Quick Summary
Derek walks the Hafod Estate, the Offa's Dyke path and the Elan Valley
About This Program
Derek Brockway revisits scenic treks in mid-Wales. The first walk he re-discovers is in the foothills of the Cambrian mountains where he explores the Hafod estate - a 200-year-old tourist playground of spectacular woods, waterfalls and riverside trails. Next, he recalls a stroll on the border in Presteigne with a young man who walked the entire 1,100-mile perimeter of Wales in aid of Alzheimer's. Finally, Derek travels to the Elan Valley in Powys for a seven-mile circular walk, punctuated by incredible feats of engineering - dams. He hears how the famous Dam-busters' bouncing bombs were tested there
More information
Tonight on BBC iPlayer, Derek Brockway returns to the hills of mid‑Wales in the Weatherman Walking special “Best of Weatherman Walking”. He starts on the Cambrian foothills, wandering the 200‑year‑old Hafod estate. Ancient woodlands, a cascade of waterfalls and river‑side trails give a taste of the landscape that first made the area famous. The next stop is Presteigne, where Derek meets a young man who walked the entire 1,100‑mile Wales border to raise money for Alzheimer’s research. Their conversation links personal endurance with the wider history of the border path. The programme finishes in Powys’ Elan Valley, where a seven‑mile circular walk passes three massive dams. Derek learns that the same reservoirs were used to test the bouncing bombs that inspired the 1943 Dam‑Busters raid. The hour‑long documentary blends natural beauty with a touch of wartime intrigue. (28 mins)
Best of Weatherman Walking broadcasts on BBC Two England at 8:30am, Tuesday, 16 December 2025. (Subtitles, repeat)