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countryfile

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The wrecks of three barges in Shepherds Creek, Chetney Marshes, Kent, 2024. Creator: Damian Grady. (Photo by Historic England Archive/Heritage Images via Getty Images)

Prison ships, German submarines and shallow graves: the terrible tale of Britain's own Dead Man's Island

Pirates? Prison ships? Or something worse? The rotten hulls of old ships on the Medway tell their own tale
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Iguanodon dinosaur, illustration

Britain's lost giants: 7 dinosaurs that once called Britain home

The UK's shores teemed with dinosaurs during the Mesozoic Era…
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The Clumber Spaniel, Vanitonia Soloist "Bruin" and handler Lee Cox pose for photographs at the trophy presentation after winning the Best in Show competition on the final day of the Crufts dog show at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, central England, on March 8, 2026. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)

Meet the special Clumber spaniel named Bruin, winner of Crufts 2026

The rare Clumber spaniel dog breed hasn't won Crufts since 1991. Here's how the pup won over the judges...
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European badger - Meles meles

With up to 178 entrances, 50 chambers and getting on for a kilometre of passageways this ancestral home can rival the grandest of houses

Just how big do badger setts get?
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a very close up of a herring gull in flight with its wings spread and an out of focus sea and sky form the background

Villains or victims? These are Britain's least loved animals

These are the creatures often misunderstood – and perhaps unfairly maligned
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Queen and Prince Philip wave from their Rolls Royce

Inside the royal car fleet: These are the official (and personal) vehicles of the British Royal Family

From Bentley State Limousines to the late Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved Rolls-Royces, discover the history and features of the British Royal Family’s extraordinary collection of cars
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baked cornish pasties in a row

A blow for Cornwall as Bristol triumphs at the first Global Pasty Championships

Loving British Shorthair cat lying down on a beige couch and looking at the camera n a house in Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Is my cat lonely – and should I get another one?

It’s normal to worry about your pet and whether they’re happy as a singleton. Cat behaviourist Jess Williams explains how to tell if your cat is lonely, or is something else is going on.
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Credit: Centre for Ageing Better

What core exercises should I do as I age?

Alan Cumming in black and white

From rural Perthshire to a Highland castle: Inside Alan Cumming’s Scotland

From a small Perthshire market town to hosting The Traitors in a Highland castle, Alan Cumming’s life has come full circle
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Tapestry showing siege of castle

The remarkable tale of Owain Lawgoch, the rebel Welsh prince who took up arms for France

Mercenary captain, exile and would-be Prince of Wales, he became such a threat that the English crown paid to have him killed
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cat and a bee

How long do cats live? Vet shares cat life expectancy and what to expect

When we adopt pets into our family, we hope to spend a long life with them. Cats Protection’s veterinary officer Sarah Elliott shares the different life stages to expect for your cat.
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In this aerial view in the aftermath of Storm Henk, fields and roads are flooded after the River Trent burst its banks with a major incident declared in Nottinghamshire

How to protect your home from flooding and flood damage

When storms strike, staying safe and protecting your home are a priority. Safeguard yourself and your property from flooding with these key steps.
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Ice surrounds St Thomas Becket Church on the Romney Marshes

Inside Britain's plague churches: the haunting truth behind our loneliest sanctuaries

Many British isolated rural churches are often linked to the Black Death. But were they really abandoned by plague – or is the story more complicated?
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A wide angle view of a family of five enjoying the beauty of the Lake District in Keswick in Cumbria. They are out walking their patter-dale terrier along a beautiful quiet country road.

What are the best counties in England for dog walking trails?

A survey of English counties pinpoints the best regions to explore with your four-legged friend
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MURCIA, SPAIN - DECEMBER 16: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been converted to black and white.) Carlos Alcaraz of Spain runs during his VO2 Max test as he trains for the Australian Open 2026 at Cardiosalus Sport centro medico deportivo on December 16, 2025 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

What’s a good VO₂ max for my age? Everything you need to know about this important fitness indicator

VO₂  max is one of the best indicators of your cardiovascular fitness and longevity. What counts as a 'good' VO₂  max changes with age, so comparing yourself to the right benchmark is key for optimum health and fitness.
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Credit: Photo by Andrew Hasson/Getty Images

Avoid the common mistake that could cost you a £1,000 fine: key stand-up paddleboarding licence rules explained

Everything you need to know about securing the right license and insurance for paddleboarding in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Plus, how the rules differ when exploring on lakes, reservoirs, rivers, canals and the sea.
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Bronte country

Rugged moors and imagined worlds: How real are the landscapes of the Brontë novels?

How did a quiet Yorkshire parsonage produce three of Britain’s greatest writers? We explore the moorlands and villages that inspired Charlotte, Emily and Anne – and how much of Brontë Country made its way into their novels
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Claudia Winkleman attends the "Is This Thing On?" Headline Gala at the 69th BFI London Film Festival at The Royal Festival Hall on October 14, 2025 in London, England.

Who is Claudia Winkleman? Everything you need to know about The Traitors presenter and new Crufts host

Learn all about television presenter, radio host, and writer Claudia Winkleman. Including how her broadcasting career led her to be awarded an MBE, and what's next.
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Royal Family walking along

How tall will Prince George be (and will he be as tall as his dad)? 

If the trend continues, Prince George may be the tallest British monarch we’ve ever had
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Border collie

Is the border collie the world's most intelligent dog? Stunning photography reveals just how clever this sheep dog is

Photographer and farmer Amy Bateman documents the day-to-day behaviour of her working border collies, offering an intimate view into the life of this highly intelligent sheep dog
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Lowestoft Shannon class lifeboat Patsy Knight in rough seas during the storm

The death-defying rescues and courageous crews that have saved 144,000 souls at sea  

Discover 12 of the most amazing moments in the RNLI's 200-year history, including unusual gifts and a record-breaking rescue that saved 456 lives.
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Llangattock Escarpment

This strange-looking hill is riddled with miles of secret tunnels. It's peaceful now – but it wasn't always that way

Explore a dramatic and almost otherworldly landscape, shaped by industry and reclaimed by nature.
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