AS part of their #LoveToRead campaign the BBC visited the Lake District to explore the landscape that has provided inspiration for some of the best-loved children's authors of all time. GABRIELLE ROWLEY caught up with TV presenter Simon O'Brien to find out more about the Books That Made Britain documentary

THERE are so many wonderful things about technology. Every day I am glad to have my phone and iPad, whether it's for checking the latest news stories or having a nosy at what's trending on Twitter and Instagram.

It is also super useful for travelling and finding the best restaurants and sights to see on TripAdvisor.

However, one thing that I don't like about technology is the temptation to watch an episode of something mindless on the Netflix or ITV Player apps instead of sitting down and reading a book.

I am an avid reader and I think that my love for books definitely started in my early childhood with stories like The Magic Faraway Tree, The Hobbit and later Harry Potter.

Liverpool-born actor and TV presenter Simon O'Brien feels exactly the same.

Simon journeyed to the Lake District to sail across Coniston to uncover the enduring appeal of Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransom and visit the house of Beatrix Potter.

He said: "I have been really passionate about this project because I think that reading is so important.

"It is a totally different experience to watching TV or playing computer games for children because it is so immersive. It makes children use their imaginations and they can be drawn in to an imaginative world which is just so special."

READ MORE:

Cameo appearances from Peter Rabbit and friends join lovable new characters in Beatrix Potter tale

Simon, who originally found fame in the soap Brookside and now appears in Find It, Fix It, Flog It, loves to visit the Lake District and was staying with friends in the town of Ambleside when the show aired on BBC One on Sunday.

He said: "One of the most special experiences for me was visiting the house of Beatrix Potter. She was an incredible lady and I am always astounded to think that The Tale of Peter Rabbit came almost entirely from a letter she wrote to her nephew.

"She was such an interesting mixture of characters because she was, in part, a scientist as she actually dissected animals and that was how she managed to create such lifelike drawings of them. Then there was the creative side of her which came up with all of those fantastic tales."

TAKE OUR BEATRIX POTTER QUIZ:

The BBC's #LoveToRead campaign will be running throughout autumn, with a special weekend dedicated to the campaign during the first weekend of November.

*CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE EPISODE*

In the other episodes Martha Kearney will be in East Anglia, Suggs in London, John Wedgwood Clark on the Yorkshire Coast, Gemma Cairney in Bristol, Chris Donald in the North East, Damian Barr in the South East, Chris Packham in the South West, Qasa Alom in the West Midlands, Alice Levine in the East Midlands and Craig Henderson in the South.

All of the programmes will be asking audiences to share their favourite book of all time using the hashtag #LoveToRead.

Simon said: "I was so delighted to have the books from the Lake District, exploring Windermere and Coniston was spectacular and it was clear to see why the landscape has inspired so much creativity.

"I love the Lakes, I would have to say my favourite place is Buttermere."

The North West episode of Books That Made Britain will be available to watch on iPlayer for the next month.

READ MORE:

Gentle Lake District walks are a beautiful way to stay in good health

Go nuts for the native nutkin during red squirrel week

Herdwick hogget is Britain's new favourite meat

Film fans flock to Cumbria cinemas to watch new Swallows and Amazons