River Cottage

Series 18 Episode 1
First Broadcast: 8PM Wed 4 July 2012

In this special episode of River Cottage, three famous actors swap the stage for the kitchen, and fancy shoes for wellies, to join Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall in a cookery master class at River Cottage farm.

Taking part are Philip Glenister, from Ashes To Ashes, Keeley Hawes, and The Good Life's Felicity Kendal - the original poster girl for smallholders throughout the land.

Over two days of good cooking and fun on the farm, Hugh introduces his famous trio to the ways of River Cottage, the importance of seasonal, ethical produce, and the delights of home-grown, home-cooked food.

There will be fun, fishing, foraging and tasty food - from delicious chocolate cakes to soups with an extra zing.

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    1. Series 1 Episode 1 Escape to River Cottage

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall moves into a primitive cottage in Dorset, buys a pig, forages for wild food and befriends…

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    2. Series 1 Episode 2 Escape to River Cottage

      Hugh turns his attentions to the River Piddle and pike fishing. Having landed his fish, he makes a delicious dish…

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    3. Series 1 Episode 3 Escape to River Cottage

      The vegetable garden is in full swing and Hugh is spoilt for choice with courgettes, carrots, fennel, french beans…

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    4. Series 1 Episode 4 Escape to River Cottage

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall discovers an infestation of mice is taking over the cottage. He calls in Sue Smith who runs…

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    5. Series 1 Episode 5 Escape to River Cottage

      Hugh commissions local basket-maker Malcolm Seal to make an old-fashioned wickerwork eel trap which he baits with a…

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    6. Series 1 Episode 6 Escape to River Cottage

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall prepares a party for all his friends who have helped him throughout the series, but takes a…

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    1. Series 2 Episode 1 Christmas at River Cottage

      Hugh plans to buy a goose from fellow smallholder Dave Roach. But will the bird make it to his Christmas table or will…

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    1. Series 3 Episode 1 Return to River Cottage

      In this second series, a year after his arrival at River Cottage, Hugh expands his operation by renting a four-acre…

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    2. Series 3 Episode 2 Return to River Cottage

      Hugh has problems with uncooperative chickens and troublesome rabbits. But he battles on, determined to turn adversity…

      • Includes some rabbit killing and skinning
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    3. Series 3 Episode 3 Return to River Cottage

      Hugh donates one of his pigs to his landlord's medieval fair, held to raise money for charity.

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    4. Series 3 Episode 4 Return to River Cottage

      It's late summer at River Cottage but the weather is far from seasonal. Torrential rain washes out Hugh's entire hay…

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    5. Series 3 Episode 5 Return to River Cottage

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall embarks on the big financial venture of summer, harvesting his entire tomato crop to sell…

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    6. Series 3 Episode 6 Return to River Cottage

      In the final programme of the series, autumn is nearly over and Hugh is concerned about a winter short of firewood and…

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    1. Series 4 Episode 1 River Cottage Forever

      Hugh cooks up a limpet pie and his neighbour Jo Forsey comes to check his sheep stock and declares that at least two…

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    2. Series 4 Episode 2 River Cottage Forever

      After several days and sleepless nights, Hugh's first ewe finally gives birth to twins - the perfect Easter present!

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    3. Series 4 Episode 3 River Cottage Forever

      It's late May, the vet calls and it's bad news: Marge the cow is not as pregnant as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall once…

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    4. Series 4 Episode 4 River Cottage Forever

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall invites two local felt-making experts to turn his sheep's fleeces into a fashionable…

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    5. Series 4 Episode 5 River Cottage Forever

      Hugh's beginning to get the hang of his Dorset downshifting experiment - or so he thinks. Under the hot summer sun, the…

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    6. Series 4 Episode 6 River Cottage Forever

      It's high summer and with Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's vegetable garden in fine shape he's decided to enter the…

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    7. Series 4 Episode 7 River Cottage Forever

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall finds that one of his old ewes has died. It's a sad day at River Cottage as later on he…

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    8. Series 4 Episode 8 River Cottage Forever

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Dorset downshifting experiment finally comes to an end. As winter draws in, he has one…

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    1. Series 13 Episode 11 River Cottage Heroes

      To celebrate a bumper year at River Cottage, Hugh has some of his food heroes round for a fabulous four course dinner…

      • Some scenes of animal butchery
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    1. River Cottage Everyday - Meat Series 14 Episode 1 Meat

      Hugh believes the way to make organic free range meat fit your budget, is to eat and enjoy cheap cuts rather than cheap…

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    2. River Cottage Everyday - Fish Series 14 Episode 2 Fish

      Hugh takes on the challenge of converting a house full of student girls to the delights of fresh fish with dishes…

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    3. River Cottage Everyday - Vegetables Series 14 Episode 3 Vegetables

      Hugh tries to win over the shoppers of Bridport to the delights of crudités, and persuade some of Poole's fire fighters…

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    4. River Cottage Everyday - Fruit Series 14 Episode 4 Fruit

      Hugh tries to get people excited about fruit, from Eton Mess to venison and pear burger.

