NARRATOR: Cumbria, from Rocky peaks still guarded by Hadrian's Wall to the wild coast once conquered by Viking invaders.

AMY: I love it, and I always will.

This is our office.

NARRATOR: An untamed paradise that is a haven for wildlife and home to some of the hardiest farmers in Britain.

MAN 1: Life doesn't get much better than this.

A nice place to live and work and a lovely place to be.

NARRATOR: Boasting England's biggest lakes and highest mountains.

I just fell in love with it.

Woo-hoo!

NARRATOR: A landscape carved by glaciers 20,000 years ago.

I think God created the universe and then he decided to do a masterpiece.

NARRATOR: The Georgians made it their playground and their traditions live on.

I've never seen anything like it.

I just couldn't leave.

NARRATOR: The slopes of extinct volcanoes plunge down to crystal-clear lakes that inspired poets like Wordsworth.

In this magnificent landscape, you can still wander, lonely as a cloud, or take the scenic route.

MAN 2: I've traveled all over the world, but you've got to pinch yourself.

You couldn't wish for anywhere nicer to live.

NARRATOR: These lakes hold centuries of secrets.

The things at the bottom of Lake Windermere could have been there for hundreds of years.

NARRATOR: Bottling magic for future generations.

All these guys were able to make the castle sustainable.

Don't really want to be the one that fails in that mission.

NARRATOR: Welcome to Cumbria, Lakes and Coast.

[lively music] ♪ ♪ From mountains that are the roof of England to deep blue lakes, Cumbria's landscape enchants and fascinates.

Weaving around these natural wonders is a patchwork of luscious green fields.

They provide a haven for animals feasting on these verdant pastures.

On the eastern flank of this ceremonial county lies Appleby in Westmorland, famous for its horse trading and the traditional colorful horse fair.

It's now also the home to a new breed of farmer.

Come on.

NARRATOR: Childhood sweethearts Hattie McPhee and her husband Chris have been managing this 230-acre farm for the last four years.

HATTIE: Our lifestyle is pretty mad.

We try and juggle a range of full-time jobs and just our general life and two children, as well as the farm.

Life would be very boring if we-- if we were to be normal.

[chuckle] - Wet, wet.

- She's all wet.

It's been raining.

HATTIE: Haven't got any more.

Oh, I do a little bit.

There we go.

[cow moos] NARRATOR: Hattie's passion for agriculture is born from a love of the Cumbrian countryside and caring for some of its precious breeds.

HATTIE: If you'd asked any of my friends what I would be doing, it definitely would not have been farming.

I definitely found what I love doing.

NARRATOR: Hattie has her hands full with sheep, cattle, and pigs, but it's a different animal that keeps the family particularly busy.

Goats, 300 of them.

[goat bleats] HATTIE: Here we've got our milking herd, a variety of breeds.

We try and aim for a bit of hybrid vigor, which means that they're-- they're good quality, producing good milk.

So we've got Golden Guernsey crosses, Toggenburg crosses, Alpines.

NARRATOR: This noisy herd produce some of the tastiest goat's milk in the county.

Demand for the creamy goodness is high and means Hattie is milking twice a day.

They love milking time and they know.

You can tell that they're thinking when are they coming?

Are they going to be milking any time soon?

And if we're late, they tell you off.

They stood at the gates going-- they're blaring to be milked.

NARRATOR: But today is no ordinary milking day.

Hattie is hoping to turn this liquid gold into her own brand of cheese.

We're going to be looking at making our own Greek-style cheese from the girls that we've got in this shed.

CHRIS M.: Go, Rory.

[whistle] NARRATOR: As milking time approaches-- CHRIS M.: Come on.

NARRATOR: --the Golden Girls appear only too happy to participate.

CHRIS M.: This is the very first stage of making cheese.

This is the start.

It's nice to see the milk go from our girls to cheese.

But to know it's our cheese, it's going to be even better.

I just think we might be eating our profits.

So that could be-- that could be an issue.

[laugh] Come on, girls.

Look at that.

They've all just gone straight in.

HATTIE: It's really exciting to see that the journey starts here.

