winter
32 beautiful beaches to visit this winter
The British coastline offers incredible wildlife, views and fresh air in winter – our guide looks at the best beaches to visit as the cold weather hits.
February wildlife guide: best sounds and sights in the UK
February can seem an unpromising month in the countryside, but there is plenty of wildlife stirring. Here is our guide on the best wildlife sounds and sights to spot in February.
Winter solstice 2025: when it is, how to celebrate and best sunset spots in the UK
The winter solstice signals the shortest day of the year – our winter solstice guide explains what it is, when it takes place in 2024, ways to celebrate it, and the best places to catch a spectacular sunset in Britain.
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Best winter wildlife spectacles in the UK
The short, sparkling days and long, cold nights of winter are perfect for wildlife watching. But which species of animal can be seen and heard in winter, and where are the best places in the UK to experience winter wildlife spectacles?
December foraging guide: best foods to find and recipe ideas
Eager foragers should head to the coast in winter – December is one of the best times to find a fabulous feast, including shellfish and tasty greens
Britain’s coldest winters – from 1946 to 2024
While parts of the UK may only experience a light dusting of snow, in other areas a deep blanket can form. Here's our guide on the best places in Britain to see snow and tips on how to stay safe
Wood fire guide: how to burn firewood, how to light a fire and best wood to burn
As the nights draw in, there’s nothing cosier than a crackling log fire or warming wood burner. Here's our expert guide on how to burn firewood, the best firewood to burn for the perfect blaze and tips on how to light a fire
Countryfile winter weather forecast: Will we have a white Christmas?
Our expert winter weather guide explains what a white Christmas is and whether we are likely to have one in the UK this year, plus a look back at snowy Christmases past
Step into a fairytale: The UK's 13 most magical villages and towns to visit this winter
Discover Britain's prettiest villages, towns and cities for a winter break, each packed with cosy pubs and hotels, festive activities and magical winter walks.
Best plants for winter colour
Are you looking for something to brighten up the dark winter days? Bring pinks, yellows, purples and greens to your pots and garden bedding areas with our guide to the best plants for winter colour.
Podcast: enjoy a New Year wildlife ramble along the River Usk in South Wales
Starting a new season of mindful walks in the British countryside with the BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast
How to get active in the British countryside in the New Year
Breathe some fresh air into the New Year with our guide on the best ways to get active in the countryside in 2023. Whether it's cycling, dog walking, volunteering, fishing or wildlife watching, get outside, get active and feel the body benefits this winter
Podcast: Exploring the winter wildlife of Steart Marshes in Somerset with naturalist Ben Hoare
In the first episode of our new Plodcast series: Voices of the Countryside, we meet author and naturalist Ben Hoare to capture the atmosphere created by waders and wildfowl on the WWT's marvellous Steart Marshes reservve
Guide to mistletoe: history, how it became a Christmas tradition and how to grow your own mistletoe
Mistletoe is a common plant found in many homes in the UK around Christmas. It is a symbol of romance – but did you know it's also semi-parasitic and poisonous? Our mistletoe guide looks at how this plant became a Christmas tradition and how to grow your own mistletoe
Best wildflowers to spot in late winter
The first wildflowers of the year lift our spirits with their promise of spring, also providing a vital source of nectar and pollen for the emerging bees and butterflies, tempted out by late winter sun. Here is our guide to the best wildflowers to spot in late winter and how to identify.
Britain's best traditional New Year's Eve celebrations
Say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020 in style with our pick of the best traditional New Year’s Eve events and festivals taking place across the UK.
How to create the perfect log fire
These five simple steps will create the perfect steady and cosy fire this winter
Day out: Chanctonbury Ring, West Sussex
Fables of the Devil and curious cults proliferate in this enclave of the South Downs National Park, a landscape roamed by majestic raptors and hooting owls
Ellie Harrison: finding light in the dark of midwinter
The winter solstice is a time to bring light and warmth to the darkness, says Ellie Harrison
Day out: Brentor, Devon
This famous medieval church is the fourth smallest in England. It is also the highest, and comes with
its very own legend
How to force bulbs
Bring the subtle colours of February and March forward into the New Year by planting bulbs indoors in autumn, creating your very own early spring
Walk: Castleton, Derbyshire
Enjoy Christmas in the Peak District with a winter wander from the festive village of Castleton to mighty Winnats Pass
Moving to the countryside: Part 8: Wales versus England
Anti-Englishness rears its ugly head on a train journey home.