All language subtitles for Aerial Britain Series 2 Part 1 The Sporting Life 1080p

(bright, cheerful music)

Narrator: Great britain.

It's a land of castles,
queens and kings.

Of empire.

But its historic
identity also encompasses

A deep-rooted passion for the
outdoors, and a love of sport.

Join us as we view its
breathtaking scenery

With those who refuse
to stay earthbound.

Meet the enthusiasts who
are drawn to its waters,

The spectacular lakes, fabled
rivers and ancient spas.

We'll soar over
pristine hideaways

For those seeking tranquility.

And for those who prefer
a shot of adrenaline.

We'll capture the enthusiasts
who find adventure on wheels,

Ones who were born to be wild,

And ones who roll
on and off road!

Britons are so
passionate about sports,

They keep the
ancient ones alive.

They take pride in the history

And ceremony of
traditional ones.

And some events, they
embrace with near fanaticism.

Come and see great britain
indulge in its passion

For the great outdoors
as never before.

(majestic, upbeat music)

The united kingdom.

These islands in
the north atlantic

Have influenced cultures
all over the world.

But England, wales, scotland,
and northern ireland

Maintain regional pride
and identity as well.

(cricketer shouting)

Throughout history, athletic
competition has thrived here.

And great britain gladly
claims its share of firsts,

Particularly when it
comes to ball sports.

Here at exeter university in
devon, the game of cricket

Is still as popular as when
it was developed by the middle

Of the sixteenth century.

And not that much has changed

Since the late 19th century.

Players traditionally
wear cricket whites.

The wicket keeper,
batsmen and fielders

In close wear protective gear.

And they need every bit of it;

The bowler pitches the
rock hard leather ball

At speeds over
ninety miles an hour.

The sport spread globally
with the expansion

Of the british empire
and is hugely popular

In india, holland, bangladesh,
and even afghanistan.

And it remains England's
official national sport,

Even though one sport
is a bit more popular.

For sam chesters, soccer
is more than a game.

Soccer, or football, as it's
called here, is a way of life.

Sam's from manchester, a city
whose premier league team,

Manchester united, showcased
the talents of david beckham,

Ryan giggs, wayne rooney and
manager sir alex ferguson.

(crowd chanting)

The club, founded in
1878 and currently owned

By the american glazer family,
has recently been valued

At over four billion dollars.

Sam plays for the barr
hill ladies football club,

Primarily as goalkeeper.

It's an old family tradition.

Her grandfather,
arthur, was a goalkeeper

For another local team,
manchester united.

On the softer side,
the sport of lawn bowls

Or bowling on the
green dates back

To at least the 13th century.

In wales, there are hundreds
of clubs across the country.

This is the inca vale
club near port talbot.

The game is played on
a large rectangular,

Precisely leveled and
manicured surface.

The bowling green is divided

Into playing strips
called rinks.

The goal is to roll the ball

And try to place it as
close to the white ball,

Called the jack, as possible.

Recently the club
bucked tradition

And agreed to permit
players to wear shorts.

However, the shorts
must be totally white

And under no
circumstances are cargo

Or denim shorts permissible.

Game etiquette requires that
lawn bowls is still played

With a very high degree
of sportsmanship,

Even at the top level,

A tradition that endures.

Details concerning shorts are

Of little interest
to the players here.

The pontypridd rugby
football club near cardiff,

Is one of 239 registered
clubs in wales.

(players shouting)

It's the national sport
here and a key component

Of welsh national identity.

In England, rugby was
traditionally viewed as a sport

For gentlemen of
higher education.

Not so in wales.

Instead it became the
obsession of the working class.

And when it took hold and
thrived in the first years

Of the 20th century, it
gave the small nation

A chance to be a world champion.

Principality stadium in cardiff

Can hold more than
74,000 rugby fans.

And for thirsty fans,
the stadium's bars

Are able to dispense
12 pints of beer

In less than twenty seconds.

No wonder it's been
chosen to host matches

From two world cup tournaments.