CHRIS M.: Oh good job, Rory.

HATTIE: We're teaching our children the best skills.

I have no doubt that we're building something that they can go on and do if they wanted to in the future.

NARRATOR: It's a gamble, but it could buy the family financial security.

HATTIE: It's very trial and error.

The margins in milking are so tight that it needs to work and it needs to be good if you get it into supermarkets or into our local shops, as well as being on the menus of our local restaurants and pubs.

NARRATOR: The goats have produced the goods, but can Hattie turn it into something better than feta?

[lighthearted music] [gentle music] While some Cumbrians plan for the future, others are trying to preserve the past.

Sitting proudly just a few miles south of Penrith lies one of the county's architectural gems, Lowther Castle.

Over the centuries, the estate spanned approximately 150,000 acres, running all the way to the west coast at Whitehaven.

Passionate about retaining the charm of this iconic landmark is local stonemason James Lightfoot.

JAMES: This castle, for me, it's probably as good as it gets.

I've been a stonemason since I was 21, and I'm 43 now, but I can't honestly think of anywhere else that I'd want to work on.

And it's such a privilege.

NARRATOR: James's work involves rebuilding and repairing the stonework on some of the region's oldest buildings.

It drives my family mad.

Because we'll drive around the area and I'll be like, I built that, I built that, I built that.

And they just, sort of, roll their eyes and say, yeah, yeah, we've heard that.

NARRATOR: James now has the tall order of rebuilding this ruinous castle, which is kept under the watchful eye of Jim Lowther.

JIM: So my family have been living here since about 1080.

So this-- this house was raised in 1806.

It cost 140,000 pounds in early 19th century money, which I think might be 150 million or so now.

NARRATOR: Jim is the eighth custodian of this castle, which was built as a lavish home for the first Earl of Lonsdale, Jim's four times great grandfather.

And it once boasted a room for every day of the year.

The castle was lived in by a family that was instrumental in getting the Industrial Revolution going in the late 17th and 18th centuries in Cumbria, and this is their ultimate expression of their wealth and their power.

NARRATOR: This grandest of homes was last inhabited in the early 20th century, but mounting debt and costly repairs left the family unable to maintain it.

Now James has his work cut out to bring Jim's ambitious plans to life.

It's a listed building and is listed a grade 2 star, which means that it is really important piece of our nation's heritage and important for us to do something about it and conserve it.

So where are we at?

Where are we going?

NARRATOR: Over the last seven months, James has been slowly piecing back the castle's history.

If you do a good job here, you can do the British Museum.

NARRATOR: But today, work starts on one of the most significant parts, the former Lord Lonsdale's office.

So basically, we're in this middle section now and the steels are going in, the uprights between the windows.

As you look at it now, this is just like a gaping hole in its mouth, really.

So we'll get this put back and give her a smile back.

NARRATOR: James needs to restore three 600-kilogram window heads.

It's a precarious job, and even a slight gust of wind could blow this heavy piece of stone into the delicate facade.

JAMES: This is really where the old stonework and the new come together.

And with the new heads going on, they've got to fit.

There's the detail underneath, which is millimeter perfect.

Because if it's slightly off, it'll look off and it'll look bad.

NARRATOR: James has his work cut out, making sure these precious walls don't come tumbling down.

Later.

[squeals] The village of Cartmel recreates medieval legends.

TRACEY: Go on, Bear.

Be brave.

Be a brave war horse.

SQUIRE: Clear the way!

NARRATOR: And they're a cut above.

In the world's oldest topiary garden.

The whole garden has to be just right, just perfect.

[lighthearted music] ♪ ♪ NARRATOR: As centuries have passed, Cumbria's previous inhabitants have left behind a rich tapestry of historical landmarks.

And standing proudly at the southern gateway to the national park sits Levens Hall, designed around a 750-year-old lookout tower.

Originally built to warn and defend against invading Scots, the estate has grown to include a magnificent Elizabethan home and topiary garden, created by Royal Gardener Guillaume Beaumont in 1689.

Today, these gardens are cared for by Chris Crowder.

CHRIS C: There is a huge sense of history here.

