Countryfile Calendar competition 2021: winner and finalists

Entries and public are now closed for the 2021 Countryfile Calendar photographic competition and the finalists and winner have been announced. Here you can view the winner and finalists of the BBC Countryfile Calendar with our guide to the 2021 competition.

The Countryfile Calendar for 2022 is now open for entries – see our guide to this year's competition.

Who won the BBC Countryfile Calendar 2021 competition?

The winner of the Countryfile Calendar for 2021 is Brian Stokoe with his photo ‘Scent of spring’. The winning photo was voted for by Countryfile viewers and takes pride of place on the front cover of the Countryfile calendar for 2021, sold in aid of the BBC Children in Need.

Countryfile calendar winner for 2021 Brian Stokoes — BBC Countryfile Calendar winner is Brian Stokoe with 'Scent of Spring'

What is the theme of the Countryfile Calendar for 2021 competition?

The theme for the 2021 calendar is ‘Bright and Beautiful’ and each month features one of the 12 finalists from the Countryﬁle Photographic Competition.

What is the official charity for the Countryfile Calendar?

The best 12 will then make up the Countryfile Calendar for 2021, which will be sold in aid of the BBC Children in Need appeal. 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of BBC Children in Need.

Last year the Countryfile Calendar sold raised more than £2.4 million for BBC Children in Need and a minimum of £4.50 from the sale of each calendar will be donated to the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

Where can I buy a Countryfile Calendar for 2021?

The BBC Countryﬁle calendar for 2021 is now available for purchase and can be ordered online.

The price per calendar is £9.50, UK postage included. Postage outside the UK will cost £2.99 per calendar.

The closing date for calendar orders will be 31st of January 2021 so please place your order now to ensure you receive your copy.

View the full details and order your Countryfile Calendar

How is the winner chosen?

John Craven will be chairing the judging panel and is once again joined by Simon King the wildlife cameraman and Cerys Matthews the musician and broadcaster. Together they’ll choose their favourite 12 photographs before they let you decide which of them is the overall winner which will feature on the cover of the 2021 Countryfile calendar.

People sat in woodland — BBC Countryfile Calendar 2020 judges: Simon King, John Craven and Cerys Matthews. (BBC Images)

View the 12 BBC Countryfile Calendar 2021 finalists

Wilderness Wanderer by Harry Feather

Wilderness Wanderer by BBC Countryfile Calendar finalist Harry Feather — BBC Countryfile Calendar finalist Harry Feather with 'Wilderness Wanderer'

'I walk the line' by Tom Broxup

BBC Countryfile Calendar competition finalist Tom Broxup with 'I walk the line'

'Scent of Spring' by Brian Stokoe

BBC Countryfile Calendar finalist Brian Stokoe with 'Scent of Spring'

'Nut-quaker' by Lin Bingham

BBC Countryfile Calendar competition finalist Lin Bingham with 'Nut-quaker'

'Lady in red' by Iain Leadley

BBC Countryfile Calendar competition finalist Iain Leadley with 'Lady in red'

'Sunset glow' by Rachel Baker

BBC Countryfile Calendar competition finalist Rachel Baker with 'Sunset glow'

'Nectar Inspector' by Steve McHale

BBC Countryfile Calendar finalist Steve McHale with 'Nectar inspector'

'Among the purple heather' by Shane Stanbridge

BBC Countryfile Competition finalist Shane Stanbridge with 'Among the purple heather'

'Autumn rays' by Richard Hooper

BBC Countryfile Calendar finalist Richard Hooper with 'Autumn rays'

'Call of the wild' by Mervyn Chilton

BBC Countryfile Calendar finalist Mervyn Chilton with 'Call of the wild'

'Brock and stroll' by Liam Hale

BBC Countryfile Calendar competition finalist Liam Hale with 'Brock and stroll'

'Winter wonderland' by Jan Brown

BBC Countryfile Calendar competition finalist Jan Brown with 'Winter wonderland'

Learn how to improve your photography skills

In our photography section, find advice from the experts on how to take better photos of wildlife and nature.

How to take beautiful photos of wildflowers

Snowdrop ©Steve Nicholls — Don't be afraid to get down to the level of your subjects ©Steve Nicholls

The first sight of emerging wildflowers is a joyful sign of spring and summer and makes a lovely photography subject.

Learn how to capture the delicate beauty of wildflowers on camera.

How to photograph garden birds

Great and Blue Tit Feeding — Add feeders to your garden to attract a wide variety of birds/Credit: Getty

You don’t have to venture far to find wild birds to photograph – your back garden is a great place to start. Set up a bird feeder somewhere out of the reach of cats and give local birds a few weeks to get used to it, placing food out regularly. Alternatively, scope out nearby woodland or your local park for visiting birds – or even try taking photos from your window.

Our wild bird photography guide has advice on how to take good quality photos of your garden birds.

Best places to photograph wildlife in the UK

Otter on the Isle of Mull, Scotland, UK — Isle of Mull, Scotland, UK/Credit: Getty

Fancy trying to capture the perfect wildlife shot on camera? From the Hebrides to Dorset, here is a selection of the best places for wildlife photography in Britain.

See our photography section for more advice and inspiration

Who won the BBC Countryfile Calendar 2020 competition?

The winner of the Countryfile Calendar for 2020 is Michelle Howell with her photo ‘An apple a day’. The winning photo was voted for by Countryfile viewers and takes pride of place on the front cover of the Countryfile calendar for 2020, sold in aid of the BBC Children in Need. The theme for the 2020 calendar competition was ‘Beauty and the Beasts’ and there were more than 42,000 entries.

Mouse in apple — October finalist in the BBC Countryfile Calendar competition 2020. 'An apple a day' by Michelle Howell.

The BBC Countryfile Calendar 2020 sold in aid of BBC Children in Need is no longer available for sale.