Cornwall: A Year by the Sea

On the dramatic north coast, the sweeping sands of Watergate Bay are coming back to life. Here, teams race to rebuild storm defences, craft new seasonal menus, and ready the surf school for its busiest months. Far to the south, at the iconic Minack Theatre, perched high on the cliffs above the Atlantic, anticipation builds as the curtain rises on a new season of performance.

On the windswept hills above Port Quin Bay, the Williams family enter the most demanding and rewarding season of their year - lambing time - a round-the-clock labour of care, skill and instinct. On the southern shores of the Helford River, the reigning world champion gig rowing team are back on the water, training hard for the challenges ahead.

In the harbour town of Padstow, local fisherman Johnny Murt heads out to sea as dawn breaks, in search of the prized catch of lobster. Battling changing tides, unpredictable weather and rising pressures on the fishing industry, Johnny's livelihood depends on what he can haul from the sea each day. At the Camel Estuary in Rock, pressure mounts at the boatyard as Easter approaches as the team races against time to return more than 20 boats to their moorings. The historic estate of Trewithen prepares for the arrival of spring and summer guests. On the wild and windswept edge of Bodmin Moor, thousands of starlings gather overhead.

In the picturesque fishing village of Port Isaac, the volunteer crew of the RNLI lifeboat station head out on a demanding training exercise. Cameras also focus on the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, where the dedicated rescue team care for injured and abandoned seal pups rescued from beaches across the South West. And in the seaside town of Mawgan Porth, restaurateurs Jas and Callum race against time to launch their new venture, The Pickled Plate.

On St Michael's Mount, the countdown to holiday season is underway. Head guide Anna and her team are carrying out final preparations before visitors return. On the Lizard Peninsula, life begins before dawn at Treleague Dairy Farm, which is looking for new ways to secure its future. The family are now turning their own milk into artisan ice cream, which showcases the quality of Cornish dairy farming while opening up an additional source of income.

Cameras focus on Scarrabine Farm above the cliffs of Port Quin Bay. Here, the Williams family have farmed cattle and sheep on the coastal land for generations. By diversifying into holiday accommodation and outdoor experiences, they are finding new ways to share their corner of the county with visitors. Meanwhile, in Falmouth, friends Daisy and Chloe have created Loveday Gin, a premium spirit inspired by the landscapes and flavours of Cornwall. The pair head out along the coastline in search of wild botanicals.

On the hills above Padstow, Ross Geach and his family prepare for another of their popular farm feast nights as locals and visitors enjoy meals made with meat and vegetables produced on the farm. In Padstow harbour, fisherman Martin Murt trials an innovative way of catching scallops using illuminated pots. And near Tintagel, the team at the eco-glamping resort Kudhva work against the clock to complete a new sauna before the summer season begins.

A family run holiday park on the Roseland Peninsula prepares for a busy summer season. At Watergate Bay, aspiring surfers compete in the Under-21 Championships, while a pioneering beaver reintroduction at the Trewithen Estate is restoring wildlife habitats. On the Camel Estuary, sustainable mussel farming supports Cornwall's seafood reputation, and on Polzeath Beach, a striking sand artwork celebrates the county's creativity before the tide washes it away.

In St Ives, local artist Iona leads a landscape painting masterclass inspired by the scenery that captivated generations of artists. In Marazion, competitors take on the demanding Kernowman 70.3 Triathlon against the backdrop of St Michael's Mount. Families join a Wavehunters sea safari in search of Cornwall's rare breeding puffins, while surfing brothers Billy and Finn explore rock pools and share the county's remarkable marine wildlife online.

At Watergate Bay, Michelin-starred chef Chris Eden and his team attempt their first beach feast of the summer. Racing against the tides, they have just hours to transform the sand into a fine-dining restaurant for 72 guests. And the Royal Cornwall Show returns, bringing together the best of the county's farming community.