BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

BBC One Northern Ireland

Alexander Armstrong

Will Maclean

John Camm

Rosie Saunders

Kate Schofield

Alexander Armstrong's Very British Holiday

Documentaries

Factual: Consumer

Factual: Travel

08/11/2009

BBC One - Alexander Armstrong's Very British Holiday

In 2009, many consumers are forgoing foreign holidays. Can Britain's destinations cope?

Alexander Armstrong explores the state of the great British holiday. In 2009, many consumers are forgoing foreign holidays. Can Britain's destinations cope with the masses?

Alexander Armstrong travels the country to explore the state of the great British holiday.

It is widely acknowledged that 2009 is a bumper year for the UK tourist industry. With the Euro and the Dollar strong, and consumers tightening their belts, Visit Britain, the national tourism body, reckons around one in five Brits - or some 4,000,000 people who holidayed abroad in 2008 - will holiday in the UK. For many in the tourist industry this is the news they have longed for, after two years of falling numbers owing to bad weather.

Can Britain's holiday destinations cope with the masses? Alexander Armstrong visits tourism-dependent businesses before, during and after the busiest season. In this boom-or-bust summer, are the owners ready and prepared for the demands of their guests? Can they thrive and survive, or will the pressure be too much for them? Visiting hotspot locations, Alexander explores life in themed hotels, quaint and quirky B&Bs, family-run holiday parks and unusual attractions. There are moments of tension and jeopardy, as summer 2009's takings may safeguard their business futures. For some their livelihood is at stake. 

Showcasing the splendour of Britain's most beautiful scenery, Alexander travels the country by a variety of transport, from the back seat of the Jones family's Ford Sierra to a packed holiday train, bringing the best of eccentric Britain to life.

BBC One

BBC One is a TV channel that started broadcasting on the 20th April 1964. It replaced BBC Television.

BBC 1

BBC1

The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

BBC One South West

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

BBC One South

BBC One London

London

BBC One West Midlands

BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

BBC One East Midlands

The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East

BBC One North West

The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

BBC One North East & Cumbria

BBC One Yorkshire

BBC One Oxfordshire

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Alexander Armstrong's Very British Holiday

Contributors

Genres

Formats

BBC One Northern Ireland

About BBC One