Rambler Julia Bradbury has returned to Dorset for a new ITV series that shines the spotlight on the wonders of the Jurassic Coast. Jessica Rees catches up with her walking hero to ramble on about Britain's Best Walks

BUBBLY Julia Bradbury is on a mission to get the nation walking, and so what better way to do it than to head back to one of the best walking spots in the country – Dorset, and no, I’m not biased...

Last year, the friendly and fabulous presenter came to west Dorset to show off Golden Cap in all its glory for ITV’s Best Walks with a View. This year, she’s returned to the county for Britain’s Best Walks, taking in stunning views of Old Harry Rocks and the white sandy beaches of Studland.

If you didn’t catch last Friday’s episode on ITV at 8pm, make sure you watch it on catch up. Or, tune in this Friday for the next episode as you curl up on the sofa – it’ll make you want to get up on Saturday morning with a spring in your step to get outside and explore.

Speaking to Julia, she tells me ‘the whole walking thing’ happened by accident.

It’s definitely a stark contrast to the hard-hitting consumer journalism, pencil skirts and heels she was used to for consumer programme Watchdog. The heels have now been replaced by walking boots.

Julia’s now cemented herself as a stalwart supporter of fellow ramblers. And it suits the woman who grew up trekking the trails of Derbyshire just fine.

Julia said: “I’ve been walking since I was a little girl when my dad would take me. His stomping ground was the Peak District and you couldn’t have a stronger contrast between there and Dorset. But that is why we are so lucky in this country to have so many different landscapes all within our reach. I’m happy to say that I’m enjoying them for all different reasons.”

In episode one of Britain’s Best Walks, Julia set off from Sandbanks with Old Harry Rocks and Studland in her sights.

She said: “There I was, able to take my trainers off and walk the white sandy beaches through lapping waves. Dorset always has a lovely vibe. It never seems to be over crowded like you get at other beaches. I could see people enjoying the beach and landscape.

“I think the Jurassic Coast has a tremendous history and walks. It’s outstandingly beautiful and for a good reason it features in Britain’s Best Walks. It’s definitely worthy and we were so blessed with great weather.

“The locals should be thrilled with the Old Harry Rocks footage, it was stunning.”

Meeting up with locals along the way and walking a good eight miles, it was only fitting to end the day with a slap up meal at The Pig on the Beach, where Julia sampled dinner made with produce foraged earlier that day by Fore / Adventure.

She said: “They do foraging in the sea and in the local environment to pick up wild berries and garlic and seaweed and then they take them to The Pig on the Beach and James the chef and he cooks something up – food is always a big feature of the series.

“We had a slap up meal and they are local heroes. It was outrageously good!”

It doesn’t sound like too bad a way to spend your working day when you put it like that.

Julia said: “I’ve been so lucky with my career and the beauty of my job is one day I’ll be sitting in a radio station, another reviewing a book and then I’ll be outdoors. I love the contrast.

“I have worked all over the world with travel shows over the years and I just think there’s nowhere in the world that has the walking trails that we have. It’s a fantastic privilege.”

According to a survey by the National Trust, this year a staggering 43 million people were set to head outdoors with family and friends for the festive season, with 70 per cent of the country saying it’s their favourite way to spend quality time together.

Julia said: “We are all in love with the countryside and our greenery. Walking is something we have all done with our parents. We have a great, exciting walking heritage in this country.”

It’s no wonder then that walking has become such a huge passion of hers, so much so that she’s championing clubs all over the country.

She said: “I’m an ambassador for the Ramblers Walking Holidays and president of the Camping and Caravan Club – it’s my job to encourage people to get outdoors. The great thing about walking is you can do it at your own pace. I’m just trying to get people to give it a go.

“A 20 minute walk is as good as spending an hour on a psychotherapist’s sofa and as good as it gets for the mind. We are suffering an obesity crisis and one in four of us will suffer from mental health. It’s important to exercise – it’s a tonic everyone can embrace.”

When she isn’t throwing caution to the wind, walking the cliffs of the coast or the peaks and valleys, Julia said she’s just at home in the city as she is in the countryside.

“My home is now in London and I love it. I moved to London when I was 17. It’s very different from Sheffield and Rutland where I grew up. We are lucky we have communal gardens to enjoy and parks and we try to make the most of the outdoor spaces.

“It’s easy to walk in London and I love the adventure and I try to embrace the city. For now, London is home and my boys go to school here and have friends so I couldn’t tear them away. I’m lucky I have the best of both worlds.”

* Britain’s Best Walks with Julia Bradbury is on Friday at 8pm on ITV.