Opinion

“If community projects are not well-supported, our countryside will be a bleaker place.” John Craven on the hidden infrastructure gap in rural areas
As post offices and hospitals close, rural residents are left at a huge disadvantage, says John Craven

George Clooney’s suit, tennis balls, eco coffins… Why this classic British farming material is having a moment
The material is renewable, sustainable and biodegradable – and popular with celebrities, too

“Children young as 11 were advised to walk miles along unlit, dangerous roads.” Public transport is failing rural youth – here’s why a shake-up is long overdue
Limited public transport disadvantages rural teenagers academically and socially, says author Nicola Chester
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“Could we soon be harvesting crops with a swarm of AI-enabled pilotless drones?” BBC Countryfile’s Adam Henson on farming’s technological revolution
A powerful technological revolution in farming is underway, explains Adam Henson

“Succession has always been a thorny issue.” BBC Countryfile’s Adam Henson on how farming is changing – and why it’s good news
Agricultural careers are more diverse than ever before, says Adam Henson

“Bird flu is on the rampage. Here’s how you can help stop its spread this autumn,” says John Craven
As cases of bird flu are already rising for the autumn, John Craven shares how you can help tackle it

Are accents and dialects “dying out”? How American phrases and smart tech could threaten our regional identities
Regional accents are a source of pride, but they're in danger of fading away, says author Nicola Chester

Green spaces, local shops and less overcrowding: What future town planners can learn from the past
Author Nicola Chester on how we can build the 'model' villages of the future

“The public outcry after Sycamore Gap tree’s destruction showed how much we care about heritage trees. But are we doing enough to protect them?” asks John Craven
Our ancient woodlands are in peril – but there is a way to help save them, says John Craven

BBC Countryfile's Adam Henson reveals new farming business plan – and it involves something that is hundreds of years old
The farmer and TV presenter Adam Henson is embarking on a new farming adventure – 40 hectares of hilly countryside containing veteran trees

‘Fly-tipping is a disgraceful scourge of our throwaway society,’ says John Craven
Can we solve the UK's litter problem? John Craven investigates the latest legislation set to tackle it

“The water isn’t even fit for dogs to swim in sometimes.” John Craven on the UK’s water pollution problem – and what’s being done to tackle it
There's still more to be done in order to clean up our waterways, says John Craven.

‘Scratch Gloucestershire and find Rome’ – from sheep to byways, here’s how the Romans changed Britain’s countryside forever
The legacies of the Romans are all around the British countryside, as Adam Henson discovers

‘They discovered a dead python, a wartime hand grenade and a camper van’: How Britain’s waterways are being restored
As former industrial workhorses, Britain's canals now have a new lease of life through restoration and tourism

We dropped a dead whale to the bottom of the ocean. Here’s what happened next
Back in 2023, Countryfile filmed the UK’s first whale-fall experiment in the Celtic Sea. Ellie Harrison reveals what happened.

It’s low in fat and high in protein – but you won’t find it on many supermarket shelves. So why aren’t we eating more venison, asks Adam Henson
Eat more wild venison and do the countryside a favour, says farmer and BBC Countryfile TV presenter Adam Henson

Scientists strapped tiny data-gathering ‘backpacks’ to English nightingales – and discovered something worrying
A recent study reveals the truth about the English nightingale’s plight – and it has left scientists worried

“Feelings are running high.” Countryfile’s John Craven on controversial Scottish national park proposal
As the consultation period of a proposed Scottish national park closes, John Craven takes a look at the fierce debate from the locals.

Sniffer dogs and tiny loos: The fight to save water voles gets serious, says John Craven
Hundreds of volunteers are working to
save the endangered water vole – including tenacious sniffer dogs.

Charles Dickens, Hollywood and Adam Henson: The surprising history behind London’s Smithfield Market
After 800 years, London's Smithfield Market is closing. Farmer and BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson delves into its rich history.

A new national walking trail could close the access-to-nature gap – but experts are divided on the proposed scheme
A think tank has proposed a walking trail in the East of England – but experts say that local footpaths need to be prioritised.

Is this the end of the great British pint? Why concern is growing over the future of this centuries-old tradition
Pub closures and fewer hops leave UK brewers in a fight for survival, says Adam Henson

'No presents until all the cows have been milked' – the harsh reality of being a farmer at Christmas
While you're busy unwrapping presents and tucking into turkey, spare a thought for the farmers on duty, whatever the weather, says Adam Henson

Do storms affect our mood and mental health? If you enjoy them, then you're not alone
The unstoppable power and might of stormy weather can remind us of our place in the world. Ellie Harrison explores why rain falling on a roof calms us down and why the sound of wind stimulates us...