BBC 1 – 6th  July, 2009

Griff Rhys Jones slips into his canoe and journeys across Britain via its rivers.

From the powerful torrents of Scotland to the flatlands of East Anglia he explores how rivers have influenced, nurtured and powered our lives.

He barges, canoes, swims and sails his way along this often hidden network which has been the life-blood of the country.


SCOTLAND

Griff travels east upstream from Kinlochleven into one of the most remote areas of the country and follows the fast and furious course of the water downstream to Perth.

He milks fish, goes canyoning and canoes a fast flowing river that pine trees, ripped from the banks, have turned into an obstacle course.


THE NORTH

Griff travels from Liverpool to the Humber across Britain's working rivers. He attempts to swim the Mersey before traveling by barge through the canal network and going underground to help clean up Britain's network of hidden rivers.

He is also a guest at Chatsworth and gets to grips with their unusual plumbing as the water that feeds the loo hurtles down from a distant reservoir on the estate.


THE WEST

In the West he 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 water to drink to iron ore that furnished the industrial revolution he finds that rivers have nurtured and provided for mankind over tens of thousands of years. On his journey he bog snorkels, meets Druids, sleeps in a cave and builds a coracle.


THE LEA

In London he explores the relationship between cities and water. But instead of working his way up the Thames he heads off for another river which has been vital in the city's history: the Lea.

He meets the Sicilian cucumber-growing community of Essex, sails a gunpowder boat and trains with a team of veteran rowers. He discovers the vital balance between water coming in to a city and its waste going out.


THE EAST

In East Anglia he sees the extraordinary contrast between the man-made ditches of the Fens, the Swallows and Amazon country of the Broads and the picturesque windy river Stour which finally leads him home.

He asks, with all the conflicting interest groups from farmers, anglers, canoeists, industry and nature lovers, how do we decide the future of our rivers?