Hosting any prestigious
sporting event

Takes an enormous
amount of preparation.

In 2001 the celtic manor
resort in newport south wales

Won its bid to host
the 2010 ryder cup.

The legendary golf
tournament between u.S.

And european teams is
held every two years.

The club went all out,
redeveloping an existing course

And adding a new
clubhouse at a cost

Of over $20 million!

This 395 foot long
suspension bridge

Was specially built
for the ryder cup.

Spectator capacity is 50,000.

But those who want to
walk the historic fairways

Venerated by countless
hall of famers,

Head to saint andrews,
the home of golf.

The sport began here,
in scotland,

In the fifteenth century.

The very first 18 hole
game was played in 1764.

Saint andrews has hosted

The british open
championship over 29 times.

Some course features have names,

Like the seven-foot deep
hell bunker on the 14th.

The enduring status of
the old course is a draw

But it's open to the public

And tee times can
be hard to get.

Still, there are so many
courses in the immediate area

A golfer could play a
round on a different course

Each day for two weeks.

Some golf courses are
famous for their role

In the development of
future legends of the game.

Holywood golf club in county
down, northern ireland

Is one example.

It was here that rory
mcilroy was introduced

To the game by his
father at age seven.

At age twenty-two, mcilroy

Won his first majors
championship,

The 2011 u.S. Open.

He has since claimed
three more major wins.

Another local boy who made
good grew up practicing here

At dunblane sports
club in scotland.

Andy murray was only three

When his mother judy introduced
him to the game of tennis.

By the time he was eight,

He was playing in
the adults league.

In 2012, he won the u.S. Open.

And one year later,
he secured his place

In history here at wimbledon,
the oldest tennis tournament

In the world and regarded by
many as the most prestigious.

Murray repeated as
champion in 2016.

Wimbledon is the
only major tournament

Still played on grass,

Considered the classic
tennis court.

Traditions include a strict

All white dress
code for players.

It's also notable for having
no advertisements courtside,

With the exception of rolex,
the official timekeeper.

Previously, players
bowed or curtsied

To members of the royal
family seated in the royal box

Upon entering or
leaving center court.

However, in 2003, the
tradition was discontinued.

Now, players are
required to bow or curtsy

Only if the prince of wales
or the queen are present.

After all, it is England.

But there's one team sport
that still draws members

Of the royal family
onto the pitch.

Both prince charles
and his father,

The duke of
edinburgh are members

Of the guards polo
club in windsor.

Polo is the world's
oldest equestrian sport

With roots in ancient persia.

It was brought to England

By army officers who'd seen it
played in india by nobility.

In England, it was
used as a training game

For cavalry units and
other elite troops.

The game is played on a pitch
about nine times the size

Of an american football field

And is divided into four
periods called chukkas.

During the breaks,
players are required

To change their mounts
to give their horses

A much-needed rest.

Although polo is known
as the sport of kings,

You don't have to
be one to play.

But with annual fees of $28,000

And horses costing
upwards of $150,000,

These athletes
require a healthy body

And a healthy bank account.

(gentle, bright music)

Britain's love affair
with all things horsey

Goes back centuries.

The ancients were so in
awe of these creatures

They carved a figure of one

Into the chalk hills
of southern England.

The three-hundred and
sixty-foot uffington horse

Is over 3000 years old.

(peaceful music)

West of edinburgh,
at the entrance

To the clyde and forth canal,
two mighty steel sculptures

Stand as a monument to
the role horses played

In the heritage of scotland.

Since 2013, the
nightly spectacle

Of the illuminated kelpies
captivates all who witness it.

The kelpies are named in honor
of the mythical water spirits

Who would appear
often as horses.

And like the mythical creatures
whose name they share,

These 100 foot giants
shapeshift, but with color.

For many, horsemanship, the
art of riding, handling,

And training horses, is a
passion as well as a sport.

Alice keen learned to
ride at the age of five,

Attending small pony
events near her home

In southwest England.

