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The duo explore the beauty of Cumbria’s lakes on their quest to unearth the spirit of northern England – with mint cake in Kendal, boating on Windermere and a bet at Carlisle races.

Royle Family dad and son Ricky Tomlinson and Ralf Little have reunited on a hilarious and heartwarming camper van adventure across the length and breadth of northern England, exploring just how much it has changed in the 20-odd years since they first met.

This time, they are driving their home from home through Cumbria’s Lake District to see if life nearer the Scottish border makes for a different kind of β€˜northern-ness’ – while taking in some of the most famously breathtaking scenery in the British Isles.

Along the way, they get a taste of life in border town Carlisle, laying a bet or two at the town’s famed racecourse with one of the natives, journalist and broadcaster Grace Dent.

But there are plenty of other eventful stop-offs: making mint cake in Kendal, visiting the utterly unique pencil museum in Keswick (well, Cumbria is the birthplace of the pencil), boating on beautiful Lake Windermere and trying a taster menu at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

As they cruise the countryside, the pair also discover they can both do a startlingly accurate impression of bearded acting legend and son of the north Brian Blessed – which becomes something of a recurring theme for them both as the trip unfolds.

45 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Ralf Little
Presenter Ricky Tomlinson
Executive Producer John Quinn
Production Manager Kelly Lawlor

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