Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild

Ben makes his way to Restoration Island, a secluded location perched on the edge of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The journey carries him to this isolated speck of land surrounded by the reef’s vibrant waters, providing a quiet backdrop for his planned visit. He anticipates a relaxed stay, away from the bustle of city life. The purpose of Ben’s trip is to spend time with David Glasheen, a former businessman who once operated out of Sydney. Glasheen, now based on the island, offers Ben a chance to catch up and share experiences in this tranquil setting, away from the pressures of his previous corporate world. The meeting provides a rare opportunity for personal reflection.

Ben makes his way to Restoration Island, a secluded location perched on the edge of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. The journey carries him to this isolated speck of land surrounded by the reef’s vibrant waters, providing a quiet backdrop for his planned visit. He anticipates a relaxed stay, away from the bustle of city life. The purpose of Ben’s trip is to spend time with David Glasheen, a former businessman who once operated out of Sydney. Glasheen, now based on the island, offers Ben a chance to catch up and share experiences in this tranquil setting, away from the pressures of his previous corporate world. The meeting provides a rare opportunity for personal reflection.

The adventurer sets off for Alaska, intent on meeting a couple who have trekked an astonishing 4,000 miles to reach their new settlement. After that arduous journey, the pair are now living in a modest coastal village, where they're raising their two children. The story follows the visitor’s arrival and the family’s daily life amidst the rugged, sea‑bound landscape. It highlights the couple’s determination in establishing a home far from their origins, and the simple, yet demanding routine of parenting in such a remote setting. Through the adventurer’s eyes, viewers glimpse the blend of hardship and quiet contentment that defines their existence.

The adventurer sets off for Alaska, intent on meeting a couple who have trekked an astonishing 4,000 miles to reach their new settlement. After that arduous journey, the pair are now living in a modest coastal village, where they're raising their two children. The story follows the visitor’s arrival and the family’s daily life amidst the rugged, sea‑bound landscape. It highlights the couple’s determination in establishing a home far from their origins, and the simple, yet demanding routine of parenting in such a remote setting. Through the adventurer’s eyes, viewers glimpse the blend of hardship and quiet contentment that defines their existence.

The explorer sets off for the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, aiming to encounter the Long family. This clan lives as hunter‑gatherers, completely removed from modern infrastructure. Their settlement lies deep in the wilderness, so remote that reaching it requires a two‑day trek on foot from the nearest road. The journey therefore involves navigating rugged terrain and spending several days away from civilisation before finally meeting the family who sustain themselves by foraging and hunting in this isolated landscape. The trek demands careful planning and the ability to manage limited provisions over the two days. The encounter offers a rare glimpse into a lifestyle that has persisted without reliance on modern amenities.

The explorer sets off for the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand, aiming to encounter the Long family. This clan lives as hunter‑gatherers, completely removed from modern infrastructure. Their settlement lies deep in the wilderness, so remote that reaching it requires a two‑day trek on foot from the nearest road. The journey therefore involves navigating rugged terrain and spending several days away from civilisation before finally meeting the family who sustain themselves by foraging and hunting in this isolated landscape. The trek demands careful planning and the ability to manage limited provisions over the two days. The encounter offers a rare glimpse into a lifestyle that has persisted without reliance on modern amenities.

Ben drops by the home of a once‑renowned fashion photographer, a man who gave up his sprawling New York mansion for a dramatically different life in Texas. He's settled in a stretch of the Lone Star State that, despite covering an area as large as London, it's home to only about 250 people. During the visit, Ben observes how the photographer's adapted to the quiet, sparsely populated surroundings, contrasting sharply with the bustling, high‑profile world he'd left behind. The meeting underscores the stark shift from a glamorous urban existence to an almost isolated rural setting, highlighting the photographer's surprising choice of refuge.

Ben travels to Tenerife to meet Emma and Edo, a young pair who have turned their passion for rescuing a handful of horses into an unusual wildlife sanctuary. The couple’s determination to save those animals has reshaped the landscape, offering a distinct haven that diverges from typical expectations. While on the island, Ben explores the couple’s project, witnessing how their modest rescue effort has evolved into a unique refuge for the animals. Their commitment illustrates how a simple ambition can lead to the creation of a markedly different sanctuary, set against the backdrop of Tenerife’s scenery in this remote corner of the island.

Ben travels to Tenerife to meet Emma and Edo, a young pair who have turned their passion for rescuing a handful of horses into an unusual wildlife sanctuary. The couple’s determination to save those animals has reshaped the landscape, offering a distinct haven that diverges from typical expectations. While on the island, Ben explores the couple’s project, witnessing how their modest rescue effort has evolved into a unique refuge for the animals. Their commitment illustrates how a simple ambition can lead to the creation of a markedly different sanctuary, set against the backdrop of Tenerife’s scenery in this remote corner of the island.

Ben drops by the home of a once‑renowned fashion photographer, a man who gave up his sprawling New York mansion for a dramatically different life in Texas. He's settled in a stretch of the Lone Star State that, despite covering an area as large as London, it's home to only about 250 people. During the visit, Ben observes how the photographer's adapted to the quiet, sparsely populated surroundings, contrasting sharply with the bustling, high‑profile world he'd left behind. The meeting underscores the stark shift from a glamorous urban existence to an almost isolated rural setting, highlighting the photographer's surprising choice of refuge.

Ben Fogle returns to explore the lives of people who have abandoned the daily grind and settled in isolated corners of the globe, kicking off his journey in the swampy wetlands of Georgia, USA. In this episode he tracks down a handful of former city‑workers who have swapped office life for quieter, more remote surroundings, and he chats with each of them about why they chose to leave the rat race behind. The programme follows his encounters in the Georgian swamplands, highlighting the contrast between their former hectic routines and the slower pace they now enjoy in these far‑flung locales.