Tales From River Cottage

Watch Tales From River Cottage

  • 2006
  • 1 Season
  • 0.0  (7)

Tales From River Cottage is a TV series that first aired in 2006 and ran for three seasons. The show is hosted by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, a British celebrity chef and food writer, who invites viewers into his picturesque countryside cottage as he experiments with locally sourced ingredients and demonstrates how to make delicious meals from scratch.

The series is set on a small plot of land in Dorset, England, where Hugh has created a sustainable living space that he calls River Cottage. The focus of the show is on living off the land and reducing food waste, as Hugh imparts his knowledge on the importance of self-sufficiency and local produce.

Throughout the series, viewers get to see how Hugh lives on a day-to-day basis and how he prepares his meals. The show features a range of different cookery techniques, including preserving, curing, smoking, baking and grilling. Hugh also shows viewers how to grow their own fruit and vegetables, as well as raise animals and keep bees.

One of the key themes of Tales From River Cottage is sustainability. Hugh advocates reducing food waste at every opportunity and uses traditional techniques to ensure that nothing goes to waste. He showcases how to make use of every part of an animal, from the organs to the bones. He also teaches viewers how to preserve food for the long-term, such as by making jams and pickles.

Another focus of the show is on the importance of knowing where your food comes from. Hugh sources his ingredients locally whenever possible, and the series showcases the range of producers and suppliers in the area. By supporting local businesses and farms, Hugh aims to highlight the value of the local food economy and demonstrate how it can create a more sustainable future.

In addition to his focus on food, Hugh explores the wider countryside and the ecosystem surrounding River Cottage. Throughout the series, he explores the local wildlife and habitats, as well as the ways that humans impact the environment. He also discusses the challenges that farmers face and the importance of reducing our impact on the planet.

Overall, Tales From River Cottage is an educational and entertaining series that showcases the importance of sustainable living and the value of local food economies. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's passion for his sustainable lifestyle is infectious, and viewers are sure to be inspired to think more carefully about their own food choices after watching the show.

Tales From River Cottage is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (10 episodes). The series first aired on January 1, 2006.

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Seasons
Land and Livestock
10. Land and Livestock
January 1, 2006
Hugh considers the big question facing the committed smallholder: how far are you prepared to go? You don't need much space for chickens, or even for pigs, but once you've got a couple of acres, all kinds of possibilities open up. It's all a question of how hard you are prepared to work. In the final programme, Hugh looks at pasture management, health care of your animals, breeding and slaughter: these are the ultimate test of the mettle of the smallholder - so are you ready for it?
The Wilder Larder
9. The Wilder Larder
January 1, 2006
He explains why wild food, both plants and animals, should always be a prime part of the smallholders diet, as he learns how to hunt for rabbits, roes deer and pigeons, and how to gather edible wild plants such as elderflowers, watercress, hazelnuts and mushrooms.
The River and the Sea
8. The River and the Sea
January 1, 2006
In addition to adventure, the river and sea also offerthe smallholder free food, from crabs and cuttlefish to eels and pike, for fantastic fishy feasts. The beach is also a great place for a party, and can even make a practical contribution to the smallholding (seaweed fertiliser).
Local Crafts and Customs
7. Local Crafts and Customs
January 1, 2006
Hugh recalls how he learned new rural skills such as hedge-laying, charcoal-making and mouse charming, and immersed himself in bizarre local antics, such as the annual nettle eating competition, and the bizarre Dorset sport of pumpkin guddling. And another chance to see his memorable entry in the sculpture on the beach competition, where he covered himself in dead fish.
Chickens and Eggs
6. Chickens and Eggs
January 1, 2006
The first item of livestock every downshifter needs is a chicken or two. Hugh recalls the highs and lows of his poultry learning curve, from acquiring his first hens, and teaching them to climb his fox proof, high rise chicken hut, to his experiment to try and breed the tastiest roasting chicken of all time.
Business & Barter
5. Business & Barter
January 1, 2006
To achieve this, you need to be a bit of a wiley entrepreneur, always ready to barter and heckle, and go to market with the excess of your harvest, so you can still have your share of the good things in life. Hugh charts the rise of his own little enterprise, the River Cottage Glutton, from the local farmers market, to the streets of London, where he comes a bit unstuck with a traffic warden.
Friends and Neighbours
4. Friends and Neighbours
January 1, 2006
Hugh recalls his initiation into the rural Dorset community around River Cottage, with highlights of hospitality at home and away, from a posh dinner at the manor house to a riotous evening at the local Cider Shed. And there are plenty of helpful hints on entertaining River Cottage style.
The Joy of Pigs
3. The Joy of Pigs
January 1, 2006
From how to buy a pig, to how to make a dry-cured bacon and hams, this is a guide to all things piggy. Hugh also brings us up to date on his beloved breeding sow Delia, who he has even trained to hunt for truffles.
Your Garden of Eden
2. Your Garden of Eden
January 1, 2006
From putting in his first organic veg beds, running the gauntlet of pests, to harvesting bumper crops from his polytunnel. He also offer tips on how to triumph at the local Horticultural show - don't follow his example!
Getting Started
1. Getting Started
January 1, 2006
He offers advice to would be smallholders on how to find their own rural escape hatch, and get started on the good life. He goes on to recall the early learning curve of beginning a vegetable garden, acquiring livestock, and making new friends, with plenty of tips for viewers on how to do likewise.
Description
Where to Watch Tales From River Cottage
Tales From River Cottage is available for streaming on the TVF International website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Tales From River Cottage on demand at Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    January 1, 2006
  • IMDB Rating
    0.0  (7)