WHAT is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?
Sir Trevor McDonald may well have reflected on William Henry Davies’ poem Leisure before filming his new ITV1 series.
Britain’s Favourite View does exactly what it says on the tin.
The five-part series, which begins at 8pm next Sunday, features 16 famous faces presenting short films about a particular spot close to their heart.
The first programme sees Des Lynam at the Seven Sisters on the South Downs, Rory Bremner in Edinburgh, Katherine Jenkins at Three Cliffs Bay , Gower Peninsula and David Dickinson in Blackpool.
Later shows include Coronation Street star Sally Whittaker at Wastwater in the Lake District, along with Tim Healy and Denise Welch in Newcastle upon Tyne.
At the end of each edition, viewers can vote for their favourite view from the four films – with the winner going on to the live final.

It’s a simple idea, which also allows the well known personalities to reveal what links them to their own favourite view.


Des, for example, used to cycle to the Seven Sisters (top left) from his childhood home in Brighton.
Stockport-raised David travelled to Blackpool (top right) for family holidays, where as a young man he had a keen eye for the ladies.
Rory is pictured bottom left in Edinburgh, while bottom right is Three Cliffs Bay.
Several of my own favourite views are featured in the series, including Newcastle’s quayside, the view of London from Waterloo Bridge and Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland.
I also have a soft spot for one view not included – Gorey in Jersey, dominated by Mont Orgueil Castle (below).

So what’s your favourite view in Britain?
Let me know by leaving a comment.
William Henry Davies
Mont Orgueil