her career as a nurse. Catherine would have been fifty this year and her daughter Sarah now sixteen explains how she has derived comfort from helping to raise money for research into the disease and by getting together with her mother's friends to share memories while walking together.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins a group of women who walk each year to remember their friend Catherine

32Samaritans2016030320160305 (R4)Clare Balding walks from the famous dragon at Bures on the Essex/Suffolk border to Assington in Suffolk. Joining her is a group of volunteers from the Colchester branch of the Samaritans charity. It's a supportive walking-group which helps volunteers to bond and decompress, something that's necessary in an emotionally challenging although rewarding role.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with a group of Samaritans' volunteers and their families.

32Trent, Dorset2016031020160312 (R4)Clare joins a lively primary school walking club as they ramble through the Dorset countryside. Pupils, teachers, local farmers and parents join the group which has been helping to draw the local community together for twelve years. Starting at a farm near the school, Trent Young's C of E near Sherborne, they walk on footpaths and over private farmland - made accessible by the farmers who help lead the walk - learning about the countryside as they go.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding joins a lively primary school walking club in the Dorset countryside.

32Walking With A Purpose: The Surrey Hills2016021820160220 (R4)Clare Balding joins Jenni Williams and her disabled three year old daughter, Eve, as they take their daily walk in the Surrey Hills. These walks are the highlight of their day as both enjoy being outside, admiring the views and watching the antics of their young and exuberant, golden retriever, Scout. Jenni talks candidly to Clare about how she and her husband, Steve have come to terms with Eve's condition and how they feel blessed to have such a happy and life affirming child.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks in the Surrey Hills with Jenni Williams and her disabled daughter Eve.

33Glyndwr's Way With Ursula Martin2016051920160521 (R4)Clare Balding gets serious in this new series of Ramblings as she discovers what it takes to be a more adventurous walker. Today she joins Ursula Martin who walked over three thousand, seven hundred miles, around Wales in an eighteen month period. After being treated for ovarian cancer she decided to walk to her medical appointments from her home in mid-Wales to the hospital in Bristol. Ursula then just carried on walking, raising money for research into the condition and spreading the word about diagnosis. Today she takes Clare on small section of her favourite walk, along Glyndwr's Way in Powys, Mid Wales, starting just outside Llangadfan, they walk for about eight miles to Llanbrynmawr, just west of Welshpool , a few miles south of Snowdonia National park. The route takes them through farmland, onto open moorland and into a pine forest, where the moss covered trees allow their imaginations to run wild. Ursula spent many nights rough sleeping but she also describes the incredible kindness and generosity she received from total strangers who offered her meals, accommodation and the greatest gift of all; transporting her backpack to her next destination. She explains to Clare the joy and pain she found in walking day after day across the country she has adopted as her own.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks Glyndwr's Way with Ursula Martin, who's walked over 3,000 round Wales.

33Northumberland: Bothy Bagging2016062320160625 (R4)Clare Balding meets Phoebe Smith, an expert in planning long walks and bagging bothies.
33Severn Way With Lucy Newcombe2016060920160611 (R4)Clare Balding continues this series of epic walks by meeting up with a retired RAF officer, Lucy Newcombe, who started walking round the coast of Britain last summer. By the time her journey ends she expects to have covered over six thousand miles. Lucy and Clare discuss the kindness of strangers, their love of the British countryside, home-made cake and the best way to deal with dogs. They walk for six miles along the Severn Way and are joined by Lucy's sister in law, Laura, who, as she lives locally, has been operating as landlady, laundress and taxi driver for the past two weeks. She tells Clare about the changes this journey has made to Lucy, once a loner, now discovering that she likes the company of her fellow man. Lucy however insists she's not walking alone to discover herself, find her inner voice or to make plans for a new career. Lucy walks for the joy of it and the chance to see more of the country she loves.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding catches up with Lucy Newcombe as she walks around the coast of Britain.

33The Cotswold Way2016061620160618 (R4)Clare Balding joins Graham Hoyland and his partner, Gina Waggott, as they retrace the steps they took in 2015 along the Cotswold Way as part of their three month epic walk of 500 miles, following the progress of the spring as it spread up England from the south coast to Gretna Green.

They planted an acorn every mile and are thrilled to discover some of them have grown. They talk to Clare about the joy they felt in sharing this journey, their favourite rucksack snacks and their future walking plans.

Producer: Lucy Lunt

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.

Clare Balding walks with Graham Hoyland and Gina Waggott along the Cotswold Way.

33The Essex Way2016052620160528 (R4)Clare Balding continues her series exploring epic walks, by joining four women as they take their final training walk before they set off to complete the eighty-two mile Essex Way, in just three days. Rebecca Rose and her friends have been training since Christmas to walk from Epping to Harwich. They're walking in aid of a local charity close to their hearts, Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. Four years ago Rebecca's daughter Katy's fianc退 was involved in an accident at work, he was treated and air lifted to a London hospital by the local air ambulance. Although he sadly died, the family remain very grateful that they attended, as they know he received the best possible care. Katy was pregnant at the time and grandson, Oscar will be there to encourage the walkers at the beginning and end of the walk.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding meets four women about to embark on walking the Essex Way in three days.

33Wayfarers Walk With Nigel Clifford2016060220160604 (R4)Clare Balding and the head of Ordnance Survey, Nigel Clifford walk along Wayfarers Walk from Coombe Gibbet to Highclere, on the Berkshire, Hampshire Border. In this series Clare talks to those involved in epic walks of many consecutive days and covering many hundreds of miles. Clare and Nigel talk about the joy of poring over maps while planning such adventures.

They are accompanied by Clare's dog Archie, who particularly enjoys their lunch stop.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks from Coombe Gibbet to Highclere with the CEO of OS, Nigel Clifford.

34Hebden Bridge2016092920161001 (R4)Clare Balding continues her series of talking to, or about, those who have a real passion for walking. As a teacher, heavily involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme, Lynn had always known how beneficial it was for young people to get out into the countryside but when she and her partner Jacqueline, adopted three siblings, who had all experienced emotional difficulties, walking took on a new significance. While the three children, all under ten, find it difficult to be in a confined space together, when out walking they become more co-operative, calmer and can begin to enjoy all it means to be a family. They take Clare on one of their favourite walks from their home in Hebden Bridge.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins a family from Hebden Bridge for whom walking is a vital experience.

