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.

Shaped by the past

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

BBC Countryfile Magazine

June • NATURE | TRAVEL | NEWS | VIEWS

Europe’s top spa towns • Long patronised by royalty and aristocrats in search of a cure, many spa towns have retained their elegance and quirky old-fashioned ambience. Here are Ian Bradley’s magical seven

ENGLAND’S RED SQUIRRELS AT SERIOUS RISK OF EXTINCTION • The red squirrel could disappear from the countryside within a generation, warn campaigners

RESEARCH REVEALS A BUILD OLDER THAN STONEHENGE • A remarkable discovery sheds new light on ancient artificial islands from the Early Bronze Age

The Plodcast • Tune your ears into our podcast this month*

TREASURES OF THE COAST • In her new book, Sally Coulthard reveals 100 objects that show how the coast has influenced our culture

MAKE June

This unsung, unpaid army of workers is vital for rural Britain

A VIEW FROM THE FARM This working-class hero is rare, making every newborn special

30% off the shop price when you subscribe today! • Subscribe today and enjoy every season with BBC Countryfile Magazine!

DISCOVER The Dyfi Valley • Near Wales’s west coast exists a land where myth meets modernity, ospreys swoop and independent spirit shines. Semele Assinder takes us on a tour of the UNESCO Dyfi Valley Biosphere

NOW GO THERE • Semele Assinder on where to eat, drink and stay in the Dyfi Valley

The hidden serpent • Predation pressure, habitat decline and demonisation; Britain’s adder population is in serious decline. Fergus Collins meets the reptile champion fighting to save the UK’s only venomous snake

BRITAIN’S OTHER SNAKES

TOP 10 WEIRD PLACES • From pyramids to overgrown castles and Second World War decoys, the UK is full of extraordinary monuments and ruins. Dave Hamilton selects the strangest

The outlaw king • On page, stage or screen, the story of Robin Hood has captivated audiences for centuries. But was he real? Ahead of a major Hollywood film, Graeme Green goes in search of the legend of Locksley

ROBIN ON THE BIG SCREEN

NOW GO THERE • Graeme Green on where to eat, drink and stay in Sherwood Forest

Trading places • Fancy a truly hands-on countryside holiday? WWOOF projects offer you the chance to volunteer on an organic farm in over 130 countries across the globe. Joel Rouse mucks in

WWOOF OPTIONS • Here are five British farms that offer volunteering opportunities. For more information, head to wwoof.net.

Deep IMPACT • From Atlantis to Jacques Cousteau and James Bond, the idea of underwater living has obsessed humans for centuries. Now, a pioneering project in a flooded quarry is bringing the dream closer to reality. Fergus Collins dives in

Q&A • The big questions answered

Celebrate timeless design, with Homes & Antiques magazine

Summer kit special • Ready for a season of walking, running and camping? Here’s the kit to take your adventures to the next level

YOUR PHOTOS • Share your best photographs of the British countryside with us and you could see your image published in print or online. Email your images to photos@countryfile.com

Country puzzles

COUNTRYSIDE CROSSWORD

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

Your countryside • HAVE YOUR SAY ON RURAL ISSUES

Next month Cornish delights • Discover stunning beaches, rivers and rainforest in the...