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Susan Calman's Grand Week by the Sea - Episode Guide

Season 1

Great Yarmouth

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: Jun 28, 2021

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The comedian visits Great Yarmouth, where she is joined by Joe Pasquale. Susan starts her tour with a visit to the lord mayor, who sends her off with a list of things to see and do. She takes part in a synchronised swimming performance at Britain's last surviving circus building, takes a ride on a 1930s rollercoaster, and learns the secret of putting words into a stick of rock.

Brighton

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: Jun 29, 2021

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The comedian explores Brighton, joined by Zoe Lyons. The tour begins at the famous viewing tower, and takes in the toy museum and a game of volleyball on one of the few areas on sandy beach the famously shingle-covered coastline has. Susan also tries her hand at the games on Brighton Palace Pier and discovers why the town is becoming famous for locally produced wine.

St Ives

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: Jun 30, 2021

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The comedian's next destination is St Ives. She meets Gyles Brandreth, who tells her of his love of the seaside and his family connections to St Ives, before the two take a beach Tai Chi class.

Southend-on-Sea

Episode: 1x04 | Airdate: Jul 1, 2021

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The comedian visits seaside resorts around the UK, beginning in Southend-on-Sea in Essex,, home to the world's largest pleasure pier and the famous narrow-gauge railway. Susan also creates her own ice cream sundae, takes part in a training exercise with a local lifeboat crew, and talks to Birds of a Feather star Linda Robson about why she has been coming to the town since she was a child.

Blackpool

Episode: 1x05 | Airdate: Jul 2, 2021

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The comedian concludes her coastal tour with a trip to Blackpool, where she enjoys a game of bingo, and is reunited with her Strictly Come Dancing partner Kevin Clifton.

Season 2

Skegness

Episode: 2x01 | Airdate: Aug 1, 2022

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The comedian visits more seaside resorts around the UK, beginning in Skegness, a Lincolnshire seaside town with tourist roots going back hundreds of years. Susan visits landlady Alison at her quintessential British B&B, then meets up with fellow Strictly Come Dancing star Debbie McGee to take on a pirate-themed escape room.

Isle of Wight

Episode: 2x02 | Airdate: Aug 2, 2022

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Susan's week-long seaside tour takes her south to the Isle of Wight, where she visits one of the island's most popular visitor destinations - the Needles Lighthouse. Later, she meets paleontologist Martin Simpson, who reveals the island's fascinating prehistoric past, and joins wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan for a quick game of mini-golf on a pirate-themed course.

Weymouth

Episode: 2x03 | Airdate: Aug 3, 2022

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The comedian visits Weymouth on Dorset's Jurassic Coast, where she heads to the extraordinary Sandworld to learn from an expert, sand sculptor Mark Anderson, and views gigantic sand artworks made by sculptors from all around the world. Later as she explores the harbour, Susan tries her hand at some lobster grilling under the watchful eye of a Michelin-starred chef.

Tenby

Episode: 2x04 | Airdate: Aug 4, 2022

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The presenter's week-long tour of the seaside reaches its penultimate stop in Tenby, jewel of the Pembrokeshire coast. Susan makes her entrance in style, getting a tour of this medieval town in a tuk-tuk. She also meets up with TV presenter Anthea Turner, who reminisces about the many family holidays she enjoyed in Tenby.

Scarborough

Episode: 2x05 | Airdate: Aug 5, 2022

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The presenter's seaside week is drawing to a close, but not before she stops at her final destination - Scarborough, a Yorkshire gem and a resort known for its historic charm. Susan kicks off her adventure by taking a trip on the historic cliff railway, where she's greeted with fabulous views of the beach and surrounding area.

Season 3

Clacton-on-Sea

Episode: 3x01 | Airdate: Jul 28, 2023

Clacton-on-Sea

Susan's adventure begins with a whistle-stop tour of the largest pleasure pier in Europe and the best way to see it all in is from above, so Susan braves the dizzying heights of a Ferris Wheel before rewarding herself with a visit to the arcade! Next on Susan's to-do list is a visit to the theatre, where several stars of stage and screen got their big break. Susan's dreams come true during the rehearsals for the summer show as she is picked to be a magician's assistant.

Then Susan heads to the beach to do something she's never done before… bury herself! Just along the promenade she comes across a 19th-century martello tower designed to protect the coast from Napoleon's invasion (that ultimately never happened.) This one is rather special as they now serve afternoon tea in the moat.

Back on the pier she has a go at making candy floss before meeting up with comedian Nina Wadia, who reminisces about her first trip to Clacton in her teens. Susan and Nina battle it out on the pier's water dodgems, it's a bump or spray situation. Later, further along the coast Nina takes the ultimate pony hack - on the beach.

After Susan checks out a traditional hotel and one of the oldest buildings in town she treats herself to some tiny souvenirs to remind her of the big fun she's had in Clacton-on-Sea. Finally, there's just time to squeeze in a classic beachside game of lawn bowls.

