Go Outdoors

The Ridgeway: Hike this 5,000 year old trail shaped by pilgrims, traders, raiders and travellers
Hiking this ancient English Trail helped me to make peace with the modern world. Step back in time along England’s oldest road.

Prison ships, German submarines and shallow graves: the terrible tale of Britain's own Dead Man's Island
Pirates? Prison ships? Or something worse? The rotten hulls of old ships on the Medway tell their own tale

Bog snorkelling, cheese rolling and nettle eating – inside Britain's weirdest sports
From chasing horses to snorkelling in bogs and chasing a cheese down a rather steep hill, here is our pick of the best eccentric contests from around the UK

Chris Packham is moving his dogs to a plant-based diet – should you? Here’s what the research says
Chris Packham has explained why he's transitioning his dogs onto a vegan diet

Could the lost city of Atlantis be just off the coast of Wales?
A prehistoric forest which was buried under water and sand more than 4,500 years ago has been uncovered on the beach between Ynys-las and Borth in mid-Wales.
What's new?

What is Jeffing? The legend behind the popular running interval training method
As the world pays tribute to pioneer American Olympian Jeff Galloway, we look into Jeff's extraordinary life and the 'Jeffing' legacy he's left behind

Star-bathing one of the tourism trends of 2026 you have to get onboard with
Just how do you immerse
yourself in the night sky? Sky-bathing is the word on everyone's lips this year. Georgie Duckworth ventures to Wales’ Elan Valley to find out what it's all about...

What core exercises should I do as I age?

Why today’s car headlights feel brighter than ever (and what’s about to change)
Dazzling LED headlights are leaving drivers blinded and anxious on dark roads. So why are modern car lights so bright — and what’s being done about it?

Why does the UK have so many potholes? Pothole causes, repairs, and how to make a claim
In our fluctuating climate, potholes are very common on UK roads. But they can cause havoc to vehicles, leaving drivers with costly repairs. We explain how to report them, fix them and claim compensation.
Camping

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 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
Days Out

Whisk your loved one away on an enchanting getaway to one of these 10 romantic UK ruins
Uncover enchanting tales and timeless beauty in these captivating destinations for a truly romantic escape.

Wuthering Heights, Game of Thrones, The Hobbit: Visit 10 British landscapes that have inspired literary masterpieces
Explore the stunning landscapes on your doorstep that have inspired best-selling novels and the British literary canon as it is today.

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
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

Blistering deserts, the Amazon rainforest and the entire length of Wales – these are the world's toughest ultra running events
From the spine of Wales to Pennine peaks, here are the UK's toughest ultra-running challenges for 2025 and how they compare to global races

What’s a good VO₂ max for my age? Everything you need to know about this important fitness indicator
VO₂ max is one of the best indicators of your cardiovascular fitness and longevity. What counts as a 'good' VO₂ max changes with age, so comparing yourself to the right benchmark is key for optimum health and fitness.

The toughest marathon running events in the world to tackle in 2026: from Machu Picchu to the North Pole
It's a truly iconic race distance, but which marathon courses are the toughest in the UK and around the globe? Here's our top 10 marathon races bound to inspire and motivate your next challenge.
Historic places

Inside Britain's plague churches: the haunting truth behind our loneliest sanctuaries
Many British isolated rural churches are often linked to the Black Death. But were they really abandoned by plague – or is the story more complicated?

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.

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.
Travel Planner

A giant's thumb and the Fairy Flag: explore the mythical wonders of the Isle of Skye
With soaring mountains, green glens
and glassy lochs, the Isle of Skye is
world famous for its spectacular
scenery – the jewel in the crown of Scotland’s 790 islands

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

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
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.

“It was a life-changing experience.” Inside the plus-size hiking group transforming the UK's outdoors
With some smart gear choices and support from others, every body can enjoy the benefits of being active in the countryside

Ultimate guide to walking the iconic 100-mile South Downs Way
Looking for an adventure? An intoxicating mix of rolling downland, sleepy hamlets, and wave-hewn cliffs makes the South Downs Way one of Britain’s most romantic long-distance walks. Get exploring with our six-day guide.

What are the best counties in England for dog walking trails?
A survey of English counties pinpoints the best regions to explore with your four-legged friend
