CATEGORIES

DISCOVER BERWICK AND THE BORDERS

Visit a spectacular frontier town this winter to explore its hinterland of epic rivers, historic houses and woodlands sparkling with frost, says Susie White

Chalk Stream Dream

DAY OUT: River Itchen, Hampshire | Clear, quiet and unhurried, Hampshire’s iconic River Itchen glides with added lustre beneath the soft light of a low autumn sun, reveals Kevin Parr

Matt Baker – “The countryside made me”

In his first book, Matt Baker celebrates his rural roots and chronicles a year spent transforming the family farm. He chats to Margaret Bartlett about sheep, sketching and new beginnings

Fungi Fascination

The mushrooms in our autumn woodlands are not only strange and intriguing, they and other fungi are vital to life on Earth. James Fair finds out more from biologist and author Merlin Sheldrake

BURE THROUGH THE BROADS

WALK: River Bure, Wroxham, Norfolk | Follow a tranquil autumn river through quiet Norfolk villages to Wroxham, the ‘capital of the Broads’, before returning along the Bure Valley Railway. Anna Paxton leads the way

GOTHIC WHITBY

Yorkshire’s pretty fishing port is popular with tourists – but the town has a dark side. Explore misty ruins, whispers of witches, strange tragedies and a legendary vampire with Karen Ruffles

HORSESHOE AMONG HILLS

DAY OUT: Afon Dyfrdwy (River Dee), Denbighshire | Afon Dyfrdwy is the largest river in North Wales, but its wildlife is suffering. Julie Brominicks explores a project that aims to restore it to its natural state, before ambling its autumn banks

Plant Britain BULBS FOR BEES AND BUTTERFLIES

Autumn is the ideal time to plant bulbs for an uplifting display of colour next spring and summer. But how do you choose the best flowers to benefit insect pollinators? Wild gardener and insect ecology expert Dave Goulson reveals his favourites

THE CUMBRIA WAY

The 70-mile Cumbria Way is an epic walk through England’s most picturesque landscape. Provided you take your time, this spectacular, mostly lowland route is less testing than it might sound, writes Peter Elia

GLEN FOR A QUEEN

CYCLE/WALK: River Avon, Tomintoul, Moray | Silver birch and mountain ash combine on the banks of this effervescent river, which carves and curv its way through some of the least-visited mountains in the Cairngorms, writes Fergal MacErlean

Love, hope and ruin

In her new book, Nicola Chester chronicles a lifetime of joy in nature alongside unbearable losses to our wild world that she has witnessed, and that we must all fight harder to prevent

Rudolph's Highland Home

Reindeer roam wild in just one place in the UK – the snow-covered Cairngorm mountains. Cameron McNeish marvels at an extraordinary animal that thrives in freezing Arctic environments

The Cuckoo Spymaster

In the 1950s, armchair naturalists knew Maxwell Knight as a pioneering wildlife broadcaster. But TV’s avuncular birdwatcher had another life – as the likely inspiration for ‘M’, James Bond’s spy chief.

The Magic Of Islands

There’s something special about time spent on small islands. It’s a chance to escape from a troubled world to a place of tranquility, and to be close to nature. Patrick Barkham explores what islands mean to mainlanders – and finds out what an island life is really like.

Rise Of The Shark

Increasing numbers of shark species are being found in British waters. Why is this happening, asks Ben Garrod – and where can we see them?

King Of Bright Water

Gavin Maxwell, the man behind one of our greatest nature stories, found his inspiration and purpose in the Highlands. Mark Rowe explores his life and legacy.

Flower Power

Would you like gorgeous fresh cut flowers all summer? All you need is a handful of seed, a spare patch of soil, and five minutes a day.

New Life On The Farm

Witness the miracle of birth by visiting a working farm during lambing season. Ali Wood takes a flock of excited children to see and hear the pitter patter of tiny sheep.

Man Of The Lakes

As Gardeners’ Question Time reaches its 70th anniversary, its chair Eric Robson discusses his admiration for Alfred Wainwright and his passion for the Lake District fells.

Sara Maitland

Why do country men of a certain type sport brightly coloured trousers?

Little Monsters

Once seen as a menace, bats are now a protected species and old churches have long proved a favourite roosting spot. Can a new initiative persuade people that having bats in the belfry is actually a good thing? Mark Hillsdon finds out

John Craven

Farmers Struggling to find seasonal workers

Consulting The Coracle

In a quest to learn more about Britain’s traditional boats, Mary-Ann Ochota attempts to master an ancient craft on a wild Welsh river

Gilded Trees Over Wild Water

Cameron McNeish pulls on his boots and steps into a reclaimed forest, climbing through trees of golden larch, towering Scots pine and magnificent mountain ash in search of a roaring Cairngorms cascade 

Sara Maitland

Celebrate a rural regeneration success story at the Wigtown Book Festival

Discover Wild Lakeland

The Lake District is more than just a pretty face – conservationists have been working hard to restore stunning wilderness to this national park. Immerse yourself in Cumbria’s greatest natural spectacles this autumn, says writer Karen Lloyd

The Otter Spotter

You are more likely to see an otter today in the UK than ever before, yet their elusive nature still makes them a difficult spot.

My Country Side- Martin Noble

British Sea Power’s guitarist discusses the influence of the land on the band’s music, the decorative charm of squash and the unsung genius of gate-locking mechanisms

Little Bay Of Beauty

Pack your bucket, spade and an inflatable beach ball for some good old-fashioned seaside fun in the capital of the western Highlands, says Fergal MacErlean

Discover A Song Of Suffolk

Magnificent nature reserves, huge skies and a wild, open coast. Welcome to the quiet drama of Suffolk in autumn, says Mark Cocker