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.

A major milestone

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

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MARCH IN THE COUNTRY • PICTURES › WILDLIFE › PEOPLE & PLACES › COUNTRY KNOW-HOW › FOOD

21 MARCH WORLD POETRY DAY • Celebrate World Poetry Day on 21 March with this verse from one of Britain’s finest writers

HOW TO SHARPEN A POCKET KNIFE • Whether you’re a gardener, forager or camper, now is the perfect time to hone your favourite pocket knife ahead of a season in the great outdoors. This method is quick, easy and very gratifying.

SPRING CELEBRATIONS

WILD GARLIC BREADSTICKS

MOTHER’S DAY TREATS • Make Mum’s day on 19 March with these nature-inspired gifts

REPTILE GUIDE • Early spring is a perfect time to start looking for our six native reptile species, as they emerge from hibernation to bask in the sunshine ahead of the breeding season.

MARCH IN THE COUNTRY

Adam Henson • A MONTHLY OPPORTUNITY TO RECONNECT AND DREAM

Nicola Chester • Horses play a different role in our lives today, but their hold over us remains the same

DISCOVER THE DART • From the coast to its source on wild moorland, Ben Lerwill journeys up the delightful River Dart, by boat, train and finally on foot

NOW WALK THE RIVER DART • Where to stay, visit, eat and drink by Ben Lerwill

10 ISSUES FOR £20* • Celebrate our 200th issue with a subscription to BBC Countryfile Magazine!

Blackbird magic • As days lengthen and winter recedes, the blackbird’s gorgeous liquid voice joins the dawn chorus. But how much do we really know of this familiar garden songster? Nicola Chester reveals the hidden life of the blackbird

Our greatest adventures • It’s the 200th issue of BBC Countryfile Magazine – and the perfect opportunity for us to share our favourite discoveries and explorations over the past 15 years

JOHN CRAVEN • CELEBRATING, AND REFLECTING ON, 200 RURAL ISSUES

RURAL COST OF LIVING CRISIS • The cost of living crisis is felt acutely in the countryside, where rural residents face higher prices for fuel, transport and food. Farmers, meanwhile, not only face these pressures themselves but also find that prices for their raw farming materials are soaring above the rate of inflation

Shore start • Once a week, all year round, a group of lucky children from Northumberland swap their classroom for a day on the beach. This natural setting provides a great way to learn, writes Caro Giles

A rare breed • With their webbed feet, super-sensitive noses and abundant energy, otterhounds were perfectly adapted to track their prey, but the dog is now disappearing in Britain. Luc ap Rolant asks, can they survive?

OUR FAVOURITE WALKS • To celebrate the magazine’s 200th issue, join us as we retrace our steps and revisit some of the paths and trails across the UK that we’ve enjoyed the most over the years

THE LURE OF THE WILD • Purple Arctic-Alpine flowers and bluebells colour a craggy habitat that’s home to one of the Brecon Beacons’ wildest views, says Fergus Collins

JAUNT ALONG THE JURASSIC • If you have built up a thirst walking along Devon’s coastal cliffs and beaches to Beer, then you’re in luck – the tiny seaside village has a handful of traditional pubs, perfect for a well-earned pint, says Carys Matthews

HIDDEN TREASURE • Sheltered by Fairlight Cliffs, Pett Level Beach in Sussex is a favourite spot for quiet family adventures, says Tanya Jackson

GREAT RIDGE RAMBLE • With stunning...