Derek Brockway walks two of the most popular and spectacular routes in Wales. The first cherry-picks some of the best views in and around Barmouth while the second takes us over the famous ridge of Pen-y-Fan, the highest mountain in southern Britain and a training ground for the SAS.
Derek Brockway walks to Tregaron in the footsteps of Welsh highwayman Twm Sion Cati, then heads to the hill forts of Mold to climb the mother of all mountains.
Derek Brockway goes dolphin spotting along the Ceredigion coastal path on a walk from Newquay to Llangrannog. He then heads to Trefil to explore the Chartist cave, an ancient burial cairn and a favourite stopping off point for Doctor Who.
Derek Brockway takes a pilgrims' path around the Llyn Peninsula. He then battles against the rain to walk another spiritual trail from Llanthony Abbey to Capel y Ffin in the heart of the Black Mountains.
Derek Brockway completes two accessible rambles - in Moelfre and around Dyffryn Gardens.
Derek Brockway walks barefoot in the hills above Crickhowell.
Derek finds hidden treasure at opposite ends of Wales and unleashes his artistic side.
Derek Brockway walks around the old slate town of Bethesda and the village of St Dogmaels.
Derek Brockway follows the pilgrim route to the shrine at Penrhys and enjoys mountain biking in the splendour of the Afan valley.
Derek Brockway chooses top walks in the south Wales. Featuring walks through Blaencwm in the Rhondda Valleys and Merthyr Tydfil's old industrial areas.
Derek Brockway returns with a new series of rambles around Wales. Tonight he heads to mid-Wales and the spectacular scenery of Devil's Bridge and the Rheidol valley. He's joined by Lisa Jenkins, who trained here for a walk to Everest base camp, and she puts Derek through some punishing hill climbs. For the second walk Derek goes south to Margam Castle near Port Talbot. Showing him round is James Cowan, who has a special interest in the supernatural tales connected to the castle.
This week Derek Brockway takes a walk with a difference, his partners are a pair of llamas! Together they explore the beautiful Berwyn Mountains in north east Wales. Derek also visits Tenby, leaving the tourist hotspots behind to discover more about the town's hidden past.
This week, Wales's favourite weatherman Derek Brockway is out walking at opposite ends of the country. First, he's high in the wilds of Snowdonia with disabled rambler Terry Taylor as they explore an old Roman road leading across the Carneddau Mountains. Later, Derek goes south to Skomer Island off Pembrokeshire. Guided by the warden Bee Buche, Derek gets a close-up view of the puffin population before staying up late to see the reclusive Manx shearwater.
This week, Derek Brockway's walks are full of history and amazing building feats. First he's on the banks of the Menai Strait walking between two brilliant bridges, the Britannia Bridge and the Menai Suspension Bridge. His guides are local WI members, and it was on Anglesey that Britain's first ever WI meeting was held over 100 years ago. Later, Derek treks between two captivating castles, at Caerphilly and Castell Coch, and even gets a chance to dress up as a medieval knight.
Derek Brockway visits WWI battlefields. Here, he tours Ypres, visiting places with a connection to Welsh soldiers, including the grave of the poet Hedd Wyn.
Derek Brockway visits WWI battlefields. Here, he visits Mametz Wood in the Somme, the site of the most famous battle fought by Welsh soldiers throughout WWI.
Derek's back! With eight more amazing walks around Wales. This week he explores two popular Welsh tourist sites, before setting off to discover their more secret side. His first walk begins at Porthmadog harbour, before crossing the cob and arriving at the Italianate village of Portmeirion, and discovering 'Y Gwyllt', the wild headland beyond. It's then time for a treasure hunt, as he visits the Roman gold mines at Dolaucothi, before breaking out into some beautiful countryside to take up their trig-point challenge and reach the highest point on the estate!
Week two sees Derek tackle two of our well-loved mountain ranges - the Black Mountains in the Brecon Beacons and the Glyders in Snowdonia. Starting in the small village of Bwlch, his walk explores the history of the Rhiangoll Valley and the village of Cwmdu, before hitting the hills to follow the Beacons Way, up and over and back to Bwlch. His next challenge is to climb one of Wales's supermountains - Glyder Fawr at over 3,200 feet! It's tough going, with scrambling and thick fog - will he get to the top?
