The Wild Weekenders
CHANNEL 4, 8.00PM
While Richard Ayoade’s Channel 4 series Travel Man is as much comedy as travel show, kept afloat by its host’s wry asides, The Wild
Weekenders is a more straightforward prospect: fronted by a comedian (Adam Buxton), certainly, but in the company of foodie Clem Green and intrepid Paralympics presenter Arthur Williams and offering a genuinely useful guide to some of Britain’s lesser-sung highlights. With the summer looming and budgets stretched, it’s a neat celebration of holidays closer to home.
The opener focuses on Devon, where our hosts try out a range of experiences before picking their own personal favourite. Buxton explores a variety of different camping options, ranging from wild camping to an eco-friendly lodge; Williams goes kayaking and free diving; and Green mounts a horse to try pony herding before going foraging in the company of Tom Hunt, who rejoices in the nickname of “the mushroom whisperer”.
It’s a charming, low-key affair, mixing practical consumer advice with gentle knockabout fun.
The Watchdog team need not have any sleepless nights, but it’s ideal for an idle Friday night in. Gabriel Tate