The trees that he planted 300 and odd years ago are still the same trees that we clip, the garden borders, the walls, the whole layout.

NARRATOR: Chris is the 11th head gardener here, maintaining the oldest topiary garden in the world.

I've been here for 37 and a bit years now.

I love the place, and it's been my life, my home life, my work life, my everything life for all those years.

NARRATOR: With more than a hundred different pieces of topiary, Chris is surrounded by ever-growing history.

CHRIS C.: It's quite a responsibility looking after the topiary and the gardens as a whole because I feel that respect for history and the respect for the people, particularly that have worked in this garden and gone before me.

NARRATOR: To keep these evergreens thriving, Chris has to annually trim them using absolute precision.

So today's plan is to clip the great umbrella tree, which is one of the oldest trees.

It's actually the biggest tree we've got in the garden.

So it is a milestone every year when we get to it.

We just used to put ladders against it.

The ladders were lashed to wooden trestles, and we held on by our knees and tried to clip this thing.

NARRATOR: Thankfully, nowadays, Chris has the aid of some modern equipment and an electric hydraulic lift to get to the tip of the greater umbrella.

Of course, when I was up here on a ladder, it was a lot scarier than this.

NARRATOR: At 30-feet tall, the famous yew tree is one of the most challenging to snip, but rewards with a very special perspective.

This is one of my favorite views in the whole of wherever, Cumbria certainly.

In the world?

Maybe.

Certainly my world.

[clipper whirrs] NARRATOR: The great umbrella is a horticultural masterpiece.

30,000 visitors come to these gardens every year to admire its beauty.

To give this the right clip, I need to get to within millimeter accuracy of last year's old cuts.

And I'm looking to see where the twiggy bits are.

When you take all the growth off this year, it's a delicate process.

We jab in too far, we end up with a dead piece of yew.

And it's a long way away from where people will see it.

I'll know and it'll count for years to come.

The whole garden has to be just right, just perfect.

The great umbrella, that'll be in everybody's photograph that visits this place.

It's such an iconic piece, an iconic view.

NARRATOR: 100 millimeters trimmed.

Its job done.

CHRIS C.: That's smooth and it's the shape I want it to be.

NARRATOR: Chris has kept a vivid piece of Cumbrian history alive for years to come.

CHRIS C.: It's very satisfying.

We're as much a part of this garden as the trees themselves.

And it's that interaction between us and-- and this piece of nature, this corner of Cumbria, that makes it so special.

NARRATOR: From the Romans arriving around 69 AD and beyond, one animal has been synonymous with the Cumbrian landscape.

The horse has been a hardy farmhand, the dependable goods carrier, a courageous lead during battles.

On the edge of the national park, near the village of Cartmel, is Greenbank Farm.

It's home to trainer Tracey Alexander, who is determined that horses will stay part of this county's culture.

Dating right back to when I was a child, I've always had an interest in horses and ponies.

It's something that's run in my blood.

Is that nice?

I used to spend the majority of my childhood out in the field with my little pony Patch, learning how to ride him.

NARRATOR: Tracey's lived all over the world training horses, but she was always determined to return home.

[light music] ♪ ♪ TRACEY: Cumbria has the most beautiful landscape.

You walk down the street, and everybody wants to say hello, and they've generally got a smile on their face.

NARRATOR: Tracey has been working with horses for more than 30 years, and now her farm is a haven for a very special Dutch breed, the Friesian.

They were used as war horses, so there are reports of them being seen up at Hadrian's Wall at the fall of the Roman Empire.

I just wanted to fill the fields here with black horses.

Once you get a Friesian, you never want them to leave home.

It's a bit like having a big black Labrador.

[playful music] NARRATOR: This year, for the first time, the village of Cartmel will host a unique event, medieval Cartmel.

It's a celebration of age-old tradition and will mark one of the area's founding fathers, William Marshal.

He was one of the most famous knights of all time, serving five kings and winning countless battles.

Tracey has the enviable role of paying tribute to him, riding into town on one of her newest horses, Bear.

Bear, in particular, just needs that little bit more exposure to different things.

He wants to please.

Anxious is probably the wrong word.

He's sensitive.