Derek Brockway is shown around Three Cliffs Bay in Gower by Behnaz Akhgar, before heading to the Powys market town of Welshpool.
Derek's final instalment has a very personal connection to his contributors who have overcome injury and disability to get out and about. He starts in Pembrokeshire, in the quiet fishing village of Porthgain to meet local seaman Captain Brian Thomas, who spent weeks in a coma after collapsing when out walking. They also explore the area's industrial past and soak in the stunning sea views. Finally it's right to the top of Wales, to RSPB Conwy to meet Nicola Cockburn, who's been blind since birth, and find out what's involved when she goes out walking. Derek also hears more about how her passion for birdwatching helps her get the most from going for a walk.
Derek is back with eight more incredible walks around Wales. In this edition, he is on ranger duties at a country estate in Carmarthenshire, exploring Dinefwr Park's 800 acres of magical medieval landscape and getting close to a very rare cattle breed. In the Vale of Glamorgan, Derek is joined by Olympian Colin Jackson. Together they explore a five-mile coastal route that has it all - dinosaur footprints, WWII gun battery remains, the site of a major communication breakthrough and an iconic Victorian pier.
Cadair Idris is a mountain steeped in legend and mythology - it's also one of Wales's most spectacular summits. Derek Brockway climbs to three peaks in this range and even braves a quick dip in its glacial lake. In the Brecon Beacons, it's a much more relaxing route with singer and broadcaster Beverley Humphreys. Together, they walk in the footsteps of one of history's most impressive sopranos, Madame Adelina Patti, exploring her former castle estate at Craig y Nos Country Park.
In this edition, Derek visits two places which were shaped by the Industrial Revolution. In Powys, he is at the beautiful Lake Vyrnwy with fellow weather presenter Sian Lloyd. They learn about the village that was flooded to make way for the reservoir which still supplies Liverpool with water, and marvel at the famous dam, a Victorian engineering feat. In Tredegar, Derek goes on a trail back in time, discovering the rich history of this unique valleys town. He visits the largest lump of coal in the world, learns about a scheme that inspired the creation of the NHS and views the impressive remains of Sirhowy ironwork furnaces.
In the last episode in the series, Derek is joined by two guides who have both used walking to assist them on their very different but personal journeys. Musician Jules Peters takes Derek on her favourite walk in Wales, a stunning section of the Llyn coastal path which ends at a famous beach bar. Jules explains how walking every day helped her to cope with her breast cancer treatment. On the Welsh border in Presteigne, Derek is with a man who walked the entire 1,100-mile perimeter of Wales to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's. Tom Davies takes Derek on a small section of his Welsh wander which includes the Offa's Dyke path.
Weatherman Derek Brockway launches his new series by firing the starting cannon at the Beaumaris Regatta on Anglesey. His 14-mile walk then takes him into the town’s heavily fortified castle before he heads onto the Welsh Coast Path, towards Red Wharf Bay. He crosses the beach with its fascinating selection of rocks and mooring stakes before joining the Beaumaris Rowing Club. Walking on, Derek visits the hamlet of Penmon with its ancient well, priory and dovecot before heading on to the photogenic Trwyn Du, or Black Nose lighthouse, with views over Puffin Island. The walk then turns inland for a couple of miles before arriving at a new stretch of coastal path opened in 2018. Derek chats to a group known as the Silver Slashers, who help to keep the pathways clear, before arriving a Teach Coch, or Red Wharf Bay. Here, he meets an amateur photographer who specialises in night-time landscapes and natural phenomena like bioluminescence.
Weatherman Derek Brockway starts his walk in the pretty seaside town of Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire and ends up on Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire, famous for land-speed records. On his way he discovers the area's mining and military history, meets Amroth’s oldest resident, and is serenaded by the Tenby Male Voice Choir.
Weatherman Derek Brockway explores the Llyn Peninsula, walking from the pretty resort town of Abersoch to bustling Pwllheli. On the way, he discovers hoofprints made in a prehistoric forest millions of years ago, but only recently revealed in shifting sands, and stops off at a special retirement village where a little bit of Poland has been recreated in north Wales.
