Alfred Wainwright The Man Who Loved the Lakes

BBC 4 Documentary on famous Lakeland Pictorial book writer Alfred Wainwright. Originally from Blackburn Lancashire. Alfred Wainwright MBE was a British fellwalker, guidebook author and illustrator. His seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, published between 1955 and 1966 and consisting entirely of reproductions of his manuscript, has become the standard reference work to 214 of the fells of the English Lake District.

[@pbl7559]

Remarkable man, I actually got quiet emotional watching that....I've just started walking the lakes at 44yrs old, such a beautiful place...just ordered his books to help me on my next visit

[@alexandraolivia8510]

What a wonderful man. I’m 21 and currently ticking the Wainwrights off. I am local to the area so I don’t want to take the Lakes for granted. This was a lovely documentary about him, such an interesting and inspiring person. 🤎

[@HistoryNiche]

Currently on 179 of 214 enjoyed doing them discovered so many new places.

[@marktunnicliffe1725]

I have 2 to do (Dow Crag and Grey Friar) the fells are so wonderful I hope you enjoy them!

[@boldvankaalen3896]

I did the Coast to Coast Walk when I was 18 years old. It changed my life for the better. Thanks Alfred Wainwright!

[@anthonycraddock6739]

Was on Haystacks for the second time yesterday . It’s magical looking towards Buttermere and Crummock water standing on the shoulders of a Lake District giant AW. Walked down to warnscale Bothy and looked through its iconic picturesque window . Brilliant walk starting off at Honister and dropping down below Fleetwith Pike. I moved to Kendal a month ago and can walk to the town hall in 3 minutes. A couple of years ago I had a tour in there where his office was. In wetherspoons around the corner the walls have wainwright pictures up , a couple that you see in this documentary

[@eugenekaufmann1]

Now living in Spain but have frequently walked in the Lake District using Wainwright's amazing guides. I bought all of them primarily for the pen and ink drawings and his ability to express form and texture, landscape and buildings, using simple pen and ink. They are absolute masterpieces, each of them, and could, if necessary, stand on their own as works of art in their own right. The text, the immaculate spacing, the lettering, the whole design of each and every page is a lasting monument to precision, style, fine artistic ability, patience and an unswerving determination to produce a unique piece of work. Thankyou Wainwright.

[@mikebreen2890]

Well said. When I lived on the continent I still went to the UK to walk. Coast to coast twice.

[@StressageDiva]

Until this week I had never heard of Wainwright. We took a family holiday to the lakes and discovered him when we climbed our first Wainwright - Gowbarrow. How wonderful to come across this documentary. The struggles in climbing the fells are such a metaphor for life.

[@BibleBlack667]

Sheer perfection. No idea how many times I've watched this. Many times. Am now going to watch again. One of the very greatest of men. Thank you for posting.

[@94DanielJ]

Same

[@1952mrpdc]

I have been to the Lake District 3 times so far. But this film is absolutely beautiful. The music is spectacular as is the scenery. Thank you for uploading this it is breath taking to watch. This film show's us how beautiful the Lake District really is. I have thoroughly enjoyed this film. It has inspired me to try and do something different. PC. 17. 08. 2023.

[@justaguy9451]

Lake district is a true national treasure, a truly special place

[@PaulMessner]

Thank you for uploading this. Really enjoyed watching. 👍🏻

[@flyingvisit2]

A wonderfully work driven talented man. A pleasure to see and hear about him again. We need more people like him. Thank you I have enjoyed this.

[@HistoryNiche]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@JackKlumpass]

Remarkable person, remarkable story, remarkable achievement.

[@MegaBaz12]

Thoroughly enjoyed this very entertaining documentary not only for the Great Alfred Wainwright.But for the lake district national park both very interesting subjects . Great Documentary Thanks

[@mickjames1609]

One of the most beautiful places in England. I have had the pleasure to walk alone there many years ago. I climbed to the top of Scarfel Pike and wild camped there many years ago. Once i reached the top wow what a beautiful sight. The lakes just was so beautiful as i looked down on them. I have not got any of the Wainwright books so i must look out for them. I also walked to the top of Kirkstone Pass 1500ft this also has beautiful views from the top a nice bar with good food is there so plenty to drink and eat before i descended down with the sheep in the field following me on my way.. Regards Mick....

[@scoobysienna]

just bought the books.i can relate to everything about mr wainwright. if i was a director id make this into a film.

[@RichDavey]

If you understand AWs thoughts you will appreciate the Lakes and every other natural beauty we have in our magical British Isles. If you are struck by its spell I am sure will stay with you!

[@crowtheri]

Magical story that I have watched several times before - dramatised of course but lays clear the sometimes obtuse, difficult, socially challenged, but accurate, single minded, driven and devoted man Wainwright became. A man of such juxtaposed difference but his obsession serves us all well as we wander now amongst the Lakeland fells.

