Wonderous Wales
Duration: 6 x 60'
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From the jagged heights of Snowdonia in the north, through to the mountains and moorlands of the Brecon Beacons and the wild and rugged coast of Pembrokeshire, these places are not just a playground for tourists and adventurers – they’re also home to over 80,000 people.
Among them are families who have been here for generations… and others who arrived just a few months ago… but all of them proud to call their little piece of Wales ‘home’.
Episode 1
The series begins by following a sheep and cattle farmer who has lived on the southern side of Snowdonia National Park for 43 years. With lambing looming, this is one of the busiest times of the year – but an unexpected April snowfall on his family’s mountain makes caring for his pregnant ewes even more challenging.
From the upper reaches of some of Britain’s highest mountains, episode ones heads to the coast and the small seaside town of Dale, at the western tip of the Pembrokeshire coast. Here, the last in a long line of fisherman from the tiny port embark on their first trip off the season, laying out lobster pots and later reeling in the catch, which they sell directly from the boat on the quayside.
Next, it’s inland to the Brecon Beacons and Carreg Cennen Castle. A group of climbers with a love of castles have combined their twin passions to carry out conservation work on exposed ancient buildings. They effortlessly abseil down the castle’s medieval walls, hacking back the overgrown ivy that threatens the masonry, and take in a unique view of the surrounding hills.
The episode ends taking a step back in history with a stunning trip through the spectacular Vale of Ffestiniog on the Welsh Pony – a steam engine that’s swapped the slate it used to carry for tourists.
Episode 2
Taking to the slopes of The Black Mountain on the wilder, less hospitable slopes of the Brecon Beacons, a hill farmer's flock needs to be brought down from the mountains for lambing, but they’re spread over 400 acres of unfenced, common ground, making it impossible to gather them in one go. Fifteen sheep tough it out on the mountain tops, so the farmer has to return the following day to round up these stragglers. Mist is covering the hill, making an already challenging job for him and his son even trickier.
In Snowdonia, a pair of climbers, who climb all over the world, are always drawn back to the Carneddau mountain range on their doorstep. Today, they’re attempting a first climb of Kirkus’s route on Pen Yr Ole Wen - following in the footsteps of pioneering mountaineer Colin Kirkus. They’re hoping for Spring sunshine, but end up with an unexpected May snowfall…
Episode two ends in Pembrokeshire, where a stud farm overlooking the beautiful Cardigan Bay, is home to some wonderful Welsh cob ponies.
Episode 3
Episode three of Epic Wales heads straight for the Pembrokeshire coast and a misty Skomer island, to join a free diver & wildlife photographer on an underwater adventure. Some creative puffin head gear allows her to covertly photograph these iconic birds, before exploring the ‘secret’, soothing kelp forests that lie beneath the surface in St Brides bay. Drifting through this swirling seaweed is like ‘getting a hug from nature’.
Then it’s over to Snowdonia to revisit the upland sheep and cattle farmer who is socialising and halter training his precious bull ‘Mr April’ ready for the auction ring. But persuading a 750 kilo animal can be even tougher than it looks.
In the Brecon Beacons, the skies the limit for a 15-year-old and his step dad, both keen paragliders – as they attempt a launch of Hay Bluff. The inclement weather delays their launch – but the wait is worth it, for the epic views over some of the Brecon’s most epic landscape.
From the wide open spaces of the Brecons, we find sanctuary in the Artists Valley near Machynlleth, where a horse logger is using horse power instead of machinery to help return the this ancient woodland to its former state. Here, the fast growing non native larch is gradually being removed, so native species like oak, ash and rowan can thrive once more.
Episode 3 ends with a trip up Banc Llechwedd-Mawr in the Cambrian mountains, for some star gazing. Often described as the last wilderness in Wales, the lack of light pollution in this remote part of the country means the stars can be seen in all their glory. Spectacular time lapses of the Milky Way and thousands of stars as they dance over the Cambrian mountains bring the episode to a close.
Episode 4
Lambing is in full swing as we return to our farmer and his family on The Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons. It’s all hands-on deck to keep a careful watch on this ever-expanding flock, with Farmer Garry's three children getting stuck in to help deliver a new generation of lambs.
Over on the Pembrokeshire coast, an artist heads for the stunning Broad Haven South Beach. Here, the sand provides a perfect canvas to create a spectacular work of art – a phoenix rising from the fire. This is art that few will get to appreciate, as just a few hours later, the glorious phoenix is washed away by the tide.
Still on the coast, but over in Anglesey in North Wales, a mother and daughter climbing team take on the intimidating ‘Mask of the Red Death’.
And there’s a buzz about the Brecon Beacons when bee farmers move their hives up the mountain in search of a new sweet sensation.
Episode 5
As spring marches into Summer, Farmer Garry is gathering his flock once more to take them back down the mountain for shearing, with help from neighbouring farmers from across the Black Mountain.
Once commonplace, the Osprey became extinct in the UK in the 1920’s, but thanks to the work of local conservationists, Wales now has at least four breeding pairs. Sadly, survival is still a challenge for these beautiful birds who fall victim to both nature and man. We follow the highs and lows of several breeding pairs, including one with a nest that was brutally destroyed with a chain saw.
In Snowdonia, a lichenologist heads out on an incredible safari through one of the region’s Celtic rainforests, scouring the undergrowth for all kinds of weird and wonderful lichen, including a rare species, fondly nicknamed ‘blackberries and custard’ – and there’s a reason why.
Over in Pembrokeshire, it might be a misty morning, but that’s not deterred the dolphins of Cardigan bay. The Sea Watch team monitor Wales’s only resident population of bottlenose dolphins – and it turns out that these loveable mammals are just as interested in them.
Finally, Rhondda Valley, near the village of Blaencwm is home to Pen Y Cymoedd - the highest windfarm in the UK which now provides power to fifteen percent of Welsh homes. The engineers responsible for keeping the two hundred and twenty eight blades turning, bag some of the best views in the Rhondda.
Episode 6
In the last episode of the series, our Snowdonia farmer has an anxious few hours as one of his prize cows goes well beyond her due date… it’s a good job his wife is a vet.
Over in the Pembrokeshire coast, the women of Fishguard are getting ready for battle – albeit a ‘friendly’ one when they take on the neighbouring team from Newport in a traditional Celtic boat race. And despite not having a great track record, this time, Fishguard are determined to win.
On calmer waters, veteran angling champions and rivals are enjoying the solitude of Nant Y Moch reservoir in the Cambrian Mountains – one of Wales’s best kept secrets. Will the native brown trout take the bait?
On Snowdon, the National Trust team are battling to keep one of Britain’s most popular walking routes in good shape. There are miles of mountain trails to look after… but with some amazing views to enjoy, no-one is complaining.
The series ends on a high note, when the members of Talgarth male voice choir get together to perform. Once more, the glorious hills of the Brecons are alive to the most Welsh of sounds.
For Channel 4
