Go Outdoors
10 of the fastest Parkruns in the UK – and the world
Looking to achieve a Parkrun personal best? These are some of the speediest courses both home and away that will help you achieve 5k glory.
What muscles does surfing work? How this fun workout strengthens more than just your core
Surfing is a brilliant whole-body workout – we explain which muscles it uses.
Bloody, brutal battles and border castles: The secrets of the savage frontier between England and Wales
Bloodshed, battles, barons and brutality – the sleepy hinterland of the Welsh Marches belies a turbulent history. Mark Hillsdon explores the romantic ruins that remember more troubled times
Missed out on BBC Race Across The World? Why orienteering is the next best activity to test your navigation skills
Everything you need to know about orienteering, including how to get started, what equipment you'll need and top tips.
Here are the 7 best places to go birdwatching in London – according to a birding expert
Even in the UK’s largest urban expanses, birdsong can be heard rising above the humdrum of city life – we reveal some of the best places in the London to see and hear birdlife.
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Once home to Nazi prisoners: The grim reality of life inside one of Britain's former WW2 prisoner of war camps.
During the Second World War, British camps across the country housed as many as 400,000 captured foreign soldiers. Dixe Wills visits Eden Camp in North Yorkshire, a restored camp that recreates the wartime experience of enemy prisoners
10 toughest long-distance walking trails in the UK: Challenge yourself with one of these bucket-list routes
Planning a major hike this year? We reveal the UK’s toughest long-distance paths to explore.
The unexpected hiking hack you need this spring (hint: it talks)
No Easter holiday plans? These are the best free days out with kids around the UK
Desperate parents, look no further! Here is your ultimate guide to the best free days out, activities, workshops, trails and museums to try out over the holidays with your kids
10 epic battles fought on British soil that changed Britain's history forever
From the Isles of Scilly to the Scottish Highlands, Britain is dotted with hundreds of battlefields. Julian Humphrys picks 10 that shaped the nation's history
Camping
25 beautiful UK beaches to visit right now
Looking for a beach near you? From the spectacular Isles of Scilly and the rugged shores of the Scottish Highlands to England's dreamy south coast, here's our pick of the most beautiful beaches in the UK.
25 for 2025: Fill your summer with exciting outdoor adventures and challenges, from shark spotting to conquering fears
Expand your horizons with our pick of the best outdoor adventures.
New partnership set to establish wild camping across Britain
Collaboration between CampWild and Rewilding Britain to give wild campers access to previously private rewilding sites, including in England and Wales
Days Out
Divine spring walks: 23 of the best UK trails to enjoy right now
The countryside is awash with the sights and sounds of spring – it's time to get outside. From magnificent meadows and wildflower woodlands to gorgeous springtime hills, here is our guide to the UK's best spring walks.
Just William: The timeless mischief-maker who captivates generations
Who inspired Richmal Crompton’s most famous and mischievous character 'Just William'?
How a small, charming English town, set at the foot of beautiful hills, gave the world Narnia, hobbits, Middle Earth and Nimrod
Discover the dramatic range of hills that inspired CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and Edward Elgar to create some of the greatest works in the English canon
Gear
Best umbrellas tried and tested in 2025: brilliant brollies for rainy strolls
Be drizzle and downpour ready with our review of the best umbrellas on the market. Fulton, Totes, Barbour and Mountain Warehouse are put to the test.
Best sun hats: Caps and wide brimmed hats for sun protection in the UK
Stay protected with these sun hats, specially designed for the great outdoors.
Best walking trousers for men and women - tried and tested for 2025
We've tested the best walking trousers to suit all budgets and types of walkers
Get active
What muscles does rowing work? How this all-over body workout will shape your physique
Whether you have access to a boat or prefer to use a rowing machine, rowing is a fantastic workout to engage a wide variety of muscle groups
What is an Ironman? Why it's the ultimate endurance challenge and the world’s toughest and greatest triathlons
The toughest marathon running events in the world – from Exmoor to Kilimanjaro
It's a truly iconic race distance, but which marathon courses are the toughest in the UK and around the globe? Here's our magnificent seven
Historic places
Inside Anthrax Island: the Scottish isle of death you’ll never be able to visit
In an attempt to turn the tide against the Nazis in World War II, Winston Churchill commissioned a top secret MoD project on Gruinard.
Why are they called kissing gates – and why do you have to stop to kiss when you reach one?
You've probably had to go through a kissing gate on a walk, but have you ever wondered how they got their name?
William Wordsworth's stunning Lake District home is for sale – so you could own and live in a little piece of literary history
Rydal Mount and Gardens has previously been run as a successful business, but there's no reason you couldn't live in this exciting piece of literary history
Travel Planner
The UK’s most remote destinations: Visit these wild places for an awe-inspiring trip
There’s something magical about a place that’s remained untamed. Dixe Wills picks his favourite wild sites.
What is the highest pub in the UK? And no, there isn't one on top of Ben Nevis...
There are a few contenders for the highest pub in the UK (some more dubious than others) – we take a look at which one claims the title.
Guide to the Welland Valley: where to stay and what to see
Author Tim Relf's guide to the Welland Valley, including where to visit, where to stay and where to eat and drink.
Walks
We've compiled the best places to walk in the United Kingdom, so you can find the perfect walk near you or at your next holiday destination.
All our walk reports have been curated by the Countryfile team and include maps, route directions, walking distances, and times wherever possible.
We've divided the UK by counties to help you quickly find the right route. Looking for a specific walk? Try using the site search at the top right of this page.
Here are the 10 greatest walks in London - chosen by experts
Take a stroll through some of London's most breathtaking green spaces, from Hampstead Heath and Richmond Park to Kew Gardens and the London Wetland Centre.
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This secret Cornwall cove was once home to a formidable set of smugglers, who allegedly ran half of Britain’s brandy trade
Uncover the sandy beach once reigned over by a wayward family of pirates, says Sian Lewis