Walking Podcasts
Although it’s pretty rare that I listen to the radio or any kind of music when out on the hills, having something to occupy my brain on my early morning walks into town and back is essential. Not only does a good podcast or radio show drown out the traffic and make the time go a bit faster, but it gives me a chance to catch up on the news and reviews I may have missed. Now that I’ve upgraded my phone to a Blackberry Bold (wooohooo) I’ve lost the FM radio that came with my previous mobile (boo) but I’m catching up with an even wider range of podcasts which is a GOOD THING. Here are ten of my current favourites:
1. Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo’s Film Reviews – Radio 5
Unmissable weekly film review from the good Doctor and Mr Mayo. I’m not much of a film goer but I haven’t missed a episode of this in 2 years and it’s a treat I look forward to every Friday.
2. Collings and Herrin Podcast
This is a brilliant but quite extraordinarily rude weekly show by journalist Andrew Collins and comedian Richard Herring. If you think swearing is funny (which I do) then this round up of UK news and celeb gossip is a must.
“The week’s news as seen by bloggers, podcasters and citizen journalists” says the website and I couldn’t have put it better myself.
Travel show – perfect listening on a grim Yorkshire morning.
5. Ramblings with Clare Balding – Radio 4
Different walks around the UK – much more interesting than I’m making it sound here.
Not a podcast as such but a collection of Radio 4 shows on mp3 – some absolute gems including comedies and documentaries.
Too few and too far between but a wonderful treat
8. 606 Football Phone-in – Radio 5
Especially when the incomparable Danny Baker is in the chair.
Excellent podcasts about backpacking, hiking etc in the UK. Bob Cartwright is a legend!
10. Countryfile
Informative podcast about the UK countryside and the happenings within it.
I’d be very interested in hearing your recommendations 
I like to listen to audio books – gives me a chance to ‘read’ those books I’ve been too busy to read!
Good idea – I’ll have a look on ITunes…..:-)
Hello Came across your blog via “Beating the Bounds”. Thanks for the list of podcasts. Bob C’s are indeed superb and there is a vast back library to go through. His recent output has been lower in quantity but not quality – this must reflect the time it must take to put them together whilst he’s also doing his best to make a living from http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk
I’d also add the BBC Scotland Outdoors blogs as a recommendation. In the past I tried various US outdoor podcasts, but to be honest found the scene there so different to the UK that I stopped subscribing. If anyone has other recommendations I’d be glad to give them a go.
Hi Phil
Many thanks for your comments. I used to listen to a brilliant US podcast about the Appalachian Trail but I can’t for the life of me remember the name of it now. You’re right though – the US ones seem from another planet compared to the ones from the UK.
Blimey, where to start? Okay, if you want quirky American humour, I’d suggest The Sound of Young America, Go Jordan Jesse and You Look Nice Today. I’m glad to see you listening to Danny Baker’s 606 show, which is possibly the finest thing in all of British radio/podcasts at the moment. Mike Schmidt’s 40 Year old boy is an acquired taste, not for everyone, quite shouty, but has me in tears sometimes. Likewise with Keith and the Girl.
For a bit of music, I’d go for Pete Cooper’s Bleepshow for electronic music, and Kooba Radio for unsigned and different indie music.
Finally for now, as I know you’re a bit of a geek, have a go at TWIT (This week in Tech) and Cranky Geeks, for casual chat and Silicon valley gossip in general.
That about scrapes the surface of my podcast listening habit…
Nice site! Thanks for the great post