Author Freya Parr
Freya Parr

Freya Parr

Deputy Editor of the National Trust Magazine and freelance journalist

Freya Parr is the Deputy Editor of the National Trust Magazine and a freelance journalist working across multiple titles including BBC Countryfile and BBC Wildlife. She is the former Digital Editor & Staff Writer at BBC Music Magazine, where she has stayed on as a regular critic. She is a keen trail runner, surfer and outdoor swimmer, enjoying scrambling up mountains and reviewing kit for titles such as Trail Magazine.

Recent articles by Freya Parr
Aerial photo from a drone of Aldeburgh Beachfront, Suffolk.

The 21 UK place names that Americans (and lots of Brits!) can't pronounce correctly

A guide to the UK’s most mispronounced place names, where centuries of linguistic change have quietly reshaped how words look and sound
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A pink moon over the top of Stonehenge in dim light

Pink moon: How and when to see this week's stunning lunar display (and what it actually means)

Everything you need to know about the Pink Moon, when it takes place this year and what the spiritual meaning is behind it
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View of tunnels beach Tidal Pool from Beacons Castle, Ilfracomb

This secret Victorian beach beneath Devon's tunnels is now off-limits (unless you're getting married)

Carved by hand in the 1820s and once open to all, Ilfracombe’s Tunnels Beaches are now closed to the public after dramatic rockfalls — but a select few can still experience their secluded charm
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A Cockerpoo dog running on Praa sands beach in Cornwall on a sunny day

These are the UK’s most expensive dog breeds (and why they cost so much)

Britain's love of dogs comes at a rising cost, with new research revealing sharp increases in purchase prices, vet bills and insurance
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Pebble ridge at Westward Ho! beach on the North Devon Coast National Landscape

The bizarre way Westward Ho! got its name – and why it has an exclamation mark (and the only other place in the world that does too)

It’s the only place in the UK with an exclamation mark in its name – but the story behind Westward Ho! is stranger than its punctuation suggests
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Goldendoodle dog enjoying a moment of calm at home. Animal health and wellbeing. Concept of life with pets.

Is my dog depressed? Here's how to tell (it might not be obvious) – and what you can do about it

Dogs get depressed and stressed, just like us. Here are a few clues to look out for to spot signs of dog depression (they might not be what you expect)
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Kynance Cove mermaid pools

Swim in secret: The hidden mermaid pools around Britain that feel almost mythical

Clear blue water, rocky coves and secret lagoons carved by the sea – these natural pools are among the UK’s most magical places for a wild swim
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A sign for the England Coast Path at Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, UK, on a clear sunny day with the sea in the background

England's record-breaking National Trail is now open: here's all you need to know on the King Charles III England Coast Path

Stretching 2,700 miles around England’s coastline, the King Charles III England Coast Path is the world’s longest managed coastal walking route
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The sea tractor travels over to Burgh Island

This tiny Devon island is cut off twice a day – but you can follow in Agatha Christie's footsteps, swim in the mermaid pool and explore its smuggler past

Cut off by the sea at high tide, Burgh Island blends Art Deco glamour, smuggling lore and literary history into one unforgettable escape
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Seal on harbour of river

Lurking beneath the surface: 7 surprising creatures you’d never guess live in the River Thames

A recovering river is revealing its secrets, with a surprising cast of wildlife returning to its waters
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Dog and trophy

Crufts winners through the years: A gallery of the Best in Show champions from everyone's favourite dog show

From regal retrievers to spirited terriers, explore every dog that has claimed Crufts’ top prize in history
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Otter stealing fish CCTV footage

Caught on camera: Otter and heron busted stealing fish from Northumberland fishing boat

After bait began disappearing in Amble harbour, a skipper installed a camera – and discovered some bold nighttime visitors
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Clumber spaniel running at Crufts

Crufts’ new star: Here's everything you need to know about the Clumber spaniel (including its aristocratic origins)

Heavy-set, calm, and loyal, Clumber spaniels are rare winners at Crufts – but this year, Bruin stole the spotlight
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Traigh Mohr on the Isle of Lewis on a sunny day

Scientists discover heartbreaking reason behind mass whale stranding on Hebridean beach

The 55 pilot whales that landed on a beach on the Isle of Lewis were supporting a female whale having a difficult birth, new research discovers
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Group of women immersed in the tranquillity of the English Lake District, surrounded by lush greenery. They are using a pair of binoculars and a camera, searching the canopy for birds. They are also using a mobile phone to check a bird app they are using to identify birds. A celebration of patience, confidence, and the quiet beauty of nature in Borrowdale, Cumbria. Videos are available similar to this scenario.

Birdwatching can slow the brain’s ageing process, new research shows

Seasoned birders are found to have denser brain tissue, according to a new study
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A moon rises against a residential street with a street light on

Worm Moon: How and when to see this week's lunar spectacular – and why it determines the date of Easter

Everything you need to know about the Worm Moon, when it takes place this year and what the spiritual meaning is behind it
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A data centre brightly lit

Think before you reply: This is the hidden carbon cost of every email you send

The unexpected environmental impact of our online lives is bigger than we think. Every email relies on energy-hungry data centres — and the carbon cost adds up fast
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Headlights on new car

Why today’s car headlights feel brighter than ever (and what’s about to change)

Dazzling LED headlights are leaving drivers blinded and anxious on dark roads. So why are modern car lights so bright — and what’s being done about it?
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UK, Scotland, Highlands, Isle of Skye, pot hole in road. (Credit: Getty Images)

Why does the UK have so many potholes? Pothole causes, repairs, and how to make a claim

In our fluctuating climate, potholes are very common on UK roads. But they can cause havoc to vehicles, leaving drivers with costly repairs. We explain how to report them, fix them and claim compensation.
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Family tree illustration

Think you’re Gaelic at heart? Here’s how to trace your Scottish and Irish roots

From clan lands to famine ships, uncover the stories that shaped your Scottish and Irish ancestry –and learn how to start tracing your Gaelic roots today
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Pub sign for Busby Stoop Inn

Is this the world’s most haunted chair? The chilling legend of the Dead Man’s Seat

Said to have been cursed by a condemned murderer in 1702, the Dead Man’s Chair has inspired centuries of eerie tales, but how much truth lies behind the legend?
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Diana, Princess of Wales (1961 - 1997) with her sons Prince Harry and Prince William, and Princess Anne and Zara Phillips outside St George's Chapel, Windsor

Princess Diana’s family tree spans royal scandals, Hollywood royalty – and a surprising number of American presidents. Here's how

Long before she became the Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer’s ancestry linked her not only to British nobility and royal scandals but also to American presidents and Hollywood icons
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Black and white photo of Kate Bush at her family's home in East Wickham sitting by fireplace

Farmhouses, ex-council houses and country cottages: Step inside the childhood homes of music legends

While some are open to visitors, others are frozen in time – look inside the childhood homes of some of Britain's greatest ever rockstars
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Dalmatian pelicans on a lake in the sun

Extinct since medieval times, Britain’s biggest bird could be making a comeback

The largest bird to ever live in the UK could be reintroduced to our wetlands
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