UK Travel
From HS2 to Hinkley, Britain's most staggeringly expensive construction projects rated (prepare for your eyes to water)
From train lines to power stations, motorways to Parliament buildings, are these megaprojects worth the money? You decide
One of Scotland’s most dramatic (and cursed) forests is set to star in The Odyssey
How a forest that was once swallowed by sand and scarred by naval artillery became the perfect cinematic backdrop for Christopher Nolan’s Greek epic
Ditch the car – walk instead! These 7 UK car-free islands are perfect for a peaceful escape
Ditch the traffic and explore these UK islands where cars are banned and adventure comes on foot, bike or tractor
“Unbelievable”: huge animal longer than bus seen leaping from Irish waters
No one knows exactly why these enormous sea creatures breach.
The 9 weirdest natural phenomena in the UK – from glowing seas to magical pavements – and where to see them
Often viewed as pretty, pastoral and predictable, Britain's landscape also has some downright strange natural oddities
What's new?
The incredible history of the Titanic's little sister – from ferrying millionaires to their doom to wartime minesweeping and Charlie Chaplin
The SS Nomadic carried film stars, millionaires and Olympians - and ferried some to their doom
Discover Britain's 8 best summer hideaways, featuring wild coasts, ancient woodlands and dog-friendly trails
From the dark-sky borderlands of Northumberland to the wildflower-fringed cliffs of Cornwall, Britain's countryside is at its most alive in summer. These eight destinations offer walking, wildlife and wide-open space in abundance
Killer rats were eradicated on this beautiful British island in 2006. Something remarkable has been happening to the seabird populations ever since
Puffins and Manx shearwaters are thriving since removal of predators
Discover the white sand beaches and captivating landscapes of the Isles of Scilly
A true nature-lovers haven, the 200 isles making up the archipelago of Scilly are in equal parts dreamy as they are untouched and teeming with nature's finest creatures
749 US soldiers died on this English beach weeks before D-Day. This is the tragic lesser-told story
Cotswolds
Cotswolds A-List: spot the Hollywood icons, royalty and rock stars among the sheep and stone walls
What do Kate Moss, Jeremy Clarkson and Princess Anne have in common? They all live in the Cotswolds. And they're not alone...
Explore the rolling hills and quaint honey-stone villages of the Cotswolds with these 14 charming walks
The Cotswolds’ softly contoured countryside, elevated pastures, and golden limestone villages make it an inviting place to roam throughout the year. Our guide leads you through some of the AONB’s most beautiful walking routes.
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.
Holiday Ideas
Best walking holidays of 2026: Explore hiking routes, guided tours and accommodation
Explore our beautiful coastlines and countryside on foot with our guide to the best walking holidays in the UK. Plus, some stunning abroad walking holiday options to inspire your next trip
Britain’s quirkiest museums: 11 curious collections worth exploring
From pencils to witchcraft paraphernalia, Britain is filled with quirky museums of all manner and variety. Here's our guide to some of the more unconventional cabinets of curiosity
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
North West
Ambleside guide: This charming Lake District market town is the gateway to England's largest natural lake
Caroline Butterwick on where to eat, sleep and visit near Ambleside
“Cumbria wants to be the UK’s first carbon-neutral county.” How one writer skipped the gridlock on a car-free escape to the glorious Lake District
Caroline Butterwick embraces the joy of leaving the car at home on a peaceful trip to the idyllic Lakeland landscapes of Ambleside
The Wrekin walk, Shropshire
Stride out on a spectacular hilltop walk and marvel at the bucolic views from an ancient fortress, which crowns some of the world’s oldest rocks.
Northumberland Coast
What looks like a crumbling ruin was once the nerve centre of England’s bloodiest war: How Warkworth Castle and its hidden hermitage shaped a nation’s history
Explore a mighty hill-top castle that Shakespeare once wrote into a play, and then follow a gentle riverside path that holds enchantments of its own: a mystical hermitage
Explore Seahouses and the Farne Islands, Northumberland
Explore the pretty fishing village of Seahouses, then take a boat trip to islands thronging with puffins with our complete guide to visiting the Farne Islands in Northumberland.
Lindisfarne Priory
Julia Bradbury explores a beautiful ruin, once raided by Vikings, now providing enchantment for peaceful visitors
Peak District
Perched on a rocky outcrop, does this Norman fortress ruin have the best views of the Peak District?
Step back 1,000 years and climb up to the ancient battlements of Peveril Castle, where sweeping Peak District panoramas await
This iconic stately home is holding a Regency festival to celebrate its literary connection – including a summer ball
Discover the history behind the Grade I-listed Chatsworth House and what it's famous for – as well as its Jane Austen connection
The Roaches and Lud's Church circular walk, Staffordshire
Look out for wallabies while enjoying folklore and oatcakes amid striking Staffordshire gritstone outcrops with this six-mile walk along The Roaches to the mysterious gorge of Lud's Church in the Peak District National Park
Scotland
When they left this Scottish island 50 years ago, something large and unexpected took over
Abandoned nearly 50 years ago, this remote Scottish island has become an accidental experiment in nature, survival, and evolution
He gave us Auld Lang Syne and was known for passionate love affairs and bold, radical politics – just who was Robert Burns?
From humble Ayrshire beginnings to worldwide annual celebrations, we take a look at the life of Robert Burns, Scotland's favourite poet.
Want to own your own island like Richard Branson? This uninhabited remote Scottish isle is now for sale
If you thought an island off the coast of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland was remote, there's an island OFF this island currently up for sale
South Downs
Podcast: A sensational evening of singing with nightingales – with folk singer Sam Lee
Enjoy a truly magical experience deep in a Sussex woodland – singer Sam Lee and violinist Anna Phoebe accompany nightingales at midnight in episode 3, season 12 of the Countryfile Magazine Plodcast
Discovering history and mystery in Kingley Vale in the South Downs
Explore the yew forests, wildflower meadows and hidden history of Kingley Vale, West Sussex. Poet Hugh Dunkerley hosts episode 6 of season 10 of the BBC Countryfile Magazine podcast
Walk: Wilmington to Alfriston, Sussex
A short walk to the Long Man of Wilmington, the mysterious chalk figure on the South Downs. But how exactly did he get there?
South West
Fall in love with Cornwall's ancient past and breathtaking present, from smuggling coves to Neolithic wonders
England’s wild far-western shores are scattered with mysterious ancient sites. Take a walk back through time with Melanie O’Shea, to the Celtic roots of Cornwall’s ruggedly beautiful West Penwith peninsula.
What is Dartmoor famous for? And can you wild camp there? Everything you need to know about the National Park
Everything you need to know about Dartmoor National Park – including its history and whether you can wild camp
Holidayers targeted as Cornwall introduces 100% council tax premium on second homes
Cornwall and a raft of other councils around the UK will introduce a 100% council tax premium on second homes and holiday lets, in response to the damaging impact second homes have had on local communities and economies.
Wye Valley and Forest of Dean
Forestry England is hiring for one of the UK's weirdest jobs – and it pays £42k a year
One of the Forest of Dean's most ancient jobs is now welcoming new applicants
Podcast: The joy of riding an electric bicycle in the Forest of Dean
Explore the Forest of Dean and its wildlife on an eBike in the company of Tom Marvin from BikeRadar – in episode 8, season 11 of the Countryfile Magazine podcast
Podcast: Getting lost among hillforts and ravens in the lowlands of Monmouthshire
A winter's walk between hillforts becomes a battle with blocked or vanished footpaths in the farmland of Monmouthshire. In episode 4, season 11 of the Countryfile Plodcast, we explore problems with accessing the countryside
