Tim and Pru travel along the 21-mile Kennet and Avon canal, from Bath to Devizes, meeting canal-side characters and wildlife along the way. Back in 1990, to promote the fully restored canal, Tim and Pru were invited to be the first boat in 42 years to travel the full length of the K&A. To complete this magical trip, Tim and Pru, take on the infamous Caen Hill - 16 locks in close succession - which takes five hours to navigate. It's a daunting prospect for any crew, let alone one in their 80s.
Prunella and Tim travel the Rochdale canal, past once mighty mills, the epic beauty of the Pennines and the longest and highest canal tunnel in Britain. The Rochdale was a main artery for the textile industry at the height of industrial revolution. Beginning in Sowerby Bridge, Tim and Pru head west through Mytholmroyd (the birthplace of Ted Hughes) and past the once mighty textile mills at Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, before journeying up over the Pennines to more than 600 feet above sea level. It's the most physically demanding canal journey they have ever taken, with the second deepest lock in the country, vandalised bridges and ancient lock gates to negotiate. But it's also one of the most stunning, with the epic beauty of the Pennine hills. To help them along the way they are joined for part of the journey by their son Sam, himself a successful actor. Along the way, Tim and Pru meet some of the fascinating characters that live and work on the Rochdale; recite Ted Hughes poetry in the exact spot where he found inspiration; and pass on some thespian guidance to the cast of a local playhouse.
This third canal journey takes Pru and Tim back to their honeymoon destination, Llangollen, in north Wales. They cross from Shropshire, via the Llangollen canal - one of the most picturesque canal journeys in the world. The trip includes the mystical hills of the Vale of Llangollen and the extraordinary Pontcysyllte aqueduct, the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain, and no place for the feint hearted. The couple also take a detour on the Montgomery canal, once an industrial thoroughfare, now an area of outstanding natural beauty. Tim visits the Llangollen steam railway and they travel on a horse-drawn barge up to the famous Horseshoe Falls.
For the last stage of Tim and Pru's canal odyssey, they head to France's burgundy wine region to visit the Canal du Nivernais, which runs through some of the most picturesque scenery in northern France, passing towns and villages steeped in medieval history. The canal was critical in helping to ship wine north from the vineyards to Paris and beyond. The journey is a gastronomic pleasure trip for Tim and Pru. They visit the market at Chablis and help out at the annual grape harvest. They visit their youngest son, Joe and the medieval city of Auxerre; and also reflect on what the journey has meant for them as a couple.
Timothy and Pru take a journey on the Oxford Canal through the Cherwell Valley, meeting author Philip Pullman and their son Samuel West on the way.
Timothy and Pru explore London's Union and Regent's canals, from Brentford to Limehouse, meeting with friends Andrew Sachs and Sir Ian McKellen.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales explore the most picturesque stretch of the Canal du Midi in the south of France, eating lamb's brain fritters and drinking 200-year-old brandy.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel along the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal, against the stunning scenery of some of central Scotland's most glorious countryside.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales go in search of the lost route between London and the sea, which has not been fully open for over 200 years and requires four different boats to traverse now. They leave the Thames at Teddington and travel through the Surrey and Sussex countryside before arriving at Guildford, and a canal-side theatre where they have both regularly performed. The final leg of the trip brings them to the River Arun before reaching the English Channel.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel from Birmingham to Braunston to attend a festival of vintage canal boats, aided on the tricky journey by their son Sam and Juliet, Timothy's daughter from his first marriage. Along the way, they meet a 78-year-old boatman, who reveals how he was born on a canal boat, and unveil a plaque dedicated to a woman who dedicated her life to preserving Britain's canals.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales go to Ireland and travel along the Shannon Erne Waterway, a canal linking the North to the South. Along the way, they try some traditional dancing and folk singing, visit historic sites including Crom Castle and Bloody Pass, and meet a genealogist with a fascinating story to tell.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales embark on more waterway adventures. This time, they head into uncharted waters to attempt one of the longest canal journeys in the world - 350 miles coast to coast across Sweden. The first leg of their voyage begins in Gothenburg, where they link up with the historic Göta Canal, taking them into the heart of the Scandinavian country and toward the Baltic Sea
Tim and Pru follow the ancient route of the Vikings, visiting Stockholm and the nearby islands of its archipelago.
