Episode 1/22

@ Heart of Oak
Benson begins his tour of "Northern England" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations!
Map of England, North
The pets start their journey in Derbyshire, in the east Midlands, and travel up to see the base of the famous Red Arrows aerobatic display team before moving on to the Peak District. From there they explore Cheshire and Lancashire and the Lake District National Park. They can enjoy visits to popular seaside resorts on the west and east coasts, and will see York, one of England’s finest and most beautiful historic cities, called Jorvik by Viking invaders who settled there. They then travel up the North Yorkshire coast spotting British fauna and flora before stopping at Newcastle on Tyne for a final night before crossing the border into bonnie Scotland!
Heart of Oak
England's national tree is the Royal Oak, quercus robur. The English oak has assumed the status of a national emblem. This has its origins in the oak tree at Boscobel House, where the future King Charles II hid from his Parliamentarian pursuers in 1650 during the English Civil War; the tree has since been known as the Royal Oak. This event was celebrated nationally on 29 May as Oak Apple Day, which is continued to this day in some communities. 'The Royal Oak' is the third most popular pub name in Britain (541 in 2007) and has been the name of eight major Royal Navy warships. The naval associations are strengthened by the fact that oak was the main construction material for sailing warships. The Royal Navy was often described as 'The Wooden Walls of Old England' (a paraphrase of the Delphic Oracle) and the Navy’s official quick march is "Heart of Oak". In folklore, the Major Oak is where Robin Hood is purportedly to have taken shelter. Furthermore, the oak is the most common woodland tree in England. An oak tree has been depicted on the reverse of the pound coin (the 1987 and 1992 issues) and a sprig of oak leaves and acorns is the emblem of the National Trust.

Episode 2/22

@ Derbyshire Dream
"It says in our tour brochure that Rolls-Royce is based in Derby," remarked Alexandra. "They are working on the UltraFan."
"Do we go near there?" asked Benson. "I could do with a new fan."
"Oh, Benson! It's a whopping great thing designed for aeroplanes. It would cost millions and would totally fill your living room!"
Derbyshire Dream
There's something about this peaceful Derbyshire scene that makes one want to climb the nearest hill and drink in the morning sunrise! Summer or winter, Derbyshire, with its glorious Peak District National Park, is a fantastic place to visit for family days out, short breaks and holidays.

Episode 3/22

@ Red Arrows Elan
"Today's trivia question!" announced Sir John Dee. "What's the longest river in Derbyshire?"
"I don't know, Sir John Dee. Do you mean the longest river that's totally contained within Derbyshire or longer ones that run through it and beyond, or——"
Sir John Dee cut this short. "The longest river in Derbyshire is the River Derwent at 106 km or 66 miles."
Red Arrows Elan
The Red Arrows have a prominent place in British popular culture, with their aerobatic displays a fixture of summer events. The badge of the Red Arrows shows the aircraft in their trademark diamond nine formation, with the motto Éclat, a French word meaning "brilliance" or "excellence". The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team was formed in late 1964 and is based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

Episode 4/22

@ Peak District Patchwork
"Today's fun fact about Derbyshire!" said Hearts. "Its county flower is the Polemonium caeruleum."
"Polly-what?" queried Benson.
"It's also known as Jacob's Ladder. It has lavender coloured flowers and reaches a height of 18-24 inches. It says it requires moist soil and less sunlight than other flowers. Probably why it does so well in the north of England!"
Peak District Patchwork
The Peak District National Park covers 555 square miles (1,438 square km) and extends over parts of the counties of Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Staffordshire, and Cheshire.

Episode 5/22

@ Shivering Mountain
"Eh up Benson!" said Jazzabell. Benson was completely puzzled. Jazzabell grinned. "We're in t' North o' England now, Benson! Let's get into the dialect to enjoy it all the more!"
Shivering Mountain
Mam Tor (517m/1696 feet high) is an iconic hill in the Derbyshire Peak District, standing just outside the pretty village of Castleton. It lies on the border of the gritstone edges of the Dark Peak and the limestone plateaux of the White Peak. Its dramatic and distinctive skyline can be seen from almost all points throughout the area. It is also known as the Shivering Mountain due to its propensity for landslips caused by unstable lower levels of shale!

