Seven of the rabbits from Sandleford Warren set out in search of the 'High Lonely Hills' that Fiver has seen in a vision as being a place of safety. Along the way they encounter many dangers such as the river and a dog.

The rabbits begin to settle into their new home on the down, however problems become apparent. The burrows need digging, but there's only one doe and bucks don't dig!! There's also a weasel that arrives at the down. Meanwhile, a mysterious visitor is looking for Bigwig.

In search of Pimpernel, the rabbits travel to a nearby warren believed to be a place of safety. This warren, led by Cowslip, seems a little too good to be true...and it is!

Free from Cowslip's warren, Strawberry begins to settle in at the down. Meanwhile, Bigwig hears of a vicious warren called Efrafa and investigates further.

Hazel, Fiver and Bigwig decide to take a visit to Efrafa after hearing reports that Efrafa want to kill all outsiders. Hazel encounters General Woundwort and asks him a few questions, unaware Woundwort is set out to kill him. While there, Hazel falls for a rabbit called Primrose. After Fiver has a vision about Woundwort's past they escape, making a new enemy in the process.

Hazel travels to Nuthanger farm with Pipkin and Fiver to get some new hutch-rabbits to come and join them, in fear that if they don't have enough rabbits living with them they will be wiped out by Efrafa. Hazel heads for trouble involving a man and a gun. They bring back a new rabbit, called Clover.

Hazel, Bigwig, Fiver, Hawkbit and Blackberry all set off to help rescue Primrose and Blackavar from Efrafa. However, they get trapped under a stone bridge. Bigwig and Hazel have yet another argument and Bigwig storms off, forming a plan to rescue Blackavar and Primrose.

Bigwig joins Efrafa and plans to help Primrose escape. Meanwhile, Hazel and the others are still stuck under the stone bridge with the Efrafan guards on top of it. They hatch a plan with Kehaar and flee towards the grounds of Efrafa. They meet Bigwig there and he tells them of his plan to free Primrose and Blackavar. After some time, they finally elude the Efrafans and make their escape on a boat, leaving Woundwort raging.

Primrose feels a little homesick for Redstone. Hazel agrees to take her back despite Fiver's warning that Redstone is empty. On the down, Fiver has another vision that one of their past enemies will return. Meanwhile, Hazel and Primrose are shocked to find that Fiver was right about Redstone being empty. The only one left there is Captain Broom.

Hazel, having had new babies, decides to take a trip to the farm with Bigwig, Fiver, and Hawkbit in order to find food for the baby rabbits. Everything seems to be going well until they encounter a dog and a cat. Hannah gets herself into trouble too.

Wondering the burrow, Hawkbit discovers a strange chamber and believes he saw The Black Rabbit of Inlé. Concerned, Hawkbit goes to check it out again with Hazel and Fiver, but they encounter a cave-in. Bigwig believes Hazel, Fiver and Hawkbit have been kidnapped by Efrafa.

Certain that the Efrafans are getting closer to the warren, Hazel and his friends decide to leave false trails leading them astray. However trouble lies for Captain Campion as he has an encounter with a Hawk. Hazel helps Campion but puts his own life in danger when they both meet an enemy the two of them have never encountered before.

Bigwig and Hazel worry about Watership Down being wiped out and that they have no idea of Woundwort's plans. Deciding that they will try to get Campion on their side they find him out on patrol and ask him to join up with them. Things seem to be going well, until Pipkin is taken away by the river after attempting to swim.