STEAM TRAINS and a beach that 'stops you in its tracks' featured on the latest episode of a series showcasing the beauty of Dorset.

Dorset: Country & Coast returned for its second episode of a six-part series on Channel 5 yesterday evening (Wednesday, August 2).

The show, narrated by Alan Titchmarsh, is exploring the county to show the 'iconic' places and people that live here.

Last night, viewers were taken back in time to the historic Swanage Railway where staff explained what goes into keeping the old locomotives ticking.

Dorset: Country & Coast also took a look inside the Purbeck Mining Museum in Corfe Castle and interviewed some old members of staff who looked after the mines in days gone by. 

The museum is dedicated to the history and heritage of Purbeck Ball Clay mining and its industrial narrow gauge railways.

Elsewhere, the programme visited Sherborne's oldest working bakery, Oxfords, and explained what goes into making its signature Dorset apple cakes.

Staying in Sherborne, viewers joined bellringers at the iconic Sherborne Abbey where plans were in motion to 'Ring for the King' on Coronation day back in May.

In the south of the county, Weymouth also featured on last night's episode to showcase the work of talented sand sculptor Mark Anderson.

Viewers were taken into Mark's protected 'hut' on Weymouth beach where he crafted a tribute to the new King Charles.

On Chesil Beach, we were shown how the Crab House Cafe in Ferrybridge - which was recently named one of the best in the UK - gets its fresh oysters from a dedicated farm in the Fleet Lagoon.

The 18-mile beach between West Bay and Portland was described by Titchmarsh as one that 'stops you in its tracks'.

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens in west Dorset also featured last night as we joined gardeners in charge of the area's rare selection of plants.

The space was described as giving you the feel of 'being in a foreign country' with its bright and colourful species. 

Next week's episode will shine a light on Weymouth and ice cream parlour Rossi's, which has been run by the same family on the Esplanade for more than 85 years and was this month named as one of the UK's tastiest ice cream shops.

The programme will also visit the harbour and award-winning beach, as well as Abbotsbury Swannery.

It will be available to watch on Channel 5 at 8pm on Wednesday, August 9. Previous episodes can be viewed on Channel 5's catch-up service, My5.