"The countryside is my home. I love the landscape, and share with the people who live and work there, the endless fascination about what makes it tick. Countrywise is going to take me into every corner of rural Britain. Who could turn down a job like that?" This spring a new series for ITV1 showcases the fabric of Britain's rural and coastal life. Countrywise dedicates 36 episodes to the riches which lie beyond Britain’s major cities. It is presented by journalist turned farmer and sailor Paul Heiney. Countrywise highlights exactly what makes our countryside tick. Combining items presented by Paul with features drawn from ITV’s regions, the programme takes in the breadth of Britain's countryside, from its crumbliest coastline and happiest valley, to its secret tunnels, rescued gardens and haunted hills. On his travels around rural Britain, Paul Heiney visits the only place in the UK to grow tea, learns the inside story of Dover's white cliffs, and discovers the country's most bizarre beach huts. In these credit-crunch times, a growing number are now turning their backs on foreign breaks and Countrywise provides an invaluable reminder of what's here on our doorstep. Through the stories of the guardians for our landscape, wildlife and traditions, Paul leaves no stone unturned in his quest to uncover the secrets of Britain’s beautiful countryside. (24 episodes in summer + 12 episodes in autumn.)

Paul Heiney presents a series with memorable scenes drawn from the best of the ITV regions. Paul explores Britain's coast and country, and meets the people that make it special. Today, Paul joins anglers at an idyllic spot for the start of the fly-fishing season, and learns more about Victorian farming methods.

Today we find out how an historic Kent dockyard changed the landscape forever as whole forests were felled for the timber to build warships such as the Victory. We also learns more about Victorian farming traditions, and are introduced toanother country champion who is working to keep traditions alive.

Today we are in Constable country, celebrating the anniversary of the birth of one of Britain's best-loved landscape painters. We also find out about ambitious plans to create the UK's biggest wetland nature reserve AND Bettany Hughes investigates the landmark feat of engineering which stops this area disappearing under the sea.