0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to one of the most beautiful walks in the whole of Wales.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Hang on a minute. This is MY programme.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Wales has some of the best beaches in Britain
0:00:33 > 0:00:36and more castles than you can shake a stick at.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41So I'm off to discover two Welsh walks which tick the boxes
0:00:41 > 0:00:45for castles, coast and some great Welsh countryside.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Later on, I'll be uncovering some fascinating local history
0:00:49 > 0:00:51in Welshpool.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54And enjoying a stroll along the Montgomery Canal.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57But first, it's a weather presenters' day out.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59My colleague, Behnaz Akhgar,
0:00:59 > 0:01:03came to Swansea from Iran as a child and she's going to show me the place
0:01:03 > 0:01:07that made her fall in love with Wales.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Behnaz is taking me to the Gower Peninsula, just outside Swansea.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Her walk starts at the Gower Heritage Centre at Parkmill
0:01:17 > 0:01:21before going inland to Parc le Breos and the Giant's Grave.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Then, it's through the woods to the Gower Way and down to the beautiful
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Three Cliffs Bay.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30We then walk up to the dunes to Pennard Castle,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33before ending up back where we started in Parkmill.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36It's just over four miles in total.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43I've arranged to meet Behnaz at the Gower Heritage Centre,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45but, as always, I'm late.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48She doesn't look very happy to be kept waiting.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Benny, fancy seeing you here.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Derek. It's lovely to see you.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57So, we are on Gower, where are you taking me today?
0:01:57 > 0:02:01I'm taking you to Three Cliffs Bay, which is my favourite place in the whole world.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03And what's this place?
0:02:03 > 0:02:06This is the Gower Heritage Centre and it's a great place to find out
0:02:06 > 0:02:08a little bit about the history of the area.
0:02:08 > 0:02:09Come on, let me show you.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14The Gower Heritage Centre is full of fascinating tales
0:02:14 > 0:02:16of the area's history.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20At its heart is an old watermill, which dates back to 1170.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23Derek, this is Roy Church.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25He is in charge of the Gower Heritage Centre.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27- Nice to meet you. - Welcome to Parkmill, Derek.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Well, this is lovely. How old is it?
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Well, this particular building has been here for over 900 years now.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34It was built by Norman settlers into Gower.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36And as far as we know,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39it's the oldest working water-powered mill in Wales.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40Does the water ever dry up?
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Never been known to in all those years.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46It works two grinding stones in the building behind us
0:02:46 > 0:02:48and it turns local wheat into flour.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- Can I have a go? - Course you can, yes.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Fantastic. Thank you.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- OK, Roy, what shall I do?- Push it towards the back of the room.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- OK.- You need a lot of effort on it.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Hold on, that needs a hell of a welly.
0:03:04 > 0:03:05It's starting to move.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Wow! That takes a lot of muscle power.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- That's amazing. - How fast does it go, Roy?
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Top speed is ten rpm, ten revolutions per minute.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17This will make it go faster.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- How was that?- It's amazing.
0:03:19 > 0:03:21I wanted a go but we haven't got time.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22No(!)
0:03:25 > 0:03:28This part of Gower is rich in history
0:03:28 > 0:03:30and just down the road from the Heritage Centre,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Roy had something to show us that dates back thousands of years.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37It lies in what was once a medieval deer park
0:03:37 > 0:03:39called Parc le Breos.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43Wow! Roy, this is amazing.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Can you just tell us a little bit about what it is?
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Yes, you're at the entranceway to a Neolithic burial chamber,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52constructed 6,500 years ago.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55You notice the wavy formation of the entrance stones here.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58That indicates it's been built on top of a river.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01It is a traditional design of a burial chamber,
0:04:01 > 0:04:03indicates flowing water underneath.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06This would have been the doorway, which is now unblocked.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07So, if we go inside,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11we can actually go into one of the actual burial chambers here on the side.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13So, when was it excavated?
0:04:13 > 0:04:14In 1870,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18it was discovered by workmen building this roadway here for Lord Swansea,
0:04:18 > 0:04:19who owned the estate then.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22And they started to use the rocks to construct the road.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Eventually, as they took more and more off,
0:04:25 > 0:04:26they discovered these side chambers here.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28And there were skeletons in them.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31So, locally, this is called the Giant's Grave.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32Why was that?