34Passionate Walkers: David Nicholls2016091520160917 (R4)In this new series of Ramblings, Clare Balding talks to those for whom walking is more than a leisure activity but a passion that's vital to their lives. In this first programme she goes to Thursley in Surrey to meet the novelist and screenwriter, David Nicholls. His first novel, 'Starter for Ten' was followed by the much acclaimed 'One Day', and as David admits to Clare. its success took him a little by surprise.

They take an eight mile circular route around The Devils Punchbowl. David explains how important walking is to his creative process, although he always worries its a bit of a skive ! However, he finds it the ideal way to listen to and absorb a novel when he's adapting one of the classics for TV, as he did with 'Far From the Madding Crowd'. He talks to Clare about how he loves exploring new cities by foot and the techniques he uses to encourage his children to walk.

The walk Clare and David took can be found on OS Explorer map OL33 & 145 or Landranger 186, the map reference is SU 955 414, the walk starts in the village of Thursley about 3 km south-west of Godalming. Thursley GU8 6QD

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding meets novelist David Nicholls to walk to The Devil's Punchbowl in Surrey.

34Ripon To Ripley2016100620161008 (R4)Clare Balding marks the eightieth anniversary of the Jarrow crusade, when two hundred men walked from Tyneside to London to petition the British government to bring back industry to their town. The the closure of the main employer, Palmer's shipyard. in 1934 had led to most of the population of Jarrow being plunged into poverty.Clare has three companions on this walk ; Robert Colls, professor of Cultural History at de Montfort university who explains the role marching has played in modern politics , Helen Antrobus from the People Museum in Manchester , who tells the story of the one woman allowed on the march, the indomitable local MP, Ellen Wilkinson and local walker Margaret Laurenson, who devised the route they take. in the programme we also hear archive recording of one of the marchers talking about the overwhelming reception they received in the mainly Tory town of Harrogate.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks from Ripon to Ripley remembering the men of the Jarrow Crusade.

34Suffolk With Geoff Nicholson2016102020161022 (R4)Clare Balding walks in Suffolk with the writer Geoff Nicholson. They talk of the history of walking, of flaneurs, pedestrianism and psychogeography. Geoff has delighted in walking all his life; from the daily walk to school,to trips with his father to the Peak District to the rambles he now takes around his new home of Los Angeles. He explains to Clare that his favourite walk is always his next one.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins writer Geoff Nicholson to talk about the history of walking.

34The Pilgrims Way2016092220160924 (R4)Clare Balding explores part of The Pilgrims Way in the company of Canon Clare Edwards, who, as a member of the clergy at Canterbury Cathedral has the job of looking after all pilgrims en route from Winchester to Canterbury or Canterbury to Rome. They're joined by Jackie McAll who intends to complete the one hundred and thirty mile walk this month in gratitude for five years of sobriety, following years of alcoholism. She explains to Clare how she managed to overcome her addiction and find a new and fulfilled life. Canon Clare gives advice on the route which is not always as well signposted as she would like. As always, on Ramblings, there is much talk of food, weather and suitable clothing.

This walk can be found on OS Landranger map 187, Dorking and Reigate , or Explorer 146. The starting grid reference is TQ 16986 503

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding takes this ancient way to discover the power and popularity of pilgrimage.

34The South Downs Way2016101320161015 (R4)Clare Balding walks the The South Downs, from Bo Peep to Alfriston, in the company of writers June Goodfield and Lynne Truss. They've both been involved in a project for local people to write a new version of Eleanor Farjeon's poem, A Sussex Alphabet. Eleanor may be best known for the words to the much loved hymn Morning Has Broken. June and Lynne adore the South Downs although Lynne admits to being something of a timid walker, happier to be in a group and to carry a big stick. The day's walk inspired Clare to add her own contribution to the enterprise, after Amanda Elms of the South Downs National Park, explains the lifecycle of the Damselfly

D is for Damselfly

Summer's golden glow started to fade

With a walk ancient footsteps had made

Regular steps along the grassy path

To the rythmic beat of a wooden staff.

Gentle chat as we looked far beyond

When we spotted a stray from the nearby pond

A long insect lying on the ground

Not making a movement or a sound.

Pairs of bright blue spots along its back

Like eyes shining on a cloth of black.

Wings open, their delicate filigree

Paused and framed for all to see.

What is it doing?' I began,

Ignorant of their brief lifespan.

It's dying' came the instant reply

I swallowed hard and tried not to cry.

A beautiful creature swift and fast

Living the day that would be its last.

Without a whimper, minus a mess

A Damselfly in silent distress.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks on the South Downs, remembering the poetry of Eleanor Farjeon.

35Clwyd Hillforts2017030920170311 (R4)Clare Balding heads for the Clwyd Hills in North Wales as she joins the county's Archaeologist, Fiona Gale, to find out more about the many Iron Age hill forts that are so prevalent along the range. They start at Moel Arthur , walking along to Penycloddiau, one of the largest sites. They are joined by two of Fiona's colleagues. David Shiel and Helen Mrowiec, all three of whom are passionate about the area and the leisure opportunities it offers. While they all discuss the marks left on the landscape by past generations, Clare and her companions become united in their hatred of a twenty first century scar, the plastic dog poo bag, filled and left hanging on branches or in bushes. Clare is now on a mission to eradicate these eyesores from the countryside.

You can follow the walk on Explorer no 265 Clwydian Range/Bryniau Clwyd.

Starting grid ref , SJ146657

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding heads for the Clwyd hills in north Wales to discover Iron Age hillforts.

35Derrigimlagh, Ireland2017022320170225 (R4)Clare Balding explores a new pathway just outside Clifden in County Galway. This walking route, across the Derrigimlagh Bog, is a mosaic of tiny lakes and peat rich flora and fauna. Its a fairly lonely spot, as walking guide, Paul Phelan explains but its the place where two truly remarkable events of the twentieth century took place. In October 1907 the first commercial transatlantic message was transmitted from Marconi's wireless telegraphy station on the bog, to Glace Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. In 1919, aviators, Alcock and Brown crash landed there at the end of the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic. Historian, Mike Cronin joins Clare and Paul to explain the significance of both events and they discuss why this wild and dramatic landscape means so much to them.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding explores a new pathway across one of Ireland's biggest bogs at Derrigimlagh.