NARRATOR: Tracey needs to be sure Bear's got what it takes to lead the parade.

Walking in formation, she'll be supported by her two stable hands.

We're going to be doing a bit of work with these three, getting them used to working right close, up sides each other in a formation.

I'm going to be dressed as William Marshal, the main knight.

And Holly and Jodie are going to be my squires as we go through the village.

[lighthearted music] NARRATOR: But a full medieval uniform from the 12th century comes with some restrictions.

It's heavy.

There's a sword.

Hence, why I'm carrying a stick today just to slightly replicate it.

The helmets are very heavy.

So that's going to be a new experience for Bear to feel.

[gentle music] ♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Hundreds of people will be lining the streets of Cartmel participating in the festivities, so Tracey's taking a moment of calm to ensure Bear is familiar with the road ahead.

TRACEY: You know, there was still a lot of tension there.

But what we look for with the horses in all their work is for there to be the relaxation there and not the tension.

The more he does it, the more he'll settle into what I'm asking of him.

You're a good boy.

No, that's not helpful.

NARRATOR: Bear has managed to lead the pack today, but will this flighty horse take the public parade in his stride?

[light music] ♪ ♪ Potent reminders of a rich history adorn every corner of Cumbria.

Commanding the center of the county is Lowther Castle, built in 1806.

Currently undergoing a major transformation, local stonemason James Lightfoot is leading the restoration team.

JAMES: I absolutely love Cumbria.

I shout that from the rooftops all day long.

It's great to be part of the history of this place.

You know, for my name to be associated with Lowther Castle is fantastic.

And I know a lot of other stonemasons whil will be probably quite jealous.

I get to build something which is going to outlast me.

NARRATOR: The eighth custodian of this once opulent home, Jim Lowther, has commissioned James to build up this impressive piece of architecture.

And today, they're working on the former Lord Lonsdale's office, Jim Lowther's fourth great grandfather.

The last time this piece of stone saw daylight was over 200 years ago.

You know, probably a team of men carefully placed it.

NARRATOR: Today is the riskiest day in the protection of this Cumbrian icon.

The team are hoping to complete the window frames, which haven't been in place for more than 60 years.

JAMES: We're lifting them up from the ground.

They've got to go free lifts up onto the top of the wall.

You've got a huge, heavy piece of stone hanging like a pendulum.

It wouldn't take a lot to get that stone swinging.

If mother nature decides she wants to play, then it's not a lot I can do about it.

It's strapped up.

When I lower the crane, connect the straps up.

Primarily, we need to really protect the stone from all these delicate edges and dressed corners, really.

Are you happy with that, Bud?

BUD: Yep.

All ready to go.

Go for that.

NARRATOR: These bespoke sandstone headpieces have been made to precisely match the existing stonework-- What we don't want right now is a big gust of wind like that.

NARRATOR: --and must seamlessly sit on top of the existing blocks.

JAMES: Happy?

- Yep.

All good.

[creaks] JAMES: Ooh!

I don't like the noises, but it's lining up quite nicely.

It's lined up.

All right, that.

- Looks pretty good like.

Just a fraction like.

Don't go crazy.

Perfect.

- Good.

JAMES: Get on.

BUD: Phew!

JAMES: Job done.

NARRATOR: Second window head carefully lowered into place and matched up.

James and his team now need to tackle the final one, which is an original from 200 years ago.

JAMES: If you look here, there's a great little detail.

This is the original mason's mark.

It's almost like a little stick man.

And that was the guy who built that.

That's his mark.

And now we get to put it back, and that's-- that's great.

We'll just get this last one on, then I'll sleep well tonight.

It's definitely the most nerve wracking and-- and trickiest part.

Sound right.

We'll go for that.

Tidy up she goes.

I'll be getting a job as a full-time crane operator after this.

Trying to get past these poles.

Threading the eye of a needle there.

- Down.

- Down like that?

BUD: Down like that.

JAMES: Oh, that was close.

That's about the limit, I think, of what you can squeeze in.

Spot on.

Perfect.

Well done.

Job done, boys.

Well done.

Yeah, it looks good.

Looks really good.