0:04:32 > 0:04:37The postmortem by a doctor, in his notes actually it says that
0:04:37 > 0:04:42the skeletons of the men were of gigantic proportions for Neolithic times.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Their bones were quite chunky but they also measured nearly six foot in height.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48And that was tall back then.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51Yes, they would be giants in that era then, 6,500 years ago.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53- I'm six foot tall.- Same size.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55I'm a giant.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Are we standing on top of them right now?
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Well, their bones have been put back into these side chambers and put
0:05:01 > 0:05:03into copper sealed containers.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05If I tap on the floor, you can hear it is hollow underneath.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07So, yes, that's the remains.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10I think it's the men in this side.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12And do we know why they built it here?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14We don't know, really. It's a fantastic spot.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Obviously, beautiful and peaceful.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19It also lies directly north to south here.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21It's above an underground stream.
0:05:21 > 0:05:22If I bring my compass out,
0:05:22 > 0:05:26you can see that it points directly north down the middle of the chamber.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Aligns perfectly.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30How would they have known that 6,500 years ago?
0:05:30 > 0:05:33They had some way of working these things out.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37And only recently, it's been realised also that on the winter solstice,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41on the shortest day of the year, the sun rises above the trees over there
0:05:41 > 0:05:46quite dramatically and it shines at midday directly into the chamber and
0:05:46 > 0:05:49hits the back wall. Perfect alignment.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52- Amazing, isn't it?- They were so much more advanced than us, I think.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Well, we've lost a lot of knowledge over those 6,000 years, haven't we?
0:05:55 > 0:05:57We just need to look up more.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Leaving Roy behind,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03we set off to explore the area
0:06:03 > 0:06:07and it's also a chance for me to hear a bit more about Behnaz's life.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Benny, you are originally from Iran.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12What brought you to Wales?
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Well, my parents brought me here
0:06:14 > 0:06:17when I was ten after the Iran-Iraq war
0:06:17 > 0:06:20because it was a very unpleasant and difficult time
0:06:20 > 0:06:21for us all living there,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24so they wanted to come somewhere a little bit more peaceful.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Must have been horrible and scary at the time.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Yeah, it was a very horrible time but it became routine.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33We knew there would be weeks on end where schools would be closed and
0:06:33 > 0:06:37we'd go and hide in the mountains because there were bombs being dropped where I lived.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40There was often, when we were watching television,
0:06:40 > 0:06:42the siren would come on,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45we'd have 30 seconds to get under the stairs
0:06:45 > 0:06:46before the power goes out.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Wait for the bomb to drop and then get up and go back to your normal life
0:06:50 > 0:06:52and just be thankful that you are still alive, you know?
0:06:52 > 0:06:54So, you came to live in Swansea.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56Did you find it hard to settle in?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Initially, I hated it.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I hated the fact that I couldn't speak the language,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05I missed my friends, I missed the routine, but in time,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08I started to enjoy life a little bit more,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11but initially, it was very, very difficult.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13And you are glad you live here today.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15I am glad, yeah. Very glad.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22'I've always found Behnaz's story inspiring
0:07:22 > 0:07:26'and today's walk is also having an effect.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29'We're both starting to chill out.'
0:07:29 > 0:07:30So peaceful here, isn't it?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32It is. Listen to the birds.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- It's all you can hear.- I think if you sat here in silence,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37the trees would talk to you.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40They would. Because they have feelings.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44Wild garlic. Can you smell it?
0:07:46 > 0:07:50The woodland walk lasts about half a mile before we leave it behind to
0:07:50 > 0:07:53find a more familiar Gower landscape.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57So, Derek, this is the Gower Way.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03It's one of the main footpaths that leads to that lovely place I'm going to take you,
0:08:03 > 0:08:04the Three Cliffs Bay.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05Can't wait.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17So, you were just saying how difficult it was when you first came
0:08:17 > 0:08:20to Swansea, but then eventually things did get much better.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Yeah, I think initially it was the shock of being told I'm not going
0:08:24 > 0:08:26back home because that was home
0:08:26 > 0:08:29and then once I went to school and I made some friends
0:08:29 > 0:08:32and my teachers were so kind to me and I learned the language
0:08:32 > 0:08:36and I started to enjoy life here, I really settled.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41I'd say it took about only six months before I could make a conversation
0:08:41 > 0:08:42and I was happy again.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44It didn't take that long.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48And that's, I think, because I was surrounded by really wonderful people.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52And you've got all this gorgeous countryside right on your doorstep.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Yes, and what really sealed the deal for me
0:08:54 > 0:08:56was this amazing place, Derek.
