Go Outdoors
Why is the first part of a run the hardest?
Find out what's the cause behind first-mile fatigue, and how to run though it
The most festive towns and villages in the UK: add these places to your travel list for a magical Christmas
Twinkling lights, exciting markets and joyous carols – Jo Caird picks her favourite places to find the spirit of Christmas
Full moon names 2025: your month by month guide
The lunar calendar includes 12, or sometimes 13, full moons per year. Each moon has a different name - find out what they are called and where their names come from with our guide to full moons.
Winter solstice 2024: when it is, how to celebrate and best sunset spots in the UK
The winter solstice signals the shortest day of the year – our winter solstice guide explains what it is, when it takes place in 2024, ways to celebrate it, and the best places to catch a spectacular sunset in Britain.
Britain's worst storms: from 1607 to 2024
Our guide looks at the worst storms to hit the UK since records began, from the 1607 Bristol Channel floods to the nationwide floods of 2013 and the recent storms of 2024
What's new?
Horse skulls and onion-induced dreams: the quirky British Christmas traditions you should try this year
From decorating the tree to eating mince pies and kissing under the mistletoe, here is our guide to British Christmas traditions and their origins.
Best travel mugs reviewed: Our top reusable coffee cups for 2024
We tested some of the biggest brands to find the best travel mugs for hikes and camping trips.
Get outdoors this Christmas: best activities, walks and experiences
Whether stargazing somewhere magical or roasting chestnuts over a bonfire, here is a selection of the best outdoor activities to enjoy in the British countryside over the festive season.
I went into the Amazon jungle and this is the one piece of kit I wouldn’t have been without
Feeling festive fatigue? Here’s how enchanting light trails can brighten your winter mood
From Kew Gardens to historic estates, explore 15 dazzling displays that promise to brighten your winter mood.
Camping
Best fleeces for men and women tested for 2024: our ultimate guide to the must-have midlayer
Looking to beat the chill, or in need of a new midlayer? We review the best fleeces on the market.
Best 2-person tents reviewed for 2024: top picks for backpacking, wild camping and beyond
You want a reliable 2-person tent for outdoor adventures in summer and beyond – but which one is best for you? Seasoned camper and outdoors instructor Fi Darby helps out by testing nine of the best for BBC Countryfile Magazine - and here are her verdicts
Beginner's guide to wild camping in the UK: law, where to camp and kit
Fancy getting off the beaten track? One of the joys of wild camping is the chance to sleep under the stars in beautiful rural locations.
Days Out
Best Christmas carol concerts in the UK
There's nothing like a carol concert or service to get you in the festive mood. And the UK has a long history of belting out carols, among other traditions - some quirkier than others!
Britain's best Christmas markets 2024
Find the perfect Christmas present and enjoy an afternoon drinking mulled wine and eating delicious festive treats with our guide to the best Christmas markets to visit in the UK in 2024
Where to ski and snowboard in Scotland, England and the rest of the UK
Hit the slopes without leaving the UK with our guide to the best places to ski and snowboard in the UK.
Gear
Best gifts for walkers: 34 top presents for hikers
The best practical presents walkers will love at a range of different price points.
The best Cyber Monday outdoor deals for 2024: huge savings on Patagonia, Rab, Merrell and more
Upgrade your walking wardrobe, camping kit and holiday essentials on a budget.
Top outdoor clothing picks from Berghaus: waterproof and cold-weather essentials, including raincoats, insulated jackets and fleece layers
Get active
The best mushroom identification books of 2024
Forage for fungi confidently with our pick of the best mushroom identification books.
Britain's best surfing beaches revealed: where to catch the perfect wave
Surfs up! Go catch a wave at one of the UK's best surfing beaches
Learning to scuba dive? Here's an essential guide to the equipment - and the lingo - if you want to speak like a pro
The experts at PADI explain all you need to know about scuba diving gear and its lingo
Historic places
Christmas can be a hazardous and dangerous time for pets. Here's why
From chocolate to tinsel, Christmas is full of dangers for pets. Here are 10 to watch for
These strange 'witches marks' were just discovered at a medieval manor house in England – but that's not all that was found
Demon traps and curses: discover which 15th-century British hall is a supernatural fortress…
Why these 10 historic sites could soon be lost forever
Castles, churches, gardens and railway stations have all been added to Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register 2024 – but many historic places have also been saved.
Travel Planner
The ultimate guide to The Hebrides - Scotland's secret paradise
Your perfect Hebridean adventure starts here…
Best places to stay for birdwatchers in 2024
Spend the day spotting birds on the wing then fall asleep to the hoots and calls of the wild in a birders’ paradise
Best literary festivals to visit in 2023
With the Bath festival kicking off the season of literature events, here are the unmissable happenings for book lovers throughout the UK this year.
Walks
We've compiled the best places to walk in the United Kingdom, so you can find the perfect walk near you or at your next holiday destination.
All our walk reports have been curated by the Countryfile team and include maps, route directions, walking distances, and times wherever possible.
We've divided the UK by counties to help you quickly find the right route. Looking for a specific walk? Try using the site search at the top right of this page.
22 picturesque National Trust walks in the UK
From Kent, Dorset and the Lake District in England to the Highlands of Scotland and the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales, here is BBC Countryfile Magazine's pick of the best National Trust walks in the UK.
30 of the UK's most beautiful winter walks
From the Scottish Highlands and English Lake District to enchanting Welsh woodlands and Northern Ireland's wave-buffeted coast, here's our pick of the best beautiful winter walks in the UK
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