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
Dock diving, mushing and heelwork to music: This is the wild world of dog sports
Think dog sports are just about fetching a stick? From surfboards to sheep pens, pups are proving they can leap, dance – and even pull sleds with style
Roads that disappear with the tides: These are the UK's most dramatic island causeways
These striking UK causeways connect land and sea in unexpected ways. Some can be crossed at any time, while others vanish completely at high tide – but all require a bit of planning and a sense of timing
Four times taller than Niagara Falls but only accessible by foot (or boat)? Meet Britain’s biggest waterfall
The Scottish Highlands are home to the three tallest waterfalls in the UK – but you’ll need your hiking boots to reach them
Over £5 for the average pint. But beer price isn't the only reason pubs are closing at a rate of eight per week in the UK
New government data reveals that the impact of rising tax and labour costs is being felt across the nation’s pubs.
Think you don't quote Shakespeare? Think again as he's given us a whopping 1700 words and phrases we now use. Here are just a few of them – Thanks Will!
More than 400 years on, Shakespeare’s inventive wordplay continues to echo in our conversations. The Bard coined many more words and phrases than you might think.
It's not only the biggest animal in the world today, it is the biggest animal to have ever lived – and can be seen in UK waters
Blue whales, the largest animals ever to live on Earth, are occasionally sighted off Scotland and Cornwall – despite being decimated by commercial whaling in previous centuries
“I told the surgeon I was going to test out his work” – 97-year-old runner completes her 250th Parkrun just weeks after heart surgery
Grace Chambers has broken the record as Europe’s oldest Parkrunner to reach the 250-run milestone.
Downton Abbey to auction off iconic props and costumes from TV series. Here's what the Granthams' family car could cost
Wedding dresses, the Granthams' family car and dress worn by Maggie Smith are among the items up for grabs in a new auction.
Main character energy: Are these the most beautiful libraries in the UK?
From medieval masterpieces to striking modern marvels, these breathtaking libraries across the UK are as rich in architecture as they are in stories.
Murky, maligned – and a Mecca for surfers in the know: The UK river that's home to a world-famous phenomenon that delivers powerful, 2-metre-high waves
Move over, Hawaii. When the equinox looms, the notoriously murky River Severn produces one of the world’s most thrilling natural spectacles: a tidal wave you can ride for miles
Green Man Festival 2025 opens its gates – these are the must-see acts
From psychedelic RnB to camp country pop, Green Man Festival 2025 brings a genre-spanning line-up to the Bannau Brycheiniog – and it’s already sold out. Here’s your guide to the must-see acts, hidden gems and the magic that makes this indie favourite one of the UK’s most beloved festivals.
What’s a good half marathon time? Here’s what you should be aiming for at your next half marathon
Whether you’re chasing a personal best or just hoping to cross the finish line, here’s what counts as a good half marathon time – and how yours stacks up against the average
Is this Europe’s smallest castle? The bizarre Brutalist structure on a rocky headland in a remote Scottish settlement that was abandoned as soon as it was built
The origin story of Hermit’s Castle in Achmelvich is highly contested – but the mystery behind it makes it all the more enticing...
Best dog breeds for agility: The lightning-fast dogs that can literally 'fly'
These are the canine competitors that combine speed, skill and focus to take home the top trophies
Better than tractors, tougher than cows: The huge, horned, exotic animal that's saving our wetlands and wild landscapes
Once a surprising choice for conservation, water buffalo are now proving their worth by helping to restore wetlands and boost biodiversity around the UK
Perseid meteor shower set to fill our skies this week – here’s how to see hundreds of fireballs shooting across the sky
NASA considers this to be “the best meteor shower of the year”, so it’s probably worth a trip outside to take in the sights.
How old is your house? These are the period features to look to uncover your home’s history
Not sure when your home was built? From exposed timber beams to smart tech and solar panels, the features of a house can reveal a lot about its origins. This guide walks you through the architectural eras – from Tudor to new build – to help you identify key characteristics and better understand your home's history
What’s the world’s biggest island?
From Great Britain to Greenland, discover the world's largest islands – and the surprising differences in their size, population and location
How the Normans built 1,000 castles in record time: Inside the motte and bailey boom
From wooden towers on steep mounds to formidable stone fortresses, motte and bailey castles shaped the landscape of Norman England. But what exactly were they, why were they built, and where can you still see their legacy today?
Why one of Britain's grandest castles was torn down by its own family: The strange story of Lowther Castle
This crumbling Cumbrian castle was once torn down on purpose. Uncover the curious history behind its fall and return
Sturgeon Moon: How and when to see this week's majestic summer full moon
Everything you need to know about the Sturgeon Moon, when it takes place this year and what the spiritual meaning is behind it
The goodest boys of the Peloton: How the dachshund became the Tour de France's unofficial mascot
Sausage dogs have quickly become one of the most popular dog breeds, capturing the public’s hearts in the latest Tour de France – as the dog of choice for many top cyclists
Divers uncover 320-year-old warship in astonishing condition off English coast
Underwater footage reveals the incredibly well-preserved remains of the 18th-century warship Northumberland – complete with cannons, muskets and coils of rope.
A clifftop ruin that inspired Dracula and a Japanese fortress that looks like a white heron – Are these are the most extraordinary castles in the world?
From clifftop ruins in Scotland to majestic palaces in Japan, these breathtaking castles offer a window into the past – and some of the most spectacular views on Earth