Her specialty is show jumping,

Usually the most popular
event at horse shows.

Show jumping is byproduct
of a 19th century

Act of parliament which mandated

That boundary walls
be constructed.

Fox hunting riders now had
obstacles to negotiate.

In time, a national
sport was born.

Clubs and stables like this
equestrian center near bristol,

Have made riding more available

And a bit more
affordable for everyone.

And the field is wide open.

Equestrianism is one of
the very few olympic sports

In which men and women
compete with and directly

Against one another.

Countries choose their best
riders, regardless of gender.

For horse lovers who
like to time travel,

Beverly unsworth and
her gray mare, star,

Are ready and waiting
in her classic carriage.

Beverly and star have
been traveling these roads

For 10 years, giving patrons a
taste of a more leisurely age

In english history on
somerset's idyllic lanes.

(light, cheerful music)

At the ripe old age of sixteen,

Star doesn't seem to show
any signs of slowing down.

One horse power is
all that's required.

And horsepower is
something british designers

And engineers have
put their stamp on.

This is one of the most
influential designs

Of the 20th century.

An icon of the 60s.

A quirky machine that's
unapologetically british.

The mini was born during
a global oil crisis.

In the 1950s, 2/3rds
of europe's oil supply

Passed through the suez canal.

However, in 1956, egypt
nationalized the canal,

Leading to a
worldwide oil crisis.

In britain, the government
began a fuel rationing program

That limited motorists
to just four gallons

Of gas per month.

The restrictions inspired
the british motor company

To direct car designer
sir alec issigonis

To create a gas hoarder.

The task had a single mandate,

Fit four people
comfortably in a car

That can't be longer
than ten feet.

Most cars at the time
offered rear wheel drive

And used an engine that
was mounted lengthwise.

Issigonis' inspiration was
to spin the engine 90 degrees

And make the car
front-wheel drive.

Its space-saving layout
allows 80 percent

Of the area of the
car's floor plan

To be used for
passengers and luggage.

In 1999, the mini was voted
the second most influential car

Of the 20th century
behind the ford model t.

Its distinct british sensibility

Still sets it apart
from other cars.

When you see a mini, you
know you've seen a mini.

The rugged beauty of
the yorkshire moors

Provides a fitting backdrop
for these beauties.

These classic british
roadsters are morgans.

Once the dominant
car in motorsports,

They are now one of the
most fashionable machines

Seen on the open road.

And each year it
produces 850 cars,

All assembled by hand.

What makes them
particularly unusual

Is that wood is still used
in their construction.

Despite the hefty
base price of $70,000,

The waiting list for
one is about six months.

For the devoted, it's
a small price to pay

For the ride of a lifetime.

But when being pursued by an
international super villain,

It's best to have one of
these at your disposal.

Ever since james bond
showcased an aston martin

In the 1964 movie "goldfinger,"

It's been regarded as a
british cultural icon.

In 2012's "skyfall,"
an updated bond zoomed

Through the scottish
highlands in what else?

An updated aston martin.

The company, founded in
1914, got its start building

High performance sports cars,

And has since added
hand-crafted luxury to the line.

And of course, the 007
connection doesn't hurt one bit.

Although the days
of "goldfinger"

Are gone the spirit
of sixties mod culture

Burns bright in bristol.

Members of the bristol
mod scooter club

All ride italian-made
lambretta scooters,

But that's where
the conformity ends.

The club was established
over 10 years ago

By a group of retired
devotees of the movement.

These psychedelic seniors
customize their classic scooters

To reflect their personal style

And the rebellious
attitude of the era.

(upbeat pop music)

Today it's hard to imagine
these men and women

As a threat to british morals.

But back in the 60s,
they ruled the roads,

And there's no
sign of letting up!

Alpine-style cable cars
might look a bit odd

Against the perpetually
green landscape,

But they provide a
rare bit of panache

To the traditional
english village

Of matlock, in derbyshire.

