BBC Countryfile Magazine

Countryfile Magazine inspires you to explore forgotten corners of the great British countryside and provides knowledge of the people and wildlife that inhabit it. We want to tempt you into trying new things, seek out new places and make the most of Britain’s beautiful landscapes.

Hopes and streams

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

RIVERS IN PICTURES

Stories from the river

FLORA OF THE RIVERBANK • The long, balmy days of late spring trigger the vigorous growth of riverside grasses, plants and trees. Here are 12 species to look out for on your next walk

Kit for sunny days on the water

RIVER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS • Grab your sun hat and head for the water this summer for boat races, music, local food and more.

Sara Maitland • Rediscovering the astonishing beauty, diversity and wildlife of a tidal estuary

Land of waterfalls and wildflowers • The three mighty rivers of South Tyne, Wear and Tees all arise in the high moorlands of Cumbria. Walk the glacial valleys, plunging cascades, burbling streams and bloom-filled meadows of these North Pennines uplands with Susie White

NORTH PENNINE RIVERS

RIVERSIDE REST

BRITAIN’S BEAUTIFUL UPLAND RIVERS • Six more sensational rivers to wander as they wend their way down from higher ground

BBC COUNTRYFILE MAGAZINE • BBC Countryfile Magazine takes you on dozens of thrilling journeys into the countryside every issue, through thought-provoking features and guided walks into enchanting landscapes. With stunning photography and the finest line-up of rural writers in the land, it’s your monthly escape to rural bliss.

STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS • The changing light, sound and mood of moving water creates a meditative calm and perspective that is a fantastic tonic for body and mind, says Kevin Parr

The fisher king • Electric-blue and elusive, kingfishers are always a thrilling sight on Britain’s rivers, says Matt Gaw. But this live-fast, die-young hunter has little-seen nesting habits that belie its regal beauty

ANATOMY OF A KINGFISHER

WHERE TO SEE KINGFISHERS

BLISS ON A BOAT • Row, pole, cruise and paddle 10 of Britain’s beautiful rivers

Pure waters • Beautiful and globally rare, healthy chalk streams teem with life, from brown trout to water voles and dancing mayflies. Charles Rangeley-Wilson celebrates one of England’s greatest natural marvels – and explains how we can best protect them

CHALK STREAM FIELD GUIDE

CHALK STREAM WALKS • For any of these walks you will need an OS map

WILD WOMAN OF THE WYE • For more than 30 years, Angela Jones has swum almost daily in one of Britain’s most beautiful rivers. She tells Abi Whyte why she fell in love with the once-sparkling waters of the Wye, and what must be done to protect it

SEVEN SWIMS IN SPARKLING RIVERS • Immerse yourself in the bright, clean waters of a beautiful upland river, from Daniel Start’s latest edition of his useful guidebook to UK swim spots, Wild Swimming

NEW NATURE WRITER OF THE YEAR 2022 • Are you inspired by spending time in a place where nature flourishes? Then put pen to paper and let your creativity flow in our nature-writing competition

Wolf of the deep • Haunter of legends and anglers’ dreams, the lurking pike is the perfect predator of our waterways, says Will Millard

THE POET’S PIKE

ANATOMY OF A PIKE

How to heal our rivers • Britain’s rivers are in crisis. So how do we resolve the problems and restore these waterways to clean and healthy habitats, fit for the future?

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION? • 10 ways to heal our rivers

BRITAIN’S PRETTIEST RIVERSIDE INNS • There are few summer indulgences quite as pleasant as sipping a refreshing pint in a sun-drenched beer garden beside a river. We...