Rural Life
Everything you need to know about making the most of life in the British countryside, whether you've lived there for years or are visiting on a day trip.
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Elmley Nature Reserve – an island of nature in Kent that vibrates with birdsongSpending two days in the wilderness on the Isle of Sheppey shows how much we've lost and how much we have to gain.
By James Fisher Published
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Jonathan Self: The peasants are anything but revoltingThe people who worked the patchwork farms of Ireland until just a few decades ago are all but gone, laments Jonathan Self.
By Jonathan Self Published
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The buzz is back, says British Beekeepers Association, which celebrates its 150th anniversaryThe number of beekeepers and hives has increased since the lows of the early 2000s, but there is still more to be done to protect our pollinators.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
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Joe Gibbs: Even the patron saint of salmon can't save these fish from the sealsAfter a disastrous 2023 fishing season, Joe Gibbs is hoping for better.
By Joe Gibbs Published
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North Yorkshire village is the latest to turn down the lights and become 'dark-skies friendly'Hawnby is the first 'dark sky friendly' village in the North York Moors and residents are already starting to see positive results from dimming the lights
By Annunciata Elwes Published
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60 years of wisdom: 'Life is a zig-zag, a joyous adventure, and enhanced every day'Country Mouse — in the form of Country Life's Editor-in-Chief, Mark Hedges — celebrates a special milestone.
By Mark Hedges Published
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Helen Rebanks: Farming, food, the meaning of life... and dogs stealing birthday cakesHelen Rebanks, the bestselling author who became Britain's favourite farmer's wife, joins the Country Life podcast.
By Toby Keel Published
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Scottish farmers and stakeholders sceptical over new plans for National ParksA recent summit hosted by NFU Scotland is questioning the evidence on the benefits of national parks, with worries that they may negatively impact local farmers and communities.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
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Organic farmed salmon is a 'misnomer' and certification should stop, claim fish conservation charitiesIn an open letter to the Soil Association, WildFish and more than 30 other organisations have questioned the organic certification schemes for farmed salmon in Scotland.
By James Fisher Published
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Hope for hedgehogs as new research looks to revolutionise robotic lawnmowersScientists at the University of Oxford have developed a tool that could prevent hedgehogs from being mangled by robotic lawnmowers.
By James Fisher Published
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Is your pony 'nice and fluffy' — or carrying too much weight? How warm winters are making for heavy horsesThe arrival of an overweight pony on The Archers highlights a growing problem with heavy horses, says equine charity World Horse Welfare
By Annunciata Elwes Published
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The call of the wild, from gliding past hippos on a mokoro to riding alongside cheetahs and giraffesWhether following migrating wildebeest on foot, gliding past hippos on a mokoro, or riding alongside giraffes, little beats the thrill of an Aardvark safari.
By Aardvark Safaris Published
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My week surviving on an uninhabited Scottish islandPatrick Galbraith joins the Country Life podcast to talk about his week living on the uninhabited island of Scarba, off the west coast of Scotland.
By Toby Keel Published
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Naughty sheep, clever cows and a lifetime of farming: Rosamund Young on the Country Life PodcastListen to best-selling author Rosamund Young on the latest edition of the Country Life Podcast.
By Toby Keel Published
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'Rain and cold wind might be uncomfortable, but they make you feel alive''There's no such thing as bad weather' isn't a questionable adage — it's a profound statement of optimism.
By Giles Kime Published
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Country Life 22 November 2023Country Life 22 November 2023 goes wild camping on Exmoor, the plight of the setter and looks at the chaos that surrounds rural development rules.
By Country Life Published
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Britain's best folk festivals, from the weird and wonderful to the downright dangerousBurning barrels, hare-pie scrambles, bottle kicking and horn dances: no one does eccentric quite like the English. Harry Pearson explores our weird, wonderful and sometimes distinctly dangerous folk festivals.
By Harry Pearson Published
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Patrick Galbraith: The best sport in life is freePatrick Galbraith's trip to the Isle of Lewis shows him a new perspective on how to land a bird for your festive roast.
By Patrick Galbraith Published
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Four of Britain's biggest Nature charities join the fight against 'Greenwashing'Four of the nation’s largest conservation charities have joined forces to encourage responsible private investment in Nature recovery and to combat ‘corporate greenwashing’. James Fisher reports.
By James Fisher Published
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Green Farm Commitment makes farmers see redA new ‘environmental module’ proposed by the farm-assurance scheme Red Tractor has drawn heavy criticism from farmers. James Fisher reports.
By Toby Keel Published
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The hopeless mess left behind by HS2 compulsory purchase ordersJames Fisher reports on the fallout from the scrapping of the HS2 high-speed rail link, with many left unhappy about compulsory purchase orders that have turned their lives upside down.
By James Fisher Published


