Simon Reeve claimed his series about the Lake District exposes how the rural, white working classes have been pushed out of the country by middle class buyers who are buying up homes that they do not live in.
The BBC adventurer, 49, who lives on the east side of Dartmoor with his wife, Anya, and their son, Jake, 10, focuses on the issue of class in his new show, Touring the Lake District.
He told The Telegraph that he realized the most important thing about the series: “The countryside is becoming an area primarily or only for the middle classes.” It’s becoming harder for rural Britain to become poorer.
Then he explained how national park properties are about 20% more expensive than homes outside of the region. He also noted that only two houses in a village near Ambleside are fully-occupied.
Simon Reeve is 49 and lives in Dartmoor East with Anya, their wife, and their 10-year-old son Jake. He focuses his show Touring the Lake District on the subject of class. Pictured, at Haweswater, Lake District National Park
The best-selling broadcaster and author also examines the financial difficulties of hill farmers in his latest adventure. David Thompson (farmer) and his Fell Ponies at the Lake District National Park are shown.
The best-selling broadcaster and author also examines the financial difficulties of hill farmers. He hears directly from residents who are upset by the sudden increase in crime. Second homes or holiday rentals in the country.
He also pays a visit to Whitehaven and Barrow-in-Furness – towns outside the national park – where he learns that job opportunities are scarce, meaning possible struggles for younger generations.
“We want rural Britain to be able to thrive, so we have got the responsibility of ensuring that the countryside remains a place where everyone can live and work,” said the BBC travel journalist.
“We do not want the situation in which the worker bees live in tiny towns near national parks, and then commute to work for the rich and tourists.”
On 14/10/2021, Lorraine aired the adventures of this adventurer on ITV.
As an example, the adventurer used Switzerland as a model, citing Switzerland’s cap on second-home ownership at 20%. This suggests that Britain should address the matter sooner than expected.
He said, “These are parts of Britain that we don’t get to always see,” he continued. “The rural white working class is undoubtedly one of the least-reachable and underserved parts of this country.”
Reeve, who revealed that his accent was from west London, lost it quickly after he began working for a newspaper. He also encouraged his son to do the same so that he could’seamlessly’ move between situations.
He continued to ask if it was possible for the country to become so self-centered.
“What would the Brits think if called up to combat the Nazis?” He added. “I’m really curious if we’re so brainwashed into believing that individualism is the best thing and “because we’re worthy of it” that our minds would go “Well, I’m not bloody you.”