Open Country

The Menai Strait


Listen Later

Martha Kearney visits the Menai Strait - the stretch of water which separates Ynys Môn or Anglesey from mainland Wales. She learns about its treacherous tides and hears about the history of its two bridges, both built in the 19th century to improve travel between London and Ireland. The Menai Suspension Bridge was designed by Thomas Telford and will celebrate its 200th anniversary at the start of 2026. The newer Britannia Bridge had to be completely rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1970.

Martha meets an academic from Bangor University who explains how ocean physics make the waters of the Strait so dangerous. At low tide she braves the pouring rain to go rock-pooling with a wildlife expert, who explains why the Strait is such a special habitat for marine life. She also visits Church Island - a tiny island in the middle of the Strait which is home to an ancient church - and meets the people who look after it.

Producer: Emma Campbell

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Open CountryBy BBC Radio 4

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

83 ratings


More shows like Open Country

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,707 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,054 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,538 Listeners

The Documentary Podcast by BBC World Service

The Documentary Podcast

1,795 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,818 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,085 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,957 Listeners

Desert Island Discs by BBC Radio 4

Desert Island Discs

2,027 Listeners

Great Lives by BBC Radio 4

Great Lives

505 Listeners

Saturday Live by BBC Radio 4

Saturday Live

36 Listeners

Farming Today by BBC Radio 4

Farming Today

65 Listeners

Gardeners' Question Time by BBC Radio 4

Gardeners' Question Time

280 Listeners

The Food Programme by BBC Radio 4

The Food Programme

270 Listeners

Scotland Outdoors by BBC Radio Scotland

Scotland Outdoors

253 Listeners

Ramblings by BBC Radio 4

Ramblings

163 Listeners

The Plodcast by Our Media

The Plodcast

106 Listeners

Gardening with the RHS by Royal Horticultural Society

Gardening with the RHS

271 Listeners

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast by National Trust

Wild Tales | Nature Podcast

102 Listeners

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II by BBC World Service

13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II

4,170 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,216 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

769 Listeners

As the Season Turns by Ffern

As the Season Turns

244 Listeners

Life Changing by BBC Radio 4

Life Changing

67 Listeners

A Life More Wild by Canopy & Stars

A Life More Wild

24 Listeners

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth by Gyles Brandreth / Plain Jaine Media

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

540 Listeners