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.

Come out of hibernation…

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS

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

GO WINTER BEACHCOMBING • Wrap up warm and head for the coast where ocean treasures await, hidden among dunes and rockpools

THE LOST WORDS GAME

Wainwright the wanderer • A thought from the iconic fellwalker and author 30 years after his death

FROM THE BOOKSHELF: NATURE DIARIES • Drop deep into the minds and worlds of our favourite naturalists

Join Kathy Bishop and Tom Crowford on their West Country smallholding • A new year begins and it’s time to tidy up and get things in order before spring is upon us. There are hedgerows to cut, fruit trees to prune, wood to chop and stack. Tangled plant skeletons from seasons past are pulled from the flower beds to reveal bobbing snowdrops and yawning crocuses. In the vegetable patch, last spring’s rainbow chard is still producing cut-and-come-again leaves for the kitchen. Coupled with freshly laid eggs, it makes a hearty breakfast or lunch.

winter firewood

CAMPFIRE BREAD ON A STICK • No scales, no kneading, no fuss, this super-simple campfire recipe – perfect for kids and adults alike – will warm your stomach, hands and heart on even the coldest winter nights.

2021 RESOLUTIONS: FROM THE MAGAZINE TEAM • Rarely has the promise of a new year felt so full of hope for better days ahead. More than ever, it feels like a time to connect with nature and landscape. We’ve come up with a few outdoor aspirations for 2021 to bring us closer to the countryside we love. What are yours?

DON’T LOSE YOUR WAY!

Countryfile on TV

On the farm with Adam Henson • RECYCLED HUMAN WASTE SAVES THE DAY

Sara Maitland • This new year let’s all make a resolution to help our environment and countryside

CHESHIRE’S WINTER CHARMS • Roam wild hills sparkling with frost, explore elegant country estates and while away the afternoon in a little-changed market town. Cheshire’s old-England delights make for a timeless seasonal escape, says Neil Coates

NATURE RESERVE

BLACK-AND-WHITE WONDERS

USEFUL WEBSITES

NOW GO THERE • Where to stay and what to do in Cheshire, by Neil Coates

The Highland Hogmanay • In homes across Scotland – whether croft or castle – preparations are afoot for New Year’s Eve. Martha McGill investigates the roots of a celebration rich with ancient tradition

HOGMANAY: THE STORY OF A WORD

BLACK BUN

Fox In The Frost • Smart, swift and stealthy, foxes are one of nature’s great survivors. Find out how they keep their flame burning to feed, breed and communicate during the big chill, with Adele Brand

FOX TALK

THE BOXING DAY HUNT

NATURAL BORN KILLERS?

RURAL TOURISM AND COVID • Rural tourism in Britain was hit hard by Covid-19 last year, but will the ingenuity and enterprise of business owners prompt a recovery in 2021, whether or not an effective coronavirus vaccine comes to the rescue? Mark Rowe reports

WHAT DOES 2021 HOLD?

It’s time to… PLANT BRITAIN • Britain has a low percentage of tree cover compared to many other European countries, yet woods and forests are vital for biodiversity and our fight against climate change. So Countryfile is launching an ambitious campaign to plant more trees across Britain – and everyone can get involved, says John Craven

WHAT YOU CAN DO

HOW TO PLANT A TREE

FORGOTTEN WONDERS OF ANCIENT BRITAIN...