Timothy and Prunella take a trip down the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal, one of Britain's most picturesque waterways, and also pay tribute to William Shakespeare
Timothy West and Prunella Scales embark on more spectacular canal journeys. This time they travel to Venice. The journey begins 14 miles west of Venice on the Brenta, a river that was first canalised in the 13th century. Lined with palaces that were once holiday homes for Venetian nobility, they follow the route that Casanova and Lord Byron took to the city. After crossing the Venetian lagoon, Tim and Pru arrive at St Mark's Square, where they escape the busy Grand Canal and discover the tranquillity and beauty of the smaller canals that tourists rarely see. Their journey's end is on the marshy island of Torcello, the place where Venice began.
Tim and Pru explore a network totally new to them as they embark on a voyage across the Netherlands. Travelling from the Windmills of the Kinderdijk to the vibrant city of Amsterdam, they explore a country that was partly created by its canals. Half the land was once under water, and it's the combination of windmills and canals that over the centuries prevented the Netherlands from flooding. The voyage takes them to the gardens of Keukenhof, where seven million tulips are on display. There they discover why in the 17th century, one tulip bulb cost the same as a house in Amsterdam. In the city of Haarlem they visit the Teylers Museum, which agrees to open up its archive of rare Rembrandt self-portraits for Tim and Pru to admire. Arriving in Amsterdam, they explore the capital's historic canal district known as the Grachtengordel. Braving Amsterdam's crazy canal traffic they visit one of the most elegant canal-side mansions of Holland's Golden Age.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales embark on a journey into their pasts, via the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Despite living most their lives in the South, they both have Northern roots, and as the canal winds over the Pennines and down through the Dales they're transported back to their Yorkshire origins. Starting at the highest point of the canal, they're immediately faced with the challenge of a bumpy ride through Foulridge Tunnel. Emerging on the other side, Pru steps back into her childhood memories when they visit the country's last surviving steam-powered textile mill. Meandering through the 'curlies', the canal's most winding and beautiful stretch, they are joined by the acclaimed poet, Simon Armitage, whose work is inspired by the rugged beauty of the Yorkshire landscape.
With Tim playing King Lear in Bristol, he and Prunella Scales tour the city and also some West Country waterways further afield, including Devon. They also take a paddle steamer.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales cross the Scottish Highlands on a sun-kissed voyage along the spectacular Caledonian Canal, a waterway that links the North Sea with the Atlantic. First part of a Scottish odyssey.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales island-hop their way through the Hebrides, visiting Tobermory, Iona, the Isle of Jura, and lastly the magical nine-mile Crinan canal. Conclusion of a Scottish odyssey.
Tim and Pru explore the extraordinary backwaters of Kerala, with spices, dancing and a visit to a temple
Tim and Pru strike out for the rarely navigated Brahmaputra river in the far north of India, where they meet a community of monks and hitch a ride on an elephant
Tim and Pru explore one of Britain's most ancient and picturesque waterways, discovering the area's unique way of life, its ruins, fens, marshes and woodlands.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales set off on their adventure along the French canal system, as they travel down the Marne-Rhine Canal in Alsace and Lorraine, close to the German border. Their journey takes in enchanted forests and fairy-tale castles; mountains and valleys; the baffling French lock system; local wines; and a visit to Strasbourg and the European Parliament.
The Douro's dramatic geography is unlike any of the other waterways Tim and Pru have experienced - with the deepest lock in Europe and sites of ancient historical importance. Tim and Pru visit the Factory House, a very traditional English gentlemen's club that lies in the heart of bustling Porto. They also follow the water route taken by Baron Forrester, the Yorkshire born port entrepreneur, and visit some stunning wine estates.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales return to Wales to explore a canal that has eluded them for over half a century. The famously beautiful Monmouthshire and Brecon canal is cut off from the rest of Britain's network of waterways by the Black Mountains. The isolated gem meanders its way through the tranquil Usk valley. Tim and Pru visit the old iron works at Blaenavon, where children as young as five were once put to work; and the beautiful 15th-century castle at Tretower - rumoured to be haunted. They also lend a hand with some lock restoration work.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales travel down the River Nile from Luxor to Aswan.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales explore the Naviglio Grande Canal in Italy, which runs from Lake Maggiore to Milan.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales explore the waterways of North-West England, from the suburbs of Manchester, through Britain's first purpose-built canal, to the port at Ellesmere. They discover how canals played a vital role in transforming Britain during the Industrial Revolution, and have subsequently become a central point of Manchester's gay community.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales take a boat ride in the Argentine jungle. There's gin and tonic with some remote Anglo Argentines, hummingbirds, honey, and a spot of tango.
