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 dumping deer bones and dead trees in rivers. Here's how it's saving Scotland’s waterways
In an unconventional yet remarkably effective move, the royal Balmoral Estate has embarked on an innovative initiative to enhance the health of its rivers
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.
John Craven: Will the Government's new environment schemes be able to reverse nature decline?
As the Government seeks to fulfil its promises to reverse nature decline within a generation, John Craven takes a look at the bold goals of the new Environmental Improvement Plan and the Environmental Land Management schemes.
John Craven: In celebration of 200 issues of BBC Countryfile Magazine
Red kite reintroductions, badger culls and climate change were hot topics when BBC Countryfile Magazine launched 15 years ago, reflects John Craven.
John Craven: Could fermented protein replace farming?
Scientists can now precision-ferment animal protein in tanks, without the need for grazing livestock in vast fields – but what impact will that have on conventional farming?
John Craven: Countryside waste crime has reached crisis point
Fly-tipping and illegal dumping in the countrysides is costing us £1 billion a year, reports the Countryfile presenter
John Craven: This TikTok star is the new joyful face of farming
The BBC Countryfile presenter introduces Farmer Will, a 23-year-old social-media sensation
John Craven: Children’s Hour instilled in me a passion for the countryside
The BBC Countryfile presenter honours the rural children's radio programmes that first ignited his love of the countryside.
John Craven: can the OEP clean up our waterways?
A newly formed public body aims to protect the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account. The Countryfile presenter asks, does it have what it takes to clean up our rivers and lakes?
John Craven: The new king, like his mother, is very much at home in the British countryside
The Countryfile presenter reflects on the King's passion for the environment and countryside, and how it will impact him in his new role.
John Craven: A thrilling nature-led recovery in the Lakes
The Countryfile presenter reports on ecological restoration project Wild Haweswater, which is working alongside sustainable upland farming – with amazing results
John Craven: Can oysters save our seas?
One single oyster can filter up to 200 litres of water a day. But with 85% wiped out globally, is it too late? John Craven reports.
John Craven: Why lifting the Cruiser SB pesticide ban was dangerous for the UK's bee population
The British government lifted the existing ban on the Cruiser SB pesticide because of a threat to sugar beet growth, reports the Countryfile presenter
John Craven: Controversial deadline to register paths scrapped
The Government's decision to scrap a deadline for registering rights-of-way is creating new divisions among farmers and ramblers, says Countryfile's John Craven
John Craven: UK flocks badly hit by costly bird flu outbreak
The Countryfile presenter on the costly effects of the largest ever outbreak of bird flu in the UK
John Craven: Why hare coursing has no place in our countryside
The Countryfile presenter on why there is no place in civilised society for the cruel 'sport' of hare coursing