Go Outdoors
The UK's best viaducts to explore by rail, foot or bike for magnificent scenery and Roman-inspired architecture
Boasting wood, worms and wizards, the UK has a wealth of wonderful viaducts. Matt Baird picks 6 you can explore via rail, foot and bicycle
How to stay safe scuba diving
Diving into the underwater world is a thrilling adventure, but it’s essential to approach it with safety as your top priority say the experts at PADI
How to start scuba diving, so you can explore endless magical underwater wonderlands
Learning to dive leads to transformational experiences and a lifelong passport to explore and protect our blue planet, say experts at PADI
Why the great outdoors beats the gym: 6 beginner-friendly FREE activities for better fitness and mental clarity
Want to start getting fitter? Forget the gym says James Witts as the outdoors offers far more fun activities
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Best windmills to visit in the UK – plus ones you can stay in
We explore the history of windmills in the UK, the best windmills to visit and windmills you can stay in
What are the different types of windmills and how do they work?
Learn about the different types of windmills found in the UK, as well as how the work, and well-known examples to visit
What muscles does skiing work and tone? Why this exhilarating, adrenaline-filled, sport is a great all-body work out
Planning a skiing trip? We explain all the good it does for your body - providing you go easy on the Après-ski
Could Britain’s historical windmills disappear entirely? We meet those determined to save these beautiful, iconic buildings
For centuries, Britain’s windmills harnessed the power of nature to grind grain, but many of these historic structures now face ruin. Jack Watkins meets the dedicated people working hard to save them
9 of the best vegan walking boots to buy in 2025
By choosing vegan walking boots, you can avoid contributing to animal cruelty, poor working conditions, contamination to waterways and even deforestation for cattle grazing. Here are the most promising boots out there now.
Camping
Best travel mugs reviewed: Our top reusable coffee cups for 2025
We tested some of the biggest brands to find the best travel mugs for hikes and camping trips.
Best fleeces for men and women tested for 2025: our ultimate guide to the must-have midlayer
Looking to beat the chill, or in need of a new midlayer? We review the best fleeces on the market.
Best 2-person tents reviewed for 2025: top picks for backpacking, wild camping and beyond
You want a reliable 2-person tent for outdoor adventures in summer and beyond – but which one is best for you? Seasoned camper and outdoors instructor Fi Darby helps out by testing nine of the best for BBC Countryfile Magazine - and here are her verdicts
Days Out
The most festive towns and villages in the UK: add these places to your travel list for a magical Christmas
Twinkling lights, exciting markets and joyous carols – Jo Caird picks her favourite places to find the spirit of Christmas
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.
Get outdoors this Christmas: best activities, walks and experiences
Whether stargazing somewhere magical or roasting chestnuts over a bonfire, here is a selection of the best outdoor activities to enjoy in the British countryside over the festive season.
Gear
Best backpack rain covers: 7 waterproof bag covers for the outdoors
Keep your bag and its contents dry with a durable, waterproof backpack rain cover
I went into the Amazon jungle and this is the one piece of kit I wouldn’t have been without
Best gifts for walkers: 34 top presents for hikers
The best practical presents walkers will love at a range of different price points.
Get active
What muscles does walking tone?
Walking is great all-round exercise that uses more muscles than you may think. We look closer at the less-obvious benefits that walking brings
Why is the first part of a run the hardest?
Find out what's the cause behind first-mile fatigue, and how to run though it
Top outdoor clothing picks from Berghaus: waterproof and cold-weather essentials, including raincoats, insulated jackets and fleece layers
Historic places
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.
Butchered and cannibalised: 3,000 bones found in Somerset shaft suggest ‘othering’ of enemies in Bronze Age Britain
A new study of the remains – initially unearthed in the 1970s – indicates that the victims were likely consumed as a form of retaliation or revenge.
Christmas can be a hazardous and dangerous time for pets. Here's why
From chocolate to tinsel, Christmas is full of dangers for pets. Here are 10 to watch for
Travel Planner
The ultimate guide to The Hebrides - Scotland's secret paradise
Your perfect Hebridean adventure starts here…
Best places to stay for birdwatchers in 2024
Spend the day spotting birds on the wing then fall asleep to the hoots and calls of the wild in a birders’ paradise
Best literary festivals to visit in 2023
With the Bath festival kicking off the season of literature events, here are the unmissable happenings for book lovers throughout the UK this year.
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.
22 picturesque National Trust walks in the UK
From Kent, Dorset and the Lake District in England to the Highlands of Scotland and the mountains of Snowdonia in Wales, here is BBC Countryfile Magazine's pick of the best National Trust walks in the UK.
30 of the UK's most beautiful winter walks
From the Scottish Highlands and English Lake District to enchanting Welsh woodlands and Northern Ireland's wave-buffeted coast, here's our pick of the best beautiful winter walks in the UK
Best autumn walks in the UK: discover stunning trails through golden forests and scenic countryside
The arrival of autumn sees the British countryside transform into a spectacular display of oranges, reds, yellows and golds – experience this seasonal splendour with our pick of the best autumn walks in the UK.