Maria Hodson
Maria Hodson is production editor at BBC Countryfile Magazine, alongside Margaret Bartlett. Since moving to Bristol in 2014, Maria has made every effort to escape into nature and loves all things wild and watery, from surfing and swimming to paddle-boarding and kayaking. Her adventure highlight in recent years was sea kayaking around remote St Kilda, off the coast north-west Scotland, in 2016. Most weekends, however, are spent exploring the great outdoors with her small child and doing accessible walks. Favourite family adventures are bird-watching at Slimbridge Wetland Centre and exploring the Forest of Dean, as well as an annual pilgrimage to see the starling murmuration on the Somerset Levels.
Recent articles by Maria Hodson
Meet the otterhound, Britain's rarest dog
Why are otterhounds the rarest dog breed in the UK? Do they make good pets, and what is being done to save them? Find out all about otterhounds in our guide
50 outdoor adventures: Inspiring adventure ideas for the year ahead
Get back to nature in 2024 by creating your own personal wish list of outdoor experiences and little adventures. Here are 50 ideas to help you get you started and make the most of your year
Where was Harry Potter filmed? Our guide to the Harry Potter film locations
Keen to enter the magical world of Harry Potter? Discover the bewitching filming locations of the boy wizard's adventures and explore these enchanting surroundings...
What's on TV and film this Christmas?
From a classic Agatha Christie to the final episode of Ghosts, here's what to watch during the festive season. We've rounded up the best shows to bring the countryside into your home this Christmas.
Are elves real? A guide to British elves
Elusive and characterful, elves often feature folk stories and festive tales. But, are elves are real? Where can you find them and what do they really look like? Naturalist John Wright answers every question you might have about elves.
Rare wildcats have been released into the Scottish Highlands in a bid to save these 'Highland tigers' from extinction
In a battle to save the species, 19 Scottish wildcats have been released into the Cairngorms landscape this year. What challenges will they face and what do they need to survive?
Doctor Who 60th anniversary - discover the Time Lord's greatest filming locations
Where is Doctor Who filmed? Discover the spectacular real-life UK locations of the star-hopping Time Lord
Red-billed choughs conquer Dover Castle
Recently released rare red-billed choughs have made it as far as Dover Castle in Kent, and now the sky's the limit
Chough guide: call, what they eat and where to see them
What are choughs, what is their call and where can you see these red-billed members of the crow family in the UK?
Best English sparkling rosés for Christmas 2023
Light, fragrant and delicious, English sparkling rosés are renowned internationally for their delicate qualities. Here's our expert tried-and-tested guide to what you should be drinking this year.
Best English sparkling wines for Christmas 2023
We've taste-tested the hot picks in English sparkling wine for Christmas 2022 to bring you the best of what's out there, for different budgets.
Scotland's pine martens enjoy their new homes
Rare pine martens in Galloway Forest have taken advantage of artificial den boxes to breed and extend their range
Day out on the water: Grebe Beach, Cornwall
Discover a tucked-away Cornish cove, perfect for picnics, pootling and paddleboarding
Dartmoor National Park wild camping ban overturned
Wild camping is once again allowed on Dartmoor National Park following a successful appeal against the High Court ruling that removed the public right to wild camp.
Where is Annika filmed?
Set in Scotland, the maritime detective drama features some spellbinding scenery. We've uncovered the real-life locations so you can enjoy them yourself
Wild bison thriving in the UK
Follow the herd with our gallery documenting the first year of wild bison living in Britain.
Day out: Bradford on Avon Slow Swim and Picnic
Experience the joy of slow swimming on this wonderful annual event, which includes tailor-made pace groups and plenty of cake.
Unmissable adventures on water: wild swimming, paddleboarding and more
Keen to try your hand at wild swimming, surfing, kayaking or paddleboarding? Or looking for new locations to try out? Each month, we'll highlight a great place to immerse yourself in the beauty of wild water.
Cragside walk, Northumberland
Towering trees thick with colour, lakes and brooks criss-crossed by bridges, and a fantastical country mansion – enter the watery world of Cragside, an enchanting estate dreamt up by an ambitious inventor.
Best nature and wellbeing retreats in Britain
Immerse yourself in the outdoors, stretch your limbs, splash away in wild waters or breathe deeply at Britain's best nature and wellbeing retreats
Where is Beyond Paradise filmed?
Featuring elaborate plots, entertaining characters and spectacular settings, BBC One detective series Beyond Paradise is proving a big hit with viewers. Where is it filmed and which are its best-known locations?
Paddleboard here: the Thames, from Boulters Lock to Cliveden in Berkshire
Paddleboard this deeply beautiful stretch of the Thames, where rich mixed woodland fringes the riverbank and small islands dot the river as the National Trust’s Cliveden House rises in the distance.
Everything you need to know about the BBC's Wild Isles
The latest BBC nature documentary Wild Isles, presented by David Attenborough, focuses on Britain's spectacular wildlife and hits our screens on Sunday evenings in March and April.
Stand-up paddleboarding: the ultimate guide
Find out where to go, what to wear, what to know and how to stand-up paddleboard in BBC Countryfile Magazine's ultimate guide to SUP