A NEW tv series highlighting the Welsh coast will offer virtual escapism as it promotes remarkable landscapes and stories.
Wonders of the Coast Path, hosted by Good Morning Britain and BBC Countryfile presenter Sean Fletcher, will feature Llandudno as well as the Great Orme, the Menai Strait and Talacre Beach.
The six-part series was meant to air on ITV Wales from Thursday, April 30.
The transmission date for the first episode, featuring Llandudno, Talacre and Anglesey, has been brought forward to Monday, April 27. Other episodes will follow weekly.
Sean said: ‘It’s vitally important that everyone follows government guidelines and stays at home, but in these difficult times this series can hopefully provide a bit of virtual escapism.
Presenter Sean Fletcher
“We have the most beautiful and diverse coastline in the world, waiting there to be explored and enjoyed by everyone when we are past this and the time is right.”
The episode on April 27, which airs at 8.30pm, begins with a visit to the dunes at Talacre in Flintshire where Sean goes in search of rare natterjack toads.
Talking about the experience, Sean said: “They come out in the dark, so we were out in the dark with our head torches looking around for them.
“We managed to find them. They sort of hide under bits of carpet that the wardens in this area put down for them for the toads to hide under and we found a few of these beautiful little toads.
Great Orme mine drone shot
“I never thought I’d say a toad is beautiful - it’s got this little strip along its back and it was just a magical moment when I found this toad and you realise that these toads were almost wiped out and now they are thriving in this part of Wales.”
Sean travels on to the Great Orme Bronze Age Mines, the world’s largest prehistoric copper mine and meets mine manager and caver Nick Jowett.
James Dilley Great Orme
Recalling his involvement in the discovery of the site in the late 1980s, Nick said: “The local council wanted to build a car park.
“They brought in some mining engineers to open the mineshafts and I was fortunate enough to be in a local mine exploration group back then and I went into the mines on the first day they were open.“
“I was only 18 and it’s fascinating because nobody expected to find bronze age mines dating back 3,500 years on the scale that we have discovered so far.”
Sean’s journey continues, via Conwy and the Menai Suspension Bridge to Anglesey.
The Great Orme
There he meets brothers Liam and Ellis Barrie of the Marram Grass restaurant at Newborough before finishing his journey at South Stack lighthouse near Holyhead.
Denise Shaw, RSPB Warden, tells Sean how her Great Grandfather worked as the lighthouse keeper in the 1920s.
“He always spoke about how wild it was with waves crashing over the top of the lighthouse,” Denise said.
Natterjack toad in Talacre
Once Sean finishes his journey from Flintshire to Anglesey in episode one, he sails along the Menai Strait in episode two, also going stargazing at Uwchmynydd on the Llŷn peninsula and visiting the island of Bardsey.
Jonathan Hill, executive producer of the series, said: “In these difficult times when people aren’t allowed to enjoy the great Welsh coastline this series offers a wonderful escape to some of the most spectacular places along The Wales Coast Path.
Nick Jowett Great Orme Mine
“What really enriches this series are the fascinating characters Sean meets during his journey from North to South.
“I hope that once the restrictions are lifted people will get a chance to discover the wonders for themselves.”
Episode are as follows:
April 27: North Wales Coast: Talacre, Llandudno, Menai Strait, South Stack
May 4: Caernarfon and the Llyn Peninsula: Sailing along the Menai Strait, Google 3D mapping on the Llyn, Stargazing at Uwchmynydd. Bardsey Island and disabled surfing at Porthceiriad
May 11: Cardigan Bay: Harlech, Borth, Newquay, Aberporth
May 18: Pembrokeshire: Newport Pembs, Whitesands, Broad Haven, Castlemartin
May 25: Carmarthenshire and Gower: Pendine, Ferryside, Worms Head.
June 1: South East Wales: Merthyr Mawr, Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Lavernock, Severn
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