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2 weeks ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
Mention Second World War prisoners of war and thoughts inevitably turn to Steve McQueen at Stalag Luft III in The Great Escape (one of the greatest WW2 films of all time), or perhaps to seachlight-dodging freedom-seekers held captive by the Germans at Colditz. What is often overlooked is that Britain too was home to hundreds of prison camps, containing thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen from the Axis forces. Why some places are more 'thankful' than others.
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2 weeks ago | 
countryfile.com | Dixe Wills |Mark Sutcliffe |Vivienne Crow |Paul Bloomfield
There are plenty of brilliant walking trails across the UK, whether you're looking for stunning scenery, accessibility or family-family routes. But those up for a challenge should consider a long-distance trail. While they are all beautiful, they are also tougher than the average ramble – with some taking up to eight weeks to complete. We asked our team of experts for their favourite long-distance walking trails. Dare you try one this year?
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3 weeks ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
The country’s soaring peaks, quiet valleys, and rugged coastlines have provided comfort to some of literature’s most brilliant yet tormented minds. Best nature quotes: our favourite sayings about the natural worldFrom John Clare’s tender depictions of rural life to Sylvia Plath’s haunting verses on the Yorkshire moors, these poets found both inspiration and escape in nature. While five of them are well-known, one – Violet Jacob – remains an overlooked voice of poetic sorrow.
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3 weeks ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
The country’s soaring peaks, quiet valleys, and rugged coastlines have provided comfort to some of literature’s most brilliant yet tormented minds. Best nature quotes: our favourite sayings about the natural worldFrom John Clare’s tender depictions of rural life to Sylvia Plath’s haunting verses on the Yorkshire moors, these poets found both inspiration and escape in nature. While five of them are well-known, one – Violet Jacob – remains an overlooked voice of poetic sorrow.
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3 weeks ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
You’ll find tricksters, hoaxers and forgers in all walks of life, so it’s no surprise to find that the world of archaeology has had its fair share.
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1 month ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
It’s a pretty good rule of thumb that if historians declare your archaeological find is not just impressive but has actually altered the way they view the past, you’ve stumbled on something important. And that’s just what has happened to metal detectorist Peter Heads. His discovery in a field near Melsonby in North Yorkshire has led to the excavation of over 800 Iron Age artefacts.
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1 month ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
While ticking off bustling, iconic sites on a trip is satisfying, taking the road less travelled has its own unique appeal. A lack of crowds (apart from the odd sheep or flock of birds) and a sense of the wilderness really come into their own for an awe-inspiring journey. We've rounded up the most remote places in the UK to explore these wild isles. The best UK UNESCO World Heritage sites to visit for unforgettable days outWant to own your own island like Richard Branson?
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1 month ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
Stranded off the coast of south-west Wales, Smalls Lighthouse stands over 40m high and, automated since 1987, it guides shipping safely past the Smalls, the rocks on which it stands. The original structure, built in 1776, consisted of a light perched atop nine oak pillars. But some 25 years later, it was the scene of a macabre episode that forever changed the way UK lighthouses were manned.
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1 month ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
Have you heard the one about a pub at Ben Nevis' summit? Rumours of a pub opening on the UK's tallest mountain swirls around on social media every now and then, but there's no truth to this – not yet, anyway. So, which pub actually claims the title of Britain's highest pub? We take a look. Which is Britain's oldest pub? A look at some of our oldest and ricketiest inns and tavernsBritain’s highest pub is the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire, which stands at 528m above sea level.
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2 months ago | 
countryfile.com | Lauren Franklin |Dixe Wills
If you’ve done much walking in Britain – especially on high ground – you’ve almost certainly come across a trig point or two. About four feet (1.2m) high and made of rather unflattering concrete or (more rarely) cemented stone, these little pillars dot the land like freckles. And you may well have wondered what they’re doing there.
