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Matt Baker is on the Shipwrights Way – a new footpath dedicated to the rich history of shipbuilding in Hampshire. Emerging in Portsmouth’s historic docks, Matt meets modern shipwright Bob Daubeney to discover the heritage of these masters of wood. He also climbs 60 feet up the rigging of the majestic HMS Warrior to ensure that she stays ship-shape for another 150 years. Then Matt takes a voyage of discovery aboard HMS Victory. Famous for its connection with Admiral Lord Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar, Victory is now over 250 years old and in need of some very modern technology to aid with her upkeep. Old plans of the ship have now become ultra high-tech as a team of surveyors map her with lasers – right down to the chips in the paintwork.

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This week on his farm Adam takes delivery of a beautiful billy goat that will become the new head of his Golden Guernsey herd of nannies. These rare goats are already enjoying the delights of motherhood with the arrival of some very cute baby kids. Eric may steal most of the limelight, but he is not the only bull on Adam’s Cotswolds’ farm and he is always looking for more. So, Adam goes on a hunt for a male for his herd of rare White Park cows. He heads off to Leicestershire to meet a fellow White Park fanatic who is selling a fine young two year old bull.

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In 1942, Britain stood alone in Western Europe against the threat from Nazi Germany. Something incredible was needed to turn the tide and boost British morale. It appeared in the form of a small unit of Royal Marines, known as the Boom Patrol Detachment. Twelve valiant men mounted a daring raid deep behind enemy lines, but just two returned. Julia Bradbury discovers the challenges they faced and how they became known and revered as the Cockleshell Heroes.

IMAGE: Julia Bradbury with historian Tom Keene

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A growing global population and a changing climate mean that farmers of the future will have to produce more food, in tougher conditions. It is hoped the world of scientific research can help and this week Tom Heap heads to the National Institute of Agricultural Botany in Cambridge for an exclusive first look at a major British breakthrough in the production of synthetic wheat. He then explores the world of automated farming, meeting students who are creating a new generation of agricultural robots – and a man who has developed a robotic hand that can pick fruit without bruising it.

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Walking in the footsteps of our ancient boat-builders, Matt helps experimental archaeologist Ryan Watts to carve a replica Iron Age log boat. The hope is that they can turn scientific theory about our ancestors’ methods into scientific fact. But first they need tools and Matt will need a steady hand to cast the bronze axe needed for the work ahead.

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Deep in the Hampshire countryside, one of Britain’s most exotic plants is thriving. Entwined in Japanese culture for the past 2000 years, wasabi is only a recent addition to our shores – best known for coating wasabi peas and accompanying our ever-growing appetite for sushi. Julia – a self-confessed loather of wasabi – is on a mission to see if fresh wasabi is any different to the stuff in a tube. She has a special pass to a secret location where it is being grown for the first time on British soil. Will she learn to love it?

IMAGE: Julia Bradbury with chef Matthew Tomkinson and grower Sean Ede

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