Episode 6/22

@ Cheshire Snow Scene
"It says in our tour brochure that Rolls-Royce is based in Derby," remarked Robby. "They are working on the UltraFan."
"Do we go near there?" asked Benson. "I could do with a new fan."
"Oh, Benson! It's a whopping great thing designed for aeroplanes. It would cost millions and would totally fill your living room!"
Cheshire Snow Scene
This field in Poynton, Cheshire, in north-west England, is transformed by a light fall of snow and is a picture in the misty morning!

Episode 7/22

@ Blackpool Tower
"It says in our tour guide that Blackpool Tower is 518 feet or 158m tall," read Chocolicious. "And it was built in 1894, inspired by the Eiffel Tower, completed in 1889."
"Well, Blackpool looks great fun, but Paris it ain't!" grinned Benson.
Blackpool Tower
Blackpool is a seaside resort in north-west England. The iconic tower was built in 1894. Take a trip 380ft into the sky to the top of The Blackpool Tower and experience the thrilling SkyWalk. Walk out—if you dare—onto the five-centimetre thick glass viewing platform, where you can look out into the Irish Sea and see the famous Blackpool Promenade below you. See the North West of England spread out before you with views over Bowland, up to the Lake District and on a clear day down to Liverpool and across to the Isle of Man.

Episode 8/22

@ Beau Monde It Ain't
Benson was pleased to find a small bakery where the bread was made on the premises, so he went in and asked the rabbit at the counter for half a dozen rolls.

"Do you mean baps?" she replied. Benson looked puzzled, so she tried again. "Bread cakes? Buns? Barm cakes?"

"How about a croissant?" asked Benson.
Beau Monde It Ain't
Let's be frank—it's not subtle. But if you're up for some good old-fashioned seaside fun with fish & chips on the prom, deckchairs, buckets & spades on the beach, rollercoasters, bingo and fruit machines, circus clowns and old-time afternoon tea dances to the sound of organ music, then this is the spot for you. Is it the UK Vegas? You'll have to decide for yourself!

Episode 9/22

@ Lake District
Benson was pleased to find a small bakery where the bread was made on the premises, so he went in and asked the rabbit at the counter for half a dozen rolls.

"Do you mean baps?" she replied. Benson looked puzzled, so she tried again. "Bread cakes? Buns? Barm cakes?"

"How about a croissant?" asked Benson.
Lake District
England's largest National Park is now a World Heritage Site, home to Scafell Pike—its highest mountain, Wastwater—its deepest lake, and thriving communities like Keswick and Bowness-on-Windermere. The Lake District is known for its high rainfall. The weather in Britain mostly comes from the Atlantic, and when the clouds hit the mountains of the Lake District, they rise, the water vapour within the clouds cools, condenses and falls as rain or snow.

Episode 10/22

@ Quirkish Delight
Balthazar sat down on a park bench next to Benson, where he was eating a snack he had bought at a fish and chip shop. "I see you bought a rissole," observed Balthazar. "Same as me!"

"No, this is a fish cake," Benson replied. "How come you think that is a rissole?

Balthazar laughed. "They do say the dialect changes every bus stop in the North - looks like the names for things change just as quickly, too!"
Quirkish Delight
This pretty dwelling is in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. From its greenery-bedecked sloping path to its neat little porch, to the attractive bow windows from which to view the wildlife, it's totally adorable!

Episode 11/22

@ Gin Palace
Benson was a bit tired after visiting so many new places in such a short time. "You look reet knackered, luv," said a passing stoat. "Ow about a cuppa?"
Gin Palace
One of the city's most iconic buildings is the 16th century Herbert House. It's just a few seconds’ walk from the Shambles, one of the most famous streets in York.

