Great Canal Journeys
Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel across canals in both Britain and Europe.
Genre: Documentary
Cast:Timothy West , Prunella Scales , Sheila Hancock , Gyles Brandreth , Juliet West , Samuel West , Joseph West , Kirsten Elliott , Nick Wilding , Stuart Moodie , Benedicte Sire , Andrew Sachs , Clive Francis , Antoine Danglas , Frank McCabe , Mark Davies , Richard Millar , Krister Henriksson
S1.E1 ∙ Kennet & Avon
Back in 1990, to promote the fully restored canal, Tim and Pru were invited to be the first boat in 42 years to travel the full length of the K&A. Almost a quarter of a century later, they navigate the 21 miles along its most picturesque stretch, starting in Bath and ending in Devizes.
S1.E2 ∙ The Rochdale
Prunella and Tim travel the Rochdale canal, past once mighty mills, the epic beauty of the Pennines and the longest and highest canal tunnel in Britain.
S1.E3 ∙ The Llangollen Canal
This third canal journey takes Pru and Tim back to their honeymoon destination, Llangollen, in North Wales
S1.E4 ∙ Canal Du Nivernais, France
Tim and Pru conclude their odyssey in the Burgundy region of France, where they travel along the Canal du Nivernais, which passes through towns and villages steeped in history.
S2.E1 ∙ Oxford Canal
Timothy West and Prunella Scales begin their first canal journey of the second series in the romantic city of Oxford. It's here that Tim and Pru began their courtship many years ago and where they went on their first-ever canal trip together. They follow the gentle contours of the Oxford Canal through the Cherwell Valley, where they meet author Philip Pullman and are joined by their son Samuel West. Tim and Pru follow in the footsteps of author Tom Rolt, whose vivid account of his journey down this canal in 1939 ignited a campaign that went on to save Britain's canals from extinction. Tim enters the National Town Crier's competition to extol the virtues of the Oxford Canal, and issues a warning to those who would seek to destroy it.
S2.E2 ∙ London Ring
Timothy West and Prunella Scales have lived all their married life in London, but have never explored the canals on their doorstep. In this episode, they journey along the London Ring, as it's known to narrow-boaters, in a voyage of discovery through their home city. Starting in Brentford, they follow the Union Canal, and then the Regent's Canal, through the heart of the capital, until it meets the Thames at Limehouse. They meet up with Andrew Sachs and Sir Ian McKellen, and visit the cemetery at Kensal Green, and the grave of friend Harold Pinter. It's a tale of two cities: from the urban edge of Kentish Town, to the glorious grandeur of Regent's Park; from idyllic daylight moments, when they encounter nature and wildlife, to the darker night times when they become strangers in their own city.
S2.E3 ∙ Canal du Midi, France
Built nearly a century before the British canal system, the Canal du Midi in the south of France has been designated a world heritage site for both its historic importance and its beauty. Timothy West and Prunella Scales explore its most picturesque stretch, as it gently meanders towards the Mediterranean. They visit Beziers; the Malpas Tunnel - the first navigable tunnel in the history of mankind; and taste the delights of cervelles d'agneau - lamb's brain fritters - and brandy that's almost 200 years old.
S2.E4 ∙ Forth & Clyde and Union Canals
Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal through the stunning backdrop of some of central Scotland's most glorious countryside. The coast to coast adventure starts in Edinburgh and concludes in Glasgow, taking in Scotland's highest aqueduct and longest canal tunnel, some monumental sculpture, history stretching all the way back to the Romans, and a Scottish love affair from long ago. The two canals feature some striking examples of 21st century engineering and illustrate the potential for the restoration of the nation's waterways, ensuring their long-term future.
S3.E1 ∙ London's Lost Route to the Sea
Timothy West and his wife Prunella Scales go in search of the lost route between London and the sea. The journey gives them the chance to revisit their own past.
S3.E2 ∙ Birmingham to Braunston
Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel from Birmingham to Braunston, Northamptonshire, for a festival of canal boats and to unveil a plaque to a late friend and canal campaigner.
S3.E3 ∙ Shannon Erne Waterway
Timothy West and Prunella Scales head to Ireland and the Shannon Erne Waterway, where they try some folk singing, Irish dancing, and visit the ruins of Crom Castle.
