Today, Christine Walkden’s airborne adventure takes her to Cornwall. At the tropical paradise that is Trebah Garden she’s transported back to childhood by the giant Brazilian gunnera; and meets Marcus whose own childhood was spent playing in the garden. Her nerves are tested at St Michael’s Mount when she comes face to face with “gardening on the edge”. And we meet the oldest member of one of Cornwall’s oldest male voice choirs.
Starring:Christine Walkden
Directed by:Gavin Ahern
Season 1
S01:E01 - Cornwall
Today, Christine Walkden’s airborne adventure takes her to Cornwall. At the tropical paradise that is Trebah Garden she’s transported back to childhood by the giant Brazilian gunnera; and meets Marcus whose own childhood was spent playing in the garden. Her nerves are tested at St Michael’s Mount when she comes face to face with “gardening on the edge”. And we meet the oldest member of one of Cornwall’s oldest male voice choirs.
S01:E02 - Essex
Christine Walkden continues her airborne exploration of Britain’s gardens by dropping in on the county of Essex. At the Beth Chatto Gardens, Christine experiments with triangular planting and shares tea and cake with a gardening legend. At RHS Hyde Hall, she shifts rocks with a former student; and it’s all aboard a vintage Thames sailing barge for a trip on the Blackwater Estuary.
S01:E03 - Mid Wales
Mid-Wales is today’s destination on Christine Walkden’s balloon tour of some of Britain’s finest gardens. At Powis Castle Garden, she learns how to brace an ancient yew; and meets David, generations of whose family worked there. At the Dingle Garden she helps restore an obscured view. And we hear the story of Mona Holloway, a wartime Land Girl, who found love on a neighbouring farm.
S01:E04 - Yorkshire
Today, the county of Yorkshire is the setting for Christine Walkden’s balloon tour of Britain. At Scampston Hall we discover two superstar garden designers and meet young gardener Nathan, who is just starting out. At York Gate Garden Christine catches up with an old friend; and we discover the Yorkshireman who was the father of aviation.
S01:E05 - Sussex
Christine Walkden takes to the skies above Sussex today. She drops in at West Dean Garden to see the fruits of a 20-year labour of love; and meets Laura who found a new lease on life there. At Arundel Castle Gardens, she is astonished by the transformation of a former car-park into a spectacular Italian garden. And we discover what the Romans did for British gardens.
S01:E06 - Oxfordshire
Today Christine Walkden takes to the skies above Oxfordshire to explore the county’s gardens. She visits Waterperry, where the gardeners are the custodians of a formidable legacy; and chats with Mary, the first woman to present Gardeners’ World. At Kingston Bagpuize, she meets the third generation owner of a remarkable garden. And we discover the roots of the Henley Regatta.
S01:E07 - Northumberland
The gardens of England’s northernmost county are the destination for Christine Walkden today. At Cragside she helps with some tree-planting and meets “fern queen” Jennifer; and at Lindisfarne she hears how some over-exuberant Edwardian planting is undermining the castle foundations. And we hear the story of Britain’s forgotten genius, engineer William Armstrong.
S01:E08 - North Wales
Today, Christine Walkden visits Bodnant Garden in Snowdonia, to explore a Himalayan valley amid the mountains of North Wales. She meets Phyllis, who is treading in her grandfather’s footsteps; and, at nearby Bodysgallen Hall, an unexpected view takes her back to childhood holidays. And we hear the story of the building of the Snowdon Mountain Railway.
S01:E09 - Scottish Borders
Christine Walkden’s balloon odyssey takes her to the Borders region of Scotland today, where she discovers the role art and literature play in creating memorable gardens. At Sir Walter Scott’s Abbotsford she tries her hand at fly-fishing; and meets Jeannette, whose family history there spans a century. At Little Sparta she explores a garden poem. And we hear how the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh came into being.
S01:E10 - Gloucestershire
In today’s show, Christine Walkden is in the air above two glorious Gloucestershire gardens. At Hidcote Manor Garden she cuts an underperforming shrub down to size; and meets Sue, for whom the garden is an inspiration. At Kiftsgate Court Gardens, she tackles an enormous rambling rose; and we discover the Arts and Crafts heritage of the Cotswolds.
S01:E11 - Cumbria
In today’s show, Christine Walkden heads for the lakes and fells of Cumbria to visit some more magnificent gardens. At Levens Hall she lends a hand planting some spring bulbs and hears some of Lakeland lad Len’s special memories. At Holehird she meets the dedicated volunteers who have restored this 19th century garden to its former glory. And we discover the spur to Beatrix Potter’s prolific writing career.
S01:E12 - Staffordshire
Today, Christine Walkden floats over the landlocked Midlands county of Staffordshire. At Biddulph Grange she takes to the water to help remove some unwelcome guests, and meets Helen, the “heart of the garden”. At Shugborough Hall she rallies the troops for a spot of tree hugging; and we discover how the area’s proud industrial heritage shaped the county’s landscape.
S01:E13 - Norfolk
Christine Walkden’s balloon travels over the flattest part of Britain today, as she descends on Norfolk. At East Ruston Gardens she helps cut a hole in a hedge and meets Kathryn, a very determined woman. At The Bressingham Gardens Christine assists in preparing a tree for felling; and we discover the fascinating human history of the Norfolk Broads.
S01:E14 - Hampshire
In today’s episode, Christine Walkden flies above the green expanses of Hampshire, dropping in on two spectacular gardens. At Mottisfont she meets a gardening veteran who’s handing over the reins to his young protégée; and at the Sir Harold Hillier Garden she learns about keeping it in the family. And she climbs into a pair of waders for some very unusual weeding.
S01:E15 - Aberdeenshire
The Scottish county of Aberdeenshire is where Christine Walkden is headed for today’s programme. Her balloon takes her to Crathes Castle, ancient seat of Scottish nobles, where she learns about the challenges of gardening in an unforgiving climate; and meets Doug whose father left his mark on the estate. And she gets to grips with some smelly skunk cabbage at what claims to be Britain’s highest garden, Tillypronie.
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