Weatherman Derek Brockway is on Gower, ignoring the most popular walks to discover some hidden gems. His route takes him from Fall Bay to Oxwich. On the way he tries abseiling, ‘weasleing’, tolling a church bell, foraging for seaweed and hears stories of smugglers.
Derek Brockway’s walk in Cardigan Bay has something for everyone. For the first half, he explores one of Britain’s oldest and largest raised bogs. His route then takes him to a unique railway museum filled with nostalgia, and he also discovers the legend of Cantre’s Gwaelod at Sarn Cynfelyna, which stretches an incredible 11 kms out to sea. He finishes at the university town of Aberystwyth with its Victorian cliff-top pleasure park. Derek also has a go at paddling-boarding - which has its challenges.
Derek Brockway’s in Flintshire, at the most northerly point of mainland Wales. He starts off at the site of the Point of Ayr Colliery, where he meets John Wiltshire, passionate about keeping the memory of the mine alive. Derek also lends a hand, helping endangered species in the sand dunes, and little terns who nest on the beach just over the Denbighshire border. In ‘Sunny Rhyl’ he learns to kitesurf and do the surfers’ shaka.
Derek Brockway is in Pembrokeshire with its majestic cliffs, feeling what it is like to be exposed to the elements. He is thrilled to peek at seal pups along the way, learns how to train a sheepdog, builds a stone wall and helps to create a unique sand circle.
The final episode in the series and Derek Brockway is in the Vale of Glamorgan on a walk of contrasts. On his journey he takes part in a lifeboat challenge; walks a guide dog puppy, sledges down a spectacular sand dune, rides a horse on Ogmore beach and fishes off the rocks. He’s also joined by a group of women walkers who end the series toasting marshmallows on the beach in the shadow of one of Wales’ most stunning rock formations
Weatherman Derek Brockway strips down to basics as he crosses a nudist beach in Gwynedd. Luckily, he has got a beach ball to spare his blushes! On this walk along one of Wales’s most popular coastlines from Harlech to Barmouth, Derek also rolls a cheese down the world’s steepest hill. He learns about the ‘devil in the shawl’ when he visits an old village chapel, nearly gets caught out on a tidal causeway and meets a team of women who give up their free time to keep the beaches clean and safe for wildlife
Derek turns Pied Piper as he launches a walk of 800 children marking the anniversary of ‘People Power’ that saved a stretch of the Loughor Estuary for families to enjoy.On this Carmarthenshire coastal walk from Pwll to Kidwelly, the weatherman also discovers a former munitions factory that employed 6,000 people, has a spin in a racing car and learns the story of Wales’s feisty warrior princess Gwenllian.
Weatherman Derek Brockway joins the surf dudes when he visits St Bride’s Bay, Pembrokeshire… but he still needs a bit more practice. On his walk from Little Haven to Solvahe also learns about a UFO sighting that stunned the world, brushes up on his life-saving skills, helps a local artist create a giant mural and is blown away by the stunning scenery.
Derek Brockway visits north Wales and goes into hiding, only to be tracked down by a pair of search and rescue dogs. This walk also has him heading to the hills on a coastal route hundreds of feet up a mountain, trying his hand at golf and learning how a top secret operation near Conwy played a major part in winning the Second World War. His walk takes him from the village of Abergwyngregyn to the quay at Conwy.
It’s a walk down memory lane for weatherman Derek Brockway as he climbs the Nash Point lighthouse he used to visit as a child. Derek’s coastal walk takes him along Glamorgan'sJurassic coastline. On the way he goes fossil hunting, searches for an elusive chough and learns the story of a pregnancy-testing frog. He begins his walk at St Donat’s Castle, once owned by newspaper magnate Sir Randolph Hearst, which became a party palace for the rich and famous.
Derek, the Weatherman, is in fine voice when he kicks off his walk in Cardigan, home of the first Eisteddfod. After visiting the castle, lovingly restored by locals, he learns about the dying ‘art’ of Seine net fishing before climbing the famous mount at Mwnt. He also gets to feed an alpaca and take tea with the WI at his final destination, Aberporth – where he meets a fellow meteorologist, 98-year-old Joan.
