Watership Down political sensibilities of the 1990s when it was published. In 1978 Martin Rosen wrote and directed an animated film adaptation of "Watership Down". The voice cast included John Hurt, Richard Briers, Harry Andrews, Simon Cadell, Nigel Hawthorne, and Roy Kinnear. The film featured the song "Bright Eyes", sung by Art Garfunkel. Released as a single, the song became a UK number one hit. Although the essentials of the plot remained relatively unchanged, the film omitted several side plots. Though the Watership Down warren eventually grew to seventeen rabbits, with the additions of Strawberry, Holly, Bluebell, and three hutch rabbits liberated
North Wessex Downs of the AONB can be found Watership Down where the book "Watership Down" by Richard Adams is set, to the north of the small market town of Whitchurch, Hampshire. Significant parts of "Jude the Obscure" by Thomas Hardy are set on and in the villages connected to the Berkshire Downs. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was designated in 1972. It is currently managed by a Council of Partners whose members are: North Wessex Downs The North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) (also known as the Chalkenwolds) is located in the English counties of West Berkshire, Hampshire,