The one-time spa resort
has reinvented itself.

Soaring over five
-hundred feet high,

Visitors can enjoy
spectacular views

Of the surrounding
peak district.

At the summit there
are caverns to explore,

Exhibitions, novelty
shops and restaurants.

And as a bonus, furry
friends ride free!

But for some people
traveling a mere 500 feet

Above the earth
just isn't enough.

They take to the skies.

Scotland's nature
reserves are spectacular

From any vantage point,

But retired airline pilot sant
cervantes prefers this one.

Up here, he can soar at
altitudes up to 13,000 feet.

Today he's taking in the
sights around loch leven.

But he's covered distances
of over 600 miles

In a single flight and
recently stayed airborne

For 15 straight hours.

(upbeat music)

That kind of peaceful solitude

Is not what these
guys have in mind.

They like their play
a bit more rough.

For father and son kevin
and jonny anderson,

Kitesurfing conditions
today are ideal.

England's north sea coast
is known for its cold waters

And howling winds,
even in summer.

But the northerners
are famously hearty.

Kevin worked in the
car industry but left

To pursue a life in
adventure sports.

Jonny has taken to it as well

And is now working full
time as an instructor.

While some people are lucky
enough to make a living

Out of a hobby, others
pursue their passion

A little later in life.

Simon evans is originally
from the southeast of England

But moved to wales
when he retired.

This ancient boundary runs near
his home and he and his son,

Tom, walk here regularly.

It was constructed more
than 1200 years ago

By the anglo-saxon king offa,

To divide his
territory from wales.

Offa's dyke, as it's called,
runs the entire length

Of the border, a
distance of 177 miles.

A few years ago, simon
trekked its entire distance,

Which typically takes
about twelve days.

Offa's dyke path, a national
trail which was built

Alongside the wall
in 1971, is regarded

As one of the world's
greatest walks.

The trail passes
through eight counties,

Spectacular landscapes
and majestic ruins.

It's no wonder simon
is drawn to it,

If only for a few
hours at a time.

(upbeat, funky music)

Mountain biker simon wilson
prefers a more gnarly mode

Of transportation when
he hits the trail.

The wales coast
path opened in 2012

After successfully linking
five existing coastal trails

Into one, totalling 870 miles.

It was touted as the
world's first coastal path

To cover an entire country.

By linking the wales coast
path with offa's dyke path

On the english border,
it's now possible

To circumnavigate all of wales
on established footpaths.

The distance is over
a thousand miles.

That's one month
for simon on a bike

And roughly three months on
foot, a long haul either way.

(majestic music)

Most recreational
environments are the result

Of thousands of years
of geological upheaval.

But some are purely accidental,

The byproduct of
a local industry.

In 1995, mark reeves came to
this area of wales to study.

He learned to rock
climb and never left.

Slate mined from dinorwic
quarry once provided roofing

For houses all over the world.

It was dangerous, deadly work

For the more than three-thousand
men who toiled here.

The mine closed in 1969,
leaving a scarred landscape

That bears the legacy
of its industrial past.

But for many, it's a
cathedral of stone,

Attracting climbers eager
to test their skills

On its sheer rock face.

Mark now works as
a climbing coach

And mountaineering instructor.

And when he's not scaling
the quarry's slate cliffs,

He writes rock climbing guides
to north wales and beyond.

(gentle, light music)

On a quest for adventure,

Some explorers get
high by going low,

Heading into the depths of
canyons, gorges and caves.

At 400 feet deep and
three miles long,

Cheddar gorge is
one of britain's

Most striking natural sights.

The gorge was named the
second greatest natural wonder

In britain according to
a poll conducted in 2005.

Every year, it attracts
about half a million visitors

And offers a myriad of
outdoor activities for guests.

Cliff road, which cuts
through the gorge,

Is a sought after bicycle
path while the north

And south sides of the gorge
offer multiple climbing routes.

The goats living here, brought
in to encourage biodiversity,

Share these magnificent
hills with avid hikers.