Today's been a great day, actually.

Massive relief, big weight off my shoulders.

But it is a massive step forward.

It's a huge chunk of castle rebuilt, put back as it was hundreds of years ago.

NARRATOR: It's progress, but they're a long way off rebuilding this piece of history.

Can James have the place looking regal before Jim's next site visit?

Later.

In Appleby, it's full cream ahead as Hattie goes into cheese production.

TOM: Press the green button.

It's going to start firing.

If I don't do this, like in time, is it going to go everywhere?

NARRATOR: And in Ullswater, a skipper is pushed off course out on the lake.

I think the weather conditions are probably, as expected, deteriorating a little bit.

NARRATOR: Cumbria is adorned by a display of deep-blue shimmering jewels.

The county's Lake District is a wonder, with the power to captivate and enchant.

18 million visitors a year lap up the unparalleled beauty of the national park.

For around 150 years, the Ullswater steam boats have been ferrying tourists across these magical waters.

There's been a boat running up and down the lake since 1839.

In the early days, it wasn't a tourist attraction.

It was an essential form of transport.

There was no road.

NARRATOR: The steamers were originally coal powered.

And before roads were built in the area, they helped chug the Industrial Revolution along in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The boats played a huge role in transporting people and goods up and down Ullswater.

[gentle music] Today, there are five heritage vessels in operation which are piloted by a small team of skippers.

Hoping to add to that number is trainee Todd Cumberpatch.

Having to take one of these wonderful, wonderful heritage boats out on the lake, yeah, it's got to be one of the best jobs in the country, surely.

I'm sure a lot of people would do it for nothing, never mind being paid for it.

Today is my very first day skipper training so we'll have to see how I get on.

As with all these things, a little bit of apprehension.

I think that's a good thing.

NARRATOR: The two-hour round trip leaves from Glenridding Pier and stops off at nearby Howtown and Pooley Bridge.

Todd will be steering the boat for the first time to safely transport 20 passengers across the water.

But it will be no easy feat because, unfortunately for Todd, the great Cumbrian climate isn't on his side.

I'm dying to say, good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

This is your skipper speaking.

We're departing Glenridding Pier, and we'll be heading down the lake at approximately 10 knots, cruising at an altitude of 150 above sea level or something is it?

CHRISTIAN: 474.

TODD: 474.

There we go.

NARRATOR: Skipper of nearly 40 years, Christian Grammar is on hand to offer assistance for Todd's maiden voyage.

The first test is communication.

Glendridding Pier House, Glenridding Pier House, Glenridding Pier House.

Raven, radio check over.

CHRISTIAN (ON RADIO): Yeah, loud and clear, raven.

TODD: Thank you.

Raven out.

And then we'll go ahead on both, and we're off.

[lighthearted music] ♪ ♪ NARRATOR: Safely out of the dock, it's Todd's turn to take the wheel.

Are you happy to steer for a bit, Todd?

Yep.

OK.

I've been doing this a long time, and I still learn every day.

NARRATOR: It seems plain sailing.

But on approach to their first docking point, the weather closes in.

SARAH: Don't be fooled by that flag.

It is deceivingly windy.

TODD: [chuckle] CHRISTIAN: Thanks, Sarah.

Thanks for the warning.

That's the skipper on the boat that's just passed us on Lady Wakefield.

Shall I take over, yeah?

It's just look and learn, I think, today.

And yeah, I think the weather conditions are probably, as expected, deteriorating a little bit.

♪ ♪ NARRATOR: With the rain now sideways, it's shaping up to be a typical Cumbrian summer's day.

TODD: As a spectator, you see this serene craft pass you like a bit like a swan, you know, glides past.

What you don't see is the paddling that's going on underneath the water.

And it's much the same, I guess, with the boat.

NARRATOR: But even for this hardy duo, the weather is proving too tricky to navigate, and so Christian pilots his voyage for home.

Just watch.

Keep back from the wheel.

CHRISTIAN: Yeah, you couldn't-- you couldn't safely turn it back.

It'll just break your wrists.

TODD: If it was easy, it'd be boring.

[laugh] I might live to regret those words.