35Great Hucklow, Derbyshire2017030220170304 (R4)Clare Balding is in the Derbyshire Peak District to meet a group of women who call themselves the Hucklow Howlers. They've been walking and running together for twenty five years. They meet up each year to walk from Great Hucklow and they now take Clare on one of their favourite circular routes from Great Hucklow via Bradwell .

They explain to Clare how much the group means to them and how staying fit in later life, by walking and running, has allowed them to enjoy a happy and enjoyable retirement.

Starting Grid ref: 179 779 at Great Hucklow

OL24 The Peak District/White Peak and OL1 The Peak District/Dark

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding is in the Peaks to join a group who have been walking together for 25 years.

35Hampshire Jane Austen2017031620170318 (R4)Clare Balding walks in the footsteps of Jane Austen as she takes a path regularly taken by Jane, from her home in Chawton, now a museum, to Farringdon, to visit her friends. Clare is joined by husband and wife, Martyn and Sue Dell. Both work as volunteers at the museum, fulfilling a long held ambition of Sue's. She fell in love with Austen as a teenager upon first reading Pride and Prejudice and has fancied herself as Elizabeth Bennet ever since. Sue promised herself she would work at the museum once she retired from teaching. Martyn is a trustee and steward and talks about the importance of the house to visitors from all over the world, especially this year which marks the 200 th anniversary of Austen's death. They are also joined by the Museum Administrator, Gill Stanton.

The walk can be found on OS Explorer 133 Haslemere and Petersfield. Starting at the house in Chawton and walking to Farringdon, across the fields as Jane would have done and then back along the old disused railway, which she would have not.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks in the footsteps of Jane Austen, from Chawton to Farringdon near Alton

35Isaac's Tea Trail, Allendale2017032320170325 (R4)Clare Balding returns to her favourite county, Northumberland, to walk part of Isaac's Tea Trail, a thirty-six mile (58km) circular route, starting from Allendale. This long distance path, launched in 2002, was inspired by the tale of Isaac Holden, an itinerant tea seller and philanthropist who in Victorian times was a familiar figure on the rough tracks over Allendale Common and Alston Moor.

Clare is accompanied on her walk by Roger Morris who devised and maintains the route, Andy Lees ,from The north Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and retired journalist Anne Leuchars, who blogs about the route and has walked it all . She explains why the area is her adopted home and the very special role Isaac played in the local community.

The walk starts at Keenley Wesleyan Methodist Church and ends at Holden Hearse house.

Grid Ref : NY803567 End ref at NY782523

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding follows the footsteps of a 19th-century itinerant tea seller.

35Mount Edgcumbe, Plymouth2017033020170401 (R4)Clare Balding joins some of the members of START - Students and Refugees Together, to explore some of the beautiful countryside in easy access of Plymouth. START is a small charity that works with refugees in the city by putting them together with student volunteers to help them become self-reliant and active contributors to their local community. Walks are an important part of the organisation, encouraging refugees to get to know the city and some of the countryside that surrounds it as well as being a way to make friends and practise their English. Clare talks to social worker, Avril Bellinger, who initiated the scheme, about the benefits walking has bought to the group and to the students and refugees who have built such a bond.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins a group of refugees and students who enjoy walking together.

35The Doolough Famine Walk, County Mayo2017021620170218 (R4)Clare Balding travels to Ireland, County Mayo, to retrace the steps of those who walked from Louisburg to Delphi, in 1849 at the height of the potato famine, in the hope of receiving aid. Now known as The Doolough Tragedy Famine Walk, hundreds of people come from all over the world to walk the twelve miles each year in memory of those who died of starvation along the route. Clare talks to Joe Murray from Afri (Action from Ireland) on whose behalf he organises the annual pilgrimage, which not only remembers those who died of hunger but also those, across the world, who now live in hunger and struggle with a shortage of food.

They're joined by Mary O'Malley whose forebears suffered during the Great Hunger, or An Gorta Mor, and by Prof John Maguire who puts the famine into historical context.

The music used in the programme, Turned Away, was an original piece written for the walk by Imogen Gunner.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding discovers the Doolough Tragedy Famine Walk in County Mayo, Ireland.

36The Nidderdale Way: Bewerley To Dacre Banks2017060820170610 (R4)Clare Balding is walking The Nidderdale Way in North Yorkshire for this series and here she completes the fourth leg of the route from Bewerley to Dacre Banks. She's accompanied by three members of the Tordoff family. Keith, came to the town of Pateley Bridge, that lies in the centre of the dale, twenty five years ago with his wife, Gloria. He gave up the stress of being a police officer in Leeds and took to running the local sweetshop, the oldest in the country. He is now a spokesman for the town and the area and does all he can to promote it, concerned as he is, that small rural towns like this, can die without the whole community pulling together. His son Alex is a local fireman and his partner Kirsty also works in the family business. Kirsty and Alex explain to Clare that their love of walking has taken them traveling all over the world, while Keith explains his love of Pateley Bridge means he no longer wishes to go anywhere else.

Their walk starts at Bewerley Grange Chapel where Keith's parents are buried and ends in the village of Dacre Banks, right on the banks of the river Nidd.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding continues her journey along the Nidderdale Way, a circular walk of 53 miles.

36The Nidderdale Way: Birstwith To Thornton Moor2017061520170617 (R4)Clare Balding nears the end of her walk along The Nidderdale Way, a fifty three mile route, that starts and finishes in Pateley Bridge. Today she walks the most easterly stretch passing through the Ripley Estate, home to the Ingilby family for over seven hundred years. Sir Thomas Ingilby a keen long distance walker, and his wife Lady Emma, explain how they welcome ramblers through the estate and have constructed new paths to ease their way.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding nears the end of her walk along the Nidderdale Way.

36The Nidderdale Way: Brimham Rocks To Pateley Bridge2017062220170624 (R4)Clare Balding sadly says goodbye to The Nidderdale Way as she embarks on the last leg of this fifty three mile circular walking route. Her guides for the day, Margaret Lawrenson, Chris Bennett and John Byrom, persuade her to take a small detour to explore Brimham Rocks, an enchanted natural play park for children and a nightmare for grandparents. Once back on track they walk through some of the most picturesque villages and hamlets of North Yorkshire to arrive back in Pateley Bridge once more. Clare receives a badge for her efforts.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding embarks on her last leg of the Nidderdale Way.

