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.

For the love of cheese

Countryfile on TV • What to watch on Countryfile this month*

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

October IN THE COUNTRY • NATURE TRAVEL NEWS VIEWS

Alien art? • After decades of debate, the crop circles keep coming

Strange fruit • Meet the mushroom that gets flies high

Scene and herd • Watch for Herdwick sheep grazing the wild fell tops in lofty reaches of the Lake District

Catch a draught • Mighty Clydesdale horses have worked Scottish farms for centuries

PRESERVE AUTUMN LEAVES

HERDING DOG BREEDS • The UK has a rich diversity of dog breeds, many of which were bred as working dogs. Here are some popular herding breeds, some of whom are now in decline and classed as ‘vulnerable’.

BLACK TRUFFLES • These sought-after subterreanean fungi are widely hunted in southern Europe for their unique flavour, but you might also unearth nuggets of ‘black gold’ in parts of the UK

COUNTRYFILE Calendar winner revealed • Find out which of these 12 stunning images of nature and landscape won the public vote

Pumpkin patches • Find the perfect jack-o’-lantern for Halloween at a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Some are simple affairs in tranquil countryside; others offer activities ranging from ghost trains to spooky mazes.

TOM’S TOUR OF BRITAIN • Chef Tom Kerridge celebrates the best of British food in his latest book and TV series

What to listen to this month • Our pick of food-related BBC radio treats

Farmers are valued, so why do they feel we don’t care?

GALLOWAY NATIONAL PARK DEBATE • Would this protected status bring welcome recognition and attention – or overcrowding and problems for farmers?

SPECTACULAR STONEHENGE FINDS • Following the latest astonishing revelation about the Stonehenge Altar Stone’s Scottish origins, Dixe Wills looks at recent discoveries that have changed the way we view this impressive and enigmatic Neolithic monument

RARE RAFT SPIDER MAKES A COMEBACK • Thanks to dedicated conservation work, this impressive but vulnerable arachnid is resurgent in East Anglia

Adam Henson • Harvest is still an exhilarating but unpredictable time for 21st-century farmers

Nicola Chester • As consumers, our daily food choices make a difference to farmers and countryside

Subscription offer!

DISCOVER CIDER COUNTRY • Explore mellow golden countryside, pedalling between medieval villages, historic inns and fruitful orchards, on a delightful Herefordshire Cider Circuit adventure with Julie Brominicks

HOW TO MAKE CIDER

NOW GO THERE • Julie Brominicks’ tips for a leisurely loop through west Herefordshire

HERITAGE

How to eat 30 plants a week • As science proves the many health-boosting benefits of eating at least 30 different plants each week, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall shares recipes to help you meet the magic target

Nine steps to 30 plants

The taste of England • Amid pastures farmed by her family for more than four centuries, Mary Quicke is reviving forgotten dairy traditions to produce delicious Devon cheeses

SIX GREAT BRITISH CHEESEMAKERS

HOW QUICKE’S MAKES CHEESE

Soups for the season • Whip up a bowl of nutritious comfort, full of sensational autumn flavours, with these superb soups from Claire Thomson

TOP 10 WILD AUTUMN FOODS • Make the most of seasonal abundance with foraging tips and recipe ideas from wild food expert Liz...