Walking Through History (Episode 2): The Dark Age of Northumbria

Tony Robinson embarks on spectacular walks through some of Britain’s most historic landscapes, uncovering the richest stories from the country’s past. In each episode, Tony follows a bespoke route that allows him to explore the history of a particularly colorful period or event — as well as the breathtaking landscapes where those events took place.

In this episode, Tony journeys through the ancient kingdom of Northumbria to uncover its dramatic rise and fall during the Dark Ages. Once a powerful Anglo-Saxon realm, Northumbria was a center of early Christianity, art, and learning. Along the way, Tony explores ruined monasteries, windswept coastlines, and battle-scarred lands—tracing the roots of a forgotten age that helped shape the identity of Britain.