36The Nidderdale Way: Gouthwaite To Bewerley2017060120170603 (R4)Clare Balding is walking the whole of The Nidderdale Way, a circular fifty three mile walking route in North Yorkshire. In this edition she walks from Heathfield to Bewerley in the company of Robin Hermes and Simon Dunn, two self-styled, grumpy old men. They have been walking together, along with their friend Richard, every month for over thirty-five years and this is the first time they've actually invited anyone to join them. The Ramblings team don't make the most auspicious start by being several minutes late, a sin Robin holds against them right until the end when the joys of the afternoon allow him to forgive and forget!

This section of the walk takes in the site of the disused lead mines at Ashfold Side Beck. Robin and Simon discuss their walking history with Clare, their favourite and least favourite routes and how they score the perfect walk.

The route can be found on OS Explorer 298

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding sets out on the third section of the Nidderdale Way, a 53-mile circular walk

36The Nidderdale Way: Pateley Bridge To Scar House Reservoir2017051820170520 (R4)In this series Clare Balding will walk the Nidderdale Way, a spectacular fifty- three mile route in North Yorkshire, encircling the valley of the River Nidd. On this first section from Pateley Bridge to Scar House Reservoir, she's joined by local walking expert, Stephen Spellman and Michelin star chef, Frances Atkins. Frances is one of only six female chefs in the UK to have a Michelin Star, her restaurant is en route at Ramsgill . She explains how important walking is for her as a source of inspiration and relaxation from the stresses of the kitchen. Stephen advises Clare on the right equipment to have when tackling consecutive days of walking. They're also joined by Frances's black Labrador, Polly. While something of a law unto herself, Polly clearly loves this landscape of moorland, rolling green fields, dry stone walls and remote farm houses as much as her three companions.

Producer : Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding sets out to walk the Nidderdale Way, a 53-mile route in North Yorkshire.

36The Nidderdale Way: Scar House Reservoir To Ramsgill2017052520170527 (R4)Clare Balding embarks on the second leg of the Nidderdale Way , a 53 mile circular walk that begins and ends in the North Yorkshire town of Pateley Bridge.

Today she's joined by the Rev Darryl Hall and Methodist minister, Mike Poole, who work and walk together regularly , known locally as the Ant and Dec of the church. Mike's wife Julia also comes along with the map to ensure they stay on track. This section of the walk takes them through the small hill village of Middlesmoor. Its church, St Chads, boasts of having one of the best views in Britain and Clare believes the community can also brag about their very excellent public conveniences.

For this series Clare is using OS Explorer 298, starting reference for this walk 066 766, and the Harvey map of The Nidderdale Way.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding embarks on the second leg of the Nidderdale Way, a 53-mile circular walk.

37Listeners' Walks: Blaenau Ffestiniog2017092120170923 (R4)In this series of Ramblings, Clare Balding is walking with people or in places recommended by listeners. Eryl Davies wrote to the programme suggesting a walk in the hills of North Wales with her father, Tegid. He lives near Blaenau Ffestiniog and loves to explore the area every day, usually alone with his dog Twm. Not that unusual except that Tegid has no sight and relies on his memory and his canine companion to find the way. He has always loved walking and when he can, likes to share his passion with the rest of the family. Today he's joined by Eryl and his sixteen year old grandson, Llewellyn.

Their route can be found on OS Outdoor Leisure map 18

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks in north Wales in the company of three generations of the same family.

37Listeners' Walks: Cornwall2017091420170916 (R4)
20171227 (R4)
Clare Balding takes the Cornish coastal path from Constantine Bay to Harlyn, in the company of two women for whom walking has been the cement in their friendship. Sarah Rossiter and Rebecca Newsom met at university and although their lives have taken them in very different directions; Sarah works for an investment bank , Rebecca for Greenpeace, they try to ensure they get together every few months to do some challenging hiking while putting the world to rights. In this repeat from earlier in 2017, Clare will be walking with listeners who have recommended people or places the programme should feature. Sarah wrote to Ramblings wishing to share their enthusiasm for walking and walking together.

The route they take can be found on OS Explorer 106 Newquay and Padstow.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks from Constantine Bay around to Harlyn along the Cornish coast.

37Listeners' Walks: Isle Of Man, Glen Dhoo2017100520171007 (R4)Clare Balding's long-held wish, to sample the walking delights of the Isle of Man, is finally satisfied as she heads to the north of the Island to explore Glen Dhoo and Ravensdale. She walks in the company of local artist, Michael Starkey and guide Chris Callow, two proud Manxmen.

The walk can be found on 0S Landranger 95.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding gets her wish and samples the variety of walks on offer on the Isle of Man.

37Listeners' Walks: Isle Of Man, Kallow Point2017101220171014 (R4)Clare Balding continues her exploration of The Isle of Man by travelling south to walk the coastal path from Kallow Point to the Sound. She's joined by locals Jane and Peter Gunn and archaeologist, Andrew Foxon. Despite the wind and rain setting in, there are still wonderful views to be had of the Calf of Man and Jane explains the many vagaries of living on the island, she appears to know everyone or at least all those they meet en route.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding continues her exploration of the Isle of Man walking along the coastal path.

37Listeners' Walks: Stoke-on-trent2017101920171021 (R4)Clare Balding meets a group of five friends from Stoke on Trent who have been walking The Two Saints Way www.twosaintsway.org.uk , a route that's taken them from Chester to Lichfield. All retired or semi-retired professional women, they all have very personal reasons for taking this pilgrimage. They like to mark various stages of the walk with a song, taking it in turns to decide on the type of music required for the particular location. They are accompanied by Buddy, a Border Terrier cross Jack Russell who has been with them for every step of the way. They women call themselves The Fast Girls Walking Group on account of the brisk pace they like to keep, so Clare will not be dawdling as they explain to her their love of their home town and why they believe The Potteries are wrongly overlooked as a great walking area.

The route can be found on OS Explorer 258 Stoke on Trent and Newcastle Under Lyme . The walk takes them from Stoke Minster to Lord Sutherland's Monument.

Ful

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins five friends who are walking the Two Saints Way, Chester to Lichfield.

37Overton Hill, The Ridgeway2017092820170930 (R4)Clare Balding joins Multiple sclerosis sufferer, Jo Fielder, on a training walk, just before she attempted to cover the entire length of the Ridgeway in just seven days. They were joined by Jo's husband, Jake and former track and field athlete, David Hemery. Winner of the 400 metres hurdles in the 1968 summer Olympics in Mexico City, David has been a source of inspiration and training advice to Jo as she prepares for this challenge. Tune in to find out if she made it.

