Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 hours ago

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Whether it’s heathland, moorland, or ancient woodland, much of what we think of as "nature" in England is actually the result of centuries of human intervention. The landscape didn’t simply evolve on its own—we shaped it.

In this video, Sam Bidwell delves into England’s complex relationship with the natural world, examining how engineering and human ingenuity have transformed the land. He focuses on one of the most striking examples of this: the draining of the Fens.

The Fens, once a vast, flood-prone marshland, were dramatically altered in a centuries-long battle to turn waterlogged wilderness into fertile farmland. Today, this low-lying region - defined by its open skies and meticulously managed waterways - stands as a testament to human ambition and engineering prowess.

So how did this marshy landscape become the East Anglia we know today? Watch to find out.


TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Start
01:26 - Romans
02:17 - Medieval Period
06:18 - After the Reformation
06:51 - The Draining of the Fens
12:06 - Victorian Influence
13:46 - Modern Day
14:11 - Other examples
18:41 - Netherlands
19:30 - End