[laugh] NARRATOR: Todd's first day at the wheel may have been pushed off course, but he'll be back out on calmer waters.

We're back in one piece with smiles on our faces.

NARRATOR: Despite some inclement weather, this rookie has still managed to impress seasoned skipper Christian.

We've trained a lot of people over the years I've been here, and you can see potential when it's there.

A lot learned and a good experience.

It's not called the Lake District for nothing.

Yeah, quite.

[lighthearted music] ♪ ♪ NARRATOR: The Cumbrian weather can change in a heartbeat.

And a few miles south of Penrith, the storms have spared the ancestral home of the Lowther family.

Since falling into disrepair in the middle of the 20th century, Lowther Castle has seen brighter days.

Local stonemason James Lightfoot has spent the last seven months lovingly recreating this Cumbrian icon.

I feel super proud to be restoring this castle.

We are really now onto the last few courses of stones on this section.

Once they're in, that's this whole bit put to bed.

The work we've done is really important.

It's where Lord Lonsdale will have spent a lot of his time running his empire from here really and you we've recreated that.

We've put it back to how it was.

NARRATOR: The eighth custodian of this castle, Jim Lowther, is popping in to inspect the recent rebuild.

JIM: Today is a really big day.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what he's done, how it's all going.

I'll know by his reaction what he really thinks, regardless of what he says.

So yeah, if I-- if I see that smile and-- and the twinkle in his eye, then I'll be happy.

And I'll sleep well tonight.

I think the last time you were here, those windows weren't even in.

JIM: Yeah, I can see that.

JAMES: We've got all those built back up now.

We did a hell of a lot of work taking that bottom section to bits, cleaning it all out.

There was trees growing in there.

There was lots of vegetation.

JIM: But it is outstanding.

Fills me with optimism that we can keep going.

- Brilliant.

- Yeah.

I'm really happy to hear you say that because, obviously, I'm trying to do a good job for you.

I'm trying to do what's in your mind, you know, what you've been thinking of and how it should look and-- What's in our mind.

[laugh] That's it.

NARRATOR: It's even more impressive from the top.

JIM: Oh, wow.

Just unbelievable.

[chuckle] Just how much detail.

JAMES: Getting Jim's approval and hearing that he is chuffed and he's happy with what we've done, yeah, I can't help but feel proud.

I feel proud of being Cumbrian.

I feel proud of just, like, the whole team of lads here.

You know where this came from, the original stuff?

Where is that?

Quarry just over there.

JAMES: Right.

OK.

JIM: 400 over there.

JAMES: Right.

OK.

I'm immensely grateful to James and his team, all local people, for realizing this project.

We can now see our way to the end NARRATOR: With years of work still to be done, Jim is in it for the long run.

JIM: A lot of the castle means a lot to all the people who live in this eastern side of Cumbria.

The Lowthers have had a big association in the history of this county.

So this is, if you like, totemic of the 18th and 19th century period of Cumbria's history.

JAMES: Being a stonemason, not very often you get to come and work in a place so massive and beautiful and iconic as Lowther Castle.

It's a massive honor.

It fills me full of pride, to be honest.

[birds squawking] NARRATOR: Just a stone's throw away from Lowther Castle is Maulds Meaburn Farm.

It's home to Hattie and Chris McPhee and their two children.

Cumbria is one of the most beautiful landscapes that we could possibly dream to live in.

We are so lucky and fortunate to have such a beautiful area that we can work in.

NARRATOR: But scenery doesn't pay the bills.

Hattie is hoping her herd of goats are the future of this farm.

[whistle] Is there any more, Rory?

NARRATOR: They produce protein-rich milk, which Hattie plans to turn into a unique Cumbrian cheese.

CHRIS M.: Come on, girls.

[whistle] NARRATOR: Helping Hattie turn her idea into reality will be local cheesemaker Tom.

TOM: Right.

Excited for today?

Yes, really excited.

So we're going to make some cheese.

NARRATOR: So keen to make sure her cheese makes the grade, she's going to be hands on from start to finish.

HATTIE: All the times that we've dropped it off at the door to now be actually making something is quite exciting.