Map ref: SU 09358 68848 OS Explorer 157 Marlborough and Savernake Forest.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins Jo Fielder, who has MS and is planning to walk the Ridgeway in 7 days.

38Aberlady Bay2018030120180303 (R4)
20180413 (R4)
Clare explores the beautiful beaches of Aberlady Bay, East of Edinburgh. She joins the pupils, parents and staff of Saltersgate school which supports children and young people who have additional learning needs. Mary Higgins is the outdoor learning teacher and she's discovered that for some pupils, a long walk on a Monday morning sets them up for the week. She's thrilled by how far and well they ramble and joy they derive from being outside whatever the weather. With special dispensation, some of the parents come along to explain to Clare the pleasure and benefit their non-verbal sons gain from this weekly adventure.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks with the staff, pupils and parents of Saltersgate School, Midlothian.

38Black Men's Walking For Health Group2018031520180317 (R4)Clare Balding walks in the Peaks with Maxwell Ayamba, who founded a rambling group for other black men, from Sheffield, to help improve their health and well being. Clare joins the group as they leave the Moorland Discovery Centre and set off across the Moors. They explain to Clare how the group has helped improve their relationships as well as their health and Maxwell describes the art of riding crocodiles.

Producer: Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins Maxwell Ayamba and the Black Men's Walking group he set up.

38Crouch End To Bloomsbury, London2018030820180310 (R4)Clare Balding joins archaeologist, Charlotte Frearson and her dog, Indy, on their daily, five mile walk to work. A few years ago Charlotte was suffering from crippling anxiety, her doctor suggested medication or a dog. After detailed research Charlotte decided a whippet would be better than drugs and she bought Indy, short , of course, for Indiana Jones. Everyday they walk from their home in Crouch End, across London to UCL's Institute of Archaeology in Bloomsbury. It's hard to know who enjoys the walk more as Charlotte has the chance to reflect on the antiquities that might lie beneath their feet and Indy has the chance to hunt out tasty morsels on the pavement. As they take their favourite route from park to park Charlotte explains to Clare how Indy is now being assessed to be a Pet As Therapy dog, not just for her but for the students who sometimes find it easier to talk to him than their tutors.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins archaeologist Charlotte Frearson on her morning walk to work.

38Greens Norton, Northamptonshire2018022220180224 (R4)Clare Balding joins Christina Edwards as she returns to her childhood home in Greens Norton, Northamptonshire, to retrace the walk she took most nights as a teenager, when suffering from anorexia. Christina lived with her mother in a small cottage on the village green. At seventeen Christina stopped eating and as she explains to Clare, as hunger would wake her in the middle of the night, she'd slip out of the house, always accompanied by their dog Jamie and set off on a long walk around the village to try and tire herself out and soothe her mind. Jamie would never leave her side as she strode across the fields and along footpaths, always listening to the same album on her Walkman, The Waterboys, This is the Sea.

Christina now lives in New Zealand with her husband and three children, she talks to Clare about the strength it took to overcome her condition and how she still needs to battle with it today.

If you need support with eating disorders, help and support is available. Visit the BBC Action http://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline/a-z

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins Christina Edwards as she relives the night walks she took in her teens

38Purton, Gloucestershire2018032920180331 (R4)Clare Balding takes a walk along the banks of the Severn in the company of the country's most prolific travel writers, Christopher Somerville who's also the walking correspondent of The Times. They begin their six and a half mile walk in the Gloucestershire village of Purton which lies on the east bank of the River Severn, Christopher's childhood village of Leigh is not far upstream. He talks to Clare about the role walking has played in his life and how it became a way that he could reconnect with his late father.

The route can be found on OS Explorer OL 14 , map ref for the starting point : SO 684021

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks along the banks of the Severn with writer, Christopher Somerville.

38Stanton Moor And Robin Hood's Stride From Winster2018021520180217 (R4)
20180406 (R4)
Clare Balding joins comedian Ed Byrne as he takes her for one of his favourite walks in the Peak District; to Stanton Moor and Robin Hood's Stride from Winster. They discuss how he became an enthusiastic hill walker and a passionate Munro bagger. Munro bagging is the ideal hobby for Ed as it combines a love of the outdoors and his nerdy desire to tick things off lists. Ed and Clare compare notes on their passion for kit, walking clothing and gadgets.

The route for their seven mile walk can be found on OL 24 , grid reference SK241605.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding walks from Winster in the Peak District with comedian Ed Byrne.

38York2018032220180324 (R4)Clare Balding joins Gill Callow, a teacher from York who takes her on a favourite six mile route around the city. Walking has always been an important part of Gill's life; a joy to share with friends, a way to appreciate the wonders of the British countryside, a stress - buster from intense days in the classroom and now vital to help her come to terms with the loss of her partner, Martin. Gill talks to Clare about how she introduced him to the joys of walking , the long distance routes they tackled and the plans they had for the future. She finds walking a good way to remember him and the many happy times they shared.

Producer Lucy Lunt.

Clare Balding joins Gill Callow on one of her regular walks around York.

39Cairngorms2018062120180623 (R4)A musical walk around the Cairngorms National Park with the self-taught composer, Alexander Chapman-Campbell. Alexander's latest album is inspired by a 650km pilgrimage through Norway in the summer of 2015. He had intended to have a break from composition but, en route and completely by chance, Alexander came across pianos in the farmhouses he stayed in, and the churches he visited. So began the instinctive process of creating an album, 'Journey to Nidaros' (Nidaros is the Cathedral in Trondheim, where his trek ended.) He recounts this adventure to Clare, as they walk in the Cairngorms National Park, a place that reminds him very much of Norway.

Their walk is a five mile circular route around the Glen Tanar estate, near Aboyne, a village on the edge of the highlands, just 26 miles west of Aberdeen.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding goes on a musical walk with the composer Alexander Chapman Campbell.

39Church Stretton2018053120180602 (R4)Clare Balding is off to Little Switzerland in this week's programme, but she's not travelling far: Church Stretton, in Shropshire, earned its nick-name in Victorian times because of the area's Alpine feel. Her companions are Mark and Debbie, who met after both lost their spouses to cancer. Together with Ted, the wire haired Dachshund, they are attempting to complete every route listed in the book '50 walks in Shropshire'. They have just passed the 20 mark. Today's walk takes them to the trig point of the Long Mynd, from there they retrace their steps back to the top of Town Brook Hollow and return over the top of Yearlet Hill and Ashlet Hill and back into Church Stretton.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding goes for a hike in Little Switzerland, aka Church Stretton, in Shropshire.