0:08:57 > 0:09:02It's not far now to Three Cliffs Bay and the walking is all downhill.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07This is pretty. Where are we?
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Well, this is the exciting part.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12We are in Penmaen, this is where you know you are close to the magic.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18'We cross the busy road and go down a few lanes
0:09:18 > 0:09:20'before we reach our destination.'
0:09:25 > 0:09:27And here we are, Derek.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28Three Cliffs Bay.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30It never fails to take my breath away.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's simply stunning.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34It's got to be one of the most beautiful beaches
0:09:34 > 0:09:35in the whole world.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38I totally agree with you and you can see why it's got its name.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Three Cliffs.
0:09:47 > 0:09:48I really like this bit.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Because you get to jump across these little rocks
0:09:50 > 0:09:52which are nicely positioned for us.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54It looks fun.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55Yes, it is good fun but the tide can come up
0:09:55 > 0:09:57and sometimes these disappear,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59so you have to be aware of that.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03So, there are a few. Count them for me.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05I'm not going to get my feet wet, am I?
0:10:05 > 0:10:06Well, we've come at a good time
0:10:06 > 0:10:08but there are times when you will have to
0:10:08 > 0:10:11get your feet wet because the water is so much higher.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13Have you been counting?
0:10:13 > 0:10:15I thought you were counting.
0:10:15 > 0:10:1722, 23, 24, 25, 26.
0:10:17 > 0:10:1926.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37Derek, we're on the beach.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39I absolutely love coming here.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41The sand is lovely.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42The ocean is beautiful.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45It's very peaceful, as it is a bit of a walk to get here.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48I always come here just to relax a little bit.
0:10:48 > 0:10:49And you go for a swim?
0:10:49 > 0:10:50I don't recommend to go for a swim
0:10:50 > 0:10:52as there is a bit of a nasty current.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55But you can just enjoy the view.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56And always check the tide times
0:10:56 > 0:10:59because the sea does come in very quickly,
0:10:59 > 0:11:00- doesn't it?- Absolutely.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04In fact, the sea here can be very dangerous
0:11:04 > 0:11:07and there have been several tragic accidents.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10The community and RNLI have got together
0:11:10 > 0:11:12to put lifeguards on the beach
0:11:12 > 0:11:15but they are only there during the Easter, Whitsun and summer holidays.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Benny, I know you love this place, but when did you first discover it?
0:11:20 > 0:11:24When I first moved to Swansea, I thought Swansea Bay was it.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26I started to do A-level geography
0:11:26 > 0:11:28and we were brought here on a field trip
0:11:28 > 0:11:31and I discovered it and, funnily enough, there's a group here,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34from my college today, doing the exact same thing.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35- Great.- What are the chances of that?
0:11:35 > 0:11:37I know, it's amazing. It made my day to talk to them.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Really took me back. - Now, I'm going to test you now.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43What do you remember from those lessons all those years ago?
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Not very much, but we came here to learn about vegetation, land formation,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51rivers, and I get to use a little bit of it now in what I do,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53which is great.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55I'm not sure either of us can remember
0:11:55 > 0:11:57much about our school geography
0:11:57 > 0:12:01but I can see what's coming next, and it's called a climb.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05So, do you do much walking then, Behnaz?
0:12:05 > 0:12:08I do when the weather is good but truth be told,
0:12:08 > 0:12:13I'm not very good when it comes to climbing things, mountains.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14I tend to whine a lot.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16So...
0:12:16 > 0:12:17How are you finding this, then?
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Well, I've loved it so far but this is the bit that's a bit of a struggle for me.
0:12:22 > 0:12:24But we'll get there.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28I guess I'm not as fit as you, Derek.
0:12:30 > 0:12:31- Oh...- Come on.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32SHE LAUGHS
0:12:33 > 0:12:34I'll get there.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- Oh...- Remember, no whining.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39As it's you.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41THEY BOTH LAUGH
0:12:42 > 0:12:44I'll whine when I get home.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- A glass of wine. - Yeah.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53'And finally, we are there, and it's well worth it.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55'What a view!'
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Well, this is great.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59What is this place?