NARRATOR: Hattie is using her rich goat milk to produce a salty feta-style cheese.

HATTIE: It's really important that today is successful.

Everything is lined up now to be able to get this product into local pubs and restaurants.

So if it all goes wrong, we're in trouble.

But in farming, nothing ever goes to plan so who knows what might happen.

But yeah, optimistic, optimistic.

NARRATOR: 600 liters of Hattie's goat's milk has been pasteurized, split into curds and whey, and then cut up.

When you're ready, sort of, start from the middle.

HATTIE: OK.

TOM: Press the green button and you want to start scraping the product towards.

HATTIE: OK.

Right.

So I'm going to press this button, and it's going to start-- TOM: Press the green button.

It's going to start firing.

If I don't do this, like, in time is it going to go everywhere?

Oh, it might go everywhere, yeah.

HATTIE: Yeah.

- No, you'll be fine.

And you want to start scraping it, so you might need two hands.

HATTIE: Whoa!

Oh, I see scraping.

Right.

NARRATOR: The cheese curd needs to be dragged into molds that will be left to set.

Gosh!

Is that right?

Am I doing-- TOM: Keep going, keep going.

Keep scraping it.

I'm getting the hang of it now, getting the hang-- oh, flashbacks.

It's fine.

I wonder how many little packets of Mediterranean cheese this is going to make.

Hopefully, quite a few.

[metal whines] What?

Every last little bit, Tom?

Every last little bit?

Yeah, it looks good.

Looks like money or cheese.

NARRATOR: A hydraulic press squeezes out as much whey as possible, as too much way would result in a bitter-tasting cheese.

Now that we've got the product, what we're going to do is we're going to leave it for several hours and we'll dry salt it.

And then what we'll do is we'll also put it into brine.

We'll come back to the product.

And hopefully, you have a cheese that you can sell.

NARRATOR: With a potential buyer already lined up, it'll be a nervous wait to see if Hattie's new cheese is good enough.

HATTIE: This really needs to succeed.

We have invested a lot of work into what we've done today.

Let's hope it works.

NARRATOR: Later, will Tracey and Bear be worthy of the Round Table.

Out of our way, mere peasant.

NARRATOR: And you cheddar believe it.

Really apprehensive today to taste it.

NARRATOR: The moment of truth for Hattie.

Oh!

[lighthearted music] NARRATOR: People first called Cumbria home in the Mesolithic period, around 10,000 years ago.

In the village of Cartmel, they are gearing up for a special event to celebrate a much more recent period of history dating back to the 1100s, medieval times.

And local horse trainer Tracey Alexander is paying homage to one of England's most famous knights, William Marshal, supported by her trusty steed, debutant, Bear.

TRACEY: Come on, Teddy Bear.

NARRATOR: Tracey is hoping Bear's soft nature shines through today.

The event will see them lead a procession through the ancient square.

TRACEY: He won't have seen the number of things that are going to be down there.

You know, it's going to be a bit of a surprise to him.

He's going to have that wide eyed look where he's like, what is going on?

That's a good boy.

NARRATOR: Squeaky clean, Tracey and Bear are nearly ready to hit the high street.

All Tracey needs to do now is don her uniform.

Faye, I might need you to help me.

[laugh] Oh, it's all getting caught in my hair.

NARRATOR: To get into the spirit of the event, Tracey is dressed like any shining knight.

It's a little more restrictive than my ice riding hat I usually wear.

What a good boy.

There you go.

You can see his ears are just sideways.

That's a nice, relaxed look.

So, yeah, he's all good.

[playful music] ♪ ♪ The villagers have turned out in force to celebrate their past.

Out of our way, mere peasants.

So we're going to just come and walk straight down, if that's OK.

I'm too polite for a knight, aren't I?

NARRATOR: With the crowds following Tracey's orders, Bear is ready to go into battle.

Come on, Bear.

Be brave.

Be a brave war horse.

NARRATOR: It's a steady start, but Bear is taking it all in his stride.

♪ ♪ TRACEY: It's fantastic.

And yet, that was quite hard work.

You had to be really brave.

