Arnside to feature in BBC TV programme about coastal villages

Villages by the Sea will return on BBC Two after a successful first run in 2019, and will showcase Arnside, as well Alnmouth and Bamburgh in Northumberland, Staithes in Yorkshire, Thorpeness in Suffolk, and Charlestown in Cornwall.

In the series, archaeologist Ben Robinson explores six of our most stunning coastal villages, from Northumberland to Suffolk and Cornwall, going beyond the postcard image to discover deeper stories about England’s past.

Ben is joined by national experts and local enthusiasts in his quest. Using clues from buildings, street patterns, artefacts and the landscape Ben unwraps why the village is there, who lived there, and how.

Purple Productions, based in Manchester, secured the commission after a competitive tender process.

The show will be part of a raft of new TV programmes that reflect contemporary life across England which have been commissioned by the BBC.

BBC England, which is also the home to the BBC’s local and regional services, has adopted a new approach to TV commissioning, working with BBC One, Two, Three and Four to better serve audiences across the country.

The aim is to focus on original stories, reflect the lives of people in communities across the country, and partner with independent production companies based around England.

The Lancaster district is currently featuring in several TV shows - filming is under way for a third series of ITV drama The Bay, while James Nesbitt was spotted in Morecambe last month during filming for new Netflix drama Stay Close.

And in February, TV crews were at the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park to shoot scenes for the new series of BBC drama Peaky Blinders.