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.

This week in Cornwall, as winter loosens its grip and the first signs of spring ripple across the landscape, life begins to quicken once more. High on the windswept hills above Port Quin Bay on the rugged north coast, the Williams family are entering the most demanding and rewarding season of their year. It's lambing time on the farm - a round-the-clock labour of care, skill and instinct - as new life arrives and the rhythm of the countryside shifts into overdrive.

Across the county, on the sheltered southern shores of the breathtaking Helford River, a very different kind of preparation is underway. Here, the reigning world champion gig rowing team are back on the water, training hard for the challenges ahead. With their sights firmly set on defending their title at the world-famous World Pilot Gig Championships in the Isles of Scilly later this year, every stroke counts. Gig rowing isn't just a sport here - it's a deep-rooted part of Cornish heritage, steeped in history and community pride.

Meanwhile, the calm, glistening waters of the Camel Estuary, between the bustling harbour town of Padstow and the village of Rock, are home to a thriving oyster business. Matt and his family are hard at work cultivating their prized oysters, carefully nurturing them from seed to plate. Their produce will soon grace the menus of some of Cornwall's finest restaurants.

And just a little further upstream, in Rock, another sure sign of the changing season is taking shape. A vital project is underway to rebuild the pontoon - an essential lifeline that connects businesses, boat owners and visitors to the water. As Cornwall prepares for the influx of spring and summer visitors, this crucial structure will help keep the estuary moving, supporting both livelihoods and leisure.

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.

We follow a kayaking expedition, exploring hidden sea caves and secret coves.

In Padstow a fisherman tries an innovative way of catching scallops with illuminated pots.

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.