0:12:59 > 0:13:03This is Pennard Castle, and it was built in the 13th century,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06not long after, around 1400,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09there was a huge sandstorm that swamped the building
0:13:09 > 0:13:11and drove away the local people.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It must have been a massive storm to cover this place.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18I would have thought so, but today, it's a wonderful spot for a picnic.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19Sounds good to me.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24So, before we head back to the start at Parkmill,
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I've got a treat in store.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Behnaz and her mum and sister have prepared for me
0:13:29 > 0:13:32some wonderful Persian food.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Well, Derek, I've spent many summers here with my family.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37We always bring a picnic.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39We sit, we relax and we have nice Persian food.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42So I decided to do the same for you today.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Well, Benny, it looks absolutely delicious.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Thank you so much as well for bringing me to this very special place.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51It's been a fantastic walk.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Everybody should come here.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- It's wonderful. - It's been a pleasure.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56Cheers.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08And if you fancy trying this or another of our walks,
0:14:08 > 0:14:09go to our website...
0:14:13 > 0:14:17It's got detailed route information and walking maps
0:14:17 > 0:14:18for you to print off.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Or you can download it onto your tablet and take it with you.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Magical mid Wales has so much to offer,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29from beautiful beaches to the Brecon Beacons.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31But I'm here to promote Powys,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35with a walk around the old market town of Welshpool.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40Exploring its rich history, castles, canal and top-class countryside.
0:14:41 > 0:14:47Taking me on a tour of the town is Powysland Museum curator Eva Bredsdorff.
0:14:47 > 0:14:52Eva hails from Denmark but has lived here for nearly 30 years and is
0:14:52 > 0:14:55passionate about the area and its local history.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58Hi, Eva, lovely to meet you.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59Nice to meet you, Derek.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Well, this is a great location.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02Right next to the canal.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04What exactly is this building here?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Well, this is Powysland Museum in Welshpool and this is where I work.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12And it's a museum of local history and the area.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14However, we're not going to go in there
0:15:14 > 0:15:15because the weather is far too nice.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18So instead, I'd like to take you on a walk around Welshpool
0:15:18 > 0:15:21and I'll tell you all about the history of the area.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- OK, let's go.- Let's go.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Set in Powys in mid Wales,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34my Welshpool walk starts along the Montgomery Canal
0:15:34 > 0:15:36and passes through the town centre,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40before heading into the nearby countryside for a quick stop
0:15:40 > 0:15:44at Powis Castle to enjoy some great views.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47We then rejoin the canal for a waterside stroll
0:15:47 > 0:15:48back to our starting point -
0:15:48 > 0:15:51a walk of just over four miles.
0:15:55 > 0:16:01Now, the Montgomery Canal is a unique canal because it is the only
0:16:01 > 0:16:02agricultural canal in Britain.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04All the other canals are industrial.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06But this is agricultural.
0:16:06 > 0:16:13It was built for and paid for by the landowners along it to bring up coal
0:16:13 > 0:16:17and lime to make fertiliser for the land and then to bring out
0:16:17 > 0:16:19the products of the land.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25But as the demand for lime decreased,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29the canal was running at a loss and so was eventually closed in 1944.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Today, parts of the canal have been restored and reopened,
0:16:35 > 0:16:36including the towpath,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39which also forms part of the Severn Way river walk.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Leaving the canal, we walk along the outskirts of town
0:16:45 > 0:16:47to our first bit of hidden history.
0:16:50 > 0:16:51Do you know where we started?
0:16:51 > 0:16:53That was Powysland Museum.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Well, that wasn't always there.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57If you look up there, you can see the plaque,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Powysland Museum and Library.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01That was the original building,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04which is the first purpose-built museum in all of Wales.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- All of Wales?- Yes.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08So, how come the museum is where it is now?
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- It's moved. - Because this is too small.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13There is no access for disabled people
0:17:13 > 0:17:17and you can't get a school class in there without losing a couple of kids on the road.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Passing through St Mary's Church,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27we're treated to some smashing views over the town.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45Welshpool is a bustling market town, dating back to the 13th century,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48with many Tudor and Georgian features still dotted about.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Until recently,
0:17:51 > 0:17:55it held the largest livestock market in Europe and still has strong
0:17:55 > 0:17:57agricultural connections
0:17:57 > 0:18:00and is a great location for exploring mid Wales.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06'But as we hit the high street, I've been spotted.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10'So it's time for some quick selfies before we escape and carry on.'
