Walking Wartime Britain

Pilot and former Royal Marine Arthur Williams walks across Britain to discover the people and places that changed the course of the Second World War. He begins his journey in Liverpool.

Arthur is in South Devon, a region that witnessed an unprecedented influx of wartime visitors. Arthur takes a steam train to Paignton, following in the footsteps of thousands of London's evacuee children.

Arthur starts his walk at St Paul's Cathedral, which became the iconic symbol of the Blitz, having survived the intense bombing that left its neighbouring buildings in ruins. Arthur also learns how the blackout affected London's nightlife.

Arthur learns about the secret operations that occurred in Hampshire during the war.

Arthur begins his walk in Leiston, on the Suffolk coast. Here, he discovers how coastal defences were built to impede German troops, including concrete blocks, exploding riverbanks and even a pillbox hidden in a church.

Arthur's journey ends in South Wales, the industrial heartland of wartime Britain, where he learns about the barrage balloons that protected the docks and the story of the Bevin Boys.