Tim and Pru navigate the Lancaster Canal, an early masterpiece of the waterways - travelling up along the coast of Morecambe Bay and visiting Carnforth and Lune Aqueduct
Timothy West and Prunella Scales start their journey in Kingston, Canada, where the Rideau begins. They follow its 125-mile course, all the way to Canada's capital.
Prunella Scales and Timothy West embark on a final canal journey in the first of two programmes exploring Vietnam and Cambodia. The trip begins in the limestone islands of Halong Bay, before travelling along the Red River to Hanoi and the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. They also attend the famous lantern festival in the trading port of Hoi An.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales' final journey takes them through Vietnam's Mekong Delta and across the border into Cambodia. They visit the capital city of Phenom Penh, and conclude their travels at Angkor Wat, an ancient temple built by the clever use of canals.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales return to the Oxford Canal for a voyage through the beautiful Cherwell Valley, as they recall their favourite waterway trips around the British Isles.
Timothy West and Prunella Scales share some memories of their canal journeys overseas, including their first trip, which was to France on the Nivernais Canal. Tim is reminded of the time he tried to park his boat in Venice, at St Mark's Square, and the couple reminisce over a moonlit gondolier trip down the Grand Canal. Having successfully mastered the waterways of Europe, Tim and Pru then set forth on even more ambitious and remote journeys across the world - to India, Canada, Argentina and a trip down the Nile.
Tim and Pru look back at one of their favourite locations, with its epic vistas, dramatic feats of engineering, stunning landscapes, and a coast-to-coast adventure.
A look back at Timothy West and Prunella Scales' waterway travels in Lancashire and Yorkshire - including the Rochdale Canal and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The pair also reminisce about the Lancaster canal, which led Pru back to her roots as she visited the village of Near Sawrey, where her family lived during much of the Second World War and which had another very famous resident - Beatrix Potter.
A look back at Timothy West and Prunella Scales' Swedish travels where they made a 350-mile journey coast-to-coast by boat, taking in the mighty lakes, canals and islands.
A look back at Timothy West and Prunella Scales' adventures on the idyllic waterways of the Avon, Bristol Channel, Llangollen Canal, and the Mon and Brec.
Veteran actors and married couple Prunella Scales and Timothy West pass the tiller to Sheila Hancock and Gyles Brandreth, who are celebrating 40 years of friendship by making new memories together and learning new skills. Sheila and Gyles learn the ropes with Tim, and set out by themselves along the upper reaches of the River Thames. It's the same river that roars past their homes in London, but just 50 miles upstream it's an Arcadian paradise of unspoiled nature, royal retreats and river regattas.
Sheila Hancock and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth tackle their first manual lock and some terrifyingly tight turns, but find themselves relaxing into life at 4mph, and marvel at how secret histories reveal themselves. They visit the Royal Gunpowder Mills, which built its own canal system to transport volatile ammunition - vital to Britain's success in both world wars.
Sheila Hancock and Gyles Brandreth embark on their tour of Staffordshire's waterways, navigating the Caldon and the Trent and Mersey Canals to the Potteries.
Concluding their tour of Staffordshire's waterways, Sheila and Gyles uncover the history of Stourport and get a taste of the Desi pub in Wolverhampton.
Sheila and Gyles explore the Cambridgeshire Fens, make a pilgrimage to Ely Cathedral and pay homage to an early 20th-century poetry great - Rupert Brooke
Sheila and Gyles boat from Wigan to Liverpool across the West Lancashire Coastal Plain. In Wigan, Gyles takes on the world pie-eating champion.
Sheila and Gyles journey to Stratford-upon-Avon, where Sheila performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and Gyles once lived with his family
Sheila and Gyles boat the beautiful Peak Forest Canal to Manchester, where they have a go at dry stone walling and discover the hatting history of Denton