NARRATOR: Bear is in his element and lapping up all the extra attention.

♪ ♪ He's such a good boy.

You've been absolutely amazing.

Do I need to knight you?

Well, you can if you wish.

[laugh] Don't chop his head off.

TRACEY: I won't chop his head off.

NARRATOR: With an extra knight to add to the realm, it seems today has been a real success.

TRACEY: I'm so proud of all three horses and particularly of Bear.

He got into the whole spirit of it and did a fantastic job, even with me waving the sword in the air and calling all the lovely visitors to Cartmel peasants.

[laugh] NARRATOR: With Bear now worthy of the Round Table, he's helped keep this small village's history alive.

[lighthearted music] Across the far reaches of the county, Cumbria is a goldmine for foodies.

From boutique cafes to the lobster-rich waters of the Irish Sea.

In Appleby in Westmoreland, first-generation farmer Hattie McPhee is gearing up for a very special day.

Hattie is due to collect her first ever batch of goat's cheese.

And with a pub keen to place an order, it's crucial that today goes well.

Really apprehensive today to taste it.

I hope that it tastes OK.

Morning.

TOM: Morning.

How are you doing?

- Well, thank you.

How are you?

- Good.

Yeah, I'm well.

Thanks, yeah.

Are you excited to come and try the cheese today?

Yeah, can't wait.

Let's go.

Ooh!

NARRATOR: It's the moment of truth.

TOM: So if you're wanting to, try a bit of this.

Are you going to try as well?

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, I'll try.

Yeah, don't worry.

Yeah, yeah.

That's good.

That's really good.

Yeah, I'm really happy.

That's fab.

- Fantastic.

Yeah, I'm really looking forward to getting that to the pub.

Let's sell some cheese, Tom.

Let's sell some cheese.

I'm going to have some more.

[laugh] It's really good.

NARRATOR: Hattie likes it, but will head chef Gareth Webster from a nearby award-winning kitchen give his seal of approval?

HATTIE: Hello.

GARETH: Hi.

How you doing.

- Good.

How are you?

GARETH: Yeah, very well.

Thank you.

I've brought you some goat Mediterranean cheese.

Excellent.

So, shall we have a taste?

Have you tried it?

HATTIE: I have tried it.

Very nice.

It's got a nice texture.

A nice texture, a nice flavor.

We're really excited to see what he's going to now make from that.

And the fact that I'm going to get to eat it at the end is even better.

So it's a first-hand look of what he could potentially have on the menu here.

NARRATOR: With chef and farmer both impressed, Gareth now needs to know what regulars will think.

He's cooked up a pie and staff from around the hotel, are hungry to give their verdict.

OK, guys, so these are the pies.

It's a shortcrust pastry pie filled with Crown Prince squash and cavolo nero from Askham Hall, and obviously, Harriet's lovely goat's cheese just crumbled in.

STAFF 1: Perfect.

Yeah, that's lovely.

That's so good.

That is really nice, isn't it?

It's gone like squeaky cheese.

Yeah.

So, what do you think?

Absolutely delicious, Gareth.

Another hit.

Yeah, really happy.

All absolutely delicious.

And I would definitely order that if it was on-- even if it wasn't my own cheese.

NARRATOR: Gareth decides to put his money where his mouth is and gives Hattie her first order.

It's full-steam ahead for Hattie and her herd.

STAFF 2: It's very good.

HATTIE: Really happy.

Tasted a million times better than I could ever have imagined.

On days like today, when you're seeing it on the plate in front of you and you think we've actually done that, we've achieved that.

It's been a really long journey.

Neither Chris or myself are from a farming background, so the fact that we've got to where we are now, we're looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[laugh] NARRATOR: Next time.

A piece of history is uncovered from the bottom of Lake Windermere.

It was quite amazing.

I was gobsmacked.

NARRATOR: It's kidding time at Hattie's farm.

This one is really close to her due date.

You've got your own birthing ball, haven't you, underneath there?

NARRATOR: And it's make or break for one of Cumbria's oldest castles.

Today is the big day.

I'm putting my neck on the line.

MURRAY: Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is now served.

[door squeaks] [frenetic music] ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