Britain’s National Parks are an easy win for Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove. Who could object to his desire to see them enhanced and possibly extended? A flurry of…
Nature
The incredible tale of the foxglove, from curing to disease to inspiring Van Gogh’s most striking paintings
A tale of skulduggery, poisoning, witches and even marketing men runs through the history of the foxglove, as Ian Morton explains.
The North York Moors: Alive with adventure, from enchanting forests to castles, beaches and gardens
Whether you go in search of adventure, family fun or a quiet break, you will leave this hospitable land of history, nature and tradition enriched and invigorated.
The fascinating story behind the world’s most beautiful, blissful avenues of trees
Our fascination with avenues of trees is near-universal to mankind and stretches back four hundred years. Mark Griffiths takes a look.
Why farmers are growing to love trees – with the help of the Woodland Trust
Whether for tree planting on a farm or private land, the Woodland Trust can offer invaluable help in a number of ways, including tailored advice, grants and funding.
11 things you never knew about the jackdaw, the bird that just loves people
Ian Morton takes a look at the jackdaw, a bird with a real affinity for man – despite a chequered reputation in our history and literature.
How the rainbow has inspired art, myth and poetry through the ages
The rainbow’s fleeting radiance rings in the human mind like bells and has inspired art, myth and poetry for aeons, reflects Jay Griffiths.
Delights of the daisy: The tiny flower with huge charm that’s entranced artists for centuries
We all love a daisy chain, but there’s more to this humble flower than meets the (day’s) eye, discovers Ian Morton.
Curious Questions: Do you get wetter running or walking in the rain?
Does running in the rain get you out of it quicker? Or do you just run into more water more quickly Martin Fone, author of 'Fifty Curious Questions', investigates.…
Lyme Disease: What it is, how you catch it and everything else you need to know
The fine weather of spring and summer brings with it ticks – and with them, fears about Lyme disease. Charlotte Peters explains what you need to know.
Where to go and see bluebells this spring
We round up the best gardens to visit to see carpets of bluebells this spring and explain how to tell the difference between the native flowers and foreign interlopers
The Fens: In celebration of the magic of a landscape that’s fascinated us for centuries
The Fens are unique, man-made oddity where, paradoxically, few people live – yet they exert a strange magic that had endured for centuries.
The secret life of hedgehogs
With the hedgehog stirring from its winter slumber, David Profumo takes a closer look at the secret life of the so-called British porcupine.
Curious Questions: What is the world’s most painful insect sting – and where would it hurt the most?
Can you calibrate the intensity of different insect stings? Martin Fone, author of 'Fifty Curious Questions', investigates.
Birdsong Barn: A holiday cottage getaway set in its own private nature reserve
Birdsong Barn, in the heart of England's '1066 Country', offers a unique break: a beautifully-converted building with a private 350-acre nature reserve on its doorstep. Toby Keel paid a visit.
Jason Goodwin: How to turn a majestic but unlucky deer into a freezer-full of meals
Our columnist Jason Goodwin makes the most of a bit of A35 roadkill – with a little help from Christian Dior. No, really.
Curious Questions: Are bees really busy?
We've all used the phrase 'busy as a bee' – but is it justified? Or are bees just as liable to laze around as they are to work their little…
Beware the Great Grey Shrike: The pretty songbird with the temperament of Vlad the Impaler
Simon Lester takes a look at the great grey shrike, a delicate-looking songbird whose innocent appearance belies its sadistic tendencies – for this is a bird gruesomely adept at skewering…
Britain’s beautiful green lanes: The charming remnants of leafier times, untouched by the modern world
Although they’re difficult to define, the charm of a green lane – be it a footpath, bridleway, byway or road – is its mystery and otherworldliness, says John Wright.
Jason Goodwin: ‘The only sounds were the yawning of dogs, the spitting of logs in the fireplace and the occasional papery gulp of somebody turning a page’
Snowed in and without power, Jason Goodwin was left to live a medieval lifestyle that was rejuvenating and romantic... but not to everyone's taste.