Episode 12/22

@ The Grand Old Rose of York
“I must say, I'm enjoying our meals in northern England, Badger. I think it's real, proper grub—no fancy stuff, but it’s hot, it’s filling, it’s essentially cheap ingredients but beautifully cooked. A good pan of Scouse, a hotpot, a chip barm," said Benson.
"What are those dishes, Benson?" queried Badger.
"The first two are essentially stews and the last one is a bread roll filled with fried chips—or French fries, if you like," grinned Benson. "Also known as a chip butty or a roll and chips."
The Grand Old Rose of York
No day trip is complete without a visit to a gift shop to pick up a souvenir or two! What will your pet choose? Perhaps a picture of York Minster by a local artist, a Yorkshire breakfast tea mug, a keyring or a jigsaw? Note the emblem next to the Union Flag. The White Rose of York was adopted in the 14th century as an heraldic badge of the royal House of York. In modern times it is used more broadly as a symbol of the county of Yorkshire.

Episode 13/22

@ Flamborough Cliffs
"They have very big pints here," said Benson as he stood at the bar of a pub with Khisanth.

The barpet explained. "A pint is 20 fluid ounces here, but just 16 in the USA."

"Is that why gas is so expensive here?" asked Benson.
Flamborough Cliffs
Bridlington is a coastal town of the North Sea, nicknamed the "Lobster Capital of Europe" with over 300 tonnes of the crustaceans being landed there each year. It holds one of the UK's coastal weather stations, reports from which are included on the BBC's Shipping Forecast.

Episode 14/22

@ Nuthatch Patch
Benson was delighted to find a preserved steam railway, and decided to have a ride; he went to the ticket office where a labrador was selling tickets.

"That'll be four and six," said the labrador.

"Four what and six what?" asked Benson.

"We use pre 1970s money here to be authentic," the labrador 'explained'. "That's two florins and a tanner. Or half a crown and two bob."

Benson walked on a bit further and caught the electric tram instead.
Nuthatch Patch
Nuthatches are best looked for in mature woods and established parkland throughout England and Wales. It is a plump bird that resembles a small woodpecker. It is blue-grey above with an orangey-chestnut on its sides and under its tail. It has a long black pointed bill and black stripe on its white face which looks a bit like a narrow mask. It breeds throughout England and Wales and has recently began to breed in southern Scotland. It is a resident, with birds seldom travelling far from the woods where they hatch.

Episode 15/22

@ Gather Ye Orange Blossoms
"Here's a fun fact from the itinerary, Benson!" called out Delilah. "Pencils were invented in 1564 in the Lake District, north-west England. There’s the Derwent Pencil Museum, to mark the fact."
"Gosh, Delilah! I've never thought of pencils as having been invented. What else does it say?"
"The graphite mine in Seathwaite was the source used for the first pencils. In the museum you can see the world’s longest and largest pencils and a number of peculiar exhibits that include pencils used by spies for espionage."
Gather Ye Orange Blossoms
Orange flowers can express your feelings of happiness, optimism, creativity, vitality and enthusiasm. Orange has several very positive meanings. In India, it is a sacred color; it represents the purifying fire, the liberation, as well as the balance of the spirit and the senses. A bouquet containing orange flowers is a sincere wish for happiness.

Episode 16/22

@ Flag Bunting
"It's Bakewell Pudding on the menu tonight, Benson!" said Solo.
"Is that a first course or a second course, Solo?"
"It's for afters. It's a pastry base with a layer of raspberry jam and topped with a filling made of egg and almond paste. It's really yummy! Especially with hot custard."
Flag Bunting
There's nothing the British enjoy more than a street party, whether it's to celebrate a Royal wedding or other major event! Trestle tables groan with cheese and pickle sandwiches, sausage rolls, cakes of all kinds and jugs of orange squash!

Episode 17/22

@ Tea and Biscuits
Benson was concerned he might be behind schedule, so he asked a passing fox what the time was.

"Five while eight," replied the fox, as it rushed off to catch a bus.

Benson was none the wiser ...
Tea and Biscuits
Loved by all, young and old alike, the good old Jammie Dodger, two layers of shortbread sandwiched with fruity raspberry jam, is a national treasure and a happy addition to any family biscuit tin! It's the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.

Episode 18/22

@ St Mary's Lighthouse
"I didn't know they played football here," said Benson.

