Author Charlie Lyon

Charlie Lyon

Charlie is a freelance contributor who is passionate about the countryside, wildlife and environmental matters

Recent articles by Charlie Lyon

How tall is Catherine, Princess of Wales? Her lofty height is well-suited to public life

The future Queen Consort stands noticeably taller than the average British woman
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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 14: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Queen Camilla, King Charles III (wearing his Coldstream Guards uniform), Prince Louis of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales (Colonel of the Welsh Guards), Prince George of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending Trooping The Colour 2025 on June 14, 2025 in London, England. Trooping the Colour, also known as The King's Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony to mark the official birthday of the British Sovereign. The ceremony, which takes place at Horse Guards Parade followed by a flypast over Buckingham Palace, was first performed in the mid-17th century during the reign of King Charles II. The parade features all seven regiments of the Household Division with Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards being the regiment this year having their Colour Trooped. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

The Royal Family’s line of succession: Who's next to inherit the crown – and where do all the other members of the family fall?

A quick look at where Britain’s royals stand in the centuries-old order for the throne
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Watch incredible, unbelievable close-up footage of baby ospreys hatch and grow, surviving storms and brutal tawny owl attacks

The Woodland Trust Scotland has captured the remarkable journey of two feisty male ospreys as they grow and eventually fledge.
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Crowned before their first birthday, ruling for just 9 days before being executed – discover the record-breaking royals who have made the history books

Discover the extraordinary extremes that make some royals unforgettable
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What have been the most common names for British kings?

And who chooses the name anyway?
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Just how many European countries have royal families? We take a look at Europe's different monarchies

Which are the nations keeping royal history alive in the modern age?
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How tall is Prince William? His towering height makes him a striking future king

It's actually remarkable by modern and historic standards
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Could the European wildcat return to south-west England? Experts say the area's ready...

A reintroduction to South West England could help save the UK's most critically endangered mammal
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Shetland BBC filming locations

16 best crime dramas to stream and watch right now – devilish crooks, determined sleuths and beautiful backdrops... you'll be hooked

From murder mysteries in close-knit communities to heists in far-flung locations, here are the best crime dramas streaming in the UK right now
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Edinburgh Castle at sunrise

Could Edinburgh Castle really vanish? 8 iconic landmarks under threat

From coastal erosion to flash floods, a new report reveals how rising temperatures and extreme weather could bring an end to our most treasured cultural sites
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X Ray Illustration of Painful Hand and Elbow Joint - Medical 3D Illustration

Miracle gel could keep arthritis sufferers pain-free claim scientists – giving hope for millions

Cambridge scientists have developed a new material that senses flareups and releases drugs exactly where and when needed
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Forget William the Conqueror, this forgotten hero was the first REAL King of England, says expert

A new biography shines a light on a forgotten king of England, and makes a case for his name to be better cemented in the nation's psyche
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Border collie with blue ball on owner's lap

Who's a clever boy? When it comes to toys and playing, dogs are smarter than we think say experts

Snuffle mats, chew toys, tug ropes, puzzles... a new study reveals that dogs can mentally sort toys by function, meaning they're more clever than we thought
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Dehydration could be fuelling your anxiety and depression say experts

A new study has revealed that your stress hormones surge, as does your vulnerability to stress-related health issues, when your water levels dip
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“To take away the campsite income would be devastating" – landowners and farmers alarmed at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park's pop-up campsite ban

The National Park Authority plans to remove permitted development rights allowing people to open temporary campsites for 28 days a year to earn extra money.
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Wild beavers back in English rivers: Government approves release centuries after the rodents became extinct

The Eurasian beaver is set to return to our waterways after centuries of absence, following a government decision to allow wild releases under licence.
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PENKRIDGE, STAFFORDSHIRE - APRIL 15: Rubbish is strewn across a country lane, as the closure of household recycling centres due to the coronavirus pandemic is resulting in farmers seeing an increase in fly-tipping on April 15, 2020 in Penkridge, Staffordshire. Agricultural operations in the UK have been able to continue work amid the quarantine restrictions imposed to control the spread of COVID-19. Many segments of the agricultural industry are worried about the supply of farm labour given the extensive travel bans across Europe, although special charter flights have started to import foreign workers to the UK. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

"We have made our farms into medieval forts": farmers reveal devastating impact of fly-tipping as cases reach record high

Owners of rural businesses are calling for the government's long-awaited rural crime strategy to help protect them from organised gangs who target under-policed areas.
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Regents Park, London, UK. May 15, 2016. Springtime Regents Park, a black swan on the lake in the Queen Marys garden. The lake is still giving a perfect reflection of the swan. The lake is surrounded by lush green foliage and blossom on the trees. A path can be seen with a few benches on the right of the image.

When does a pond become a lake?

They both make great habitats for British wildlife, but what's the difference between a pond and a lake? The answer might help you make a splash at the next pub quiz.
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Digital illustration of the solar system

Rare 'planet parade' visible this week – how to see seven planets align for the last time until 2040

In February 2025 you can see several planets align – and it makes for an amazing spectacle
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Ancient clapper bridge over the East Dart river at Postbridge in Dartmoor National Park in Devon UK Europe

When does a stream become a river?

British streams and rivers are vital habitats, hosting mammals, invertebrates, birds and amphibians. But what's the difference between them?
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Are you tough enough? New brutal obstacle race – World's Toughest Mudder – hits the UK in June

Entries for the endurance event, which takes place in the Midlands on the 28 and 29 June 2025, are now open
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Full moon

Snow Moon 2025: how and when to see tonight's full moon

Make the most of February's full moon: here's how to observe it and celebrate it, and the meaning behind its name.
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4 year old male Labrador dog playing in a Wheat field

Would you feed your dog lab-grown meat? 'World's first' cultivated treat goes on sale in UK pet shop

A limited release of 'Chick Bites' dog treats, made using cells taken from an egg, goes on sale on 7 February.
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A carpet of Bluebells in the New Forest, Hampshire, England

When does a wood become a forest?

British woodlands are nature-rich and play a huge role in protecting our environment. But what's the difference between a copse, a wood and a forest? Wooden you like to know?
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