39Hembury Fort, Honiton2018051720180519 (R4)A chaotic and lively dog-walk on Hembury Fort near Honiton in Devon kicks off the new series. Nigel, the rebellious Golden Doodle, upstages Clare Balding and guests.

Clare's human companions are Amy, Jenny, and Anna. They met at the school-gate and formed a strong bond that has helped them through many health challenges. Jenny's thyroid problems led unexpectedly to her launching a successful dog-walking business.

They take Clare on one of their regular walks, across Hembury Fort near Honiton, and explain what friendship through walking means to them.

Produced in Bristol by Karen Gregor.

A chaotic and lively dog-walk in Devon kicks off the new series, with Clare Balding.

39Laugharne2018061420180616 (R4)Clare Balding walks in beautiful sunshine with one of the longest standing groups we've had on Ramblings. For over 30 years, Derek Fawcett and friends have met for an annual walk. They've known each other since they were at medical school and, despite going into different specialities, have retained a strong connection; they say this is best enjoyed while out walking. Today, they are in Laugharne in south west Wales. They follow a route from Laugharne Castle which takes in Dylan Thomas's former home. Thomas once described Laugharne as the 'strangest town in Wales' and based Llareggub in Under Milk Wood ('bugger all' spelt backwards) on the place.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with a group of retired medics in Laugharne, South West Wales.

39Reigate, Surrey2018052420180526 (R4)Today Clare is walking in Surrey with a group of asylum seekers who are former detainees of the Gatwick Immigration Removal Centres. Alongside them are volunteers from 'Refugee Tales' which is a project run by the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group; it involves monthly walks as well as an annual event which combines walking and storytelling. The idea, they say, is to 'reclaim the landscape for the language of welcome'. Over 50% of those held in Immigration Removal Centres are released back into the UK community though their cases may be unresolved, their living conditions precarious, and their future uncertain. These walks give the former detainees a chance to meet up with their friends, enjoy the countryside and - for just a few hours - forget their challenging and unknown future.

Today the group is in Reigate. The group will walk from the station to the top of Reigate Hill, then along the North Downs ridge where there are views towards Gatwick and the detention centres. They then work their way back along the Pilgrim's Way, and return to the station..

All photos by John Barrett

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks with former detainees of the Gatwick Immigration Removal Centres.

39Up To The Dashwood Mausoleum2018060720180609 (R4)Clare Balding walks to the extraordinary Dashwood Mausoleum, near High Wycombe, with Julia and Lee Clements and their daughter, Cerys. Cerys is nearly six years old and has cerebral palsy, so joins the walk in her off-road buggy. Together Julia and Lee discuss how they have adapted to life with a profoundly disabled child; Julia says she has become a 'fighter', especially for the right to give her daughter blended 'real' food, through the tube in her stomach, and not just formula milk which is the accepted norm. Lee says he once defined himself by his achievements at work, or in running marathons, or going for very long walks whereas, now, he values even the shortest of outings with Cerys - navigating kissing-gates, or pushing her weighty buggy uphill is a joy and a challenge in itself.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks to the extraordinary Dashwood Mausoleum near High Wycombe.

40Aviemore, Scotland2018101820181020 (R4)Clare joins a group of recently graduated students of Agriculture from Newcastle University who are walking and canoeing along the Speyside Way from source to sea in memory of their friend Rob who was tragically killed in their final year. Their summer wild camping trip is a way to bring the group of friends together once a year to talk and remember Rob who was such an integral part of their university life.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Clare Balding joins a group of recent graduates on the Speyside Way

40Centurion Way, Chichester2018092720180929 (R4)Clare Balding hears the uplifting story of how walking helped a young man recover from a brain injury.

At the age of 23, Matt Masson fell off a roof during a night out. He was in a coma for six weeks and, when he awoke, couldn't walk, talk or sit-up. When his voice returned, so did a determination to return to his previously active life. Walking formed a central part of his rehab; his first goal was to walk just 300 metres but by 2014 Matt had walked the Amsterdam Marathon which took 9 hours and 37 minutes.

In this edition of Ramblings, Matt and his mother, Anne, walk a stretch of the Centurion Way in Chichester and recall his many endeavours. The Centurion Way is a route between Chichester and West Dean which follows the line of part of the disused Chichester to Midhurst Railway.

Producer: Karen Gregor.

This is the uplifting story of how walking helped a young man recover from a brain injury.

40Dartmoor, Devon2018101120181013 (R4)Clare Balding meets the writer Tom Cox for a walk on Dartmoor, the setting for many of his musings on walking and nature that are a humorous sometimes spooky take on the countryside and the creatures that inhabit it. His book 21st Century Yokel is full of Devon folklore, haunted landscapes and humorous observations about the people and animals he encounters. Their walk takes them from Manaton Church near Bovey Tracey up to Bowerman's Nose and Hound Tor, stopping off to pay their respects at the grave of Kitty Jay a 17th century farm girl along the way.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Dartmoor is the walking territory of writer Tom Cox, author of 21st Century Yokel

40Herefordshire2018091320180915 (R4)Clare Balding walks on Hergest Ridge in Herefordshire with Dr. Kate Harding, who has a moving story to tell.

This is the second time Clare has walked with Kate. Their first ramble was around five years ago. The run-up to that recording had been stressful and Clare wasn't really up for it. She recalls - 'I was grumpy with the weather and grumpy with life. Not myself at all'.

However, when Kate and Clare started that walk, Clare realised it was what she needed most. Kate's advice about the power of mindfulness resonated strongly. It's an encounter that Clare has never forgotten.

Now, Clare is returning to Herefordshire to walk with Kate once more. However, Kate's circumstances have changed significantly. Last year, her husband killed himself. A consultant anaesthetist and specialist in intensive care, he had been suffering from crippling depression. Kate and her teenage children have, obviously, been left devastated. They had emigrated to New Zealand as a family of four. Shortly after Richard's suicide, they returned to Herefordshire, as three.

Since Richard's death, Kate has become determined to highlight the higher than average suicide rate amongst the medical profession, and would like to see a swifter process of complaint handling by the General Medical Council. This is why she's chosen to walk again with Clare; as well as to celebrate Richard's life by walking in one of the places he loved the most, Hergest Ridge, where his memorial was held.