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- Nice to meet you. - Lovely to meet you.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Now, I'm going to take you down here to show you something I think you'll
0:18:18 > 0:18:20find quite interesting.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28So, I promised you a little surprise, and this is it.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30This is a hidden gem in Welshpool.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Not a lot of people come and see it.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36And this is Welshpool Cockpit, and it was built in 1727.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38And, as you can see,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42it's an octagonal building and it was built for the purpose of
0:18:42 > 0:18:45cockfighting. But this is a unique building
0:18:45 > 0:18:47because it's the only cockpit
0:18:47 > 0:18:48still in situ in Wales.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Cockfighting was really popular.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52You got two cockerels up against each other
0:18:52 > 0:18:54and sometimes they would have
0:18:54 > 0:18:57little spurs on their backs and extra metal spurs,
0:18:57 > 0:19:01so they could really, really create some damage to the opponent.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03There must have been feathers and blood everywhere.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- Sounds really cruel.- It's horrible.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08It's horrible. And that's why it was banned.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- Some entertainment, eh?- I know.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11What's it used for now?
0:19:11 > 0:19:13It's now a building for the WI.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16They've taken it over, so a bit more friendly.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22And this is the town hall.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24This is the town hall,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27and this is where I'm going to show you a little plaque,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30commemorating probably one of the bravest men
0:19:30 > 0:19:32to come out of Welshpool.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38So, Derek, this is what I wanted to show you.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39This is a recent plaque.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43It's been put on to commemorate William Waring.
0:19:43 > 0:19:48He was born here in Welshpool and he took part in World War I.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52- What happened?- He led his men in several attacks against the Germans.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56And at one of those attacks, he helped some of his men coming back,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59he went out and he got shot and mortally wounded.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02And as you can see, he actually died on the 8th of October.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05So, quite shortly before the end of the war.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09And has therefore been given the Victoria Cross postumously.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Inside the town hall is a small exhibition,
0:20:13 > 0:20:18dedicated to Lance Sergeant Waring, who was only 32 when he died.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22He was also one of 14 Welsh recipients of the Victoria Cross
0:20:22 > 0:20:25from the First World War, such was his bravery.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38An old building.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40It's a lovely old building.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47So, Derek, we're getting out of Welshpool now
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and we are going to go into the countryside.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54'But first, Eva wants to show me another hidden side
0:20:54 > 0:20:57'to a local iconic building.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02'Christchurch is an imposing Norman-style church built in 1844,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05'with impressive views over Welshpool.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09'But it sadly fell into ruin and was closed in 1988.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13'Today, it's slowly being transformed into a family home
0:21:13 > 0:21:15'that's open for visitors.'
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Derek, I'm going to take you to meet Natalie,
0:21:20 > 0:21:21who lives here with her family.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- Hello.- Hello. - Welcome.- Nice to meet you.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Come on in. It's nice and cool.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34You're right. It is cool in here.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37It is. So, this is the part that we have open
0:21:37 > 0:21:41and that we want to keep open to the public
0:21:41 > 0:21:44because when we bought the church, it was all locked up,
0:21:44 > 0:21:48so we just felt that it was important to share it, really.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51So, what made you want to buy an old church?
0:21:51 > 0:21:53I fully blame my husband, Carl.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57He stumbled across it, really,
0:21:57 > 0:22:01and just completely fell in love with the building
0:22:01 > 0:22:05and had the vision to live in it, to restore it,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07and to reopen it to the public.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09We just couldn't walk away from it.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Couldn't resist.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13So, how long have you been restoring it?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16It's coming up to 13 years now.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18So, it's an ongoing project.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19Very much ongoing.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23And I really don't think that we'll ever finish.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27So, you don't mind having people coming in and out of your house?
0:22:27 > 0:22:28No, it's lovely to share it.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30It's such a public building,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33with so many people's lives woven into its structure
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and it really draws people,
0:22:35 > 0:22:39so I think it's just really important that it stays alive.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Thank you. Bye.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50'What an amazing place, and well worth a visit if you're passing through.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54'I'll definitely be back to see how they're getting on.'
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Now, we are going into Powis Park here and if we are lucky,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12we might see some deer.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21The Deer Park has been here since the 17th century
0:23:21 > 0:23:25and it's home to over 100 red and fallow deer,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27who roam the parkland.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29So, there's the deers.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30Sheltering under the tree.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Indeed.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34You seem to know a lot about this area, the history,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37but you don't have a local accent.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39You are not originally from Powys, are you?
