Miriam Margolyes narrates Armchair Britain, a guide to places of interest around the UK, beginning with an overview of Cornwall's attractions, including Bodmin Moor and the Eden Project
Miriam Margolyes has visited many far-flung destinations but she’s looking closer to home to narrate this 10-part series revealing how we used to live via the TV archives.
‘We are discovering what the small screen can tell us about our green and pleasant land,’ says Miriam, 77, whose adventure starts in Cornwall...
Retro clips show tourists from decades gone by heading for the famous Land’s End signpost, some nifty Cornish pasty making, speculation about the beast of Bodmin Moor and even a rather odd balletic take on King Arthur who is linked to the village of Tintagel.
As every Poldark fan knows, mining is key to Cornwall’s history, and the episode features extraordinary black-and-white footage of miners at work.
‘The county’s main income was from clay, copper and tin mining,’ says Miriam. ‘Around 100 years ago, half the world’s tin came from Cornwall. But the last mine closed in 1998.’
Meanwhile in Padstow, there’s footage of a colourful May Day festival from days gone by and a very young Rick Stein chatting to Keith Floyd, who unfortunately gets his fellow chef’s name wrong!
A nostalgic treat. Continues daily.
The full feature is from this week's TV Times on sale 2 October.
TV Times rating: ****
