Weatherman Walking

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 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.

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.

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 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?

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.