
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

Swim in secret: The hidden mermaid pools around Britain that feel almost mythical
Clear blue water, rocky coves and secret lagoons carved by the sea – these natural pools are among the UK’s most magical places for a wild swim

England's record-breaking National Trail is now open: here's all you need to know on the King Charles III England Coast Path
Stretching 2,700 miles around England’s coastline, the King Charles III England Coast Path is the world’s longest managed coastal walking route

This tiny Devon island is cut off twice a day – but you can follow in Agatha Christie's footsteps, swim in the mermaid pool and explore its smuggler past
Cut off by the sea at high tide, Burgh Island blends Art Deco glamour, smuggling lore and literary history into one unforgettable escape

Lurking beneath the surface: 7 surprising creatures you’d never guess live in the River Thames
A recovering river is revealing its secrets, with a surprising cast of wildlife returning to its waters

Crufts winners through the years: A gallery of the Best in Show champions from everyone's favourite dog show
From regal retrievers to spirited terriers, explore every dog that has claimed Crufts’ top prize in history

Caught on camera: Otter and heron busted stealing fish from Northumberland fishing boat
After bait began disappearing in Amble harbour, a skipper installed a camera – and discovered some bold nighttime visitors

Crufts’ new star: Here's everything you need to know about the Clumber spaniel (including its aristocratic origins)
Heavy-set, calm, and loyal, Clumber spaniels are rare winners at Crufts – but this year, Bruin stole the spotlight

Scientists discover heartbreaking reason behind mass whale stranding on Hebridean beach
The 55 pilot whales that landed on a beach on the Isle of Lewis were supporting a female whale having a difficult birth, new research discovers

Birdwatching can slow the brain’s ageing process, new research shows
Seasoned birders are found to have denser brain tissue, according to a new study

Worm Moon: How and when to see this week's lunar spectacular – and why it determines the date of Easter
Everything you need to know about the Worm Moon, when it takes place this year and what the spiritual meaning is behind it

Think before you reply: This is the hidden carbon cost of every email you send
The unexpected environmental impact of our online lives is bigger than we think. Every email relies on energy-hungry data centres — and the carbon cost adds up fast

Why today’s car headlights feel brighter than ever (and what’s about to change)
Dazzling LED headlights are leaving drivers blinded and anxious on dark roads. So why are modern car lights so bright — and what’s being done about it?

Why does the UK have so many potholes? Pothole causes, repairs, and how to make a claim
In our fluctuating climate, potholes are very common on UK roads. But they can cause havoc to vehicles, leaving drivers with costly repairs. We explain how to report them, fix them and claim compensation.

Think you’re Gaelic at heart? Here’s how to trace your Scottish and Irish roots
From clan lands to famine ships, uncover the stories that shaped your Scottish and Irish ancestry –and learn how to start tracing your Gaelic roots today

Is this the world’s most haunted chair? The chilling legend of the Dead Man’s Seat
Said to have been cursed by a condemned murderer in 1702, the Dead Man’s Chair has inspired centuries of eerie tales, but how much truth lies behind the legend?

Princess Diana’s family tree spans royal scandals, Hollywood royalty – and a surprising number of American presidents. Here's how
Long before she became the Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer’s ancestry linked her not only to British nobility and royal scandals but also to American presidents and Hollywood icons

Farmhouses, ex-council houses and country cottages: Step inside the childhood homes of music legends
While some are open to visitors, others are frozen in time – look inside the childhood homes of some of Britain's greatest ever rockstars

Extinct since medieval times, Britain’s biggest bird could be making a comeback
The largest bird to ever live in the UK could be reintroduced to our wetlands

Thought this Winter Olympic sport was Canadian? This is its real origin story – and why its most important element is still made from one tiny Scottish island
Often mistaken for a Canadian creation, curling’s roots are firmly Scottish – and Britain even claimed the sport’s first Olympic gold

The ocean's hidden sounds: How noise pollution is changing the way whales and dolphins live underwater
The ocean is far from silent – and the rising roar of human activity is making life harder for some of the planet’s most intelligent creatures

Wolf moon: How and when to see this week's full moon, the thrilling first event in this year's lunar calendar
Everything you need to know about the Wolf Moon, when it takes place this year and what the spiritual meaning is behind it

How long has the Royal Family been going to Sandringham at Christmas? It turns out, it’s a fairly new tradition…
We tend to picture Sandringham as the Royals’ timeless festive retreat – but the tradition is actually a recent one (and it began for a surprising reason)

The greatest folk songs ever written? Discover 14 beautiful melodies that still give us goosebumps
From Scotland's lochs and Japan's cherry blossoms to sea shanties and ballads passed down though generation, these are the world's most enduring folk songs

Discover England’s best folk songs: 9 evocative, nostalgic melodies of wanderers, workers and lost lovers
From Yorkshire moorland ballads to Lancashire mill laments, England’s folk songs offer a window into centuries of rural life, love and labour
