Tales from River Cottage

Hugh looks back on his early days at river cottage offering advice to other as to how to start their own adventures into small holding.

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.

Hugh reminisces about his adventures with his pigs - from buying his first pig to training his breeding sow to hunt for truffles.

Good friends and helpful neighbours are an essential part of the rural idyll. Hugh recalls his initiation into the rural Dorset community.

Hugh believes that to achieve a thoroughly good living, you need to be ready to barter and heckle. He charts the rise of his own little enterprise, from the local farmers market to the tough streets of London.

The difference between a vegetable garden and a smallholding is livestock, and every smallholder needs chickens. Hugh recalls his poultry learning curve.

Hugh tells us about some of the local customs he learned.

Hugh explains how the river and sea offer the free food - from crabs and cuttlefish to eels and pike.

Hugh explains why wild food should be a part of the smallholder's diet.

Hugh decides to continue as a small farmer - but how far should he go?