Open Country

BBC Radio 4

4.2 (195)
NATURE

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of the British Isles

20 FEB

The Mourne Mountain Fires

The Mourne Mountains in County Down are home to Northern Ireland’s highest and most dramatic peaks - a landscape often shrouded in cloud and rain. Yet in recent years thousands of fires have broken out across the range, the majority believed to have been started deliberately. Dry weather and hotter summers linked to climate change have made conditions even more hazardous, alongside the degradation of peat bogs and increased soil erosion. Martha Kearney visits County Down to hear how local people have been affected, including farmer Sam McConnell and mountain rescue volunteers Neville Watson and Alwynne Shannon. She also discovers what is being done to mitigate the devastation, meeting lead ranger James Fisher and wildfire recovery ranger Linus Voksepp from the National Trust to learn about their vital restoration work. Producer: Eliza Lomas

24 min
02/10/2025

Black Poplars: How to Save a Tree

Have you ever heard of a black poplar? You've probably seen one, at least in a painting, even if you didn't recognise it as such. The black poplar is Britain's most endangered tree, and features in Constable's famous work, The Hay Wain. Martha Kearney is in Suffolk to see black poplars at Flatford Mill, the location in the painting, and to talk to botanical artist Ruth Wharrier about painting from nature. With tree wardens David Appleton and Fe Morris, Martha surveys new trees on the riverbank nearby. She finishes by visiting a new clone bank of trees at Jimmy's Farm, which are thriving between the wolves and polar bears. Without active support, this native British tree could disappear from our countryside altogether. Suffolk Tree Warden Network: https://www.suffolktreewardens.org.uk https://ruthwharrier.com https://www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/adult-learning/botanical-art Producer: Beth O'Dea

23 min
25/09/2025

The Stones of Snuff Mills

Tucked away in a wooded valley on the outskirts of Bristol is a magical woodland nature reserve, Snuff Mills. Helen Mark discovers what lies beneath the trees, a now peaceful place with a history of heavy industry, where milling and stone quarrying has left behind a stunning playground for walkers and climbers. Local residents John, Beryl and Margaret grew up next to the quarry and witnessed its transformation from their secret playground to a busy public park. Engineer Geoff Wallis helped to literally unearth a fascinating piece of industrial history, and Steve England shows Helen the natural secrets of the valley. Following the stones of the quarry Helen crosses the river and finds the grounds of what was once Bristol’s asylum and – Helen hears from volunteer Anwyl Cooper-Willis - a landscape carefully designed to be therapeutic for patients and speed their recovery. But where does the name Snuff Mills come from? Is it really one of the most haunted places in Bristol? And which Hollywood star has a connection with the Asylum's story? Presented by Helen Mark Produced by Beth Sagar-Fenton Assistant production by Ellie Richold Series Producer: Emma Campbell

24 min
18/09/2025

Fair Isle

Halfway between Orkney and Shetland, Fair Isle is one of Britain’s most isolated inhabited islands. It's famous for knitting and birds, and those still form the basis of the island's economy, as Martha Kearney discovers. As an inviting rock in the North Atlantic it’s a magnet for migratory birds, with exhausted individuals blown off course regularly adding to a long list of unusual species recorded by the local bird observatory. Martha joins the island’s Head of Ornithology, Alex Penn, to ring some visitors and sit for a while with Britain’s friendliest colonies of puffin. French knitwear designer, Marie Brahat introduces Martha to her flock of sheep and gives her a lesson in turning their wool into the unique designs of Fair Isle knitwear. School teacher Jonathan Pye is the newest arrival on the island, currently dealing with a school roll of just two pupils - brothers Luca and Anders. Producer: Alasdair Cross

28 min
11/09/2025

The Menai Strait

Martha Kearney visits the Menai Strait - the stretch of water which separates Ynys Môn or Anglesey from mainland Wales. She learns about its treacherous tides and hears about the history of its two bridges, both built in the 19th century to improve travel between London and Ireland. The Menai Suspension Bridge was designed by Thomas Telford and will celebrate its 200th anniversary at the start of 2026. The newer Britannia Bridge had to be completely rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1970. Martha meets an academic from Bangor University who explains how ocean physics make the waters of the Strait so dangerous. At low tide she braves the pouring rain to go rock-pooling with a wildlife expert, who explains why the Strait is such a special habitat for marine life. She also visits Church Island - a tiny island in the middle of the Strait which is home to an ancient church - and meets the people who look after it. Producer: Emma Campbell