[@23032malvernmick]

Thanks Garry for this, I did the A W's Coast to Coast Walk a few years ago now, plus some of the fells and found his guidebook invaluable. What a love and dedication of the Lakeland Fells he had.

[@jimtilbrook2389]

Watched during Pandemic Lockdown this cheered me up no end really missing getting out on the hills, I’ll have to wait a While though!

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

To the adage" It's never too late!" is true, I just found AW. and through a man calling himself The Wiltshire Man. I made the journey with him thru the lake region in his 3 part Video Wainwright coast to coast. 10 days and 192 miles of beauty, and at each appropriate moment he applauds and makes note of Alfred. And the joy he's gotten from his books, and guides. so now I too can look at my beautiful Berkshire hills of western Massachusetts, with another eye of two men. and relish what they both have given us. Thank you both for your love of country and hills and man.

[@thomasdelaney4714]

Brilliant watch, definitely will buy the books now 👍

[@marktunnicliffe1725]

I have been reading his books since I was about 5. Lovely film.

[@logansoeder6031]

This was really wonderful to watch ❤

[@Ben_Mdws]

Thank you for uploading this - what a great documentary.

[@cycleSCUBA]

'The Wainwright''s' are a term as much used as 'The Lake District Mountains'. What a memorial to the man.

[@lostsoulparty]

Thanks for the upload, so much I didn't know about this fascinating and determined man.

[@backpackingireland8624]

Outstanding story and legacy. Watching all those channels on here of hikers , camping out on all the hills he mapped. Some dedication. 🇮🇪🇮🇪

[@HistoryNiche]

What are Irelands Lakeland fells would you reccomend any in particular. Like to visit Ireland more.

[@JohnPaul-ii]

Well worth spending the time to watch. Thanks for sharing.

[@fandangofandango2022]

I'm Sure the World Could do with a few More Mr Wainwrights

[@anniewardie]

Splendid stuff

[@carolinesmyth127]

Thanks for this upload. Great to get a deeper insight of the man. ✨

[@kevingill648]

Love The Lakes, been there many times! my favourite town is Keswick and favourite lake is Derwent Water.

[@rameshbhole]

Very interesting and inspiring! Thanks!

[@thetruth1862]

What a truly remarkable perfect English gentleman, hanging on in silent desperation

[@markbutler9076]

many thanks for putting this on,got it on dvd but looked on here for ages and only found short snippets of it,big AW fan,good upload Garry!

[@HistoryNiche]

Right I was in the same boat !

[@Room6photography]

Although I'd done maybe 10 of the Wainwright's before, I started walking them in earnest with my girlfriend at the age of 54. So, like others, the books have changed our lives too.

[@sidewaysid]

I have done 67 of the Wainwrights, then I had a problem with my back, then my knees, so I stopped. I am still not 100% right but I am going to try to complete all 214, fortunately, I started by doing the highest first, but I still have some big ones outstanding. Lets see.

[@94DanielJ]

Good luck mate

[@sidewaysid]

Unfortunately I have not been able to continue, I have spinal stenosis, the Doctors are not giving me any help, I know that I could get an operation, but all they say is do Physio, the bastards have ruined my walking.

[@hikingwiththeshackletons]

Great video, we quote AW on all our Lake District high peak videos as some of the quotes are really inspiring. 😊

[@ianoliver3879]

Lovely stuff. Thank you.

[@gardenerkatecarter5911]

One place I would love to visit

[@sidewaysid]

What a brilliant Man, my hero

[@happyhermit2022]

That was great..what a fantastic character 👍

[@Myken1984]

I have just discovered The Lakes at 36y old. Is is truly a magical place. Can't wait until the next visit and will surely use Alfred's guides to plan my next trip. What is this place at 17:00? Could just sit there and admire this view to no end.

[@HistoryNiche]

Looks to be high Street the Far Eastern fells.

[@spellrite1]

That's Castle Crag looking from the north.

[@JohannSebastianWainwright]

It is magical isn’t it? An enchanted land. The finest corner of all the world imo.

[@minchmoorramblers6856]

Beautiful books. I adore them. Works of art. They are highly accurate but I’d still recommend for safety to take an OS map and a Silva type compass incase the clag comes down and you need to take a bearing to walk off or to walk to the next point.

[@asredbirdy]

OOh, I have just found this and it's a bit late to watch now. I've subscribed and WILL watch it tomorrow.

[@red232telephone]

A lot of Blackburn people yearned to get out of Bburn, and see something better. It's natural. He did it, so did my father, both born about the same time, same location.

[@kevinevans2022]

What a story #legend

[@mickeyfinn8956]

Alfred was 100% an Aspie ❤️

[@cycleSCUBA]

I've done 5 mountains in the Lakes, all 'by Wainwright'.

[@wanderingsoul7935]

The lake district is a beautiful place although I never walk there on the summer any more because of the huge amount of people, litter and noise pollution, I find the autumn and winter are the best times to truly walk the fells alone.

