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Borrowdale

The Lake District is known for its rugged peaks, open valleys and magnificent lakes, but it’s also home to the Borrowdale Oakwoods, England’s largest remaining temperate rainforest. It is one of the rarest habitats on earth, and this year it was declared a national nature reserve.\n\nSean Fletcher explores the new 721-hectare Borrowdale Rainforest National Nature Reserve, meeting the team tasked with protecting this ancient landscape and balancing the management of the reserve with the needs of local farmers. Sean learns about the flora and fauna of the rainforest, including microscopic lichen and moss, which are crucial in turning a woodland into a rainforest. When dusk falls in the rainforest, Sean goes in search of one of the UK’s rarest and most vulnerable moths and learns of its relationship with one unique flower, which explodes when touched.\n\nBordering the rainforest, Sean looks at a project to restore a traditional lowland hay meadow. Further down the valley, we meet a competitor taking part in the 50th Borrowdale Fell Race. This annual event takes place against the stunning backdrop of Borrowdale, providing runners with a gruelling 17-mile cross-country course, tackling an ascent of over 6,500 feet, including England’s highest peak – Scafell Pike.\n\nOver in the Cotswolds, harvest season has begun on Adam Henson's farm. And Tom investigates the potentially toxic chemicals that seem to be spreading through our environment, our food and even our bodies.

Source: BBC 1