How to
Traditional outdoor skills, country crafts and delicious seasonal recipes
Where to survive the apocalypse – preppers should actually be looking at these countryside refuges
Suppose the day came when the world as we know it fell apart. What would you do? Where in the UK would you go to hide to survive an apocalypse? Here is our guide on where to go and how to survive an apocalypse in Britain.
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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.
Garlic mustard: where to find this delicious plant, what it tastes like and how to use it
All you need to know about the tasty plant garlic mustard
What's new?
Wild strawberries are the candy of the countryside - here's how to forage for them
Our guide explores where to find these hidden gems in nature
Meadowsweet: how to identify and use this natural remedy
More than just a pretty flower! Discover its history as a natural pain reliever and the sweet secret it holds.
How to stay cool during a heatwave
Warm summer weather can be enjoyable, however intense heatwaves can be dangerous. Here is our guide on how to keep cool and stay safe as the thermometer rises.
Best edible weeds: 4 tasty wild plants that can grace your dining table - or picnic
Enjoy foraging? Here are four tasty weeds that will grace any dining occasion
Mental Health Awareness Week: 7 simple ways to connect with nature and improve wellbeing
Spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental health. To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 (13-19 May), we've picked some of the best country walks, mindful crafts and nature volunteering ideas for you to enjoy.
Crafts
How to paint flowers
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to capture the transient beauty
of wildflowers? Watercolour artist Cath Hodsman gives
a step-by-step tutorial on how to paint flowers
How to sketch landscapes with charcoal
Sketching with charcoal can be a delightful way to appreciate your favourite country views. Artist Abigail Edgar shares her passion for drawing outdoors and offers some advice on how to get the best results...
How to make potpourri
Fallen pine cones, bark and dry leaves form the perfect base for a colourful and fragrant potpourri. Here's how to make it yourself at home.
Food and Recipes
Nettle guide: where to find it, how to pick safely and recipe ideas
Your beginner's guide to foraging for nutritious nettles, with tips on how to pick to avoid the sting, plus some delicious recipes you'll want to try today.
April foraging: Best plants to find and how to use them
Spring is finally here – and with it comes longer days, warmer temperatures and blooming flowers. It's a great month to be outside, not only for spotting wild things but for gathering them, too. Find out what to forage in the UK this month how to do it responsibly.
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, before revealing some of our favourite wild garlic recipe ideas.
Foraging
Best foraging courses in the UK
Interested in learning how to forage for plants, mushrooms and berries in the British countryside? Here is our pick of the best foraging courses from across Britain to help you learn the skills you need to get started safely.
The best foraging gifts for 2024
To help you buy for the forager in your life, we've rounded up the best foraging gifts on the market to enhance the art of identifying, gathering and bringing wild food home, from the hedgerow to the kitchen table.
August foraging guide: best foods to find and recipe ideas
In August, the British countryside is filled with edible berries, mushrooms, flowers and leaves – learn how to identify and cook them with our guide to foraging in August.
Foraging in Britain
Monthly foraging guide
Our beginner's guide to foraging in Britain explains what you can gather in hedgerows, woodlands, along the coast and in the countryside. Learn how to forage responsibly and safely, what's in season each month and where to find it, plus recipe ideasJuly foraging guide: best foods to find and recipe ideas
Come July, the countryside is alive with edible wild plants. Here’s our expert guide on what to look out for when foraging in July, along with recipe suggestions.
The first signs of autumn
Autumn is a vibrant season of colour, woodland stomps and hot chocolates. But when does autumn start? And what are the first signs to look for?
September foraging guide: best foods to find and recipe ideas
Make the most of the late summer bounty found in Britain's woodlands and hedgerows. Here is our expert guide on the best nuts, seeds and berries to forage for in September.
Green Living
Best sustainable dishwasher tablets: 8 eco-conscious options for 2024
Keep your dishes and your conscience clean with our pick of the best eco-friendly dishwasher tablets
Best sustainable compost to buy in 2024: 10 peat free options
From mushroom compost to wool, give your plants a healthy peat-free start with our pick of the best sustainable compost for your garden.
How to save water in your garden
As our summers become warmer and drier, it may be necessary for gardeners to change their habits. Our guide includes information on rainwater harvesting, when to water your garden and ways to make your garden more drought-resistant.
Outdoor Skills
Hay fever: symptoms, causes and how to beat it
Tackle seasonal hay fever with these simple tips
Best photography kit for beginners in 2024
Love browsing our magazine's sumptuous landscape shots, but you've got no idea where to start with your photography hobby? Keen snapper Matt Evans is on hand to tell you what accessories you'll need once you've bought your first camera.
When do the clocks change?
Find out when the clocks change – and why we change them. Plus, learn all about the history of daylight saving in the UK.
Wildlife gardening
Best bird nesting boxes for your garden in 2024
Help support the local wildlife by providing safe nest boxes for the birds in your garden.
How to trim hedges
Want to know how to manage and trim a hedge? Here's some advice from Ben Newton, Wilder Landscapes Advisor for Norfolk Wildlife Trust
When to plant sweet peas
What's the best time of year to sow sweet peas and when should you plant them out in your garden?