[@tranquilwaters7079]

Its true its turned into a massive shithole.

[@edwardstroud8245]

Great documentary. Interesting there was never any mention of his son or their relationship.

[@VictoriaN72]

❤

[@user-sp5fr7nv1e]

Just read his biography- a good difficult man- Asperger of course!

[@wrzlgummidge7663]

Thanks for the upload Garry. When did BBC put this out? atb

[@HistoryNiche]

Its must be a good 5 or 6 years ago.

[@turkeyphant]

Actually it was first broadcast in 2007 and rebroadcast in 2014.

[@sidewaysid]

King of the Mountains

[@nah2106]

does anyone know the name of the song at 18:12

[@leeetchells609]

I was wondering what Wainwright did during the war. He would have been 32 years old when it started. Can't find any info on his national service record.

[@HistoryNiche]

Pennine journey

[@glenroberts7557]

Maybe he wasn't a statist?

[@ryanparker4996]

Maybe he wasnt taken in by all the Jingoism and prefered to avoid taking part in the destruction of Europe.

[@fouracrefamily9801]

I had lost my copy of Wainwright’s Coast to Coast so I found a used one on Amazon and bought it. To my dismay what I received was not a Wainwright but a mediocre interpretation of the walk. I promptly returned it much to the annoyance of the seller who told me I had done her wrong. “Sad,” I thought, for she was the one who lacked the knowledge of this man’s great legacy.

[@newtonwhatevs]

Poor Ruth!

[@jimmycburfield5997]

I get the impression that AW had some Auistic markers

[@marktunnicliffe1725]

Yes I agree, pretty sure that nowadays he would be diagnosed. Funnily enough I am on the spectrum and I used to immerse myself in his books when I was a child!

[@jimmycburfield5997]

@@marktunnicliffe1725 haha, just thinking about my son Sam, aged 12, about to turn 13. He lives for reading, but what a gift! He is a very quiet introverted person. I love being transported to a different world; as a child I wanted to be part of the Secret 7. Bernard Cornwall’s Arthur series or warrior chronicles are the sort of thing I loved.

[@garylockhart526]

I always thought A W was a great philosopher .

[@margaretmoore7034]

A very determined and obsessive man, that's for sure.. but he made a few quid out of the job doing what he loved. But lets not dress this up with fantasy and virtue signals, because the majority of folk who are commenting about him being a kind nice lovely man, well he was far from that.. In fact you would probably have found that he despised most who loved his books, just by the music we may like or the car we drive.. but he still took the money from those folk who bothered to buy his books. He comes across as spiteful and judgemental of other human beings that didn't fit his criteria.. especially children. You can tell by the way his stepdaughter talks about him that she knew exactly what he was.. and his poor son never got a mention hardly.. Old Wainwright once grumbled about Britain being a welfare state.. well it's a good job it was, because he was no father to his son and he spent more money on stray animals than his own son, so its ironic that the welfare state probably fed and clothed Peter.

[@luvit7567]

Yeah, you can pick snippets of that in this documentary.

[@margaretmoore7034]

@@luvit7567 Sorry about the slight ( 2 year delay ) in replying to your response .. But after I have been watching a few video films about John Lennon, which I realise has nothing to do with Alfred Wainwright .. But I have came to a conclusion, that if a man strives for success and he reaches it after his prior life ( ex wife and children etc. ) .. He will brush them to aside like crumbs under a rug ! .. I observed that John Lennon gained a massive following after his break up with The Beatles, yet he totally dismissed the son he Fathered .. Julian Lennon. So John Lennon must have been so obsessed with money and fame , that he actually " SACRIFICED " his first born son so he could keep his foot in the door of Show Biz .. You all know what I am saying . . John Lennon was a PIG !! ...... Because only a PIG does such a thing in Nature or life .. PIG Lennon ignored and disposed of his own son ! .. Oh, and he allowed Epstein to suck his C*CK so the Beatles could get FAME..... Is that not correct Paul ???

[@margaretmoore7034]

@@luvit7567 Sorry if I have caused a bit of confusion to your response.. But I am really enraged by men who father children and ignore them after they are born.. especially when they reach financial success.( millionaires plus ) . Because I think the Father should of the child should NEVER neglect their human child over an ANIMAL .. Just like Wainwright ., who fed stray cats.. rather than his own SON ! . . You old selfish SPITEFUL pig.. Alfred I hope you are enjoying heaven or . . HELL !

[@shahinmiah5561]

Why wasn't he knighted? Queen too busy for this!

[@Is..4110]

So, he wrote some books about some mountains and everybody thinks he's a God send... He did all this at the expense of his 1st wife who selflessly gave her best years to an ungrateful ,selfish narcissist that cheated on her.. This man was an a@#hole...

[@ryanparker4996]

Maybe she was a cunt. Its more than likely.

[@ryanparker4996]

If you white-knight hard enough maybe she will come back from the dead and suck ya dick