Julia Bradbury is the headline speaker at BTTS. We catch up with her about her career promoting the great outdoors
What are you going to talk about at BTTS?
I’m going to be talking about my travels around the world, how I got into TV, and my first big break getting the LA correspondence job in Hollywood for GMB (then called GMTV). But my main focus will be the UK and the incredibly diverse and beautiful landscapes we have on our doorstep. It was my dad Michael who instilled my passion for our green bits, taking me hiking across the Peak District when I was a little girl.
What do you hope group tour organisers will take away from the session?
‘Session’ sounds so formal! When I’m filming I try and see travel from the viewer’s perspective – the customer in your business, so I hope the audience is entertained by some of the stories about how telly works, and some of the quirky things that can happen on location.
Any highlights of your career?
Many! Starting out in LA as a young 20-something-year-old chasing film stars up and down the red carpet; tackling consumer issues face-on for the public presenting Watchdog on BBC1; taking Countryfile into its primetime slot on Sunday evenings with my friend Matt Baker; highlighting the issue of homelessness and sleeping rough for Famous Rich and Homeless for Sport Relief, which was watched by millions; travelling the world for Rough Guide; Wish You Were Here; adventures with the black bears of Minnesota for Planet Earth Live… and hopefully more to come.
Do you have any advice for group tour organisers looking to incorporate the great outdoors in their tours?
The popularity of shows like Countryfile and my walking series shows there is an appetite and appreciation for the great outdoors. I think walks and camping adventures should be offered as part of some more adventurous packages for true connecting-with-nature experiences.
It’s good for physical and mental wellbeing, and it doesn’t have to be a gung-ho experience – there are plenty of lovely glamping locations and shepherd’s huts around the country.
You’ve just released a new book. What’s it about?
Unforgettable Walks accompanies last year’s series of walks on ITV and includes the stories behind those walks, in locations such as the South Downs, the Lake District, Cumbria, Dorset and the Peak District, where I started my outdoor adventures with my lovely dad Michael. Eight walks in all, with a bit of back story about how we make the shows, and how I went from Hollywood to High Cup Nick in Cumbria.
