Lancashire

The latest addition to the National Cycle Network is route number 700. It winds its way around the edge of the largest intertidal area in the UK - Morecambe Bay. The route starts at Glasson Dock in Lancashire and ends 81 miles later in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Anita Rani sets out on the trail to find out what this often overlooked area has to offer. She meets Susannah Bleakley from the Morecambe Bay Partnership which raised the funds to create the route and then bumps into some of the people benefiting from it.

Find out more about the Bay Cycle Way

Matt Baker heads to Cumbria to meet Ella, a youngster who was diagnosed from birth with a condition called nystagmus, meaning she’s severely visually impaired. For many years Ella has been supported by a charity called Sight Advice, one of over 2,500 charities funded by BBC Children in Need. On Saturday 10th October, Matt will be Ella’s guide as she embarks on her biggest challenge yet, climbing 3000 feet up a Welsh mountain as part of the Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need. Matt is put through his paces as he learns how to guide Ella on a walk in the Lake District and discusses with her the challenges and expectations that lie ahead.

Find out more about the Countryfile Ramble and download a sponsorship form

Morecambe Bay, with its spectacular beauty and stunning views, is also infamous for its dangerous tides and deadly quicksand. Over the years there have been a number of stories and incidents where people have been caught out. Helen Skelton heads to the so called ‘Danger Triangle’ to meet with Nigel Capstick from the Coastguard Rescue Service to find out more about the risks and how people can avoid them. When the tide comes in at Morecambe Bay it can also produce a natural phenomenon known as a ‘bore’. Helen joins sea kayaking expert Andy Hill and gets out on the water to witness the power of the tide for herself.

Find out more about the Coastguard Rescue Team

Adam Henson has hitched on his cattle box and hit the road to transport some animals for a close friend. Dexters are the smallest breed of cattle in the UK and are ideal for anybody looking to keep cows for the first time. Their new mystery owner is a familiar face to Countryfile viewers and she wants them to help her look after her smallholding. But will their new home pass Adam’s inspection?

Find out more about Dexters

The Bay Cycle Way is known for having a loo, brew and a view every 10 miles. One of the best spots for all three of these is the RSPB Leighton Moss reserve. Anita meets with Site Manager Jarrod Sneyd to head out into the reed beds to see first-hand what work they’re doing to help promote the recovery of one of the UK’s rarest birds - the Bittern. She then joins Annabel Rushton from the RSPB to get a bird’s eye view of the reserve from their new Sky Tower. From here Anita takes the opportunity to take in the view and observe a number of the avian highlights: Marsh Harriers, herons and a lesser-spotted Gleb?!

Find out more about the Leighton Moss reserve

Tom Heap asks whether better biosecurity could help reduce the number of cases of Tuberculosis in cattle. Biosecurity, measures to protect livestock from pests and diseases, is just one of the strategies being used to tackle the problem of bovine TB. To prevent the disease being spread by cattle, measures such as regular testing and movement restrictions. But biosecurity can also be used to stop badger to cattle transmission and, as Tom discovers, some feel that not enough research has been done on the effectiveness of these measures. 

Anita ends her journey along the first portion of the Bay Cycle Way by visiting one of, if not the best, spots to view the sunset as it descends over Morecambe Bay. Jack Scout is rare for this stretch of coastline as it is one of only two limestone cliffs. These cliffs are managed by Craig McCoy from the National Trust and one of the highlights is an orchid that is as diminutive as it is beautiful.  The Autumn’s Ladies Tresses are one of the UK’s latest flowering orchids and it’s flowers only last a couple of weeks. Jack Scout is also host to a Victorian folly called the ‘Giant’s Seat’ which gives a weary cyclist a chance to rest their legs and take in one final glimpse of the natural beauty Morecambe Bay has to offer as the sun sets over the horizon. 

Find out more about Jack Scout

John Craven reveals the winner of the Countryfile Photographic Competition, from our twelve final photographs. He surprises the photographer who took the winning picture, which takes pride of place on the Countryfile Calendar for 2016. He also gives out the details of how you can buy the 2016 calendar, which we sell in aid of BBC Children in Need. The current calendar raised more the £1.5 million for the charity.