Somerset: Wonder of the West Country - Episode Guide

In the first episode, we head to the seaside resort of Minehead to meet the crew of the West Somerset Steam Railway, as they try to navigate one of the country's more challenging heritage railway lines and attempt to serve a luxury dining experience to a packed carriage on the move.

We meet ice-cream maker David Baker as he trials two new flavours at his popular seaside ice cream vans. The pressure is on for the owner and staff at historic Forde Abbey and its glorious gardens as they open up for their first-ever end of summer plant fair.

We visit the unique, quirky holiday lets on the port of Watchet's East Quay. And in Bishops Lydeard, we follow the competitors and their heavy horses vying for a podium finish in the National Ploughing competition.

This time, we head to Cheddar and its famous gorge to find out how its world-renowned cheese is made and the surprising depths its makers go to get the flavour right. Will all the hand ‘cheddaring' and a year maturing in the gorge's caves pay off?

Thousands of pieces of pottery are on the line as the family behind the famous Muchelney Pottery attempt their first full firing in years - can Ben and his team live up to the historic legacy of his late father, legendary potter John Leach?

We visit the picturesque Dunster Castle and meet the staff member lucky enough to call this stunning fortress home and look out at the view said to have inspired the hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful. In the shadow of the ancient castle, we follow the organisers and competitors at the 175th annual Dunster agricultural show. Will father and daughter farming team Geoff and Sonya's prize cows have what it takes to win a coveted rosette at this historic event?

And on the River Parrett, nature-lovers head out on a vintage boat in search of some of the most beautiful wildlife to be found on Somerset's legendary ‘levels', where kingfishers and starling murmurations put on unforgettable displays.

This time, we go through the keyhole to see how the other half live in upmarket Bath, in one of its most desirable multi-million-pound properties on the stunning, and famously luxurious Great Pulteney Street.

We witness the world-famously picturesque Georgian town being overtaken by thousands of costumed Jane Austen fans from all over the world.

We head out on to the spectacularly rugged and beautiful Exmoor to follow the annual pony ‘gathering' as David and Emma Wallis attempt to round up the largest herd of wild native Exmoor ponies in from the moors for an annual health check - easier said than done when you're dealing with animals that have been running wild on the moors for millennia.

We meet the gardeners of Hestercombe House who are undertaking an extraordinary challenge to renovate the stunning historic gardens in precise detail using original paintings from the past. This once forgotten and lost landscape has been transformed into one of Somerset's most admired gardens.

We visit a fancy farm shop that's a destination for doughnut lovers to see how they make their award-winning sweet treats. And we take a peek at some of the county's most unique vintage holiday properties: from a former train carriage converted into a drop-dead gorgeous holiday home, to a double-decker bus glamping experience, and even an unforgettable UFO.

It's carnival time in Bridgwater - one of the largest illuminated processions in Europe. The Lime Kiln Carnival Club have created a spectacular cart featuring over 10,000 light bulbs. But can they avoid disappointment and do better than last year's disaster when they broke down before they'd even got halfway around the route? If they can, it will be a night to remember with sights and sounds to dazzle visitors and potential glory for the winner of the coveted best cart prize.

We meet the stallholders of Frome's independent market as cake bakers do battle with ice cream makers and cider sellers at this destination event in one of Somerset's most popular towns - known for having more listed buildings than any other town in the county.

We visit one of Somerset's most beautiful seaside hamlets for the Porlock Weir Sea Festival. This stunning and historic port was once famous for its oysters and now oyster farmer Ian is trying to revive the tradition - but will his new restaurant venture pay off?

We head to the historic city of Wells to discover the secrets of the bell-ringing swans that live on the moat of the Bishop's Palace and meet the "swan whisperer" who trains them to perform this unique and unlikely ritual. In the shadow of the cathedral we find out what it's like to live on one of Britain's most picturesque and photographed streets: the medieval Vicar's Close. And a group of nature-lovers sets off in search of one of Exmoor's most stunning annual spectacles: the red deer rutting season, when stags face off against one another to prove their dominance. But will they be able to track down Britain's largest wild land mammals?

This time we're off to the legendary seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare with its historic pier and family-favourite donkey rides. We meet veteran ‘Donkeyman' of 70 years, Terry - with his much-loved herd - who is carrying on the tradition started by the Victorians. Without which the donkey rides, this iconic bucket-and-spade resort wouldn't be the same.

It's judgement time at Somerset's annual Festival of Transport where vintage vehicles reign supreme. Who will win prizes for best steam engines and most fabulous motorcycles? And will show organiser Tony's dream come true and see him tick off a true bucket-list experience?

We find out what life was like for the posh householders of Roman Somerset at an extraordinary authentic recreation of an ancient villa set in the grounds of the recently voted ‘World's Best Boutique Hotel'.

We head to Glastonbury to uncover one of Britain's oldest family fish and chip shops and meet the regular who's been dining there every week for the last 60 years.

And we discover the secrets of a mysterious island off the Somerset coast where just managing to land there is an achievement in itself.