24 min
04/09/2025

Pingos and Pool Frogs

Martha Kearney discovers the Ice Age ponds in Norfolk, called pingos, which are being brought back to life, and provide a home for the Northern Pool Frog. It's the UK's rarest amphibian and had become extinct in this country, but it's now breeding there again and Martha is keen to see one. With 400 pingos, Thompson Common is the most important site for pond wildlife in the country and also holds a precious store of seeds. Norfolk Wildlife Trust: https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/ThompsonCommon Find out more about The Pingo Trail Walk: https://www.explorenorfolkuk.co.uk/pingo-trail.html Work supported by Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme. Producer: Beth O'Dea

24 min
28/08/2025

Exploring the Lakes by wheelchair

Caz Graham tries out Miles without Stiles, a scheme which helps disabled people access the Lake District. She joins a group of people in a fleet of mobility vehicles on a route from Sizergh Castle near Kendal, and visits the Keswick to Threlkeld path which was rebuilt after Storm Desmond but attracted controversy when it was surfaced with tarmac. Will Clark explains how the scheme helps him continue to enjoy the countryside after a mountain biking accident left him paralysed from the neck down. He explores the lakes and fells using a power chair which he operates with his chin. Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Sally Heaven

24 min
21/08/2025

Aeolian harps on Wicken Fen

Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire is one of the few remaining fragments of England’s original fenland. A place loved by naturalists for generations, it was Victorian botanists and entomologists who led the efforts to ensure the land was entrusted to the National Trust, which has protected it for 125 years. Today, Wicken Fen is a thriving mosaic of flowering meadows, sedge and reedbeds. It is one of the most species-rich areas in Britain, home to endangered species such as the crane, bittern, marsh harrier and great crested newt. Martha Kearney explores the unique history and ecology of this remarkable landscape alongside sound artist Kathy Hinde. Together, they craft a handheld aeolian harp – a stringed instrument played solely by the wind. Kathy Hinde has created sound sculptures across Wicken Fen to celebrate 125 years of this special place, called 'Listen to the Voices of the Fen'. Martha also meets local volunteer Gerard Smallwood, who demonstrates how the last surviving wooden windpump in the Fens, an iconic piece of machinery, is now used to re-wet the land. Ajay Tegala, a National Trust warden, shares recent wildlife sightings, offering a glimpse into the lives that flourish in this delicate ecosystem. Producer: Eliza Lomas

24 min

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Helen Mark

Host

4.2

out of 5

195 Ratings

Pigeon folk not for nature??

06/12/2019

Jeffmb77

I refer to the episode 5th Dec 2019, secret life of pigeons... it was pleasant to listen to the pigeon folk telling tales past and present about their pigeon racing hobby. However, when the subject of Peregrine Falcons came up the mood soured, as the racers voiced their barely vailed hate towards these beautiful creatures! The simple fact is this is the Falcons world, and pigeons are their prey. To moan about them like they are a pest or vermin, and to fire fireworks at them, is all frankly disgusting. Racing is a dying hobby they say.... Certainly the racers disregard for true nature is something I’d welcome dying out...
Just a thought!

07/10/2025

nigel d stabler

Please let’s have a fresh presenter! It’s getting really tired! Helen has been incredible, but it’s now time! Please take a bow x
Open Country

26/08/2021

ceeebeeebee

Why is this podcast not updated when it is fully up to date on the BBC Sounds app?
Glorious Mix of Countryside Listening

03/08/2021

Little Bevie B

As a lover of nature and the countryside as well as a passionate supporter of British food and farming, this podcast is just perfect listening. They cover a huge range of topics and without exception every programme is relevant, informative, interesting and well presented. I always smile when I see a new episode has been uploaded in the knowledge that I have 30 minutes of quality listening to look forward to.