Go Outdoors
Top water filter systems: From jug filters to under-sink purifiers
A water filter is designed to improve not just the taste of your water but also the overall quality. Here are 3 great options for your home...
![Image from page 181 of 'The Country and Church of the Cheeryble Brothers [i.e. Ramsbottom in Lancashire, the home of William and Daniel Grant, the Cherryble Brothers of Dickens' Nicholas Nickleby]' by0037.](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/47/2026/04/what-was-the-Chatterton-Massacre-scaled.jpg?w=1200&webp=1 "Image from page 181 of ‘The Country and Church of the Cheeryble Brothers [i.e. Ramsbottom in Lancashire, the home of William and Daniel Grant, the Cherryble Brothers of Dickens’ Nicholas Nickleby]’ by0037.")
What was the Chatterton Massacre? Setting the record straight on the fateful riot-turned-massacre
Desperate weavers, starvation, and a fight against extreme poverty turned deadly. Here's what happened during the misreported revolts at Chatterton
Why do some stones sing? The curious phenomenon of ringing rocks
From the Cairngorms to the Hebrides, discover the strange natural “lithophones” that chime when struck – and the surprising science behind them
“Unbelievable”: huge animal longer than bus seen leaping from Irish waters
No one knows exactly why these enormous sea creatures breach.
The simple 30-second test that could predict your future health – and how to improve it
Grip strength is now regarded as one of the most revealing measures of health and vitality as we age
What's new?
Discover the UK’s most incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites for the perfect day out
Home to over 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the UK is rich in cultural and natural wonders. Here are Dixe Wills’ essential picks to visit...
Discover Wales and its borders: The best places to explore by train and bus
Wales and its borders are home to some of the most beautiful walking trails in the UK, and you don’t need a car to explore them. With well-connected trains and buses, you’ll find the breathtaking landscapes, unforgettable coastlines and stunning wildlife are an easy journey away.
Step into spring with 23 glorious UK trails at their blooming best
The British countryside is bursting into life this spring, so why stay indoors? From wildflower meadows and woodland trails to scenic hills, here’s our pick of the UK’s best spring walks.
Follow in the footsteps of the UK's best authors: These are Britain's best literary trails
A novel way to explore the British countryside? Travel differently this year, following the rivers, moors and coastlines once trodden by Britain's literary greats
Admire Queen Elizabeth II’s most glorious gowns, including her Coronation dress and the christening outfit worn by 62 royal babies
A new exhibition at Buckingham Palace offers a rare look at the wardrobe of Queen Elizabeth II, showcasing more than 200 outfits that defined her reign and public image
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
Britain's most beautiful tidal pools: 10 historic wild swimming gems waiting to be explored
Take a dip on the wild side with one of these stunning saltwater tidal pools. Explore some of Britain's best-kept hidden swim spots with our guide
Discover the unbelievable gradients and cobbled chaos of the world's 5 steepest streets
We weigh up the contenders for the steepest streets in the world, including one that climbs at a mindblowing 45% gradient
Treacherous and heart-stopping heights: Take on 8 of the steepest roads in Britain, if you dare
Simon Heptinstall weighs up the contenders for Britain's steepest streets and roads, including one that claims to be the world's steepest
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
Britain’s most iconic lido can actually be found in London – but there are plenty more to explore, from geothermal heating to art deco masterpieces
Come on in, the water's lovely! Take a dip in one of Britain's most spectacular lidos this spring and summer with our pick of the best lidos in the UK
The 7 key lifestyle pillars that keep you energised, healthy and full of vitality after 50
"Loneliness is as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day." Follow these simple lifestyle habits to improve your health and wellbeing as you get older
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
Historic places
Hidden in plain sight: The ingenious deception of World War One's stealth trees
Hidden among desolate, war-ridden landscapes, the lifeless trunks of 'stealth trees' concealed a daring secret. Inside them, silent watchers risked everything in an attempt to turn the tide of the most devastating war Europe had ever seen.
Castles turned into theme parks, 1000-year-old strongholds, picturesque ruins, and ancient royal fortifications – these are Britain's oldest castles
From Roman ruins to towering medieval strongholds, telling a story over a millennium. This list will transport you back centuries...
Unravelling the enigma of the Admiral von Tromp: What really happened to the wayward trawler?
Discover the story behind the modern and frankly mind-boggling mystery that still remains unsolved today
Travel Planner
Discover Europe’s most enchanting historic spa towns, boasting natural hot springs and mineral cures fit for royalty
Here's where you can still to this day take the waters in some of the most restorative and healing locations in Europe
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.
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.
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.
European E-paths: Explore the interconnected super-trails along Europe's most scenic and iconic walking routes
Spanning over 75,000km of Europe's most stunning hiking routes, E-paths are a brilliant way to explore further afield
Walking the Gower: Explore 5 stunning routes and uncover the hidden treasures of South Wales’ coastline
Roam along vast, untouched coastline, glimpse playful seals, uncover ancient ruins, and follow in a poet's footsteps—this breathtaking stretch of south Wales hums with untamed beauty in every step
This is the Lake District you don’t see: Wild, remote and remarkably peaceful
Mark Sutcliffe takes the road less travelled to explore the Lake District’s quieter corners – where nature is getting a helping hand to rewild the landscape