Kate regards the openness and beauty of Herefordshire as something of a balm.

NB: If you are feeling emotionally distressed following this broadcast and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support, you can access this site: bbc.co.uk/actionline

Producer: Karen Gregor.

Clare Balding walks in Herefordshire with Dr Kate Harding who has a moving story to tell.

40The Hoo Peninsula, Kent2018092020180922 (R4)Clare Balding is walking in someone else's shoes for this edition of Ramblings.

She's joined, on the Hoo Peninsula in Kent, by the artist, Clare Patey and the author, Roman Krznaric. They are - respectively - the Director and Founder of The Empathy Museum. On their walk from Gravesend Station to the Cliffe Pools Nature Reserve, Clare and Roman describe one of the Empathy Museum's projects: `A Mile in My Shoes`.

Inspired by the saying: `Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccasins` the project travels the UK, and the world, in a shipping container which is decorated as a gigantic shoe-box. Inside are rows of other people's shoes, and audio-recordings of their own personal stories. The idea is that visitors wear a pair of shoes, and go for a walk, while listening to the shoe owner's story.

The stories range from a Herefordshire farmer discussing his search for love (you wear a pair of his old work boots to walk and listen) to a former sex worker (red high heels). For part of this walk, Clare Balding will wear a pair of fluffy pink slippers and hear a powerful tale.

The idea behind the project is to expose listeners to the stories of people they wouldn't otherwise meet, in order to promote empathy.

The project has a podcast - the link is further down on this web-page.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding is walking in someone else's shoes for this edition of Ramblings.

40Wigtown, Dumfries And Galloway2018100420181006 (R4)Clare Balding walks the final part of the Whithorn Way with a local group of walking enthusiasts. It's an an an ancient pilgrim route from Glasgow down along the west coast ending at the holy site of St Ninian's Cave on the southern tip of the peninsula looking towards the Isle of Man. Pilgrims have been making the journey for centuries until they were banned from doing so after the Reformation during the 16th century, but the tradition has been revived and with the restoration of the walking route, more people are expected to do the 146 mile route through some of Scotland's most beautiful but often overlooked landscapes.

Pictured left to right: Ian Gemmell, a retired local vet from Whithorn, Clare Balding, Finn McCreath local farmer and trustee of the Wigtown Book Festival and Jessica Fox, former NASA storyteller.

Producer: Maggie Ayre

Walking the Whithorn Way in south west Scotland

41A Cow Parsley Tattoo, Cambridgeshire2019030720190309 (R4)The writer, Emma Mitchell, takes Clare Balding for a walk around the woods at the back of her house in Cambridgeshire and explains why exposure to the natural world can have a mood-lifting effect on us all.

While acknowledging that she relies on antidepressants and talking cures to prevent her depression from becoming overwhelming, she says that walking several times a week, even on days when she feels well, has a cumulative effect and helps to make the dips in her mood less vertiginous.

She says `For me, taking a daily walk among plants and trees is as medicinal as any talking cure or pharmaceutical`. But it's not just because she has a `fondness for looking at bonny bosky views` rather, she says `I am experiencing real physiological responses that affect my body and mind`.

As they walk, Emma explains to Clare why they both feel their stress levels falling... it's not just the physical act of walking, it could be, partly, because they're breathing the volatile compounds and oils emitted by the plants and trees that surround them. Emma discusses this and other ideas that she explores in her book The Wild Remedy.

She also talks about her cow parsley tattoo...

If you're reading this on the Radio 4 webpage, please scroll down for photos from the walk of hibernating ladybirds, Annie the Lurcher and Emma's tattoo...

There is also a link to the Woodland Trust page for Reach Wood, where we walked. Also more detail on Emma's book.

NB: If you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline or you can call for free, at any time to hear recorded information 0800 066 066.

Producer: Karen Gregor

A cow parsley tattoo, hibernating ladybirds, and a lurcher called Annie.

41A Creative Soldier2019031420190316 (R4)Clare Balding walks across Dartmoor with a former soldier whose retirement has taken him in a surprising direction.

Andy Salmon is a former soldier who now runs creative events which he hopes will inspire peace and reconciliation. As the former Commandant General of the Royal Marines, Andy has much experience to draw upon. He spent 36 years in the Marines and served in many global conflicts.

It might sound unlikely, but the ‘Journey Through Conflict' events he now stages are a mixture of art, music and storytelling during which he and other former soldiers share their wartime experiences.

In this edition of Ramblings, he takes Clare Balding for a challenging walk across a section of Dartmoor - which is a significant training location for the Royal Marines - on the way, they discuss what led him into such an unusual retirement.

If you are reading this on the Ramblings webpage, you can scroll down to the 'related links' section to find more information about Andy's project.

Clare Balding walks across Dartmoor with the former head of the Royal Marines.

41Gentle Slopes Not Rolling Hills, Suffolk2019022120190223 (R4)Our original plan for today's walk fell apart. David Bradbury had invited us to join his lunch-time walking group. Instead of eating a sandwich at their desks, he and his colleagues would make the effort to go for midday rambles which were bonding, supportive and great exercise. He says the group held him together when some difficult personal problems arose. But then David left the company and, therefore, his walking group. However, he remains a keen walker, so we kept our date to walk with him near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk. Instead of colleagues, he brought along his daughter, his mother and his friend, Ron the Human Google.

Together, they take a circular route which starts at the Rushbrooke Arms in Sicklemere, passes Nowton Church which has some truly beautiful Flemish stained glass windows, plus views of the British Sugar factory and its huge plumes of steam. They bypass a shoot (quickly), and enter Nowton Park where there is a colourful totem pole which - uniquely - includes a wolf holding the severed head of St. Edmund himself. The walk ends back at the pub. Clare is quite certain that the landscape contains only gentle slopes. In Suffolk, David says, they are definitely hills.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding and her fellow walkers take in the delights of rural Suffolk

41Glastonbury Tor With Druids2020022020200222 (R4)Clare Balding explores Glastonbury with Druids Penny and Arthur Billington. Throughout this series of Ramblings, Clare is finding out how walking affects our inner life. She is hiking with people of differing beliefs and none to discover how the simple act of being in the natural world can change how we feel. As Penny and Arthur explain, Druids live their lives closely connected to nature and the changing seasons. Glastonbury Tor and the surrounding area is steeped in rich mythology which draws Druids to what they regard as a sacred landscape.