This walk is one for nature lovers. Derek Brockway’s on Anglesey with its majestic cliffs constantly pounded by roaring waves. Along his walk from Porth Swtan to Cemly Bay, he visits a long house restored by locals and tries his hand at whittling. He also discovers tales of the treacherous waters and helps monitor a colony of terns on a reserve set up by an aviation hero.
The final episode in the series and Derek Brockway, the Weatherman, walks along a stunning and often overlooked stretch of coastline dominated by the Second Severn Crossing or Prince of Wales Bridge. On his journey he rings an ancient church bell, finds a water scorpion which breathes through its bottom, and learns about the ‘Rogiet Hoard’ and discovers how the village of Sudbrook evolved. He also wades into the River Severn in the footsteps of ancient fisherman and finishes in Chepstow at the start – or end – of the Wales Coast Path.
Derek Brockway explores some of the less familiar stretches of the Welsh coastline. This episode sees him in the dramatic landscape of the north Gower saltmarshes, where he learns of the magical and mystical fairy folk, helps a sheep farmer round up his flock, and even has a go at weaving. Meanwhile, marine biologist Lizzie Daly is tracking trout and Matt Bassett rides the waves on a new ‘adaptive’ surfboard at Caswell Bay.
Derek gets wet – from rain, an overturned kayak in the sea… and a hot tub with a view! Walking the Pembrokeshire coast from Newport to Fishguard, the weatherman also learns how the last invasion of Britain was foiled by a feisty woman. Archaeologist Dr Erin Lloyd Jones explores the link between Stonehenge and the Preseli mountains, and party planner Onkar Singh Purewal visits a ’Hansel and Gretel’ house, covered in shells.
Is that James Bond or weatherman Derek Brockway on the jet ski? On this stunning walk from Porth Neigwl to Abersoch on the LLyn peninsula, Derek samples the jet set life and local honey, which he describes as ‘blasus Iawn’ – delicious! He’s not the only one brushing up his Welsh, comedian Kiri Pritchard McLean goes back to school at Nant Gwyrtheyrn while Mo Jannah explores the mystery of an African longboat in a Welsh museum.
Weatherman Derek Brockway visits south Wales and discovers a walk of contrasts that includes a beach, a canal and a bustling marina. On the way he learns about ‘Wales’s Tarantula’ and narrowly avoids crashing a luxury boat. Wildlife expert Lizzie Daly goes on a bat hunt while party planner Onkar Singh Purewal organises a tea-party in a ghost village.
Derek the Weather has rain, wind and even a little bit of sun when he takes the circular route around the Great Orme. He braves the elements – and his nerves – to abseil down a section of the massive rock. Mo Jannah tries his hand at mussel fishing the traditional way, and Dr Erin Lloyd-Jones explores the history of Llandudno Pier, meeting the designer’s great, great grandson.
Barry-boy ‘Derek the Weather’ is on familiar ground when he starts his walk at Porthkerry, next to his home town. On his way to Llantwit Major he drops in for tea at “Font-y-Carlo” caravan park, visits one of Wales’ oldest pubs and tries his hand at stone-stacking on a pebble beach. Comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean takes a nostalgic trip to Barry Lido and Mo Jannah explores the stories of the African sailors who made south Wales their home.
Today Weatherman Derek Brockway is in South Pembrokeshire visiting the Dale Peninsula, where he learns about an invasion that changed the course of history; helps carve a seahorse and takes part in a cliff rescue...as the casualty. Wildlife expert Lizzie Daly gets a close look at the birds who visit the area and Onkar Singh Purewal explores how you can walk yourself well.
The final episode in the series, and Derek Brockway, the Weatherman, veers off the Wales Coast Path to walk along a section of the stunning Mawddach Trail near Barmouth. He takes an early morning canoe trip and hears a story of incredible bravery. On this walk he also visits the village of Fairbourne, and takes a ride on its special small-scale train. Archaeologist Dr Erin Lloyd-Jones goes in search of local gold and Matt Bassett goes star-gazing… but is defeated by the Welsh weather.
