Britain's Best Drives

The 2009 BBC Studios production, Britain's Best Drives, is a unique travel adventure series that embarks on a nostalgic journey through some of the UK's most stunning landscapes, retro-style. This strays from the standard crowd, offering an entertaining mix of cultural exploration, travel narration, history, and sparkling dash of vintage charm making it an ideal watch for anyone intrigued by both automobiles and UK travel.

The captivating series comprises six half-hour episodes, each shot beautifully in high definition, leading the viewer through remarkable British settings from the nostalgic perspective of classic cars of the 1950s. Steven Blakey serves as the director of the series with Richard Wilson, a renowned actor from the British stage and screen, as the charismatic host, steering the drives with his affable persona.

The premise of the show is refreshingly simple and immersive: Travel through Britain in six of the most popular cars from the 1950s. The engaging host, Richard Wilson, is far from being an obvious car enthusiast, rather, he sets out on these drives with a novice's curiosity and a travel lover's excitement, his enthusiasm about the experience clearly radiating towards the audience.

Starting from the picturesque lanes of the Lake District via an Austin Cambridge to the rugged highlands of Scotland in a Rover P4, every episode is a new exploration of a landscape, local history, and the particular car it features. The other episodes see Wilson cruising through locations like the Yorkshire Dales in a Ford Zodiac, North Wales through the windows of a Triumph TR3, the Devon coastline via a Bentley S1, and the stunning Northumberland coast in the classic Morris Minor.

Highlighting the quintessential charm and beauty of Britain's landscapes, the series captures the essence of 1950s with its unique vintage palette. With each drive, Wilson paints an expressive narration of the culture, traditions, and history associated with the designated regions, thus dishing out travel information along with local folklore and anecdotes. It’s not just the serene landscapes and compelling history that make this show a delight but also the procession of eye-catching vintage cars that give us an authentic glimpse into the past.

One of the sparkling features of the series is that it's not just about the landscape but about the journey and the experiences, too. It unveils natural wonders, historical intrigues, and local nuances at a leisurely, immersive pace. The blend of charismatic narration, humor, curiosity, and the back-to-the-roots approach makes the series accessible to all viewers from all walks of life, not just the car enthusiasts or history buffs.

Each episode concludes with a quick review of the car Wilson drove in the episode. This personal reflection contributes a personal touch and light skepticism about their practicality today, making for a delightful watch for automobile enthusiasts, adding a dash of motor trivia to the scenic extravaganza. His expressive observations of the car’s performance and design highlight the pros and cons, painting a vivid picture of what driving felt like during those times.

In Britain's Best Drives, Wilson proves to be a versatile host, effortlessly blending humor, excitement, and wonder, becoming a gateway for viewers to step into the past. His rapport with the locals and the interactive sessions with them add depth to the narrative, making it more conversational and insightful.

Overall, Britain's Best Drives, with its unrushed and organic tempo, effortlessly encapsulates the mood of a quintessential British road trip, offering an aesthetic dose of travel, culture, and vintage automobiles. It's a wholesome show that strikes a chord with viewers who appreciate the charm of a road-trip, the allure of history and culture, and the evolving beauty of automobiles. If you are inclined towards tranquil scenic drives, the cultural tapestry of Britain, or the enchanting allure of vintage cars, Britain's Best Drives is a drive worth taking.