Ramblings

Hana Sutch, co‑founder of the Go Jauntly walking app and digital product designer, builds accessible urban walking routes to bring nature to city doorsteps. She talks about designing pram‑friendly maps, bootstrapping a tiny start‑up amid scepticism, landmark‑based navigation and encouraging people to look up and enjoy local green spaces.

Catherine Teasdale, walking companion who documents the challenge. Ian Teasdale, local walker campaigning after a terminal bowel cancer diagnosis. They hike Longlands Fell, recall childhood memories tied to the landscape. They describe weather drama, a rainbow over the valley, and the practical boggy challenges of a 6-mile Wainwright circuit. The walk’s purpose is to raise awareness of local cancer support needs.

Nicola Chester, writer and author of Ghosts of the Farm, leads a walk through Inkpen reflecting on rural life and farming history. She recounts discovering Miss Julia White’s wartime revival of a derelict farm. They talk about women’s roles in agriculture, changing machinery, and the landscapes and wildlife that shaped these stories.

Clare hikes up Bredon Hill with Steve Boycott, founder of the Be You Programme, an outdoor‑based initiative that helps young people build confidence and resilience. Steve explains how his work grew from his own experiences of insecurity, bullying, military service and years spent travelling the world. He reflects on how the outdoors can transform young people, why taking “one more step” can shift a mindset, and his belief that hills can teach us more about ourselves than any classroom. Clare and Steve met at The Queen Elizabeth Pub in Elmley Castle and began their walk from there. Bredon, he says, isn’t the biggest or the most beautiful hill, but it has soul and a healing quality.Map: OS Explorer Map OL45 – The Cotswolds (North) Grid Ref: SO982411 Presenter: Clare Balding Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding meets the adventurer Pom Oliver for a woodland wander near her home in West Sussex. As they stroll amongst the trees, Pom recalls extraordinary chapters from her life: polar and desert expeditions, an epic hitch‑hiking journey from Cape Town to Sydney, and her time in the film industry working on much‑loved productions such as Biggles and Picnic at Hanging Rock.Their conversation also turns to Pom’s latest adventure - a challenging three‑month trek across Saudi Arabia, tracing the footsteps of traders along the ancient incense route.The walk begins at Pom’s home, but listeners keen to explore the woodland can enter it from The Blue Ship pub in the tiny hamlet of The Haven (postcode RH14 9BS).Presenter: Clare Balding Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare joins Glenn Meyer in Surrey’s Happy Valley for a walk that celebrates resilience and recovery. During lockdown, Glenn suffered a serious spinal injury after a simple movement on a sun lounger. Over time he lost the ability to walk and became reliant on a wheelchair. Three major operations at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital rebuilt his spine with an internal frame anchored by bolts into his hips. Against the odds, Glenn can now stand and walk and is in training for a 3 day, 37 mile hike from his home in Caterham to the hospital in Stanmore that helped him get back on his feet.Today’s training walk with Clare is a scenic circuit of around 5 miles, starting at The Fox pub on Coulsdon Common. Glenn and his wife, Hilary, lead Clare into Happy Valley, skirt the Surrey National Golf Course, and pause at Chaldon Church, famed for its medieval mural. The walk continues across Farthing Downs before looping back to Coulsdon Common. Presenter: Clare Balding Producer: Karen Gregor

Clare Balding chats with Rob Curtis, an electrician and seasoned polar fieldworker with the British Antarctic Survey. Rob shares his captivating tales from Halley Research Station, detailing the challenges of life on the ice, from battling fierce katabatic winds to daily routines involving firefighting and Nordic skiing. Despite a recent diabetes diagnosis, he remains determined to return to Antarctica, highlighting his love for nature and commitment to conservation. They also delve into the stunning Gower landscape and the importance of community action against pollution.

Corinne Fowler, an author focused on Britain’s colonial histories, joins historian Raj Pal, who explores local connections to India. As they walk through the Cotswolds, they delve into how the landscape is intertwined with imperial history. They discuss Sezincote House, a stunning Neo-Mughal estate, and the wealth that funded Cotswold land purchases from India. Raj highlights multi-generational ties between Britain and India, promoting a richer understanding of national identity. They also touch on their upcoming podcast that will explore Birmingham's global history.

Clare joins Earth Scientist and author Anjana Khatwa for a cliffside walk in Dorset exploring the landscapes that shaped her life, and her book The Whispers of Rock – Stories from the Earth. Starting at Spyway Barn near Langton Matravers, the route takes in clifftops, caves, and the fossil-rich coastline, revealing stories of geology and belonging. Anjana shares her journey from growing up in Slough in a traditional Indian family to becoming a leading voice in earth science. From Spyway Barn, at the National Trust car park, they walked down to Dancing Ledge, along the coast path past Winspit Caves, and up to the village of Worth Matravers before heading back to the car park.Grid Reference for Spyway Barn: SY 998 776 Map: OS Explorer 116 – Lyme Regis & BridportPresenter: Clare Balding Producer for BBC Studios: Karen Gregor

Nick Wilson, a former soldier-turned-advocate, shares his inspiring journey after a spinal injury left him using a powerchair. He discusses the challenges of outdoor accessibility and how his 'Disabled Adventurer' project empowers others. Clare experiences a powerchair firsthand, while they explore the critical role of nature for mental health. They emphasize the need for better mobility tech and accessibility in outdoor spaces, along with Nick's ambitious plans for major desert challenges. Their conversation highlights community moments and the joy of shared adventures.