Freya Parr
Deputy Editor of the National Trust Magazine and freelance journalist
Freya Parr is the Deputy Editor of the National Trust Magazine and a freelance journalist working across multiple titles including BBC Countryfile and BBC Wildlife. She is the former Digital Editor & Staff Writer at BBC Music Magazine, where she has stayed on as a regular critic. She is a keen trail runner, surfer and outdoor swimmer, enjoying scrambling up mountains and reviewing kit for titles such as Trail Magazine.
Recent articles by Freya Parr
9.5% increase in plastic litter on UK beaches, new survey shows
Three quarters of a million pieces of litter were discovered and collected by the Marine Conservation Society in 2024 – an increase of nearly 10% compared to 2023.
Snake heads and bleeding hearts: These are Britain's weirdest flowers
The UK is home to some truly bizarre blooms, from eerie ghost orchids to flowers that look like bees. Some of these plants are rare and elusive, while others could even thrive in your garden
'Sky seeding' drones drop 75,000 tree seeds to restore England's lost rainforests
The seeds have been sown in Devon and Cornwall by high-tech drones in a new initiative by the Woodland Trust.
Hairless cats, tailless tabbies and wolf-like felines: These are the weirdest cat breeds
From hairless sphynxes to werewolf-like Lykoi cats, some feline breeds stand out for their unusual appearances and colourful histories
Forestry England is hiring for one of the UK's weirdest jobs – and it pays £42k a year
One of the Forest of Dean's most ancient jobs is now welcoming new applicants
When does a sea become an ocean?
Many people use the terms interchangeably, but there’s a critical difference between a sea and an ocean
Who were the real Durrells – and what on earth happened to them all? Was it all guns, goats and Greek sunshine?
We're all familiar with the hit ITV drama The Durrells, but who were the Durrells and how true to life is the show?
£17.5 million gift from mystery donor will transform Scottish estate into rewilded paradise
The Scottish Wildlife Trust’s largest ever donation allows the charity to restore wildlife and habitats on the site, helping to tackle the nature and climate crises.
British swimming star and Paralympian Ellie Simmonds announced as new Crufts presenter
The new face of Crufts this year is Ellie Simmonds, the British Paralympian who grew up not far from the Birmingham venue.
Golden retriever: Everything you need to know about one of the UK's best-loved dog breeds
From their temperament and exercise needs to their history and lifespan, here is everything you need to know about golden retrievers.
Is this Britain’s rarest dog breed? One puppy registered in 2024
A number of much-loved British dog breeds have fallen to their lowest levels since World War Two, reveals new report.
From exploding corpses to fatal feasts, which English monarch had the most gruesome death?
Kings and queens might lead glamorous lives, but their deaths aren't always so dignified. From bizarre accidents to truly gruesome ends, history is full of monarchs who met a fate stranger than fiction
Holidayers targeted as Cornwall introduces 100% council tax premium on second homes
Cornwall and a raft of other councils around the UK will introduce a 100% council tax premium on second homes and holiday lets, in response to the damaging impact second homes have had on local communities and economies.
Who is Steve Backshall? Everything you need to know about the naturalist and wildlife presenter
All you need to know about the BBC TV presenter Steve Backshall and the wildlife programmes he's been involved with over the years
Who were England's most murderous monarchs? Discover the kings and queens who had the most blood on their hands...
From bloody battles to brutal purges, some of history’s most famous monarchs were defined by their deadly actions. But which ruler truly earned the title of the deadliest of all?
Stella McCartney under fire for plans for modernist home in Scottish highlands – and otters might be the dealbreaker
Planning permission for Stella McCartney's ultra-modern home is being stalled in the Scottish township of Roshven as a disagreement about the presence of otters (a legally protected species) wages war.
Best sea shanties: These catchy seafaring tunes will have you singing loud, stamping proud – and reaching for a tankard of warm, flat ale
Sea shanty singing has enjoyed an unexpected resurgence in recent years – and for good reason. Warm up your voice, grab a tankard of ale and head for the beach with these recommendations of the best sea shanties to learn
Heave-ho! These are the best sea shanty festivals in the UK
The UK has some of the best sea shanty festivals in Europe, with a history of seafaring and singing. Get on board, and come and join in the chaos!
10 epic castles for sale right now, including one linked to the Gunpowder Plotters and one with a 10,000 wine bottle cellar
Fancy an enormous acreage, stables, farmland and helicopter landing pad? Feast your eyes on some of these castles currently for sale on the UK housing market
Want to own your own island like Richard Branson? This uninhabited remote Scottish isle is now for sale
If you thought an island off the coast of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland was remote, there's an island OFF this island currently up for sale
Deadliest mountains in the UK – and the world
The UK's mountains are visited by hundreds of thousands of visitors year on year – and sometimes those hikes or climbs don't go as well as others. These are the British mountains that have claimed the most fatalities over the years
These are the biggest cow breeds in the world
From the muscly Belgian blues to the elegant Swiss simmentals, these giant bulls are large and in charge – and many of these large cow breeds are found in British farms today
Top 10 family dogs: these are the best child-friendly dog breeds
Which dog breeds are best with kids? We've rounded up the best family dogs of all shapes and sizes
Tiny dogs: meet 10 of the world’s smallest breeds
From the perfect Pomeranian to the affectionate Affenpischer, here are 10 of the smallest dog breeds in the world