On the train coming to Somerset, we pass through fields covered in frost with a light mist and then the sun suddenly broke through and it's become the most staggeringly beautiful day.

Blue, blue sky and bright sunshine, but cold it's winter, so you expect that.

And we're here to explore the Somerset levels,

and there's going to be plenty of water on hand.

Music Kitty McFarlane was nominated for the Radio 2 Horizon Award.

She's a young singer-songwriter who's really making a name for herself in the folk world.

And she's making a name because she is a great songwriter

who writes about nature,

and she's inspired by these Somerset levels.

She's going to take us on a journey through the levels today,

and we'll find out more about her songwriting.

Music more about her songwriting. Kitty, good morning.

Where are we?

This is quite spectacular.

First of all, let me just talk about the weather, because we're British. It is January, but I wish I brought my sunglasses. It's such bright sunshine, bright blue sky. Did you lay this on specially for us? Yeah, I'd put out in a word. This is Burramump, and it's one of a few, very, very few hills that kind of pop out on the Somerset levels. And there would have been islands back in the day when it was all water around here. And at this time of year, when it floods around here, you get a kind of sense of how it used to be and it feels like an island again. It's going to be wet underfoot, isn't it? It's a very slippy climb up the hill. And then there's a ruined church at the top. Yes, yeah. Should we climb up to that? Let's go for that.

Okay. isn't it? It's a very slippery climb up the hill. And then there's a ruined church at the top?

Yes, yeah.

Should we climb up to that?

Let's go for that.

Okay.

It looks to me like there are almost steps cut into this hill.

Is it a feature of nature or has there been some man-made intervention?

...