Producer: Karen Gregor

41Long Dresses, Cloaks And Bonnets. Cumbria.2019022820190302 (R4)Why climb a snowy Cumbrian hill in a long dress, cloak and bonnet? Clare Balding finds out.

It's all down to Dorothy Wordsworth, the sister of poet, William. In her own right Dorothy was a writer and a pioneering walker. Just over 200 years ago she and her friend, Mary Barker, became the first women to both climb and write about Scafell Pike in the Lake District. This wouldn't have been easy in their long dresses, cloaks and bonnets. To mark this achievement the artist Alex Jakob-Whitworth and some friends decided to follow in Dorothy's footsteps. They dressed in period costume and tried to get to the top of England's highest mountain. It wasn't easy, as they tell Clare on today's walk, which starts in Seathewaite in Borrowdale and progresses up to Stockley Bridge, through the snowline, and beyond.

Alex took on this challenge as part of a bigger project. If you are reading this on the Radio 4 webpage, you can scroll down the page to the 'related links' section to discover more about Alex, Harriet and The Wordsworth Trust.

Producer: Karen Gregor

41Old Maps And New Routes, Oxfordshire2019021420190216 (R4)Clare Balding starts the 20th year of Ramblings by walking with a listener who is so committed to exploring the countryside that she creates and publishes her own walking routes.

Elaine Steane ran out of walks, so decided to invent her own. She's published a number of books including Milestones to Millstones and it's a route from this that we follow today. It skirts the Oxfordshire/Berkshire border and takes in Mapledurham Watermill - a working Mill that not only produces its own flour but also supplies 140 local homes with electricity. The Mill became famous when it featured in the film version of The Eagle Has Landed; Michael Caine's signature is apparently carved somewhere into the building's wooden structure. Later on, we skirt past (but can't quite see) Hardwick House. This was the inspiration for EH Shepard's illustrations of Toad Hall in Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows. From there we head up into the Wild Woods, where we hear a reading from Wind in the Willows, before climbing a steep hill which takes us back to where we started at Whittles Farm.

Elaine's love of mapping comes from her father. He was Harold Fullard, a renowned cartographer who was Editor of the Phillip's Modern School Atlas, the blue-canvas book that generations of school-children used to learn about the world. Elaine recalls earning a little pocket money by helping to create the index at home... it was a painstaking process.

If you are reading this on the Radio 4 website, you can scroll further down to see links to Elaine's books, Mapledurham Water Mill and some photos of the walk.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding walks with a committed listener who creates her own walking routes.

41Steve Backshall And Helen Glover On Winter Hill2020021320200215 (R4)Steve Backshall and Helen Glover walk with Clare Balding on Winter Hill in Berkshire.

Throughout this series of Ramblings Clare Balding is exploring how walking affects our well-being. She is hiking with people of differing beliefs and none to discover how the simple act of being in the natural world can change how we feel. Today, she's climbing Winter Hill in Berkshire with the Olympic rower Helen Glover and her husband, the wildlife broadcaster and adventurer, Steve Backshall. They spend their working and waking lives outside and know more than most how joyful and beneficial this can be. They had their first child, Logan, in 2018 and are expecting again very soon. They discuss how important they feel it is to raise children with a love of the outdoors, and all the benefits that brings.

Producer: Karen Gregor

41The Wilberforce Way With Inderjit Bhogal2020022720200229 (R4)Clare Balding walks with Sikh-turned-Methodist, Inderjit Bhogal, along part of the Wilberforce Way in East Yorkshire. Inderjit created this long distance walking route to honour Wilberforce who led the campaign against the slave trade. They start at Pocklington School, where Wilberforce studied, and ramble canal-side to Melbourne Ings. Inderjit Bhogal has an extraordinary personal story: Born in Kenya he and his family fled, via Tanzania, to Dudley in the West Midlands in the early 1960s. He couldn't find anywhere to practice his Sikh faith so started attending his local Methodist chapel where he became an unusual sight, a Christian worshipper in a turban. He went on to become a leading figure in the Methodist church and was awarded an OBE in 2005. He discusses feeling fearful while walking alone in the countryside, because of the colour of his skin, despite having lived here for over 50 years.

Please scroll down to the 'Related Links' box for information about the guide book mentioned in the programme

Producer: Karen Gregor

Inderjit Bhogal takes Clare Balding for a walk along part of the Wilberforce Way.

41To The Lighthouse!2019032820190330 (R4)Clare is walking to a land-based lighthouse on today's Ramblings. Smeaton's Tower was originally on the Eddystone Reef, twelve miles out to sea on Plymouth Sound but when it was replaced by a new structure in 1882, the Tower was moved onshore and now stands on Plymouth Hoe. Tom Nancollas is Clare's guide. He has written a book - Seashaken Houses - which tells of his passion for lighthouses and their many extraordinary stories. Also joining them on the walk is Tom's friend Michael O'Mahony. He joined Tom on two of his research trips to lighthouses, which, as he recalls, ended in an undignified fashion!

On their walk, Tom discusses his fascination for lighthouses and a strange family coincidence that emerged unexpectedly during his research: he discovered an ancestor had visited Smeaton's Tower before him - as part of the team who dismantled the tower and moved it to the mainland.

They start their walk by the Devonport Column, take in interesting parts of Plymouth and its coastline and end at the distinctive red and white 'winning post' of Smeaton's Tower itself.

If you're reading this on the Radio 4 webpage, you can scroll down to the 'related links' section to find out more, including about Tom's book.

Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding hears some unlikely stories about lighthouses on a walk around Plymouth.

41Walking A Poem On The Malverns2019032120190323 (R4)Clare Balding is taking a poem for a walk on today's Ramblings. Joining her is Jean Atkin, the newly appointed Troubadour of the Malvern Hills. Jean takes Clare, stanza by stanza, to each of the locations featured in one of her poems. Joining them is Peter Sutton who has translated into modern English the famous mediaeval poem ‘Piers Plowman' which starts with the poet asleep on the Malvern Hills. Also walking is David Armitage who works for the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; he discusses the similarities he sees between the Malverns and some African landscapes, and shows Clare a field packed with the most extraordinary amount of ant hills.

The Troubadour of the Hills is a project devised by the Ledbury Poetry Festival and the Malvern Hills AONB. If you're reading this on the Radio 4 website, please scroll down for some photos from the walk and some related links which you can follow to find out more.

Clare Balding and the newly appointed Troubadour of the Hills take a poem for a walk