Carys Matthews
Group Digital Editor
Carys is the Group Digital Editor of countryfile.com and discoverwildlife.com and writes regular features for the print magazine. Away from the desk, she enjoys trail running, hiking, outdoor swimming and cycling in the British countryside and beyond.
Recent articles by Carys Matthews
Where is Countryfile visiting this week and what time is it on BBC1?
In this week's show, Hamza Yassin and Charlotte Smith are on the beautiful Northumberland Coast.
Beginner's guide to wild camping in the UK: law, where to camp and kit
Fancy getting off the beaten track? One of the joys of wild camping is the chance to sleep under the stars in beautiful rural locations.
Where to ski and snowboard in Scotland, England and the rest of the UK
Hit the slopes without leaving the UK with our guide to the best places to ski and snowboard in the UK.
Best walking boots tested in 2024: hiking boots for comfort and durability
Lightweight, waterproof and grippy – the latest generation of walking boots offers all-season protection and comfort. Our expert reviewers tested a batch of hiking boots from leading brands, on muddy trails over hills and through forests and fields – and here are our findings
Britain's most haunted places - do you dare to visit one at night?
From ancient castles to haunted hills and scary inns, discover the most haunted places in the UK with BBC Countryfile Magazine's spooky guide
Haunting ‘witch marks’ designed to ‘trap demons’ discovered etched on the walls of this medieval manor
The perfect sloe gin recipe
Try making this delicious sloe gin recipe in the autumn months and enjoy a warming sup when the weather cools. It also makes the ideal gift for any gin lover.
Elderberry guide: where to find, health benefits and recipe ideas
Late summer and early autumn are the perfect seasons for heading into the British countryside in search of elderberries. Learn how to identify, where to find, the health benefits and how to cook elderberries with our expert guide.
Blackberry guide: where to find, how to cook and recipe ideas
In late summer and early autumn you'll find blackberries in abundance across the countryside. Here's everything you need to know about these little fruits, including when and where to pick blackberries, how to cook them, storing ideas and the best blackberry recipes.
British butterfly guide: how to identify and the best places to spot
Britain is home to 59 species of butterfly, which all play an important role in pollination. In our expert guide, we take a look at butterfly identification, common butterfly species, how long butterflies live, and where to see them in the UK.
British wasp guide: how to identify common species, lifecycle and why wasps sting
These stinging picnic pests don’t deserve our enmity and fear – they are impressive architects that belong to highly developed and complex societies – our expert guide to wasps looks at the common species, their lifecycle and why wasps sting.
Best summer walks in Britain
Make the most of the longer days and warmer weather with our pick of the best summer walks in the UK.
Summer Solstice 2024: A brief guide to the longest day of the year
The longest day of the year, known as the Summer Solstice, is celebrated throughout the UK every year. Our guide explains when and why the Summer Solstice occurs.
Mental Health Awareness Week: 7 simple ways to connect with nature and improve wellbeing
Spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental health. To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 (13-19 May), we've picked some of the best country walks, mindful crafts and nature volunteering ideas for you to enjoy.
Britain's most endangered animal species: Discover the rarest creatures in the UK
Some once-common native species are disappearing from the British countryside – our guide looks at 17 of the most endangered animal species in the UK that have suffered acute declines in recent years.
Britain's best spring walks: 23 beautiful trails
The countryside is awash with the sights and sounds of spring – it's time to get outside. From magnificent meadows and wildflower woodlands to springtime hills, here is our guide to the UK's best spring walks.
The best hedgehog houses for your garden in 2024
Provide a safe and sheltered spot for your spiky visitors this year with a charming hedgehog house.
April foraging: Best plants to find and how to use them
Spring is finally here – and with it comes longer days, warmer temperatures and blooming flowers. It's a great month to be outside, not only for spotting wild things but for gathering them, too. Find out what to forage in the UK this month how to do it responsibly.
Wild garlic guide: where to find, how to use and recipe ideas
Spring is the perfect time to go foraging for this versatile and pungent plant, which can be whipped up into a delicious soup or pesto. BBC Countryfile Magazine's expert guide explains where to find it, how to forage it responsibly and how to cook it, before revealing some of our favourite wild garlic recipe ideas.
How to identify spring blossom
As light flows slowly into our woodlands and hedgerows, once-bare branches begin to bloom. The brief blossoming of blackthorn, rowan, wild cherry and hawthorn is a magical spectacle, wreathed in ancient folklore. Learn how to identify spring blossom found in the UK and best places to spot blossom with our ID guide.
National Nest Box Week: how to help birds in your garden
Give a bird a home during National Nest Box Week, which runs from 14th February to the 21st February. Here's all you need to know to take part in 2024.
Snowdrops guide: best walks, how to grow and when they bloom
After the darkness of winter, snowdrops are a welcome sign that spring will soon be here. Our snowdrop guide looks at the best snowdrop walks in the UK, when to plant snowdrops, when they bloom and how to care for them.
Lungworm in dogs: symptoms and how to prevent
Lungworm can be fatal to dogs and is on the rise in the UK, with thousands of cases and fatalities being reported. Our expert guide explains what lungworm is, how to spot the signs and what you can do to protect your dog from this potentially deadly parasite.
Spring wildlife guide: what to look for and where to see it
From the fragrant aroma of wild garlic to the delightful song of the chiffchaff, the British countryside comes to life in the spring months. Our expert spring wildlife guide explains how to identify the season's best wildlife spectacles and best places to see.
