John Craven
Journalist and television presenter
Now living in Oxfordshire with his family, John Craven originally hails from Leeds, where he began his career as a junior reporter at the Harrogate Advertiser. After stints in local radio and television he hosted John Craven’s Newsround from 1972, also presenting shows such as Swap Shop. John has always considered himself to be a country person at heart and after leaving Newsround in 1989 he joined the Countryfile team. In July 2014 he celebrated his 25th anniversary on the show, and over the years he has covered many of the key issues facing the British countryside, including BSE, foot and mouth and the fox-hunting ban. In 2000 he was awarded an OBE for his services to rural and children's broadcasting and features in the RTS Hall of Fame.
Recent articles by John Craven
King Charles III is throwing deer bones and dead trees into Scotland's rivers. It's all part of a genius restoration plan
In an unconventional yet remarkably innovative step, the royal Balmoral Estate launched a bold initiative to revive its riverways... and it's working
"Foot and mouth devastated rural Britain. It could happen again" John Craven on the crippling effect of the disease, and its potential resurgence
BBC Countryfile Magazine's John Craven writes about the devastating effect of foot and mouth disease on British farmers.
Monstrous or necessary – do we really need 1000s more new electricity pylons?
Pylon proposals for the 'Great Grid Upgrade' spark protests
“If community projects are not well-supported, our countryside will be a bleaker place.” John Craven on the hidden infrastructure gap in rural areas
As post offices and hospitals close, rural residents are left at a huge disadvantage, says John Craven
“Bird flu is on the rampage. Here’s how you can help stop its spread this autumn,” says John Craven
As cases of bird flu are already rising for the autumn, John Craven shares how you can help tackle it
“A secret I didn’t know until years later was that its success helped save Countryfile from the axe.” John Craven celebrates over 30 years of the Countryfile calendar
The Countryfile Calendar competition began in 1991 and has been a beloved part of the TV show ever since. John Craven explores what's changed - and what hasn't
“The public outcry after Sycamore Gap tree’s destruction showed how much we care about heritage trees. But are we doing enough to protect them?” asks John Craven
Our ancient woodlands are in peril – but there is a way to help save them, says John Craven
‘Fly-tipping is a disgraceful scourge of our throwaway society,’ says John Craven
Can we solve the UK's litter problem? John Craven investigates the latest legislation set to tackle it
“The water isn’t even fit for dogs to swim in sometimes.” John Craven on the UK’s water pollution problem – and what’s being done to tackle it
There's still more to be done in order to clean up our waterways, says John Craven.
‘They discovered a dead python, a wartime hand grenade and a camper van’: How Britain’s waterways are being restored
As former industrial workhorses, Britain's canals now have a new lease of life through restoration and tourism
Scientists strapped tiny data-gathering ‘backpacks’ to English nightingales – and discovered something worrying
A recent study reveals the truth about the English nightingale’s plight – and it has left scientists worried
“Feelings are running high.” Countryfile’s John Craven on controversial Scottish national park proposal
As the consultation period of a proposed Scottish national park closes, John Craven takes a look at the fierce debate from the locals.
Sniffer dogs and tiny loos: The fight to save water voles gets serious, says John Craven
Hundreds of volunteers are working to
save the endangered water vole – including tenacious sniffer dogs.
A new national walking trail could close the access-to-nature gap – but experts are divided on the proposed scheme
A think tank has proposed a walking trail in the East of England – but experts say that local footpaths need to be prioritised.
How bad is racism in the countryside? Experts set out to discover the truth - and their findings may shock you
Lots of us to put on walking boots and anoraks and revel in the simple but life-enhancing pleasure of being out in the countryside. But how many will have skin that is not white and is that because there's racism in the countryside, asks BBC Countryfile's John Craven.
The fight to protect the UK's historic buildings from climate change
Combating climate change can result in heavy extra costs for cash-strapped preservation bodies, so should they consider letting go of properties that become too vulnerable? John Craven explores how climate change is threatening the nation’s historic buildings.
The UK is set to lose one in six species. We can stop this, says John Craven
The State of Nature Report 2023 is a shocking call to arms, says Countryfile presenter John Craven. But a boost of breeding programmes and habitat improvement projects offer hope.
Meet the 19th century botanist David Douglas, the man who brought us the Douglas fir
John Craven celebrates David Douglas – a surprisingly
little-known Scottish adventurer whose discoveries in the
new world transformed the landscapes of his home country
Does new housing have to put waterways at risk?
In a bid to speed up homebuilding, the Government is trying to scrap rules that require developers to protect waterways. Countryfile's John Craven reports...
John Craven: Could more of Scotland be community owned?
It’s thought that 2.6% of Scotland is community owned but a new land reform bill, due before the Scottish Parliament this year, will herald changes, says BBC Countryfile's John Craven
John Craven: Bison and pigs are natural agents of rewilding
Curly-coated pigs on Dorset grasslands and bison roaming in a Kent woodland are showing just how livestock can transform rewilding projects, says the Countryfile presenter.
John Craven: The frightening and costly reality of coastal erosion
As sea levels rise, it's time for a national debate about the long-term future of our coastline, says Countryfile presenter John Craven.
John Craven: the Ramblers' new president will break down barriers
In an inspired choice, Ramblers walking charity has appointed 'Blind Adventurer' Amar Latif as its new president, reports Countryfile presenter John Craven
John Craven: Investing in foresters
If Britain is to plant more trees successfully, we need to train more people in the craft of forestry, says the Countryfile presenter.