Caves are also a major
attraction to the sightseers

And are open to the public on
the south side of the gorge.

Although primarily known for
their impressive geology,

The caves are also
said to have been used

To mature cheese in
prehistoric times.

But cheese is not the
only prehistoric finding

From the gorge.

In 1903, at cheddar show caves,

Archeologists made an
extraordinary discovery,

Britain's oldest complete
human skeleton, cheddar man,

Estimated to be over
nine thousand years old.

Many people believe that
time spent in the wilderness

Promotes a personal sense

Of physical, mental,
and spiritual wellbeing.

Practitioners of yoga
claim it fosters harmony

In the body, mind,
and environment.

Put them together,
along with a nod

To scottish traditional attire,

And the upshot is a spectacle
known as kilted yoga.

Finlay wilson
believes passionately

In the power of yoga and came
up with the idea in 2017.

Since then, he's become
an internet sensation.

And with ten years of
experience under his kilt,

He's in a position to
know what he's doing!

Yoga is not on the list
of activities here.

The highland games take
place across scotland

During the summer.

And the only thing
this kilted clan

Is channeling is brute strength.

Today's events are taking
place here on the grounds

Of drumtochty castle
in aberdeenshire.

The games are billed
as a celebration

Of all things scottish but open

To anyone who wants to compete,

And to watch.

(audience applauding)

There are unusual events
like the caber toss,

Which involves picking
up a log weighing up to

180 pounds and tossing
it end over end.

And there are traditional
events like the hammer throw,

The stone put and tug of war.

If fact, the founder
of the modern olympics,

Baron coubertin, introduced
the hammer throw,

Shot put, and tug of war

After watching the
highland games in 1889.

Two out of three are still
included to this day.

The popularity of
seaside resorts

Boomed during the victorian age,

When railways were
built to connect them

To the rest of the country.

On the west coast of wales,
the town of aberystwyth

Flourished with elegant
hotels and guesthouses

As well as oceanfront
private homes.

Besides the health benefits
of the salty air and water,

The town's mile-long
promenade featuring arcades

And restaurants was a draw.

And at the end of the walkway,
a funicular railway was built

To carry visitors to a park at
the top of constitution hill.

Originally the railway was
powered by water weights,

Then electrified in 1921.

The cars were tilted in order
to keep passengers upright

During the 778 foot climb.

What began as a publicity
stunt is still drawing a crowd.

(upbeat music)

For those who are fond
of social distancing,

The british isles
have no shortage

Of remote and rugged regions.

In fact, most national parks
here are not entirely wild,

Due to the thousands of
years of human activity.

And most of the humans
who live within the parks

Are there because of
the natural beauty

And pristine
ecosystems they embody.

Friends who live nearby in
peak district national park

Get together for
a walk most days.

England's first designated
national park covers

Over 550 square miles and
ranges from high moorlands

And cliffs in the north
to rolling green hills

And dales in the south.

The headstone viaduct
crosses the river wey

In the idyllic monsal valley.

It was built in 1863

To complete the rail line
from manchester to london.

But over the years, it was
condemned as an eyesore

And a blight on the natural
beauty of the landscape.

The railway closed
the line in 1968,

But the viaduct survived.

In 1981, it was
repurposed as a feature

Of the eight and a
half mile monsal trail.

The rail trail is
open to hikers,

Cyclists and horse riders.

Tackling britain's
national parks by bicycle

Is not for the faint of
heart but there's one group

Who wouldn't have
it any other way.

The richmond cycle club.

The undulating roads of the
yorkshire dales national park

Are ideal for road riding.

Every year the club
organizes a 118 mile race

Through its iconic,
rugged terrain.

Known as the
backbone of England,

The pennine mountain range
stretches from derbyshire

To the scottish border.

The national park
includes 800 square miles

Of hills and valleys
within the range's uplands.

At the foot of whernside,

The park's highest point,
stands the ribblehead viaduct.

Its twenty-four stone arches
took four years to build.

