Edwardian Farm (2010)

Episode Overview

In May, as Empire Day draws near, a remarkable boat arrives in the valley—the paddle steamer Monarch, one of just three still in operation in the country. This marks the first time in 80 years that such a vessel has docked at Morwellham Quay. During the Edwardian era, paddle steamers brought thousands of tourists to the Tamar Valley each summer, spurred by shorter working hours and increased mobility. Visitors from cities like Plymouth flocked to rural destinations for day trips filled with festivities. Local farmers seized the opportunity, selling cream teas, fresh fruit, and postcards, while also using the steamers to deliver their goods to market. To celebrate this revival, historian Ruth Goodman and archaeologists Alex Langlands and Peter Ginn go all out, milking a cow for the first time, learning clotted cream production from a traveling dairy school, and crafting a special Devon treat known as a 'cut round', a local twist on scones. They also need to gather strawberries