Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl were united by the completion of the Hindhead Tunnel in 2011; nature flourished and now visitors enjoy far-reaching views in peace and tranquillity. The importance of this heathland habitat is going to be further recognised with the designation of the Wealden Heaths National Nature Reserve – of which Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl forms a large part. This episode is presented by Jo Dyson and Lead Ranger Matthew Cusack.
A tractor rumbles over a stubble field as skylarks sing above. Ancient oaks guard shady ponds where the flash and dazzle of a dragonfly draw you close to the water’s edge. Hedgerows act as nature’s larder. Discover how we work in partnership with our tenant farmers to care for this centuries-old estate. This episode is presented by Jo Dyson and Area Ranger Ashlie Williams and is funded by the Surrey Hills Access Fund.
The mixed-broadleaf woodland at Limpsfield Common provides a haven for Surrey’s native bird species. Learn how we’ve used dead hedging to protect the historic Yalden Spring and about Limpsfield’s important role in early outdoor radio broadcasting. This episode is presented by Jo Dyson and Ranger Conor and is funded by the Surrey Hills Access Fund.
Oxted Downs in Surrey sits high above the M25, close to the Kent border. Listen in to hear how our ranger team care for native species in this rare chalk grassland, whilst contending with pollutants from traffic on the UK’s busiest road as it thunders by below. This episode is presented by Jo Dyson and Lead Ranger Merry Westall and is funded by the Surrey Hills Access Fund.
Iconic Box Hill commands spectacular views over the Weald, welcomes one million visitors each year and is a focal point for road cycling. Despite its popularity, it’s home to a multitude of flora and fauna which thrive in its chalk grassland, ancient box woodland and riverine ecosystems. This episode is presented by Jo Dyson and Lead Ranger Meredith Westall and is funded by the Surrey Hills Access Fund.
Headley Heath in Surrey is home to an astounding array of protected birds, plants, and animals. Its former uses – from common grazing land to military training site have left a legacy of soil disturbance that’s proven invaluable today and created an almost unique habitat for wildflowers to flourish. This episode is presented by Jo Dyson and Area Ranger Theo Howard and is funded by the Surrey Hills Access Fund.
Reigate Hill in Surrey is littered with military remains and secret clues – you just need to know where to look. Learn how this part of the county has played an important role in defence through the years, where archaeology is about looking up as well as down and how we remember those that lost their lives in conflict. This episode is presented by Jo Dyson and Archaeologist James Brown and is funded by the Surrey Hills Access Fund.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Charlotte Smith in conversation with BBC wildlife expert and presenter, Lizzie Daly. We learn how Lizzie balances her concern for the planet with the travel demands of her job, about the human-sized monsters which lurk metres from our coastline and how time spent in nature can make a difference to our wellbeing. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Charlotte Smith Charlotte Smith in conversation with Alan Power, National Trust Head Gardener from Stourhead and Carol Klein from Gardeners’ World who answer your gardening queries and share their passion for the joys of gardening. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019 we join Charlotte Smith in conversation with Ben Scott-Robinson, Co-Founder of Small Robot Company; Will Evans, host of the ‘Rock and Roll farming’ podcast; David Ferguson, Chair of Beeswax Dyson Farming; Kit Franklin form Hands Free Hectare and Prof. Alistair Driver, director of Rewilding Britain. In this extract they discuss the dangers of bad soil health, the benefits of rewilding and the introduction of robot farming. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Charlotte Smith in conversation with wildlife cameraman Simon King. He discusses wildlife photography, how to make a lion yawn and how tourism benefits the natural world. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Charlotte Smith in conversation with Ray Mears who discusses when’s the best time to get involved with nature, what Witchetty grubs really taste like and why he’s against ‘saving the planet’. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Charlotte Smith in conversation with pop star turned famer JB Gill who shares stories of how he made the transition from microphones to manure, Ginger his celebrity pig and just what the rest of the JLS think of his new found career. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Charlotte Smith in conversation with Countryfile presenters Adam Henson, Anita Rani and Ellie Hanson with whom we’ll learn about what goes on behind the scenes at Countryfile, the lavish lifestyles of zero graze cattle and how to reduce your reliance on single use plastic. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Tom Heap in conversation with Richard Walker, Managing Director of Iceland, Roz Savage an environmental advocate, Martin Dorey, author and founder of 2 minute beach clean and Adam Read External Affairs Director at SUEZ who discuss the problem of plastics and some of the solutions to deal with it. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.
In this extract from the National Trust Theatre at BBC Countryfile Live 2019, we join Charlotte Smith in conversation with Tim Bentinck aka The Archers’ David Archer and Sarah Swaddling the show’s Agricultural Adviser. They discuss organic farming, the broad appeal of the show and why yogurt and ironing boards are an essential part of the Archers’ sound design. If you’d like to be there in person for BBC Countryfile Live 2020, go to countryfilelive.com to join the mailing list and for ticket information. You can learn more about podcasts from the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/podcasts.