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Protected Countryside

To mark it becoming a Unesco World Heritage Site, Ellie explores what makes the Lake District an area of international cultural significance.

Ellie visits the Lake District, the UK's first national park to become a Unesco World Heritage Site. This protected status means it joins the likes of the Jurassic Coast, the Forth Bridge and Stonehenge. Ellie explores the three factors that made it an area of international cultural significance - identity, inspiration and conservation. The programme sees how the landscape has been - and is still being - shaped by those who live, work and play there, and there is also a look back at some of Countryfile's own experiences in the fells and valleys - meeting the people who all play a part in protecting the countryside.

Additionally, in the lead-up to the Countryfile Ramble for 91热爆 Children in Need, the programme visits the Highlands of Scotland to meet Logan and his dad Scott, who will be taking part. Logan lost his mum to cancer last year and is supported by Children in Need-funded charity Maggie's, who offer invaluable support to children like Logan.

There is also news on how people can join in Ramble weekend by putting on their own sponsored rambles, walking through the beautiful British countryside and raising money to help some of the country's most vulnerable youngsters.

55 minutes

Last on

Tue 26 Sep 2017 00:45

Music Played

  • The Cinematic Orchestra

    贰苍迟谤'补肠迟别听

  • Luke Sital鈥怱ingh

    Bottled Up Tight

  • Michael Kiwanuka

    Always Waiting

Mountains we made

Mountains we made

Ellie Harrison is with the National Trust鈥檚 Mike Innerdale the man behind the drive for the Lakes Heritage Status. He introduces his three key themes inspiration; identity and conservation and all three are captured in Charlie Whinney鈥檚 sculpture which is on display at Brockhole on Windermere. It鈥檚 a series of mountains made from steam-bent wood, sustainably sourced from nearby Grizedale Forest.

Blencathra in spring

Blencathra in spring

This spring sees the culmination of a year-long love affair. Outdoor enthusiast and filmmaker Terry Abraham has spent the past 12 months climbing, camping & capturing the moods of one of Britain鈥檚 most beloved mountains, Blencathra. After the success of his documentary 鈥楲ife of a Mountain 鈥 Scafell Pike鈥, he decided to tackle what鈥檚 known as 鈥榯he people鈥檚 mountain鈥. Using drone footage, star lapses and amazing sunrises as illustration, Terry takes us on a cinematic tour through spring on the mountain, detailing how it bursts into life after the long dormant winter.聽

Millican Dalton

Millican Dalton

The Lake District is a popular tourist destination for millions of people each year looking to enjoy all that the great outdoors has to offer. Few if any however will realise that they are following in the footsteps of a pioneering Victorian adventurer who spent his summers living in a cave in the Borrowdale Valley. Adam Henson meets Millican Dalton鈥檚 biographer, Matthew Entwistle, and learns more about this eccentric character and how he swapped his life in the city for one running adventure trips for likeminded lovers in the countryside.

Arctic Char

Arctic Char

Once they were a common sight on the lakes, but these days there are very few Char men left. They fish the lakes for that rare fish, the arctic char, that鈥檚 been swimming these waters since the ice age. Ellie hops in a traditional char boat with local fisherman Peter Haslam and is on hand to row whilst Peter sets his lines.聽

Countryfile Titles

Countryfile Titles

Helen Skelton is on a quest to find out more about Countryfile's opening titles. But to do so she must recreate the climbing shot which was filmed in the Langdale Valley. 聽On her journey she heads to an old climbing haunt to meet Bill Birkett whose family are legends in the area.聽 Spurred on by the Birketts鈥 spirit of adventure, Helen takes on Lower Scout Crag with the help of a local mountain guide, but her climb isn鈥檛 without its problems.

Flavour of the fells

Flavour of the fells

Matt is in Cumbria meeting Herdwick Sheep Farmer Peter Bland.聽With temperatures often falling to -10掳C or less the Herdwick's blizzard-proof fleece is invaluable to help them through the harsh winters.聽The hardiness of the Herdwick, and their access to amazing grazing, creates a real depth of flavour to their meat. Peter, and a collection of local farmers campaigned to get Herdwick Lamb awarded a Product of Designated Origin status. It took years to get the recognition but now the local farming community is making the most of their status.

Char cookery

Char cookery

Back on the shore, Ellie meets up with Cumbrian born Michelin Star Chef Kevin Tickle, who specialises in highlighting and serving Cumbrian food. Luckily for Ellie Kevin has a char on hand as her fishing failed to turn up the goods! He shows Ellie how to prepare and cook a Char right on the banks of Windermere.聽

Newton Rigg

Newton Rigg

Ellie visits Newton Rigg, the only agricultural college in the country with its own upland farm. She joins the students as they round up rare Luing cattle to turn out some newborn calves for the first time.聽 As upland farmers they鈥檒l be expected to know all about dry stone walling, a classic feature of the Lakeland landscape. More than just dividing fields or separating out farmsteads, Ellie learns that dry stone walls are being reinvented as important wildlife habitats.聽 Maintained properly they can provide valuable space for slow worms, frogs, toads, and all manner of insects and invertebrates.聽

High Lickbarrow Farm

High Lickbarrow Farm

Ellie takes a step back in time to the National Trust鈥檚 High Lickbarrow Farm. This farm was for years owned by the Bottomley family and is a snapshot in time. It鈥檚 a rare parcel of land untouched for generations where diverse habitats, wetlands, lowlands, meadows and streams sit happily together. Ellie meets Roger Haigh, a family friend who shares fond memories of the farm.

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Ellie Harrison
Series Editor William Lyons
Series Producer Andrea Buffery

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