Robson Green discovers 'extraordinary' hidden Northern gems on epic road trip
Former Casualty actor Robson Green has hit the road and uncovered hidden gems in his beloved North East England.
The TV star spent the summer exploring the roads less travelled around in home in Northumberland and immersing himself in the great outdoors for Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes.
The 59-year-old began searching for interesting places to take them by hopping in his car and going on reccies. "I went driving and took a random left to a place called Tughall and on to Wannie, a place I didn't know existed," he told the Mirror.
There he would find a "wonderful person called Annabelle" who has refurbished a Victorian railway carriage at Wannies Retreat. Robson continued: "You can stay in this incredible accommodation. It was breath-taking. This lovely combination of luxury and comfort. Instead of going online I found loads of surprising places."
The TV presenter decided to take a dip (Zoila Brozas)The second series of the BBC show is designed to reinvigorate the viewer's love for the British countryside through the medium of minibreaks, to encourage people out into the wind and drizzle, and to highlight the many adventures that can be had on home soil.
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On each journey the actor tries an outdoor activity with a different famous face as they share their favourite memories from places close to their hearts across the North East, Cumbria, Yorkshire and the Scottish Borders.
Former footballer Shola Ameobi, celebrity wine enthusiast Olly Smith, TV personality Denise Welch, and actors Kevin Whately, Mark Benton and Tessa Peake Jones all join Robson in his adventure.
Across the series Robson also tries a bit of cold-water swimming, has a go at making his own perfume and reunites with acting pal Mark Benton for a stay in an actual horse-drawn caravan passing through the hidden gems of Eden Valley.
Nestled between South West Northumberland and the Lake District, the valley moves at a slower pace than its better-known neighbours. They travel with Wanderlusts Holidays which use traditional caravans to allow visitors to travel and camp like travellers of old. Once they make camp a local singer is invited to make the evening campfire meal a musical one.
At other points in the series Robson giggles during laughing yoga, cruises down a canal on a narrowboat, puts his best foot forward while learning ballet in a field, and takes a scenic drive in a motorbike sidecar.
Robson also whizzed around on a bicycle made for two (Zoila Brozas)For Robson, striding out in the countryside is second nature to him. When asked what he does on an average weekend when not filming, he said: "I go away to the Northumberland coastline. I love fishing and I live ten yards from the mighty River Tyne. I go colder water swimming, fishing, hiking. (The drizzle) is liquid sunshine to me.
"What I like about this time of year in Northumberland - which has a lot of space - is hardly anybody is about. Today I will go for a walk. I grew up with drizzle. My father would walk everywhere, rain, snow, hail, shine, any season of the year. With just trousers in his bear chest, around a village, around the Tyne."
The programme came about following a call out from the BBC for show pitches that met its 'Levelling Up' agenda, with the pledge of spending £25million on shows in the North East.
Robson, who said 95% of the show's staff come from the region, was keen to promote the area, to "remind everyone what is on our doorsteps." He said: "Not everyone can afford to travel abroad. The notion of home, the notion of being at peace with yourself is a feeling. I have been to 150 countries but I've lived here all my life, I've always felt at home here."
The TV presenter expressed some dismay at how the 'Levelling Up' agenda had unfolded so far. "I thought this would be an explosion of creativity and investment (in the region), but I'm yet to see it," he said.
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- Series two of Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes starts on Monday 1 January on BBC Two at 7pm. Subsequent episodes will be in the 6.30pm slot.
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