Bournemouth

Episode: 3x02 | Airdate: Aug 4, 2023

Bournemouth

This week Susan is in Bournemouth, starting with a ride on the land train along Bournemouth's seven mile stretch of sandy beach. She then heads to the lower gardens joining other holidaymakers to listen to the band playing in the historic Pine Walk Bandstand. Back on the beach, she spots a game of handball. It's something she's always wanted to try her ‘hand' at – maybe now's her chance.

Along the coast, she boards the ferry to Mudeford which boasts some of the best beach huts in Bournemouth and what's more – you can stay in them. Back in the centre of Bournemouth Susan visits the Russell Cotes Gallery. Perched on the cliff this 19th-century house is a Victorian treasure trove and has quite possibly one of the grandest toilets she has ever seen.

Then she meets Bournemouth local and TV choirmaster Gareth Malone. Always up for some beach side fun, Susan challenges Gareth to a game of Jenga and realises she has met her match.

In nearby Poole, Susan boards another boat, this time a fish and chip cruise along Poole Harbour. Skipper Brian points out the sights including the small peninsula of Sandbanks, otherwise known as, millionaire's row. Meanwhile, Gareth makes a splash as he tries yoga on the sea. He might be good at his ‘omms' with all that singing but how about a headstand?

Along Bournemouth's famous cliffs Susan meets the equally famous cliff goats, ex regimental, retired goat Llewellyn and pals Derek and Hamish. As she takes the cliff lift back to the beach Susan discovers Bournemouth's selfie trail, creating her own holiday memento then meets Gareth again back on the beach for a singalong with Britain's only beach choir - a wonderful way to end her holiday.

Margate

Episode: 3x03 | Airdate: Aug 11, 2023

Margate

Susan's summer by the seaside takes her to Margate on the Kent coast and she arrives in style on an electric rickshaw, right on the seafront. After she takes in the view, she heads to Margate's main beach where she encounters a group playing ultimate Frisbee and decides to give it a go. Soon after, she spots a local Margate institution, Manning's seafood stall and tries her very first tub of cockles. Next, she goes in search of one of a mystery - the Shell Grotto. She is amazed by this underground cavern, with over 4.6 million shells adorning its walls.

After chatting to other holidaymakers on the seafront she heads out to beautiful Botany Bay where she comes across sand artist Ross who draws the most incredible designs in the sand. Then back in Margate, and a wander along the promenade, brings her to the sundeck where she gets her skates on at the roller disco with local skater and hand holder Norman.

At Margate's pleasure park Dreamland, Susan meets actress Sally Lindsay. Sally shares with Susan her love for Margate and Dreamland and they muster up the courage for a ride on the Ghost Train.

In nearby Broadstairs, Sally goes for a paddle as she discovers Charles Dicken's love of this quaint seaside town. And back in Margate, Susan indulges her passion for toys at the Hornby museum.

When it comes to B&Bs there's nowhere quirkier than Margate as Susan checks out what's on offer, though she might not want to stay the night in a prison cell. She's then off to the old town for an ice cream and can't leave without the ultimate souvenir – a kiss-me-quick hat.

Southwold

Episode: 3x04 | Airdate: Aug 18, 2023

Southwold

This week, Susan's summer holiday by the sea takes her to Southwold on the Suffolk coast.

Susan starts by viewing this charming seaside spot from up high - the town's lighthouse - which isn't at all where you'd expect. The spectacular views of the coast tempt Susan into setting sail to explore Southwold from the sea. It's a little choppier than she bargained for but the breath-taking scenery makes it all worthwhile.

The picturesque village of Walberswick is Susan's next port of call. To get there she takes one of the shortest and most fabulous ferry rides in the world. On the other side, Susan hears all about the local pastime of crabbing before heading back to Southwold's pier, where she visits one of the quirkiest attractions she's ever seen. The ‘Under the Pier Show' is a unique collection of coin-operated machines, which leave Susan not knowing whether to laugh, cry or both!

At the beach, Interior design guru, Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen, enjoys the outdoors with Susan as they attempt a game of quoits. Although he's a fan of the seaside, Laurence isn't exactly at one with nature, but during his trip to Minsmere Nature Reserve he falls head over designer heels in love with the hobby and the RSPB's emblematic bird, the Avocet.

Nearby Thorpeness is a must-see for Susan. She calls in at a holiday let that stands out above the rest and takes a rowing boat on a lake in the heart of the village, where she hears all about the local landowner's incredible vision to create his own purpose-built holiday resort - a Victorian Centre Parcs.

Before her Southwold jaunt comes to an end, Susan takes a peek inside one of the area's iconic beach huts. It's safe to say Southwold and the surrounding villages have found a place in Susan's heart.

Cleethorpes

Episode: 3x05 | Airdate: Aug 25, 2023

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The comedian heads to Cleethorpes, and explores a mock castle before properly losing herself in the Lincolnshire town, where she stumbles across a maze. Susan then hits the beach for a spot of stunt kite-flying before taking a trip on the Cleethorpes Coastal Light Railway, which conveys her to one of the smallest pubs on the planet.

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