Author John Craven
John Craven

John Craven

Journalist and television presenter

Now living in Oxfordshire with his family, John Craven originally hails from Leeds, where he began his career as a junior reporter at the Harrogate Advertiser. After stints in local radio and television he hosted John Craven’s Newsround from 1972, also presenting shows such as Swap Shop. John has always considered himself to be a country person at heart and after leaving Newsround in 1989 he joined the Countryfile team. In July 2014 he celebrated his 25th anniversary on the show, and over the years he has covered many of the key issues facing the British countryside, including BSE, foot and mouth and the fox-hunting ban. In 2000 he was awarded an OBE for his services to rural and children's broadcasting and features in the RTS Hall of Fame.

Recent articles by John Craven

How bad is racism in the countryside? Experts set out to discover the truth - and their findings may shock you

Lots of us to put on walking boots and anoraks and revel in the simple but life-enhancing pleasure of being out in the countryside. But how many will have skin that is not white and is that because there's racism in the countryside, asks BBC Countryfile's John Craven.
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King Charles III is dumping deer bones and dead trees in rivers. Here's how it's saving Scotland’s waterways

In an unconventional yet remarkably effective move, the royal Balmoral Estate has embarked on an innovative initiative to enhance the health of its rivers
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The fight to protect the UK's historic buildings from climate change

Combating climate change can result in heavy extra costs for cash-strapped preservation bodies, so should they consider letting go of properties that become too vulnerable? John Craven explores how climate change is threatening the nation’s historic buildings.
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The UK is set to lose one in six species. We can stop this, says John Craven

The State of Nature Report 2023 is a shocking call to arms, says Countryfile presenter John Craven. But a boost of breeding programmes and habitat improvement projects offer hope.
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Meet the 19th century botanist David Douglas, the man who brought us the Douglas fir

John Craven celebrates David Douglas – a surprisingly little-known Scottish adventurer whose discoveries in the new world transformed the landscapes of his home country
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Does new housing have to put waterways at risk?

In a bid to speed up homebuilding, the Government is trying to scrap rules that require developers to protect waterways. Countryfile's John Craven reports...
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John Craven: Could more of Scotland be community owned?

It’s thought that 2.6% of Scotland is community owned but a new land reform bill, due before the Scottish Parliament this year, will herald changes, says BBC Countryfile's John Craven
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John Craven: Bison and pigs are natural agents of rewilding

Curly-coated pigs on Dorset grasslands and bison roaming in a Kent woodland are showing just how livestock can transform rewilding projects, says the Countryfile presenter.
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John Craven: The frightening and costly reality of coastal erosion

As sea levels rise, it's time for a national debate about the long-term future of our coastline, says Countryfile presenter John Craven.
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John Craven: the Ramblers' new president will break down barriers

In an inspired choice, Ramblers walking charity has appointed 'Blind Adventurer' Amar Latif as its new president, reports Countryfile presenter John Craven
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John Craven: Investing in foresters

If Britain is to plant more trees successfully, we need to train more people in the craft of forestry, says the Countryfile presenter.
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John Craven: Will the Government's new environment schemes be able to reverse nature decline?

As the Government seeks to fulfil its promises to reverse nature decline within a generation, John Craven takes a look at the bold goals of the new Environmental Improvement Plan and the Environmental Land Management schemes.
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John Craven: In celebration of 200 issues of BBC Countryfile Magazine

Red kite reintroductions, badger culls and climate change were hot topics when BBC Countryfile Magazine launched 15 years ago, reflects John Craven.
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John Craven: Countryside waste crime has reached crisis point

Fly-tipping and illegal dumping in the countrysides is costing us £1 billion a year, reports the Countryfile presenter
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John Craven: This TikTok star is the new joyful face of farming

The BBC Countryfile presenter introduces Farmer Will, a 23-year-old social-media sensation
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John Craven: can the OEP clean up our waterways?

A newly formed public body aims to protect the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account. The Countryfile presenter asks, does it have what it takes to clean up our rivers and lakes?
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John Craven: The new king, like his mother, is very much at home in the British countryside

The Countryfile presenter reflects on the King's passion for the environment and countryside, and how it will impact him in his new role.
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John Craven: A thrilling nature-led recovery in the Lakes

The Countryfile presenter reports on ecological restoration project Wild Haweswater, which is working alongside sustainable upland farming – with amazing results
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