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, Adam Henson and Charlotte Smith are in the Cairngorms National Park, home to a quarter of the UK’s rare and endangered species.
The best hedgehog houses for your garden in 2025
Provide a safe and sheltered spot for your spiky visitors this year with a charming hedgehog house.
Spring blossom is out now - here's how to identify it
As light flows slowly back into our woodlands and hedgerows, once-bare branches begin to bloom again. It's blossom season – but how do you tell the difference between blackthorn and hawthorn, rowan and wild cherry?
Celebrate St David's Day: history and traditions
Celebrate Wales' national day with our guide to St David's Day which looks at the history of the patron saint of Wales and popular Welsh traditions.
Best walking boots of 2025: tested by hiking experts for comfort and durability
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
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.
Vikings are marching through a Shetland town – discover the tradition behind the Up Helly Aa celebration
Originating in the 1880s, the spectacular Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland celebrates Norse heritage
Big Garden Birdwatch 2025: when it is, how to take part and birds to spot
This year's Big Garden Birdwatch runs from 24th to 26th January 2025 – find out how to take part, how to submit your results and which birds to spot in your garden.
Using padded hurdles, instead of typical brush fences, could reduce racehorse fatalities
Researchers from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) identify key risk factors for injury and fatality rates in horse racing.
Trenches, tombs and a hidden church above a shopping centre – 17 extraordinary historic sites added to the National Heritage List
First World War practice trenches, a rare 17th-century chest tomb and a Tudor-style pub are among the 17 historic sites that have gained protected status this year.
Boxing Day recipes: how to use up your Christmas leftovers
Reduce your food waste over the festive period with our selection of easy but tasty recipes to use up your Christmas leftovers
Horse skulls and onion-induced dreams: the quirky British Christmas traditions you should try this year
From decorating the tree to eating mince pies and kissing under the mistletoe, here is our guide to British Christmas traditions and their origins.
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?
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.
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.