David Attenborough explores Britain and Ireland’s grasslands, revealing the creatures that create them and the extraordinary stories they hide. From the coastal flower meadows in the Scottish Outer Hebrides to the rich open landscapes in the mountains of southern Ireland, we enter surprising and dramatic worlds. In southern England, we meet an extraordinary bee that lives in chalk grassland, one of our rarest habitats, laying her eggs in empty snail shells. Meanwhile, in the colourful machair of the Hebrides, ringed plovers and lapwings strive to rear their families of tiny fluffy chicks and to save them for marauding gulls. We travel back in time to explore the vast wild grasslands once found throughout our isles, before meeting herds of semi-wild horses, where males battle fiercely for the females. Today, they are helping to turn some of this land back to wilderness. And in our precious remaining pockets of flower-rich meadow, a remarkable conservation success story plays out. Once extinct in our isles, England now has the largest known populations of large blue butterflies. Their survival relies on a game of deception with red ants, which are tricked into adopting the butterfly’s unassuming but predatory caterpillars. Our story then journeys to the mountains. Each morning in early spring, feisty male black grouse battle for prime position on their frozen breeding grounds. Their sole mission is to impress a female. Meanwhile, on south-facing scree slopes, dozens of adders emerge from hibernation to perform a surprisingly delicate courtship routine. The episode concludes with a mighty battle in the wild mountains of County Kerry. This is the scene of an epic and spectacular rut between the largest land mammals in Britain and Ireland, red deer. The grasslands of Britain and Ireland are under threat. We have lost 97 per cent of our species-rich meadows in the last century, as modern agriculture replaces these precious habitats. This episode shows just how important different types of grassland are to the species which call these islands home.
Two lifelong friends set out on an unforgettable journey across Europe like you've never seen before — not on modern machines, but on beautifully restored vintage motorbikes. From the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands to the icy reaches of the Arctic Circle, and down through the heart of the Baltics and continental Europe, they follow an unconventional path fueled by curiosity, friendship, and a passion for the open road. As they ride thousands of miles over two months, every detour reveals a new story, every breakdown sparks laughter, and every mile deepens their bond. This isn’t just a road trip — it’s a soulful ride through landscapes, memories, and the timeless joy of adventure. The first three episodes of this standout series follow Ewan and Charley as they set off across Europe — taking the longest, most adventurous way possible. After crossing the North Sea, they ride through the Netherlands and Germany, stopping in Charley’s mother’s hometown before continuing toward the Danish islands, where the sense of freedom begins to take hold. But the road soon turns unpredictable. In Sweden, Ewan’s bike breaks down, stranding him in unfamiliar territory. A group of local bikers steps in to help, showing that the journey is not just about distance, but about the people you meet along the way. With their support, he reaches iconic Scandinavian landmarks and new challenges, realizing that this ride is as much about resilience and friendship as it is about travel. These early episodes promise more than adventure — they deliver a soulful, cinematic ride into the heart of connection and discovery.
In Episodes 7–9, you’ll witness breathtaking moments as Ewan and Charley set up camp on a secluded Finnish island and test their skills at logrolling in the tranquil lakes. After 3,000 miles of relentless mechanical issues, Ewan faces the ultimate setback when his bike finally gives out—until a team of Estonian mechanics steps in to bring the adventure back to life. This stretch of the journey is steeped in nostalgia as the friends retrace the same roads they traveled two decades ago, discovering how much the world—and themselves—have changed. Along the way, they make an emotional stop at a Ukrainian refugee center, where stories of resilience and hope leave an unforgettable mark.
In episodes 17 and 18, the Second World War enters its most devastating final phase as two distant battlefields become the stage for unimaginable destruction. Across the Pacific, American forces fight island by island against an enemy determined to resist to the very last soldier. Every beachhead is won at an unbearable cost, revealing a campaign where courage, sacrifice and survival are pushed beyond all human limits. As casualties mount and Japan refuses to surrender, the conflict descends into one of the bloodiest chapters in military history. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union launches its overwhelming final offensive into the heart of Nazi Germany. As the Red Army closes in on Berlin from the east and Western Allied forces advance from the west, Hitler's collapsing regime makes one last desperate stand. Street by street, the battle for the German capital becomes a brutal struggle that seals the fate of the Third Reich. Through extraordinary archival footage and firsthand accounts, these episodes reveal how two immense campaigns—one in Europe and one in the Pacific—brought the deadliest war in history to its dramatic and unforgettable conclusion.
In southern England, we meet an extraordinary bee that lives in chalk grassland, one of our rarest habitats, laying her eggs in empty snail shells. Meanwhile, in the colourful machair of the Hebrides, ringed plovers and lapwings strive to rear their families of tiny fluffy chicks and to save them for marauding gulls.
We travel back in time to explore the vast wild grasslands once found throughout our isles, before meeting herds of semi-wild horses, where males battle fiercely for the females. Today, they are helping to turn some of this land back to wilderness. And in our precious remaining pockets of flower-rich meadow, a remarkable conservation success story plays out. Once extinct in our isles, England now has the largest known populations of large blue butterflies. Their survival relies on a game of deception with red ants, which are tricked into adopting the butterfly’s unassuming but predatory caterpillars.
Our story then journeys to the mountains. Each morning in early spring, feisty male black grouse battle for prime position on their frozen breeding grounds. Their sole mission is to impress a female. Meanwhile, on south-facing scree slopes, dozens of adders emerge from hibernation to perform a surprisingly delicate courtship routine.
The episode concludes with a mighty battle in the wild mountains of County Kerry. This is the scene of an epic and spectacular rut between the largest land mammals in Britain and Ireland, red deer.
The grasslands of Britain and Ireland are under threat. We have lost 97 per cent of our species-rich meadows in the last century, as modern agriculture replaces these precious habitats. This episode shows just how important different types of grassland are to the species which call these islands home.