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.

Here comes the Sun

FEBRUARY IN THE COUNTRY • THE BIG PICTURE

Wetlands to visit

It’s time to sow sweet peas

Scotch pancakes

The coldest day…

National Nest Box Week

ID GUIDE: GREBES

Adam Henson • IN MEMORY OF ERIC FREEMAN AND OTHER FARM PIONEERS

JOHN CRAVEN • SCOTLAND LEADS THE WAY IN RIVER RESTORATION

Nicola Chester • Many farmers dislike them, but crows are one of the great spectacles of winter

DISCOVER SEVEN WONDERS OF SKYE • With soaring mountains, green glens and glassy lochs, the Isle of Skye is world famous for its spectacular scenery. Vivienne Crow reveals how to make a summer break on Skye truly unforgettable

NOW GO THERE • Where to stay and what to see on the Isle of Skye, by Vivienne Crow

Subscription offer! 50% off * • Enjoy the great British countryside in 2024 and save 50% off a year’s worth of issues!

TOP 10 PERFECT COUNTRY BREAKS • Plan an unforgettable escape with our guide to the best holidays for walking, wildlife, heritage and more, by Dixe Wills

IS INSTAGRAM KILLING THE COUNTRYSIDE? • Thanks to social media, once little-known beauty spots are now international attractions, enticing hordes of visitors. Are the crowds spoiling these special places? Richard Baynes investigates

DOS AND DON’TS OF SOCIAL MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY

#PROBLEMPLACES

Chocolate-box countryside • Gentle hills, pretty villages, dreamy landscapes… revel in Cotswolds charm on these delightful short walks, with Ben Lerwill

Waxing botanical • More life-like than the new statue of Sir David Attenborough at Madame Tussaud’s, Annette Marie Townsend’s remarkable botanical wax sculptures have powerful tales to tell

THE UK’S BEST NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS • In the 19th and early 20th centuries, taxidermy or casts were used to exhibit mammals and birds, while glass or wax models represented plants and microscopic organisms. Visit these remarkable artworks at natural history museums around the UK.

Lifesavers • For two centuries, the RNLI’s lifeboat crews have saved thousands of lives in our waters. To mark the RNLI’s bicentenary, Laura Haslam reveals 10 key dates in the history of a charity that is vital for our coastal nation

HOW TO LIVE WITH TREES • Tune into the rhythm of the seasons with a delightful arboreal almanac

Q&A PROTECTING OUR PLANET • Puzzled by the climate crisis? A new BBC Radio Four series and podcast aims to explore the science behind the global threat to nature, explains co-presenter Tom Heap

BEST WELLIE BOOTS • Gardening, dog walking or working outdoors, a trusty pair of wellington boots is a must for keeping feet dry. We put some top brands to the test

YOUR DAYS OUT… IN PHOTOS • Share your best photos of the British countryside with us and you could see your image published in print or online and win a great prize.

Your countryside • HAVE YOUR SAY ON RURAL ISSUES

Country puzzles • RACK YOUR COUNTRYFILE BRAIN WITH THESE WILD AND WONDERFUL GAMES

COUNTRYSIDE CROSSWORD

BBC Countryfile Magazine

Return of the red kite • The private life of a raptor rescued from extinction

Who has the right to roam? • The public has no right to walk freely on 92% of England’s landscape. Roly Smith asks – is change coming?