Plymouth Sound National Marine Park takes centre stage on BBC's Countryfile

22nd April 2025

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, the first of its kind in the UK, proudly featured in BBC’s ever-popular Countryfile over the Easter weekend.

Filmed over two days on the picturesque clifftops of Wembury, part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the episode highlighted the incredible biodiversity and conservation efforts taking place on Plymouth’s doorstep. With spring in full bloom, the programme celebrated the abundance of new life along the South West coast, both on land and beneath the waves.

Airing on Easter Sunday, the episode shone a spotlight on the dedicated team and passionate volunteers at Plymouth Sound National Marine Park who are working tirelessly on the innovative Rays Project. This inspiring initiative seeks to raise awareness of the ray species that inhabit Plymouth Sound by studying their life cycles, habitats, and behaviours.

Presenters John Craven and Vick Hope explored the Wembury coastline, joining an Easter-themed egg-case hunt to identify ray, skate, and shark nurseries which live along the shoreline.

Plymouth Sound National Marine Park CEO Elaine Hayes said: "This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the important work happening at the National Marine Park.

"The rays project exemplifies our commitment to bringing people and nature together and the difference we can make when organisations and volunteers work together. I'm incredibly proud of everyone involved and it was brilliant that the nation got to see what we've achieved."

The full episode of Countryfile | Wembury Coast  is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Find out more about Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and the Little Rays of Hope Project.