The rolling pastures of its
foothills and dry stone walls

Have been famous for
thousands of years.

That's just a few years
older than the richmond club,

Which claims to be one
of the oldest in britain,

If not the world.

(gentle music)

In 2014, the club's historic
homeland proudly played host

To the first two stages
of the tour de France.

One of the most
challenging uphill sections

Of the tour was here,
at buttertubs pass.

The road here is very narrow

With sheer drops on either side.

The pass is named
after the series

Of 65 foot-deep limestone
potholes lining the roadside.

It is said that farmers
would often stop here

At the highest point and rest

On their way to summer markets.

And while here, they'd
lower their butter

Into the sinkholes
to keep it cool.

The buttertubs have always

Been an object of
geological fascination.

And now, with its
tour de France status,

Buttertubs pass has

Become an international
cycling destination.

But for the richmond
cycling club,

It's just another
day in the saddle.

It is the most
visited national park

In the united kingdom with
over 16 million patrons a year.

Most of the land in the
lake district national park

Is owned privately and over half

Is classified as agricultural.

Alan bradley has farmed
here most of his life

And is an expert
sheepdog trainer.

He works with jess, his
faithful border collie

By whistling commands.

What was once a
thousand-year-old tradition

Has now become a national
sport and alan and jess compete

In events all over England.

The gateway to this storied park

Is kirkstone mountain
pass in cumbria.

(peace, inspiring music)

At a height of 3000 feet,

Scafell pike is England's
highest mountain.

It's surrounded by the great
peaks of the southern fells

And a spectacular landscape
that covers 900 square miles.

But it's the impressive lakes
that give the region its name.

Wast water, an ancient
glacial lake, is the deepest

In britain, with a
depth of over 250 feet.

Ullswater is the national
park's second biggest lake.

And to the south, lake
windermere holds the title

Of the largest lake in
England at 11 miles long.

Five large boating clubs
are based around the lake.

When it comes to locations
for an afternoon outing,

The verdant hills and
sparkling waterways

Of the lake district
are simply ideal.

Peter donkin has
taken to the skies

Above ulswater and
windermere many times.

With no systems to
check, no fuel to monitor

And no speed limit, it's
just the pure exhilaration

Of soaring over a
perfect setting.

But many outdoor
enthusiasts prefer nature

At its most undisturbed

And seek out remote
areas with no frills.

Three cliffs bay near
swansea on the south coast

Of the gower peninsula
has been a designated area

Of outstanding natural
beauty since 1956.

Overlooking the bay are the
ruins of pennard castle,

Built following the
norman invasion of wales

In the 13th century.

(dramatic, majestic music)

Protected by the
surrounding cliffs,

The castle's spectacular
panoramic view

Of the gower peninsula
was once voted

The best view in britain.

Rock climbers come here

For the 65 foot limestone sea
cliffs surrounding the bay,

While bass fishermen
head for the sand banks

That line pennard pill,
a small river that flows

From the middle of
the beach to the bay.

But more than its
cliffs and waters,

Three cliffs bay is
predominantly known

For its sandy beaches.

In 2006, the bbc
"holidays at home" program

Declared three cliffs bay
to be britain's best beach.

With camp sites set up
above the coastline,

Visitors can bring tents,
vans, and motorhomes

To extend their stay and enjoy

The country's premiere
vacation destination.

While some enjoy the
tranquility of beaches,

Others prefer to holiday in
locations with no conveniences.

These truly wild
places naturally happen

To be the hardest to get to.

The scots have a
name for a mountain

Over 3000 feet high.

They call it a munro.

And in the 700 square miles
of trossachs national park,

There are 21 of them.

Summiting all 21 might
sound impressive,

Especially in
winter, but to date,

More than 6000 climbers
have reached the top

Of every munro in
scotland, all 282 of them!

And one mountain,
scotland's highest,

Draws over 100 ascents a year.

Ben nevis is the highest
mountain in the british isles,

With a summit over
4400 feet high.