Weatherman Derek Brockway walks the entire Dee Valley Way from Corwen to Llangollen.
Weatherman Derek Brockway visits Snowdonia and follows the Slate Trail from Capel Curig to Betws-y-Coed.
Weatherman Derek Brockway is in the South Wales valleys on a walk which takes him from Brynmawr to Abergavenny.
Weatherman Derek Brockway explores the Rhondda Valley with a walk starting in Porth and finishing in Taff’s Well.
Weatherman Derek Brockway is in Snowdonia walking a picturesque circular route that starts and ends in Beddgelert.
Weatherman Derek Brockway is in Monmouthshire, walking from the historic village of Trellech to the market town of Abergavenny.
Weatherman Derek Brockway visits Carmarthenshire on a walk which takes him from Cross Hands to Felinfoel, Llanelli.
Weatherman Derek Brockway visits Ceredigion for a stunning walk which takes him from Nant yr Arian to Devil’s Bridge.
Derek Brockway gets walking for Children in Need. On a nine-mile hike between Wrexham and Hope Mountain, he meets local people and explores the landscape. He also learns about some of the projects that are supported by Children in Need all over Wales. There’s a challenge, too: Derek wants Pudsey to show off some top dance moves at a celebratory party on top of the mountain at the end of the walk, but Pudsey’s repertoire is limited to waving and doing ‘thumbs up’. Dance phenomenon the Matsena Brothers are called in to help, but can they teach Pudsey the moves in time?
Derek Brockway kicks off the series in Gwynedd with a stunning ten-mile walk that starts and ends in Penryndeudreath near Porthmadog. His route follows part of the Ffestiniog railway line with a stopping point at Tan-y-Bwlch station. He learns about the industrialist who changed the landscape and takes shelter from the rain in a farmhouse kitchen, before exploring a Celtic rainforest. Meanwhile, Dr Jeni Millard visits a slate quarry now used to mature cheese, and Onkar Singh Purewal discovers the story of gardener John Ystumllyn, the first recorded black person in north Wales.
Wales’s favourite weatherman, Derek Brockway, visits Usk, winner of the Wales in Bloom gold award an amazing 30 times. His walk is a stunning ten-mile circuit which starts and ends at Usk castle. Derek sees the landscape from above as he hitches a ride in a glider, learns about an ancient orchard, visits some community allotments and helps local youngsters plant sunflowers. Archaeologist Dr Erin Lloyd Jones finds out what the Romans did for Wales and Matthew Bassett explores decorative oriental-inspired tinware once made in the town.
Derek and the team travel to the point where the counties of Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion all meet to follow the course of the River Teifi between Cenarth and Cilgerran. On the way he learns to steer a coracle, the area’s ancient form of fishing boat. At when he reaches Cilgerran he takes part in the annual coracle races. Meanwhile Matt Bassett visits possibly the prettiest producers’ market on the Teifi Estuary and Dr Jeni Millard discovers the story of Wales’ smallest museum.
In this episode, Weatherman Derek Brockway is in Dinas Powys, just outside Cardiff, to walk the five-mile Salmon Leaps circular trail. The route takes him through ancient woodland and across the historical Cwrt yr Ala estate before he returns to Dinas Powys where the Village Show is in full swing. Wildlife expert Lizzie Daly, goes in search of night creatures and Onkar Singh Purewal joins some dawn dippers in the sea at Penarth.
'Derek the Weatherman’ hopes it will be warm when he takes part in the World Bog Snorkelling Championships in mid Wales. It’s at the end of his walk that follows part of the trail along the Heart of Wales Railway, starting in Llandovery. On his way he takes part in a tug-of-war with young farmers and has afternoon tea under and impressive railway viaduct. Matthew Bassett joins cyclists in Llandovery and wildlife expert Lizzie Daly goes in search of pied flycatchers in rare Atlantic oak woodland.
Weatherman Derek Brockway visits Rhondda Cynon Taf for a seven mile circular trail that starts and ends in Hirwaun. On his route he learns about the area’s industrial past; visits a whisky distillery and takes a ride on the world’s fastest seated zipline. Meanwhile wildlife expert Lizzie Daly investigates how otters are under threat and Onkar Singh Purewal goes on a trek with alpacas across the Brecon Beacons.
