Watch Return to River Cottage

Name: Return to River Cottage
Genre: Nature, Documentary & Biography
Released: 2002-01-01
Cast: Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall

2002
1 Season

Return to River Cottage is a popular TV series that follows renowned British chef and food writer Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall as he returns to his River Cottage in Dorset after a long absence. The series is produced by Keo Films and has been broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK, as well as distributed internationally by TVF International.

The show follows Hugh as he embarks on a year-long journey of self-sufficiency and sustainability, using his skills and knowledge to become more self-reliant and live off the land. He aims to grow his own food, raise his own animals, and reduce waste as much as possible.

Throughout the series, Hugh shares his experiences and challenges with his audience, from planting his first crop to butchering his own animals for meat. He also explores different methods of preserving food, such as pickling and smoking, and learns how to cook with a wood-fired oven.

Return to River Cottage is not just a cooking show, but a celebration of a simpler way of life that is rooted in nature and the community. Hugh invites local farmers, fishermen, and foragers to his cottage to learn from them and share their knowledge with his audience. He also hosts various events, such as a summer fete and a Christmas market, to bring his community together and showcase the best of local produce.

The showâs production values are high, with stunning cinematography that captures the beauty of the Dorset countryside and the seasons. The music score is also noteworthy, creating a pastoral and reflective atmosphere that complements the showâs themes.

Return to River Cottage has received critical acclaim for its contribution to the growing movement of sustainable living and ethical food production. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has become an influential voice in the UKâs food industry and an inspiration to many who seek a more responsible and meaningful way of life.

Overall, Return to River Cottage is a delightful and informative show that combines cooking, farming, and lifestyle in a compelling and entertaining way. It appeals to anyone who loves food, nature, and community spirit, and encourages us to connect with our environment and each other in a more respectful and harmonious way.

Return to River Cottage is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between January 1, 2002 and on TVF International

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Seasons

6. Episode 6

January 1, 2002

Local woodsman Nigel Dowding and his daughter Sharon come round to help him clear the hedge behind the cottage. Their efforts are rather more radical than Hugh had in mind, but the resulting crew -cut at least generates a healthy pile of logs. In return for a dozen bales of hay, Hugh agrees to be the quarry for the hunters of the West Country Bloodhounds. Despite his best efforts at deception, Hugh is pursued over the rolling hills and finally caught by the pack of slavering hounds.

5. Episode 5

January 1, 2002

He plans to maximise his profits by converting his raw material into a range of deli products: tomato ketchup, smoked tomato soup, tomato and apple butter and green tomato and tomato samosas. To add spice to the enterprise he's got a bet with his rival grower Michael Michaud as to who will take the most at the market. Hugh gets down to making his tomato products but while feeding his pigs one morning he notices signs of a porcine rumpus. It appears that a local wild boar has attempted to break into the pen. Fearing for the safety of his sows, he builds an elaborate alarm system to warn of any future incursions.

4. Episode 4

January 1, 2002

Torrential rain washes out Hugh's entire hay harvest and his polytunnel full of tomatoes is beset with blight. Radical plant-surgery saves the tomatoes but the hay is lost. Hugh is entering Joanna, one of his sheep, in the Melplash Agricultural Show and local expert Jo Forsey comes over to give it a shampoo and set before helping him trim it into shape. There's still a week of combing and primping ahead before the day of judgement. At least the wet weather has brought out the wild mushrooms and Hugh gangs up with expert foragers Nick and Paddy to exploit the situation. Armed with a shopping list, they visit several different woods with the aim of collecting a completely free meal - picking up pigeons, fungi, blackberries and crab-apples on the way. However they spot an amazing circle of giant puffballs and take one back for a meal. That night, Hugh bakes the puffball stuffed with pigeon breast, wild garlic and other mushrooms. While there's more than enough food, they run out of wine and head off to the pub where local band Bad Acid are holding an open mic session. Hugh rashly takes to the stage to give his unique rendition of The Who classic "Baba O'Reilly." Next morning, Hugh collects the crayfish from his traps in the river. He then prepares a classic crayfish cocktail for Jo who's coming round for dinner.

3. Episode 3

January 1, 2002

Antony and his wife Sczerina come down to the pig-pen to see which one should end up on the spit. As the weather warms up so do Hugh's sheep and he calls in itinerant stockman Braid for a lesson in the art of sheep shearing. In order to ensure a continuing supply of beef it's essential that Marge should produce a calf every year and local stud Knotting Regulus has come round to do the business. But Hugh can't wait around to see if the relationship is consumated as he has a date on Chesil Beach. Royston and his team fish for mackerel in a traditional style that has been passed down for generations. Hugh takes a seat in their boat and helps them shoot the net in return for a share of the catch. The next morning he converts his share into Gravad-max - a variation on the preserved salmon dish of Gravad-lax. The day before the Medieval Fair, Hugh enlists the help of local bakers, Clive and Philip Crabb. They bake a batch of traditional Dorset lardy cakes but refuse to divulge their secret recipe. That evening, Hugh's rival from the local horticultural show, Barbara Gunning comes round to the cottage to help Hugh mount the pig on its spit and make up abatch of applesauce. The pig is fired up at dawn on the big day and Hugh and Barbara take it in turns to turn the spit. Dressed up in their Medieval costumes, Hugh and Barbara dish out over two hundred roast pork rolls before taking part in the climax of the day's events, the tug of war.

2. Episode 2

January 1, 2002

Because there'll be no passengers on his smallholding, he enters his two struggling chickens to the annual Gaggle of Geese pub poultry auction. He meets chicken expert Richard Hicks, who helps him bid for some replacements. Back at the cottage, Hugh helps local vet Jeff Thomson with the delicate operation of castrating his calf. Never one to let anything go to waste, Hugh cooks up the resulting testicles for Jeff, washed down with his home-made Elder-flower sorbet. Not only has Hugh expanded his livestock side he's going into full-scale vegetable production with a 40-foot polytunnel. The huge crop of tomatoes that he's planning to grow will generate much needed cash in August. His old friend and organic vegetable guru, Michael Michaud calls round to offer advice on which varieties to grow. Depressed that the rabbits have eaten his only early vegetables, Hugh declares his intent to turn adversity into opportunity by converting his pests into ready cash before setting off with local gamekeepers Larry and Dawn for a night of rabbiting. Next morning, Larry helps turn the vermin into rabbit burgers and satay-sticks for the upcoming Farmers' Market. After a hard day at the Market, Hugh has managed to raise enough cash to struggle on - and he's found another use for his overheating polytunnel. Totally exhausted, he strips off to enjoy a relaxing sauna.

1. Episode 1

January 1, 2002

Hugh sets off to sets off to buy some livestock: a Dexter cow and calf, a flock of Dorset Down sheep, three pigs and a handful of chickens. Before they've had a chance to settle in, Hugh's off to the annual nettle-eating competition at his local pub the Bottle Inn. After being roped in to take a place on the Bottle's team, he cooks up nettle gnocchi for the victors. Next morning, local carpenter Angus Carmichael comes over to help make Hugh's chickens truly free-range by building them a high-rise fox-proof coop. While they struggle to make the climb, Hugh takes off to Lyme Regis to go scallop hunting with local divers Paul Crosby and Doug Chalk who use scallops to barter in the local economy. The dive only produces enough for personal consumption but Hugh gives them a Mexican twist with scallop tortillas that he cooks up on the beach for Paul and Doug's friends.

Description

Where to Watch Return to River Cottage

Return to River Cottage is available for streaming on the TVF International website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Return to River Cottage on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Tubi TV.