West

Griff Rhys Jones explores how rivers have influenced, nurtured and powered our lives. From the powerful torrents of Scotland to the flatlands of East Anglia, he barges, canoes, swims and sails his way along this often hidden network which has been the lifeblood of the country.

Griff follows the mighty Severn from its source in the Welsh hills to the estuary 200 miles later. He also follows its neighbour, the Wye, which starts and finishes nearby. From drinking water to the iron ore that furnished the industrial revolution, he finds that rivers have provided for mankind over tens of thousands of years.

On his journey Griff attempts to bog snorkel, meets druids for a ritual water blessing, sleeps in a hermit's cave and builds a willow coracle similar to ones used on the river thousands of years ago.