Weatherman Derek Brockway walks the stunning Clywedog Valley Trail near Wrexham in North Wales. He learns the story of John Wilkinson, known as Iron Mad Jack, who revolutionised the iron industry and helps carve a duck from a cedar log. Meanwhile wildlife expert Lizzie Daly discovers red squirrels are on a comeback in the area and Onkar Singh Purewal is blown away by the rare varieties of apples being grown on the National Trust’s Erdigg Estate.
Derek and the team travel to the Elan Valley in Powys for a stunning seven-mile circular walk, punctuated by dams. He learns how the valley was flooded to supply water to Birmingham. On his way round he has a go a mountain biking and discovers the part the area played in the daring Dambusters attack in WW2. Meanwhile archaeologist Dr Erin Lloyd Jones visit the ruins of the ancient abbey at Strata Florida and performer Jonny Cotsen meets military veterans who are being inspired and helped through art.
Derek Brockway gets walking for Children in Need. On his eight-mile hike between Margam and Rest Bay in Porthcawl, he tries everything from sailing to surf lifesaving as he meets local people and explores the coastline. He also learns about some of the amazing projects that are supported by Children in Need across Wales. And there’s a challenge - Derek wants Pudsey to play the drums for a celebratory party on the beach at the end of the walk. But Pudsey’s drumming needs a bit of help – so Stereophonics drummer Jamie Morrison is on hand to give some lessons. But can he get Pudsey up to scratch in time?
On this stunning walk along the Anglesey coast, Derek discovers that the only way to get to church is at low tide. He finds out all about the mythical stories surrounding the Mabinogi. He surprises the community with this week’s Weatherman Walking Local Hero Award, and on Porth Tyn Tywyn, he relaxes by taking a sauna.
Derek walks the last few miles of the Taff Trail into Cardiff and takes in the stunning beauty of Castell Coch where things get a little spooky. He joins in with a practice session kicking a rugby ball, Australian-style. He finishes things off in Bute Park joining an enthusiastic bunch of runners on a 5km run.
On this walk Derek gets lost in a maze, quenches his thirst at a picturesque tea room in Llanrwst and cools things down by trying his hand at wild water swimming. He even meets an Arch Druid who gives us the low down on stone circles and the Eisteddfod Festival.
Derek takes to the picturesque canal path starting at Talybont all the way to Brecon and enjoys a boat trip where he tries, at first hand to navigate a canal pleasure boat before he encounters Harry a wood turner who turns ‘dead’ wood into something useful and attractive. This week he heads to the scouts to surprise a volunteer with the ‘Weatherman Walking Local Hero Award’.
This circular walk takes Derek on a journey around the town of Llandrindod Wells where he gets to taste spring water with medicinal qualities and tries his hand at lawn bowls. He ventures out of town to clear a bog to help the local wildlife and returns to present ‘The Weatherman Walking Local Hero Award’ to a well-deserved First Responder.
Derek takes a creative twist on this walk by joining in with a re-enactment of the Rebecca Riots and takes part in a walk celebrating the work of the famous poet Waldo Williams. He surprises a local resident with the ‘Weatherman Walking Local Hero Award’ and then heads to the top of the Preseli Hills to visit a crash site of a WW2 aircraft before celebrating the opening of a local community pub.
Battling the elements Derek heads to the stunning Black Mountains crossing the River Twrch via the picturesque old Twrch aqueduct and and drops in on a local knitting group in Ystragynlais. He takes a trip down memory lane and visits some relics of the past before ending the walk at the top of the Black Mountains.
Derek marvel’s at one of the UK’s first tourist walks, as he follows William Gilpin’s’ Wye Tour, which encouraged 19th century tourists to visit the area. He takes to the water in a canoe and heads down stream to the old Victorian Station at Tintern where he visits the famous Tintern Abbey and is told of a recent and remarkable discovery. He finishes his walk in Chepstow where he presents The Weatherman Walking Local Hero Award.
Derek is in Pembrokeshire, walking from St David’s to Whitesands. This special episode celebrates the amazing work done by projects that are supported by BBC Children in Need.