(peaceful music)

On the west coast of wales,
snowdonia national park

Is a massive area of
diverse landscapes,

And home to over 26,000 people.

Those who prefer
a plan b approach

To mountain climbing need
look no further than here.

Although there are many
climbing routes to the summit

Of mount snowdon,
wales' highest peak,

The most reliable,
and comfortable,

Is the snowdon mountain railway.

The swiss-built steam
locomotives have been making

The four-and-a-half mile journey
up the mountain since 1896.

At the time, the swiss
trains were the only ones

With the design and
engineering capability required

To climb and descend the
steep mountain grades safely.

The climb by rail takes
about two and a half hours.

For the centipede
of hikers creeping

Up the mountain on
foot, it's a bit longer.

There are six established
walking routes

Which take about six hours
round trip to complete.

At the summit, everyone
can enjoy the comfort

And amenities of the visitor
center which was built in 2009.

And on a clear day, visitors
can even see ireland

In the distance.

But there's much more to
see up close in this park.

Lake bala, the largest
natural lake in wales,

Lies in a glacial valley and
is one of 250 in the park.

The name translates
to lake of beauty,

And most anglers would agree.

They come here in search of
perch, pike, trout, salmon,

And a healthy dose of serenity.

For those after a shot of
drama, the great waterfall

Of pistyll rhaeadr is
nothing short of spectacular.

Here, the river afon
dysgynfa cascades

Over a two hundred and
forty-foot cliff

In three stages.

It's not only a site
of scientific interest,

But it's one of the
seven wonders of wales.

Many of the distinctive natural
features of britain's parks

Were formed during millions of
years of geological upheaval.

But one has the story
of 185 million years

Of geological time
written in stone.

This is the magnificent
natural limestone arch

Of durdle door.

Nearly all the limestone
has been eroded by the sea.

It's an iconic
landmark, often featured

In poetry, art and film.

And now, it's the gateway
to ninety-five coastal miles

On the english channel,

England's first designated
natural world heritage site,

The jurassic coast.

Here at east cliff
beach, the wind and waves

Have exposed layers
of sedimentary rock

And opened a window
to the ancient past.

On the cliff face is
an near complete record

Of the triassic, jurassic
and cretaceous periods.

The layers show this area's
progression from desert

To shallow tropical
and marshland,

Complete with the
fossilized remains

Of the creatures
that once lived here.

One group of more modern
creatures that lived here

Left their remains
in bath, England.

(upbeat music)

The occupying romans constructed
these hot springs baths

In the first century a.D.,

And britons have been drawn
to the waters ever since.

In fact, in the eighteenth
century, wealthy londoners

Were so convinced of the
hot springs' healing powers,

They built this row of
luxury homes nearby.

This is one of only two
surviving roman baths

That still have
hot water on tap.

For those who want to
experience the water,

Without getting wet,
there's thames limo.

London's iconic river thames
is rich in maritime history.

Phillip otto set up
the service with an eye

On well-heeled clientele
with a need for discretion.

The venetian-crafted water
limo features a union jack hull

And comes equipped with
plush leather seating,

A mini-bar, and climate control

To cope with the
finicky english weather.

The bridges of london
tour includes all 24

Of the city's famed spans.

But at a thousand
dollars an hour,

Some might opt for a more
pared-down watercraft.

It has never waned
in popularity.

Man: That's right,
lovely stroke, yeah lovely.

Narrator: And
has the distinction

Of being uniquely british.

Rowing is one of the oldest
forms of sport in the world.

It evolved into its
modern form in England

In the 1700s and has
since become a part

Of english cultural identity.

At 6 a.M., the cambridge
university women's boat club

Are in the midst of
their daily workout.

Their training regimen
includes six grueling months

Of daily practice, but they
wouldn't have it any other way.

It's part of a continuing
tradition, a love of sport,

Of challenges, and of reverence

For the stunning natural
features of the united kingdom.

(cheerful, bright music)