Wonders of the Coast Path ITV series

Another chance to watch 'Wonders of the Coast Path'  

The six episode programme is being shown across the ITV UK network starting weekly on Thursday 23 July 2020 at 8pm (GMT). It was first aired in Wales back in April.

This exciting ITV Wales six-episode programme explores the fascinating history and wildlife along the 870 mile (1,400 km) Wales Coast Path. Hosted by presenter Sean Fletcher (Good Morning Britain, Countryfile), he chats with people who share their love and passion for the Welsh coastline whilst exploring some of the most stunning sections of the path. 

Watch Later

Catch up on episodes on the ITV Hub (UK only).  Viewers outside of the UK can still watch on the ITV Hub+ service (subscription service).

Follow in Sean’s footsteps

We’ve put together a collection of walks which follow Sean’s footsteps so you too can discover your own wonders of the coast path.

Episode 1 North Wales coast

Natterjack Toad walk, Talacre Beach, Flintshire

Sean learns about the rare Natterjack toads which make Talacre beach their home.

• Download our Natterjack toad walk itinerary and route map which can also be extended to take in the nearby photogenic Point of Ayr lighthouse. This is one of our Wow walks.

Great Orme, Llandudno

Sean discovers more about the Great Orme’s ancient copper mine history – the world’s largest prehistoric copper mine. 

• Download our Family Walk with a Difference on the Great Orme. Learn about the role of this iconic landmark during World War II and get an opportunity to get up close with the rare Silver Studded Blue Butterfly that makes this promontory headland it’s home. 

Menai Strait, Isle of Anglesey

Sean enjoyed a tasty cookout with the sweetest of mussels on the banks of the Menai Strait with brother and owners of the renowned local restaurant The Marram Grass.

• Download our Family Walk with a Difference on the Menai Strait walk itinerary to learn about what lurks under this expanse of water separating the island from mainland Wales.

South Stack Lighthouse and RSPB reserve, Isle of Anglesey

RSPB warden Denise Shaw chats with Sean at the top of the lighthouse about her family connections there.  He also learns about the flock of Hebridean sheep fitted with GPS trackers to manage the heathland. 

• Read more about the birds and wildlife at South Stack Cliffs haven for birds and wildlife.

Long walks along the North Wales coast and Isle of Anglesey

Download our North Wales coast multi day walking itinerary from seaside town Rhyl to world heritage site in Conwy (25 miles / 40 km) or our Isle of Anglesey itinerary starting from Valley to Four Mile Bridge (25 miles / 42 km) in the north west of this small but mighty island. 

Episode 2 Llŷn Peninsula

Sailing down the Menai Strait

You can enjoy the same view over the Menai Strait like Sean when he crewed the Danish schooner Vilma from Port Penrhyn to Caernarfon. 

• Read about Glanfaenol Wildlife and Woodland walk offering expansive views over to the Isle of Anglesey and the Menai Strait, the body of water separating the island and mainland Wales (walk devised by the National Trust)

3D Google mapping of the path around the Llŷn Peninsula

Sean talks to Rhys Roberts, our Wales Coast Path officer for this section about using technology to bring the path to a wider audience. You’re spoilt for choice with eighteen specially developed circular walks in this area which all link to the path.

• Discover Wales Coast Path circular walks - we particularly like the 3 mile walk at Tudweiliog for the stunning cliff top views.

Surfing at Porth Neigwl (Hells Mouth)

Sean meets inspirational local surfer Llewleyn who rides the waves at Porth Neigwl despite losing his leg when a car hit him.

• Read more information about the Plas yn Rhiw Countryside Walk with fantastic views over Porth Neigwl (walk devised by National Trust).

Long walks on the Llŷn Peninsula 

Download our Llŷn Peninsula multi day walking itinerary from Pwllheli to Aberdaron (31 miles / 49 km) on the southern tip of this stunning section of the path.

Episode 3 Cardigan Bay

Sean learns about Harlech castle, one of King Edward’s I impressive fortresses along the Welsh coastline.

• Read more about nearby Morfa Harlech National Nature Reserve boasting a coastal landscape with a vast dune system of international importance.

The lost Kingdom of Cantre’r Gwaelod and Borth sunken forest

Sean learns about Wales’ rich folklore when Angharad Wynne, a published author and poet tells the tale of the Lost City of Cantre’r Gwaelod in Borth.

• Read more information about what you can do at nearby Dyfi National Nature Reserve and Ynyslas Visitor Centre

A slice of coastal life in New Quay and Aberporth

Sean learns about the local dolphin population in New Quay (the official half way point of the Wales Coast Path) and gets busy with a group of path volunteers building a bridge.  He also joins in a Celtic Longboat race with the Aberporth Team against their rivals Llangrannog.

• Download our New Quay to Aberporth walk itinerary and map - one of our Wow walks
• Download our Llanrhystud to New Quay walk itinerary and map - one of our Culture and Heritage walks
• Download our Aberporth to Tresaith walk itinerary and map - one of our Family walks.

Long walks in Ceredigion

Download our Ceredigion multi day itinerary starting from Borth to Aberaeron where 24 miles / 38km of glorious coastal walking awaits you. from Borth to Aberaeron (24 miles /38 km) enough for three days of glorious walking.

Episode 4 Pembrokeshire

Walking with Pembrokeshire Blind Society

Sean learns how members of Pembrokeshire Blind Society enjoy the path using other senses on a walk from Haroldstone Chins to Broad Haven. 

