The Lakes

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.