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Not originally from Britain.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43- So, where are you from? - I'm from Denmark.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- I'm from Copenhagen. - What brought you here?
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Well, the job brought me here.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49But before that,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53I was studying for a degree in history at Copenhagen University
0:23:53 > 0:23:58and I came to York to study and I was only meant to be there
0:23:58 > 0:24:01for three months but I loved it so much
0:24:01 > 0:24:04that I decided to stay in Britain and then I spent
0:24:04 > 0:24:10the next two years applying for 80, 90 museum jobs.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12And finally, Powys took pity on me.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16And gave me the job.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20And I've been here ever since, which is roughly 29 years.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23What do you like about it the most?
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Well, the nature. I mean, you've seen it.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26And you'll see more.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It certainly is.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35And Powis Castle is a truly stunning centrepiece to this park.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37Here we are, Derek.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38This is Powis Castle.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39It's a magnificent building.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- It is.- And very popular, by the look of it.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Oh, very popular, yes.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48The castle sits high on a large rock and was originally built as
0:24:48 > 0:24:53a stronghold for the Welsh princes of Powys during the 13th century.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56'It's also been the ancestral home of the various earls of Powys
0:24:56 > 0:24:58'for over 700 years,
0:24:58 > 0:25:02'helping to keep the castle from being abandoned and falling into
0:25:02 > 0:25:06'disrepair. Today, it's in the care of the National Trust.'
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Well, this is wonderful.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Yes, the courtyard here is free.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14But you have to pay in order to get into the castle.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15Now, I'm going to take you up to the terrace,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18where we are going to look over the views.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Oh, look. There's a peacock.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Friendly, aren't they? You can get close.
0:25:23 > 0:25:24Very friendly.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29This is impressive, Eva.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30The garden and the view.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Exactly. That's why I brought you up here.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34The gardens are spectacular.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Probably some of the best gardens in Britain.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40And they draw people from all over the world just to see this.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45The gardens date from the 17th century and are world famous.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47They've been carved into the solid rock,
0:25:47 > 0:25:50creating these dramatic terraces.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54But the star attractions are the bizarre looking yew hedges.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02And with these views, it's no wonder people come from all over
0:26:02 > 0:26:04to explore the grounds.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12But Eva manages to drag me away and we set off once again.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Well, Eva, it's a bit warm and sticky today, isn't it?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23It is a bit humid, yes.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26What's happening is all the heat is beginning to build up now,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29we've had some high temperatures over the past couple of days,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and we could see a few thunderstorms breaking out later on
0:26:32 > 0:26:33as all that heat energy is
0:26:33 > 0:26:38released in the atmosphere, forming towering cumulonimbus clouds.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39I hope you brought your waterproofs.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41No, I haven't. I'm so sorry.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43You should pay more attention to the forecast!
0:26:43 > 0:26:44I will from now on.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48So, we are back on the canal now.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51We are back on the Montgomery Canal.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Going back towards Welshpool and the museum.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59'The canal is a world-class site for rare aquatic plants and Eva tells me
0:26:59 > 0:27:04'more about what a fantastic place it is for spotting wildlife.'
0:27:04 > 0:27:06I have actually once seen a kingfisher
0:27:06 > 0:27:08but I think that's quite rare.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12But otherwise, you've got heron, you've got ducks, you got swan...
0:27:12 > 0:27:14I've even seen a snake in the water.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- A snake?- Yes.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Look, Eva. There's a thundercloud,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27towering upwards like a large cauliflower.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29- That's a thundercloud. - A cumulonimbus.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31We better get a move on.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32- Just in case.- Just in case.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Because you never know.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35No, you don't.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38'I could talk about the weather all day,
0:27:38 > 0:27:40'but I'm not sure Eva's so keen.'
0:27:47 > 0:27:50So, Derek, we are back at Powysland Museum.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54I really hope you've enjoyed your time here.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55I've really enjoyed it.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Thank you so much for showing me around Welshpool.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03I have to admit, I normally bypass the town, but in future, you know,
0:28:03 > 0:28:05it's well worth stopping here and going for a walk
0:28:05 > 0:28:07because there's so much to see.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09There is and I'm glad you've enjoyed it.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12And the best bit, we managed to dodge the thunderstorms.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Yes, that was lucky.- We were lucky. - Absolutely.