Countrystride #38: JAMES REBANKS - English Pastoral

...in which we head to Matterdale for a guided tour of James Rebanks' hill farm. As we explore thriving meadows, newly-dug ponds and scrub-fringed becks, we discuss James' latest book, English Pastoral, and the "beautiful compromise" of sustainably stewarding the land. Taking a three generation view of farming in Matterdale and the Eden Valley, we hear why there's fire in the belly of young shepherds, why talk of the 'sheepwrecked uplands' is wide of the mark, why Beatrix Potter is James' writing heroine – and why Cumbria's best food is to be had at The Little Chippy, Penrith.

• English Pastoral can be bought from www.penguin.co.uk/books/290/290329/english-pastoral/9780241245729.html . Many Cumbrian bookshops are selling signed editions.

James' prize Herdwicks and the slopes of Great Mell Fell.

The main man: James Rebanks.

Sinking stakes.

Tree corridor boundary.

Dew pond.

James and Dave.

Walling.

The view over Matterdale, ponds in the valley bottom.