Go Outdoors
Padel vs pickleball – what's the difference between these popular racquet sports?
Both pickleball and padel are becoming popular (and more accessible) alternatives to tennis – but there are some key differences between them.
"I had a feeling I would find something special": 2,000-year-old settlement discovered in Gloucestershire field
In 2023, metal detectorist Glenn Manning unearthed two Roman swords in a field near the village of Willersey – a find that led to the discovery of something even more astounding.
From Robin Hood's hideout to a tree that's worth nearly one million pounds, here are the UK's most famous trees
A selection of the strangest, most significant and best-known ancient trees growing in the UK’s forests, parks and gardens.
Is this the most remote tennis court in the world? Bunabhainneadar is closer than you think
Tucked away in the wild Isle of Harris lies a tennis court like no other – surrounded by mountains, sea lochs and heather-covered peaks. Built by a determined couple with a £1 plot of land, this remote court has become a worldwide favourite
Built by a paranoid Henry VIII, these two clifftop forts in Falmouth tell a thrilling tale of Tudor tensions
Sail between Pendennis and St Mawes, two castles that have defended Cornwall since Tudor times
What's new?
The best Strava artworks – you won't believe these GPS masterpieces (they might even get you out on a run)
From giraffes to dinosaurs, runners, cyclists and kayakers are turning their routes into works of art – and breaking records along the way
10 toughest challenges in the UK – from mountain marathons to Man V Horse
From canoeing and open-water swimming to trail-running and cycling, here are the UK's toughest sporting challenges
Forget Wistman’s Wood and Haytor – these are Dartmoor’s best hidden gems, according to a local
Romantic tors, ancient history, friendly pubs, waterfalls and pretty villages – Dartmoor National Park offers the perfect escape. Fi Darby reveals the moor’s hidden delights
Best walking shoes for summer 2025: Tried & tested hiking shoes for men and women
We've reviewed some of the best hiking shoes on the market, including Hoka, Salomon, Merrell and more
A country estate Jane Austen used to visit is now for sale – and it’s yours for just £58 million
A grand estate with literary links and sweeping grounds is now up for grabs in Hampshire
Camping
Calling all Glastonbury goers! Have you packed everything on this essential checklist?
Heading to your first family festival, or perhaps you're returning to a beloved field with friends this summer? Pack with confidence with our festival checklist.
Beginner's guide to wild camping in the UK – is it legal and what rules do you have to follow?
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.
25 beautiful UK beaches to visit right now
Looking for a beach near you? From the spectacular Isles of Scilly and the rugged shores of the Scottish Highlands to England's dreamy south coast, here's our pick of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.
Days Out
Is this Scotland’s most colourful castle? Why the Earl of Glasgow let Brazilian graffiti artists loose on his turrets
With a thrilling array of trails, grottos, waterfalls and secret forests, the riotous colour of Ayrshire’s Kelburn Castle is just the beginning of the attractions…
Saddle up! These are the best bridleways for safe and beautiful horse riding around the UK
Discover some of the UK’s most scenic and horse-friendly bridleways, from windswept coastal paths to ancient forest tracks – ideal for safe, off-road riding
These are the UK’s most remote (and beautiful) wild fishing beaches – according to a lifelong angler
Discover some breathtaking places to visit for your next wild fishing trip, thanks to lifelong angler and author Kevin Adams
Gear
Best changing robes for 2025: Dry robes tried & tested for wild swimming, surfing and the beach
Find out how leading brands, including Red, Dryrobe and Regatta, fare on sand and shore.
Coros Pace 3: The affordable running watch that actually delivers
A great all rounder smart watch for those starting out or more established runners, with a great battery life and reasonable price tag.
Their siblings are probably my favourite trail-running shoes of all time, but these are too firm to be contenders
Get active
Sleep deprivation, extreme weather and more ascent than Everest – this ultramarathon is 'Britain's most brutal race'
Winding along the Pennine Way, the Spine Race is considered to be the toughest ultramarathon in Britain
These are the toughest half marathons in the UK – including one that climbs two Munros
From brutal climbs to breathtaking views, these are some of the UK’s toughest half marathons – on both road and trail
This adrenaline-fuelled sport is a mashup of climbing, open-water swimming and mountaineering – here's why you should give it a go
Ever wanted to try coasteering? Find out everything you need to know about the adrenaline-filled sport
Historic places
With a turbulent history of conquest, rebellion, and defense – is it any surprise that Wales has so many castles
With over 600 castle dotting the landscape, Wales has one of the highest densities of castles in the world, here's why...
Huge Napoleonic prisoner of war camp buried under Cambridgeshire field to open to public
Norman Cross Depot housed around 7,000 French prisoners during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars – soon the public will be able visit the little-known historic site following its successful acquisition for the nation.
These 10 groundbreaking Historic England projects have revealed fascinating details about Britain’s past
Discover how archaeologists, conservationists and geophysicists at Historic England are piecing together the past – one burial, shipwreck and dinosaur sculpture at a time
Travel Planner
These pubs have the best outdoor gardens and extraordinary views – according to Britain’s top chefs
Sit back, relax and take in spectacular views in some of the country's best pub gardens - as chosen by the UK's top chefs, including Raymond Blanc and Paul Ainsworth
Where does the King live? From royal palaces to private residences here's where the monarch calls home. There's even a Transylvanian retreat.
Where does the King actually live? We take a look at King Charles III's property portfolio and where he likes to spend his time off-duty
“We looked at how we could use the estate radically differently”: All you need to know about Knepp, the UK’s first rewilding project
Everything you need to know about Knepp – the 1,400-hectare farm that has been turned into a ‘wildland’ fit for a safari
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.
100 metre drops, boulder fields and mirage-inducing sandflats: Here are the scariest public footpaths in the UK and the world
Not all footpaths are created equal – these are some of the scariest public rights of way in the UK and the world
16 best walks in Cumbria: One of Britain's most beautiful counties is a glorious rugged landscape of hills, mountains, lakes and coastline
Find the best hiking routes in Cumbria, including path descriptions and maps.
Is this the prettiest long distance walking trail in the UK? Spot up to 16 counties from one stunning viewpoint
As it's surprisingly hilly, there are plenty of scenic spots along the Cotswold Way.
