Tales from Northumberland

Episode 3 (1x3)

Date de diffusion: Nov 11, 2013

In episode three, Robson travels along one of the most magical and historic stretches of coastline in the country, to learn how Northumberland's past shaped the Britain we know today. He meets the family who live at Bamburgh Castle and learns how it was once the stronghold of the ancient kings of Northumbria, a powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom. Robson walks along the ancient 'Pilgrim's Way' to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, known as the 'cradle of English Christianity' and swims with grey seals at the Farne Islands. Perched 150 metres above the sea; Bamburgh castle has captured Robson’s imagination since he was a boy. Raided by the Vikings from the east, and the Scots from the north, the castle has a turbulent past. As he approaches the castle, Robson says: “Now that, is epic”. Robson meets Chris Calvert, who has been director of the castle since 2007 and lives there with his family. Chris will never forget the day they moved in, saying “Coming over the hill, and it’s just there in front of that and you’re like ‘we’re going to live in that, really, are you kidding?” With its medieval hall, armoury and over 3,000 historical artefacts, it’s an extraordinary place to call home. Robson enjoys a rooftop meal with arguably the best view in Northumberland at the top of the castle, and finishes his day by raising the castle’s Northumbrian flag. The next step of Robson’s journey takes him to Longstone Island on the outer stretch of the Farne Islands. The Farnes are home to a colony of 4,000 Atlantic grey seals, making it one of the best places in Britain to observe these animals in the wild. Robson meets GP Ben Burville, who has a passion for marine life, saying: “It really is a special place. I’ve dived all over the world, from the arctic to the Caribbean and the Red Sea. If you said I could only dive in one place ever again, it would be the Farne Islands.” The Farnes, made up of volcanic rock, provide a safe haven