British Comedy Guide
The Great Outdoors. Image shows from L to R: Christine (Ruth Jones), Bob (Mark Heap)
The Great Outdoors

The Great Outdoors

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Four
  • 2010
  • 3 episodes (1 series)

Three-part comedy series following the hikes, heartaches, friendships and rivalries of a group of ramblers. Stars Mark Heap and Ruth Jones. Stars Mark Heap, Ruth Jones, Steve Edge, Katherine Parkinson, Stephen Wight and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 1

Bob begins a titanic battle of wills with the newest member, Christine, for the heart and soul of his treasured walking group.

Preview clips

Further details

The Great Outdoors. Image shows from L to R: Tom (Steve Edge), Bob (Mark Heap), Hazel (Gwyneth Keyworth). Copyright: BBC / Tidy Productions

Bob begins a titanic battle of wills with the newest member, Christine, for the heart and soul of his treasured walking group. She is freshly arrived from Barnstaple, exiled for a rambling crime she won't speak about. Christine's got a GPS and a lot of state-of-the-art hiking socks; technophobic Bob quickly marks her out as a nemesis in breathable fabrics.

Meanwhile, Bob's teenage daughter Hazel is mortified at the arrival of geeky Victor from her school. Then there is married couple Joe and Sophie. She comes on these walks to relax, but they do tend to get a bit stressful, and now Sophie's looking for another release in her life - which might be Victor.

As the lives of the walkers intertwine, they must face perhaps the greatest horror lurking in the British countryside - the previously cosy village pub which has "gone gastro". How will the group be able to afford lunch at £20 for a main meal, and will the tensions blow Bob's precious group apart for ever?

Broadcast details

Date
Wednesday 28th July 2010
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Four
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Mark Heap Bob
Ruth Jones Christine
Steve Edge Tom
Katherine Parkinson Sophie
Stephen Wight Joe
Joe Tracini Victor
Gwyneth Keyworth Hazel
Guest cast
Phillip Browne Ticket Inspector
Mike Walling Shop Keeper
Dan Mersh Barman
Scott Hazell (as Scott Hazel) Rhino
Writing team
Kevin Cecil Writer
Andy Riley Writer
Production team
Catherine Morshead Director
Alex Walsh-Taylor Producer
David Peet Executive Producer
Paul Schlesinger Executive Producer
Lucien Clayton Editor
Patrick Bill Production Designer
Mark Thomas Composer

Video

Kick Up The Backside!

The rambling group are slowed down by a couple of members. Bob and Christine discuss the must-have essentials for a ramble.

Featuring: Steve Edge (Tom), Mark Heap (Bob) & Ruth Jones (Christine).

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