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    5. River Cottage Everyday - Breakfast Series 14 Episode 5 Breakfast

      With more and more Brits giving breakfast the cold shoulder, Hugh sets out to prove that it really is the most…

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    6. River Cottage Everyday - Lunch Series 14 Episode 6 Lunch

      Hugh tries to rescue lunchtime with the ultimate cheese sandwich, a DIY lunchbox and a family Sunday roast with a twist.

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    7. River Cottage Everyday - Bread Series 14 Episode 7 Bread

      Hugh makes bread, all kinds of loaves, from simple white to tangy sourdough, and cheese and Guinness stuffed soda…

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    8. River Cottage Everyday - Treats Series 14 Episode 8 Treats

      The theme is treats this time, with everything from sponge cake to cheesy tarts.

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    1. River Cottage Christmas Fayre Series 15 Episode 1 River Cottage Christmas Fayre

      River Cottage welcomes the festive season with a Christmas Fayre as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and his team offer up…

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    1. Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall Series 16 Episode 1 River Cottage Veg: Bring It On

      Hugh heads into the River Cottage vegetable garden to see what green summer vegetables he can get his hands on. A…

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    2. Series 16 Episode 2 River Cottage Veg: GrowYour Own

      Hugh climbs a monkey puzzle tree looking for meat-free protein. Hugh and Gill cook beetroot tarte tatin and summer…

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    3. Series 16 Episode 3 River Cottage Veg: Feast

      Hugh prepares to cook a meat-free feast. But he faces a battle with the slugs who are tucking into his vegetable patch…

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    4. Series 16 Episode 4 River Cottage Veg: Summer Pleasures

      Hugh's commitment to a summer without flesh takes a hit when he joins a fishing trip and has to pass up the fresh…

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    5. Series 16 Episode 5 River Cottage Veg: Power

      Hugh immerses himself in the pleasures of wild swimming with vegetarian triathlete Colin. Meanwhile, Tim and James go…

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    6. Series 16 Episode 6 River Cottage Veg: Cost

      Hugh is challenged to win over a meat-loving crowd at a local pub with his veggie dishes, including foraged mushrooms…

      • Scenes of animal slaughter and butchery
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    7. Series 16 Episode 7 River Cottage Veg: Finale

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall concludes his four months as a veggie by throwing a vegetarian autumn feast stacked with…

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    8. River Cottage Christmas Series 16 Episode 8 River Cottage Christmas

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the River Cottage team serve up an extra special festive menu with a twist this…

      • Scenes of animal butchery and skinning
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    1. Series 17 Episode 1 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Hugh goes to London to meet professional chef David and family and to become inspired by the array of flavours that…

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    2. Series 17 Episode 2 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Veg hero Jagdish Ghelani helps Hugh bring an extra dimension to his culinary curry efforts, introducing him to veg…

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    3. Series 17 Episode 3 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Hugh takes veggie living to the extreme, discovering the world of 'raw food' with chef's Chris Massamba and Laura…

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    4. Series 17 Episode 4 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Hugh cooks up a storm for a (mostly vegetarian) wild swimming team. From the ultimate power-packing pesto, pasta and…

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    5. Series 17 Episode 5 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Hugh discovers new cooking techniques from Sachiko Saeki and her husband Pak Keung Wan, which inspire him to turn his…

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    6. Series 17 Episode 6 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Hugh's summer of vegetarianism presents him with a challenge: should he serve meat at the annual River Cottage BBQ? He…

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    7. Series 17 Episode 7 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      To make the most of his summer as a vegetarian, Hugh turns to his love of foraging to provide some interestingly…

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    8. Series 17 Episode 8 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Inspired by his summer of vegetarianism, Hugh has set himself the mission to spread the word that meat-free meals can…

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    9. Series 17 Episode 9 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      With the River Cottage team already making the most of all types of cheese to flavour their veg dishes - from Hugh's…

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    10. Series 17 Episode 10 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      It's the River Cottage team's turn to provide the tea for their annual cricket match against their local rivals. But…

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    11. Series 17 Episode 11 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      This could be Hugh's biggest challenge yet; convincing kids to eat their greens!

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    12. Series 17 Episode 12 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Will the celebration go to plan when guests discover that instead of the traditional spit-roast, Hugh is serving a…

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    13. Series 17 Episode 13 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      Hugh finds out if a veggie lunch can keep the garden team as full and satisfied as they usually are with their bacon…

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    14. Series 17 Episode 14 River Cottage Veg Heroes

      At the end of his summer of vegetarianism, Hugh throws a River Cottage thank you dinner before setting out to catch his…

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    1. River Cottage: Three Go Mad Series 18 Episode 1 The Actors

      In this special episode of River Cottage, three famous actors swap the stage for the kitchen, and fancy shoes for…

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    2. River Cottage: Three Go Mad Series 18 Episode 2 The Comedians

      Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is joined at River Cottage by comedians Robert Webb, Lee Mack and Ruby Wax. Can two days of…

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    3. Series 18 Episode 3 Three Go Mad at Christmas

      Hugh welcomes comedy actors Kathy Burke, Stephen Mangan and Mark Heap to River Cottage. What could possibly go wrong?

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