Fergus Collins

Fergus Collins is the creator and host of the BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast - a weekly adventure in the British countryside. He is also a writer and a former editor of BBC Countryfile Magazine.

Why does the US have a Manchester, Boston and Salisbury? The surprising origins of the English towns and cities that you’ll also find in America

Britain's place names offer clues into local history and landscape – and have been influenced by groups such as the Romans and Normans

“I quit the New York catwalk to create my own regenerative garden paradise – here’s why”

Poppy Okotcha turned her back on the jet-setting lifestyle of a top model for a more down-to-earth way of life. Fergus Collins meets the regenerative gardener and author to find out why

It feels like being “jabbed with a red-hot needle” – here's what to do if an invasive Asian hornet stings you

Sightings of invasive Asian hornets are increasing in the UK – so what should you do if you're stung by one?

“Every English river is dying.” But it’s not too late to save them from destruction – here's how

Robert Macfarlane’s Is a River Alive? is one of the year’s biggest – and most vital – book releases. In this exclusive interview, we discover why he’s campaigning to have rivers recognised as living beings

It has a top speed of 72kph, can leap almost 2 metres high and could win Olympic gold in boxing

Spotting a hare is an incredible wildlife spectacle and early spring is the ideal time to spot them. Learn more about the hare species found in the UK, including the brown hare in our expert guide.

The best dog treats for training: Tried and tested by Idris the whippet

We test the healthiest and most responsive treats to give your dog to ensure training goes smoothly.

Killer wave of 1607: UK's deadliest flood killed 2,000 in Somerset – could a tsunami hit Britain's coast again?

In 1607, a devastating tsunami swept through the Bristol Channel, killing hundreds of people. But could it happen again?

High-end fashion, carbon-free cows and drought-resistant plants: Is this the future of farming?

From home-grown cloth to natural pest control and new ways of raising cattle, Fergus Collins reports from this year’s Oxford Real Farming Conference on the key ideas that could transform our rural landscapes

Ireland is one of only a few countries on the planet that doesn't have snakes. Here's why...

Legend has it St Patrick really didn't like snakes...

This island is the ‘dinosaur capital’ of the UK – although record-breaking prehistoric giants, heavier than African elephants, were found elsewhere

The UK has had its fair share of ginormous dino digs over the centuries – but what's been the biggest discovery?

Why has there never been a 'king' of Wales?

We have had kings of Scotland and England so why not Wales?

Macbeth, William the Conqueror, Harold II – the famous kings that suffered violent and brutal deaths on the battlefield

Being a king was a dangerous business - especially if they had a thirst for power and glory

Why do so many beautiful and historic buildings have bricked-up windows? It's all thanks to an odd 17th-century law

If you've strolled through cities such as Bath or Edinburgh, you might notice that lots of historic buildings have bricked up windows. Ever wondered why?

How much milk do cows produce?

How much milk does a cow produce each day? As Fergus Collins explains, the breed really does make a difference.

There's a part of England that's actually American – and it's right on the banks of the River Thames

Is this historic part of England actually American? We take a look...

Best walking boots for summer 2025: Tried & tested hiking boots for men and women

From rugged trails to rainy hillwalks, we review the best hiking boots from trusted names like Scarpa and Helly Hansen.

"Cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree was an act of spite". Did “resentful cynicism” drive the guilty two or was it for "bragging rights and trophy-hunting”?

The felling of the Sycamore Gap Tree appalled and saddened millions. Yet, as Fergus Collins discovers, hope can spring from the darkest ecological tragedies

Is it really true that Britain hasn’t invaded only 22 countries?

It's a common belief that Britain has invaded most of the countries in the world – we take a look at this popular internet theory

This monstrous hellhound is thought to have inspired Dracula – discover the legend of Barghest

Fergus Collins delves into the legend of the Barghest

What will the future of farming look like? 10 things we learnt from one of the UK’s biggest farming events

In the first of our future of farming series, we report from the Oxford Farming Conference to see how the agricultural world is adapting

Heading to the Highlands this summer? Here’s how to avoid the dreaded midges that feel like being ‘stabbed by needles’

You don't want your holiday to be spoilt by insect bites, and there's one in particular that wreaks considerable havoc: the Highland midge

What exactly is the difference between white, brown and sourdough bread – and how did sliced bread get so cheap?

Ever wondered what the difference is between these types of bread? And how did science change Britain's loaves?

Are there any great white sharks in UK waters?

Great whites are one of the deadliest apex predators, but have they ever been spotted around the UK? Fergus Collins takes a look

Should Britain be eating more goat? Why this common farmyard animal could be a more ethical alternative to beef

The dairy goat industry is linked to thousands of billy goats being slaughtered each year as wastage – so is it time to add the meat to supermarket shelves?