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A gateway to the world, a place of arrivals and departures, the Thames Estuary is one of the busiest waterways in the UK.ÌýAgainst the back drop of Estuary 2016, an arts festival celebrating the life and times of the waterway, Matt Baker meets Rachel Lichtenstein, the Festivals’ curator and an acclaimed author.Ìý Not far from the festival, and the next stop in Matt’s journey is the control room of the Port of London Authority, the hive of activity that keeps the estuary in order.Ìý

In Britain’s high risk Bovine TB areas, one in five cattle herds given the all clear from the disease could still have TB. That’s according to the responsible government department, Defra. Tom Heap looks at why the TB test is missing infected cows and looks at what science has to offer to help beat the disease.

This year marks the 450th anniversary of the Exeter Canal, and what better way to celebrate than to get out on the water on a paddle board? With autumn sunshine and glassy water, Naomi Wilkinson meets paddle-boarding instructor Mark Bloxham and his Springer Spaniel Cookie to learn the basics of the sport, before heading out onto the River Exe to meet female paddle-boarding champion, Marie Buchanan. With water lapping at her feet and a need to stay balanced, will Naomi stay afloat long enough for the unusual activity Mark has planned?Ìý

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It’s the last public crossing point before the Thames flows out into the sea and it’s been here since Tudor times.ÌýThe Tilbury and Gravesend foot ferry serves commuters and day trippers these days, but 400 years ago it would have carried cattle to market and pilgrims to Canterbury.ÌýMatt Baker meets the captain of the ferry, John Potter, to see why this is still such an important crossing.Ìý

UK Wool Week runs from the 10th to the 16th of October and aims to promote the best of British wool. So to celebrate we sent Adam to Widecombe fair on Dartmoor. The Whiteface sheep have been an integral part of farming life on the moors for centuries. The wool they produced provided an income to farmers and ensured their survival. Adam finds out what makes this breed so special.Ìý

The beautiful Lydford Gorge was one of the UK's earliest tourist destinations.ÌýYoung 18th century men and women in search of the picturesque came here to marvel at the stunning waterfall. Today it still draws people. Naomi meets Stuart Mathieson from the National Trust, to learn about the myths and legends surrounding the falls. She then meets up with local artist and photographer, Jo Bradford, to capture the beauty of this historic landscape in a very modern way.

Rare wading birds feeding on the mudflats, seals sunning themselves on the shoreline and cows grazing in the fields nearby, Thurrock Thameside Nature Park is a haven for wildlife. However it used to be a landfill site for all of London’s rubbish. Sean Fletcher meets Charlie Oliver from the Essex Wildlife Trust, to see how this land has been re-wilded and discovers the beautiful and unlikely species that it attracts.Ìý