BBC Countryfile Magazine

Countryfile Magazine inspires you to explore forgotten corners of the great British countryside and provides knowledge of the people and wildlife that inhabit it. We want to tempt you into trying new things, seek out new places and make the most of Britain’s beautiful landscapes.

Hope and happy times

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

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AUGUST IN THE COUNTRY • THE BIG PICTURE

STEP BACK IN TIME • Join English Heritage this summer for a host of exciting, time-travelling events, from legendary jousts and knights’ tournaments to great medieval sieges.

HOW TO REPAIR A FABRIC TEAR • Summertime can be hard on your outdoor gear, and no matter how well you care for it, you are going to get a hole or tear from time to time. In this guide, we reveal one of the easiest stitches for repairing almost any small hole, be it a rip in your jeans, a tear on your rucksack strap or a hole in your favourite walking shirt.

SUMMER BUTTERFLIES • Britain is home to 59 species of butterfly, all of which play an important role in pollination. Most species enter a dormant stage in winter but, come summer, they are at their most abundant – and active. In our spotter’s guide, we take a look at 12 spectacular species. How many can you see this summer?

YARROW AND HONEY MULE • The smell of honey-scented yarrow flowers one hot summer day inspired this medicinal take on a mule cocktail. Not only does it taste good but it helps soothe coughs and colds, too. Adding fresh yarrow leaves and ginger will give the cocktail an extra ‘zing’, but it is still pretty punchy without them. My friend Antonia and I enjoyed these cocktails one evening in her allotment – it felt appropriate when we were surrounded by herbs and flowers – and they made the cycle home quite interesting, too!

A view from the farm Adam Henson • HARVEST TIME IS A CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH THE PUBLIC

Nicola Chester • The rescue of two farmland birds brings hope among stories of loss

THE PENNINE WAY • Looking to take on one of the world’s greatest walks this summer? Then trek the backbone of England – an epic trail over beautiful hills, via sparkling waterfalls, pretty villages and blooming wildflower meadows. Mark Sutcliffe reveals the best ways to explore the Pennine Way

PENNINE WAY STAGES • A day-by-day guide to the trails and triumphs of the Pennine Way

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Freshwater swims for families • Long, warm days and summer holidays were made for family fun in the water. But you don’t have to head for the coast – our rivers, lakes and lochs offer exciting adventures close to home. Helen Webster picks her top freshwater swim spots

Slow worm wonder • We should cherish the little legless lizard in our gardens, as much for their extraordinary lives as for the help they offer in removing pests, says Kevin Parr

JOHN CRAVEN • BISON AND PIGS ARE NATURAL AGENTS OF REWILDING

Reviving a river • Good news stories about Britain’s rivers are hard to find in 2023, but in the Lake District, heroic efforts are being made to restore life to lost streams. And the transformation of Goldrill Beck near Ullswater is the jewel in the crown. Tanya Jackson reports

Finding hope in nature • It’s easy to get despondent about the natural world, but in her new book, Megan McCubbin explores stories of hope and courage for the world’s endangered species and reveals the best way we can all fight back

TOP 10 BEST BEACHES • Whether you dream of rockpools, buried treasure, soothing shores, wild waves, drifting dunes or an island escape, we have the beach for you. Here are the UK’s seaside jewels, from Devon to the Hebrides

Lazy days • BOOKS › TV › RADIO › FILM › LETTERS › PUZZLES

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