"They play soccer, they just call it football," said Pickles.

"Yer ruddy joking!" said a passing badger. "The only REAL football is Rugby!"
St Mary's Lighthouse
Reached between the tides via a short causeway, St Mary's has all the fascination of a miniature part-time island. The lighthouse, completed in 1898 on a hazardous coast for shipping, remained operational until 1984 when it was superseded by modern navigational techniques. Since then the lighthouse and former keepers' cottages have been operated as a visitor centre by North Tyneside Council. The surrounding Nature Reserve contains an area of rockpools, clifftop grassland, a beach and newly created wetland habitats. It is not possible for the lighthouse to open on some days because of tidal conditions.

Episode 19/22

@ Baltic State
“I must say, I'm enjoying our meals in northern England, Lilly. I think it's real, proper grub—no fancy stuff, but it’s hot, it’s filling, it’s essentially inexpensive ingredients but beautifully cooked. A good pan of Scouse, a hotpot, a chip barm," said Benson.
"What are those dishes, Benson?" queried Lilly.
"The first two are essentially stews and the last one is a bread roll filled with fried chips—or French fries, if you like," grinned Benson. "Also known as a chip butty or a roll and chips."
Baltic State
The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, a renovated flour mill and now international centre for contemporary art.

Episode 20/22

@ Sensitive Plant
"Here's a fun fact from the itinerary, Benson!" called out Flatts. "Pencils were invented in 1564 in the Lake District, north-west England. There’s the Derwent Pencil Museum, to mark the fact."
"Gosh, Flatts! I've never thought of pencils as having been invented. What else does it say?"
"The graphite mine in Seathwaite was the source used for the first pencils. In the museum you can see the world’s longest and largest pencils and a number of peculiar exhibits that include pencils used by spies for espionage."
Sensitive Plant
Did you know that almost half the world's bluebells are found in the UK? They are relatively rare in the rest of the world. The bluebell has many names: English bluebell, wild hyacinth, wood bell, bell bottle, Cuckoo’s Boots, Wood Hyacinth, Lady’s Nightcap and Witches’ Thimbles. The bluebell has held a treasured place in the hearts of British people for centuries. It has been an inspiration to poets and writers such as Oscar Wilde, Emily and Anne Bronte, Gerard Manley Hopkins and Percy Bysshe Shelley. They don’t like change or disturbance, preferring ancient woods where the ground has lain undisturbed for years. They are actually a very fragile flower.

Episode 21/22

@ Royal Mint Glint
"Hey, Chef's included some Eccles cakes and Lancashire cheese in our lunch packs today, Foxy," enthused Benson.
"Goodness! What is an Eccles cake?" asked Foxy.
"It's a small flaky pastry pie containing currants and sprinkled with sugar on top. It's eaten with a slice of the cheese," explained Benson.
Royal Mint Glint
British coins are minted in copper- or nickel-plated steel, cupronickel and nickel-brass. The one- and two-pound coins are bimetallic. The coins are discs, except for the twenty pence and fifty pence pieces, which have heptagonal curves of constant width, and one-pound coins, which have twelve edges. All circulating coins have an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, and various national and regional designs, and the denomination, on the reverse. All current coins carry an abbreviated Latin inscription whose full form, ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX, translates to "Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith". This image shows English bank notes—Scottish banks issue their own notes. Although in theory Scottish bank notes can be used in England (and vice versa), in practice assistants in smaller shops often reject payment with Scottish money, which doesn't help Anglo-Scottish relations ...

Episode 22/22

@ Fly the Flag
As Benson's tour of "Northern England" comes to an end, he rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day.
Relaxing Lavender Beech Tree
If you need someplace to unwind from a stressful day, look no further than this softly hued tree. The soft leaves overhead release a gentle scent of lavender to ease your stress away.
Fly the Flag
As the pets approach the border of Scotland ready for the next leg of their British Isles tour, they celebrate their last night in England. Carefully packing away the Union flag, they take out the blue and white saltire ready for when they enter Scotland the next day!
Benson has completed their tour of "Northern England"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of "The British Isles"!