Find out more about Haroldstone Chins to Broad Haven short walk

Top tip - This route can be done on the bus. However, if you’re driving, there is parking Broadhaven and limited disabled parking available at Haroldston Chins. There is also a short wheelchair walk at Haroldston Chins.

Archaeological dig St Patricks Chapel, Whitesands Bay

Sean picks up tips on how to carry out an archaeological dig next to one of the busiest sections of the coast path in Pembrokeshire. The following walks take in Whitesands Bay:

• Find out more about St David’s Head Short Walks details and map
• Find out more about St David's Head Half Day plus walk and map
• Find out more about St Justinians / Porthselau walk details and map (you can extend this walk to continue onto Whitesands Bay)

Castlemartin Firing Range

Sean gains special access to this Ministry of Defence owned land, a section of the path rarely open to walkers. The Castlemartin Firing Range times are released once a month in advance. Range West is only available on guided walks and Range East is available when there is no firing practice. 

• Find out about access opportunities on Castlemartin Defence Estate
• View Freshwater West Coast and Dune walk details and map (near to Castlemartin) - this walk was devised by the National Trust.
• Find out more about Stack Rocks to St Govans Short Walk details and map (Range East is available when there is no firing)
• Find out more about Bosherton to St Govans Half Day plus walk details and map (if firing practice is west of St Govans)
• Find out about Stackpole Head Half Day plus walk details and map (if firing practice is east of St Govans)

Long walks in Pembrokeshire into Carmarthenshire

Download our Pembrokeshire into Carmarthenshire multi day itinerary. You’ll be walking one of the iconic sections of the path from Manorbier in Pembrokeshire and finishing at Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshire (19 mile / 30 km).

Episode 5 Carmarthen Bay and Gower

Pendine sands and the land speed record

Sean visits this open beach where the land speed record duel took place back in the late 1920s.

• Download our Family Walk with a Difference at Pendine Sands, one of the longest beaches you’ll pass on the path.
• View the Ragwen Point Walk, Carmarthenshire route details and map with great views over to Pendine Sands (walk devised by National Trust).

Cockle fishing and seaweed at Ferryside

Sean tries his hand at cockle fishing with one of the oldest family cockle business ‘Selwyn’s’ at Ferryside.

• Visit Discover Carmarthenshire website for plenty of walk ideas to discover what this section of the path has to offer. 

Rhossili and walking the Worm’s Head

Sean walks one of the most popular sections of the path at Rhossili and beats the high tide to walk the tidal island, Worm’s Head at the tip of the Gower Peninsula with National Trust ranger Kathryn Thomas.

• View Rhossili Headland walk details and map
• View Rhosili Down, Hillend and beach walk details and map
• View Gower Super Challenge walk route details and map. Please note this is a challenging walk with steep paths and it’s the first day of a two-day challenge.

(all walks devised by National Trust)

Down to Earth Project

At Bracelet Bay, Sean learns how the Down to Earth project is making the most of coastal activities to help a group of adults with physical and learning disabilities and asylum seekers.

• Download nearby Limeslade Bay to Caswell Bay walk itinerary and map – one of our Family walks where you can see some interesting coastal sculptures along the way.

Long walks in Carmarthenshire and Gower

Download our Carmarthenshire Bay and Gower multi day itinerary. This section of the path (26 mile / 41km) passes fantastic views of Worm’s Head, one of the most well known and loved landmarks in this area.

Episode 6 South Wales 

Horse Riding at Merthyr Mawr Dunes

Sean meets Welsh Opera singer Shan Cothi to take in the beauty of Wales’ highest sand dunes on horseback at Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve.

• Download our Newton to Candleston walk itinerary and map.  This passes the impressive sand dune system. It is also one of our Cultural and Heritage walks.
• Find more information on how to get to Merthyr Mawr Warren National Nature Reserve and enjoy the seasonal wildlife highlights there. 

Glamorgan Heritage Coast Geology and Wave Erosion at Nash Point

Visiting one of the most dramatic sections of the path, Sean meets up with Dr Claire Earlie (Coastal Geomorphologist from Cardiff University) to discover when and how the sea cliffs were formed.

• Download our Dunraven Bay to Nash Point walk itinerary and map – one of our Wow walks.
• Download our Llanwit Major to Nash Point walk itinerary and map – one of our Culture and Heritage walks.

Gueglio Marconi’s first radio transmission over open water, from Flat Holm island to Lavernock Point

Sean learns about Marconi’s historic first radio transmission over open water in 1897 and the story on how it was done.

• Download our Lavernock circular nature walk itinerary and map - one of our Mindfulness walks.
• Download our Family Walk with a Difference in Cardiff Bay (approx. 4 miles walking from Lavernock Point) which tells the history of the rise of one of the largest dock systems in the world in the 1920s.

Lave Fishing at Black Rock on the Severn estuary

Keeping the rare tradition of lave fishing alive, Sean meets the last remaining Lave Net fishermen at Black Rock on the Severn Estuary.

• Read more information about other attractions at Black Rock.  This includes information about Black Rock Health Walk with fantastic view between the two Severn Bridges, Black Rock picnic site with a view over the Severn Estuary and the history of Black Rock Lave Net Heritage Fishery.

Long walks on the South Wales coast

Download our South Wales coast multi day itinerary. This 29 mile / 46km itinerary will take you from Barry, the home of Gavin and Stacey the TV hit series and along the Glamorgan Heritage coast and finishing in Porthcawl, the home of the new state of the art water sports centre.