I do believe it!

Introduction

Another entry in the "good BBC series coming quickly to DVD" category. There have been some great seasons of programming on the BBC over the last few years, and there have been quite a few related to transport (it's not just Top Gear you know!)

As well several rail-based series last year, there was also the excellent "Secret Life of the Motorway". This latest addition is Britain's Best Drives, with Richard Wilson (best know to almost all of humanity as grumpy old Victor Meldrew).

The idea is simple. Take six of the most visually stunning drives that were outlined in Motoring Holidays in Britain (1959), some cars from the era (Morris Traveller, Ford Zodiac, Triumph TR3, Austin Cambridge, Bentley and a VW Campervan) and get your star to drive the routes (where possible), meeting people along the way and seeing how much the routes (and Britain) have changed.



Programme 1 - North Yorkshire Moors

In this first episode, Richard Wilson begins his journey into the past, following routes raved about in motoring guides of 50 years ago. In a classic Morris Traveller, he drives from Scarborough to Whitby via the Yorkshire moors. He learns about the rise and fall of the British seaside resorts, takes a toll road through the great Dalby Forest, and checks out the Hole of Horecum; a mythical roadside wonder. He finds out how the village of Goathland now lives a double life, and meets the TV pilgrims that flock there. Finally, Richard ends up with a carload of goths on their way to visit Whitby's historic abbey.



Programme 2 - North Wales

Richard takes the wheel of Ford Zodiac to drive a circular route from Caernarfon that loops through some of Snowdonia's most sensational scenery. He gets a Welsh lesson at Caernarfon Castle, learns the significance of the Dinorwic slate quarry, drives the Pass of Llanberis, meets 71 year old climber Eric Jones, and takes a trip down memory lane at a former Butlins Holiday Camp.

Programme 3 - North Cornish Coast

Richard takes a VW Campervan along the coast road from St Ives to Lands End. He learns of St Ives' 1950s abstract art heyday and meets a 95 year old painter still at work in the town's famous Porthmeor Studios. He discovers why DH Lawrence was expelled from the county, and hears legends of Cornish mermaids. And Richard gets to know his camper intimately on a blustery but magnificent cliff top campsite.

Programme 4 - The Lake District

A Triumph TR3A is taken around some of the Lake District's most famous roads. He get the low down on the area from author and resident Hunter Davies, takes on "The Struggle" up to the Kirkstone Inn, celebrates his birthday there and learns how climate change is affecting this delicate landscape.



Programme 5 - The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean

An Austin Cambridge is this week's vehicle of choice as Richard explores an area that claims to be the birthplace of British tourism. He learns of life before the Severn Bridge, finds out why thousands of tourists flocked to the Wye Valley in search of "the picturesque", and discovers how ancient customs are still practised in the medieval forest. Richard's journey culminates at one of Britain's most renowned viewpoints.

Programme 6 - The Trossachs

For his final drive, Richard returns to the country of his birth in a splendid 1950s Bentley. He drops in on his sister, returns to the original 'Dr Finlay' house, takes to the water to find out how Sir Walter Scott inspired a deluge of sightseers to the region, drives Scotland's most famous road in the company of a bevy of vintage bikers, and discovers just what it is about great vistas that give us all such a thrill.

Video and Audio

Sadly, once again reviewers get a short straw. A single DVD-R with four episodes on. I know I'm always whining about this, but we seem to be getting stitched up like this more and more.

You get a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer and a DD2.0 stereo soundtrack as first broadcast.

Extra Features

On disc 1 there's some extra footage from each of the drives. No idea about disc 2.

Conclusion

I've enjoyed watching this series so far. Like other "round Britain" type series, it's a winning format. There's lots of interest in these isles, and the historical angle that looks at the last 50 years of motoring adds something extra to the programme. Having driven at least some (and in the case of the Lakes, all) of four of the drives featured here, I can recommend them too. We certainly seem to have forgotten the joy of "going for a drive" and this programme might help to rekindle some of that.

It's on TV for the next few weeks so look out for it on BBC Four, the inevitable BBC Two repeat, or catch it on this DVD instead. It's an interesting look at motoring and not a Clarkson in sight!