Television presenter returns to Peak roots

Julia – who developed her love for the outdoors during childhood walks in the area with her Tideswell-born father Michael – will sign off the eight-week run of Best Walks With A View With Julia Bradbury on Friday by following in the footsteps of the famous 1932 mass trespassers on Kinder Scout.

Setting off from Edale, she will explore the first five miles of the Pennine Way, including the Kinder plateau, the area’s highest point, which played a pivotal role in the creation of Britain’s national parks and public access to the countryside.

En route, she will catch up with and share some happy early memories with her dad and meet Edale-based wooden bowl maker Robin Wood as well as hard-working mountain rescue volunteers who keep visitors safe while enjoying some of the country’s wildest, specially-protected landscapes.

Julia’s Peak District walk is included in honour of those who helped open up the countryside to visitors from all corners of the world and ends with a spectacular panorama across Edale.

During filming for Best Walks With A View, Julia and the production team stayed at four-star Losehill House Hotel and Spa and five-star Underleigh B&B, both in Hope, and at award-winning Stonecroft Guesthouse in Edale.

“I’ve got my dad Michael to thank for my love of the Peak District,” said Julia.

“He introduced me to walking there when I was just six or seven. In our spare time we’d stride out across the hills and moors.

“He made up stories as we went to make each walk a real adventure and today I’m lucky enough to make walking my work.”

Jo Dilley, managing director of marketing at Peak District and Derbyshire, the area’s official tourist board, added: “We’re really pleased to be included among Julia’s top walks in her latest television series, which is attracting around four million viewers per episode.

“She’s a popular and enthusiastic ambassador for the pleasures of the outdoor life.”

The Peak District episode of Best Walks With A View will be start at 8pm.