28 Dales Later: Exploring Northern England

Steve Wharton visits the Brontë's school at Cowan Bridge, the inspiration for Lowood in Jane Eyre, before walking to Casterton and finding out more about life in boarding schools. Features interviews with Sedbergh School Deputy Head Lotte Tulloch and Steve's friend and ex-boarder Toby Gregory.

Natalie Wilson talks to Blackpool based photographer Henry Iddon about some of the many series and projects he has created. In this podcast we delve into his home town, Reasons to be Cheerful, Spots of Time (Lake District by Moonlight) and Henry's ongoing photo series, A Place to Go. You can find Henry's work at henryiddon.com

Steve Wharton tells the story of Nicholas Size, the eccentric hotelier and author of Viking saga 'The Secret Valley', which continues to draw people to the Rannerdale Bluebells every year with its legend of slain soldiers.

Steve Wharton treks to the birthplace of the Brontë sisters in Thornton Village, finding a new appreciation for the landscape they inhabited.

In this seasonal episode, Natalie visits an area of Cumbria that became part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park in 2016. She visits Dent train station, above the cobbled village of Dent in search of singers, and takes a walk in the Howgills in search of snow.

Guest presenter John Hall takes us to Whitby with subtle soundscapes, interviews and narration that tell of an early medieval tradition that continues today; one that involves the creation of a Horngarth, an enclosure on the coast that must withstand the ebb and flow of three tides.

This podcast is a celebration of our high places, a tribute to our service men and women and a commemoration of our loved ones, residing in heart and memory. In this episode, Natalie Wilson explores how we materialise memorial in the landscape as she uncovers the history of our high war memorials in the Lake District and also gives us a view of how high places are revered in other places around the world.

A bonus episode of 28 Dales Later which was recorded as research for Episode 13: Ballads & Bloodshed. Steve Wharton interviews blacksmiths David Watson and Alex Sowden about their craft, though its evolution, decline and resurgence. They discuss why the trade has little regional diversity, Vikings, Damascus Steel and weapons the Border Reivers would have used.

Steve Wharton ventures to the Debatable Lands of the English/Scottish Borders, uncovering ballads and bloodshed courtesy of the Reivers.

Johnny Campbell meets Carol Hodge, Huddersfield-based artist (Steve Ignorant's Slice of Life, Ryan Hamilton & The Harlequin Ghosts) and solo musician in her own right for an informal chat about creativity in the North.

In this episode, Natalie embarks on a journey to find the geographical centre of Great Britain. She cycles to a small but well known place, only to find a red herring there, in a phone box. She returns on foot and with more knowledge in order to complete her mission, heading to a remote, much lesser known location

Johnny Campbell heads to the Northumberland coast in search of fortifications that span the ages, from centuries past to the 20th century. Passing by the alluring coastline with white-washed cottages and a smokery, this sonic amble takes in some of the best this coastline has to offer.

Steve Wharton ventures out to Filey Brigg to find stories about fish and fate. Having never visited the seaside resort of Filey, Steve explores the town and the Carr Naze peninsula, the bedrock of which juts out into the North Sea and is known as the Brigg. Folklore and history abound in this area, Steve puts on his storyteller hat to tell a tale of ancient origin with local connections.

Whilst the team prepare full episodes, Steve Wharton finds the surprising equine heritage of a remote Lakeland village name in this short, bonus podcast.

Guest presenters Rob & Harriet Fraser reflect on their journey alongside families of curlews.

Johnny Campbell treads Alfred Wainwright's most-hated summit, Black Hill. With curlews for company and locals on the loose.

Natalie Wilson guides us to salt marsh, samphire and reminders of slavery along the southern stretch of Morecambe Bay.

Steve Wharton searches for the origin of 'The North of England' with visits to Bradford, Eamont Bridge and Shibden Hall.

Guest presenter Stephen Benson guides us along the far northwestern edge of England.

Johnny Campbell heads to the South Pennines. The packhorse trail in Marsden, West Yorkshire is full to the brim with industrial heritage, a bygone traveller's inn and Norse dialect.

Natalie Wilson explores the moors above Lancaster just a few miles from her home. These last few months have made us all stay closer to home and for some it's given rise to a reawakening and reconnection with all the those little treasures that surround us - they are often in full view but often remain unseen as our gaze and minds are focussed elsewhere. Once we start seeking these treasures and pleasures, they turn up everywhere. Join Nat on a short walk up Clougha Pike, a lovely lump with a magnificent view from where you can see three counties on a clear day, Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire. She shares her love of birdlife and finds an everyday walk turning into a celebration.

Steve Wharton uncovers history and folklore on the first stretch of the coast-to-coast cyclepath.

A teaser for this month's collection of podcasts and blogs, on the theme of 'The Dale On Your Doorstep'.