S4.E1 ∙ The Göta Canal, Sweden
Tim and Pru set forth from Gothenburg on the first half of the Göta Canal, one of the longest and most beautiful waterways in the world, travelling 350 miles, coast to coast across Sweden.
S4.E2 ∙ Stockholm and the Archipelago
Tim and Pru follow the ancient route of the Vikings, visiting Stockholm and the nearby islands of its archipelago.
S4.E3 ∙ Stratford-upon-Avon
A trip from Kingswood Junction on the Grand Union Canal, down the South Stratford Canal on a Kate Boats narrowboat. After arriving in Bancroft Basin in Stratford they took the boat out onto the Avon River and moored near the church.
S5.E1 ∙ Venice
Tim and Pru travel to Venice, following the route once taken by Casanova and Byron, escaping the crowds of St Mark's to find tranquillity as well as beauty.
S5.E2 ∙ Amsterdam
Tim and Pru explore the canals of the Netherlands, taking them to the famous tulip gardens of Keukenhof and Amsterdam's 17th century Grachtengordel's canals.
S5.E3 ∙ Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Tim and Pru take another journey into their pasts, via the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which celebrates its 200th anniversary in 2016.
S6.E1 ∙ Bristol and North Devon
With Tim playing King Lear in Bristol, he and Prunella Scales tour the city and also some West Country waterways further afield, including Devon. They also take a paddle steamer.
S6.E2 ∙ The Caledonian
Tim and Pru cross the Scottish Highlands on a sun-kissed voyage along the spectacular Caledonian Canal, a waterway that links the North Sea with the Atlantic.
S6.E3 ∙ The Crinan Canal
The Crinan Canal was built as a shortcut from the Hebrides to the Glasgow region. Tim and Pru work their way on board an old steamer.
S7.E1 ∙ India, Kerala
Tim and Pru explore the extraordinary backwaters of Kerala, with spices, dancing and a visit to a temple.
S7.E2 ∙ India, Brahmaputra
Tim and Prue travel up the Brahmaputra river in the North of India, encountering local Monks and then later getting a ride on an elephant.
S8.E1 ∙ The Norfolk Broads
Tim and Pru explore one of Britain's most ancient and picturesque waterways, discovering the area's unique way of life, its ruins, fens, marshes and woodlands.
S8.E2 ∙ Marne-Rhine Canal
Tim and Pru travel past enchanted forests, fairy-tale castles and picturesque mountains and valleys, on a trip Alsace and Lorraine in France.
S8.E3 ∙ Rio Douro
Tim and Pru voyage through the dramatic landscape of north-west Portugal, with deep locks, hilltop vineyards and some port in Porto.
S8.E4 ∙ Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal
Tim and Pru visit the famously beautiful Welsh canal with a haunted castle on route.
S9.E1 ∙ The River Nile
Tim and Pru explore one of the world's great waterways - the River Nile, travelling from Luxor to Aswan, visiting a Nubian village and dancing by moonlight.
S9.E2 ∙ North Italy
Tim and Pru cross Italy's largest lake and travel down Europe's oldest working canal to Milan. Their journey includes spectacular gardens, singing and wine.
S9.E3 ∙ Manchester
Tim and Pru embark on a voyage through canal history, as they explore the waterways of north west England - heading from the suburbs of Manchester to the great canal port at Ellesmere.
S9.E4 ∙ Argentina
Tim and Pru take a boat ride in the Argentine jungle. There's gin and tonic with some remote Anglo Argentines, hummingbirds, honey, and a spot of tango.
S9.E5 ∙ Lancaster Canal
Tim and Pru navigate the Lancaster Canal, an early masterpiece of the waterways - travelling up along the coast of Morecambe Bay and visiting Carnforth and Lune Aqueduct.
S9.E6 ∙ Rideau Canal, Canada
Tim and Pru embark on an epic journey along Canada's Rideau Canal, a world heritage site - from the backwoods of Ontario to the nation's capital.
S10.E1 ∙ Asian Odyssey (Part One)
Timothy and Prunella start their tour on Vietnam's waterways. They explore the limestone islands of Halong Bay, then travel along the Red River to Hanoi and the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. They also attend the famous lantern festival in the trading port of Hoi An.
S10.E2 ∙ Asian Odyssey (Part Two)
Timothy and Pru complete their grand tour of South East Asian waterways on Vietnam's Mekong Delta and the world-famous Cambodian temple of Angkor Wat.
