Go Outdoors
Why are trainers hung over power lines?
The image of shoes slung over telephones lines is one we’re all familiar with – it’s the topic of many an urban myth. But why does it actually happen?
Thought this Winter Olympic sport was Canadian? This is its real origin story – and why its most important element is still made from one tiny Scottish island
Often mistaken for a Canadian creation, curling’s roots are firmly Scottish – and Britain even claimed the sport’s first Olympic gold
I see caffeine supplements are all the rage in sport. Why? Is there more to it than marketing?
With caffeine gums, gels, liquids and capsules now dominating the supplement market (and the sidelines of football pitches), we investigate whether they ACTUALLY do what they promise
“Unbelievable”: huge animal longer than bus seen leaping from Irish waters
No one knows exactly why these enormous sea creatures breach.
Discover some of the best locations to ski and snowboard in the UK this winter
Hit the slopes without leaving the UK with our ultimate guide to the best ski resorts, hidden gems, and scenic spots where you can catch some fresh powder
What's new?
This strange-looking hill is riddled with miles of secret tunnels. It's peaceful now – but it wasn't always that way
Explore a dramatic and almost otherworldly landscape, shaped by industry and reclaimed by nature.
Love The Traitors? These 7 Scottish castles are full of towers, turrets and treachery – and they’re on the market right now
Live out your Traitors dreams in these Scottish castles, full of secrets and traditional charm
2km long, 731m tall and topped with a fort-like summit – this giant of Scotland was named by the Vikings
Steep, wild and remote, this Scottish giant is one of Britain's most striking peaks – reaching its summit is difficult, but with spectacular views stretching out across the Highlands, it's well worth the climb.
Almost 2,000 years old, 73 miles long and once taller than an elephant – this colossal Roman structure spans an entire country
It took 15,000 soldiers around 6 years to build Hadrian's Wall in England. We explore who built this iconic landmark and why – and the best ways to experience it today.
11 best UK music festivals: the must-visit weekenders for the summer ahead
No Glastonbury? No problem – there’s a wealth of wonderful festivals to choose from in the UK. Here are our 11 finest
Camping
Camping just got comfier: Our top 2025 camping chair picks
Our BBC Countryfile Magazine experts tested the best camping chairs of 2025 to take on your next trip.
‘I camped overnight in a medieval church and found unexpected inner peace’
What’s it really like to spend the night in an ancient church? Ellie Tennant tries a sleepover with soul
I found the best portable power banks that will actually last the weekend
Camping off-grid? We've tested some of the best power banks out there to help you keep your devices topped up on the move.
Days Out
12 eerie, deadly monsters that are supposed to roam the countryside, sometimes with lethal consequences for their chosen victim...
From the Loch Ness Monster to the Grindylow, our guide looks at infamous British mythical beasts and the legends that accompany them, plus the best sites to visit in the UK that have inspired these spooky stories – if you dare!
I spent 3 days hiking England's answer to the Salem witch trials. It was as creepy as it sounds
Eerie rock formations, vanishing streams, sinister twists… Vivienne Crow experiences all and more on a
fantastical three-day tour in the Forest
of Bowland and Yorkshire Dales
It has its own king and a population of 3. Discover England’s weirdest island
Dixe Wills ventures to England’s most unusual tiny isle: Piel Island
Gear
How to buy PFAS-free outdoor wear and look after it: Discover the brands that are free of forever chemicals
Learn how to choose high-performance outdoor gear made without harmful “forever chemicals,” and how to care for PFAS-free clothing so it lasts.
I suffer from Raynaud's — these are the best hiking gloves I've tested to battle the cold in 2025
However cosy your core is on a winter walk, freezing fingers will make your life a misery. Our guide to hiking and walking gloves will help you keep warm.
Inside my kit bag: Eryri National Park adventure edition - The Glyderau Traverse
Want to know the best kit to take with you when tackling the peaks and scrambles of Eyrir National Park? (Snowdonia) Read on.
Get active
Could this easy 10-minute habit help prevent cancer? It "sends powerful signals to the body" says consultant
Just 10 minutes of an intense exercise of your choice could reduce your chances of cancer, according to the International Journal of Cancer.
You don’t have to be 'fit' to do a triathlon – here’s why...
Think you're too old or unfit to try a triathlon? Think again. Here's everything you need to know.
This high-tech treasure hunt is a global phenomenon – and everyone can try it
The biggest treasure hunt in the world is right on your doorstep. It’s free, it’s easy and it’s called geocaching.
Historic places
Attacked by clans, split in two by lightening, scorched by fire. This 500-year-old castle has a brutal past
The incisor-like mountains and deep, raven waters of Loch Assynt create the perfect atmosphere for one of Scotland's darkest ruins.
It was the childhood home of Diana, Princess of Wales as well as her final resting place – and you can visit the grounds
Inside Althorp, the country estate with plenty of royal connections
Each year, a Cornish village switches off its famous Christmas lights. Here's why
Mousehole remembers the 16 people who lost their lives in the Penlee lifeboat disaster of 1981
Travel Planner
This stunning Irish coastline is a foodie haven. Go now before the secret's out
For an island nation, we can be unadventurous consumers of seafood, but food-lovers in Northern Ireland are keen to change all that. Margaret Bartlett samples fruits of the ocean on a harbour-hopping tour
“I’ve wandered into an oil painting.” Walk in the unspoiled English landscapes that inspired John Constable
Few artists are as synonymous with a place as John Constable. To celebrate a major Tate Britain exhibition marking 250 years since his birth, Ben Lerwill ventures to the open skies and slow waters of the idyllic Essex-Suffolk border
Dracula, The Hobbit, Wuthering Heights: 10 landscapes that inspired literary masterpieces by the UK’s most beloved authors
Explore the stunning landscapes that have inspired best-selling novels
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.
England's record-breaking new National Trail is opening soon: Walk the King Charles III England Coast Path
Stretching 2,700 miles around England’s coastline, the King Charles III England Coast Path will soon become the world’s longest managed coastal walking route
“Nicknames for the island included the Madeira of Scotland, the Costa del Clyde and the Naples of the North.” This unsung isle is Scotland’s best-kept secret
Less than two hours from Glasgow, the Isle of Bute is a peaceful haven of sweeping bays and dramatic views. A smitten Ben Lerwill enjoys quiet solitude along the West Island Way
Dorset's dramatic Jurassic coast, vast pebble beaches and bird-rich moorland and marshes are a hiker's dream – here are the county's top 6 walks
Dorset is on eof the UK's most beautiful counties with a stunning coastline. Check out the best walks in Dorset