Freya Parr
Recent articles by Freya Parr
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
Countryfile Calendar 2026: Everything you need to know about this year's photo competition
This year's Countryfile Calendar competition is now closed to entries – find out when voting begins, who's judging and how to buy the calendar once it's released.
“A fantasy of post-apocalyptic space… now grown over by nature”: The remarkable reinvention of Orford Ness
Shaped by tides, time and secrecy, this former nuclear testing site is now one of the world's leading wildlife havens — where nature thrives among relics of the past
Britain’s beasts: These are the biggest animals in the UK
From towering red deer to elusive basking sharks and ocean giants like humpback and sperm whales, the UK is home to some surprisingly large wild animals – both on land and at sea
What’s the most common butterfly species in the UK?
While it’s an ever-changing statistic, we introduce you to the most abundant butterfly species – and which country holds the title for having the most butterflies
Plague, pox and pain: The deadliest medieval diseases that changed history forever
From the Black Death to dysentery, we explore the most gruesome and lethal diseases of the medieval period – and how they shaped the course of history
Who is Harriet Cowan? Everything you need to know about the Clarkson’s Farm star farmer
In season 4 of Clarkson’s Farm, Harriet Cowan is stepping in as fan favourite Kaleb Cooper’s replacement
Pharaoh companions and Viking forest dwellers: These are the oldest cat breeds in the world
From the elegant Abyssinian to the rare Korat, here’s a look at some of the cat breeds thought to be among the oldest in the world
It has startling eyes, goes limp in your arms and steals hearts the world over: Meet the stunning ragdoll cat
Striking blue eyes, soft coats and a laid-back nature make ragdoll cats one of the best loved and most eye-catching breeds
Astonishing BBC footage shows rescue puppies helping raise adorable orphaned baby chimps in West Africa –proving dogs aren't just man's best friend
At a sanctuary in Liberia, a group of devoted dogs are stepping up as unlikely carers to help raise orphaned chimpanzees
What’s the biggest and deadliest wasp in the world – and has it ever been seen in Britain?
It has a terrifying 6mm stinger, but has the 'murder hornet' ever been spotted in the UK?
The story of the Sycamore Gap tree – and what happened after it was felled
For 200 years, a sycamore tree stood in a dip in Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland National Park – until it was felled in an act of vandalism in 2023.
The last castle to be built in England looks like it was created on Minecraft: Castle Drogo, a modern medieval oddity
Castle Drogo is a curious blend of modern engineering and medieval fantasy – a granite castle with flat roofs, hydroelectric power, and a story as surprising as its architecture
What's the most common fish in Britain? You might be surprised by the answer
From shimmering shoals at sea to flickering fins in rivers, these are the most common fish species found in UK waters
Massive moggies: These are the 6 biggest pet cat breeds in the world
From gentle giants to wild-looking felines, these are the biggest domestic cat breeds that bring both beauty and bulk to homes around the world
Pets make you as happy as a £70,000 pay rise, new research suggests
A pet companion is worth up to £70,000 a year in life satisfaction, compared to equal happiness obtained by meeting with friends and relatives on a regular basis
Flower Moon: How and when to see this week's incredible spring lunar spectacle
Everything you need to know about the Flower Moon, including how to see it, what time it appears, its spiritual meaning and why it's called the Flower Moon
Rare photos of wartime filmmaking released to mark 80th anniversary of VE Day
Historic England releases collection of behind-the-scenes photos of female photographers in action at Pinewood Studios during the Second World War.
Inside Britain’s most remote ultramarathon – the race accessible only by boat or foot
Against the backdrop of Scotland’s dramatic Knoydart Peninsula, the Highland Ultra is one of the most remote ultramarathons in the UK
From pharaoh companions to ancient sled haulers – Meet the oldest dog breeds in the world
From companions to ancient pharaohs to sled haulers in the Arctic, dogs have walked besides humans for many thousands of years. But which are the oldest dog breeds?
What’s the most common tree in Britain?
From ancient oaks to elegant silver birches, we explore the most common trees found across the UK
Mike the Headless Chicken: the real-life chicken that lived for 18 months without a head
After a failed decapitation in 1945, a chicken in Colorado stunned the world by surviving for 18 months without a head
What’s the most common plant in Britain?
With grasses, nettles and the ever-present bracken dominating the countryside, which are actually the most commonly found plant species in the UK?
What’s the most common insect in Britain?
There are believed to be as many as 10 million species of insect on Earth – but which is the most common insect to be found in the UK?
