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The Lakes

Episode 2 of 5

Griff Rhys Jones explores the mountains of Britain. Griff visits the Lake District, and recalls those who found artistic and spiritual inspiration in the mountains.

Griff Rhys Jones explores the stunning landscape of the Lake District as his expedition through the mountains of Britain continues. With 12 million people visiting the Lakes every year, it's hard to imagine that the mountains were once thought to be 'God's mistake'. Yet only a few hundred years ago it was believed no-one in their right mind would enjoy the mountains. Somehow the feelings for dramatic landscape were transformed.

This programme shows how the Lake District became a source of inspiration, and how William Wordsworth almost single-handedly changed people's attitudes to the mountains. What was once simply terrifying became awesome, and by getting closer to nature and experiencing the mountains, people were encouraged to become spiritually fulfilled. Griff discovers the birthplace of the Quaker movement and retraces the steps of the poet Coleridge, credited with being the first adrenalin junkie. He also finds that we have fallen in love with a landscape captured by artists and photographers in a moment of time - and that farmers are now paid to keep the mountains picturesque.

59 minutes

Last on

Tue 21 Feb 2017 14:25

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Griff Rhys Jones
Executive Producer Hamish Barbour
Series Producer Ian MacMillan

Broadcasts

  • Sun 5 Aug 2007 21:00
  • Sun 12 Aug 2007 21:00
  • Wed 24 Oct 2007 02:05
  • Wed 14 May 2008 19:00
  • Wed 21 May 2008 19:00
  • Fri 2 Oct 2009 19:00
  • Tue 3 May 2011 19:00
  • Tue 25 Oct 2011 18:00
  • Mon 24 Mar 2014 07:20
  • Tue 3 Feb 2015 14:40
  • Tue 3 Feb 2015 15:25
  • Thu 10 Mar 2016 15:45
  • Tue 21 Feb 2017 14:25