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PODCAST

The Plodcast

BBC Countryfile Magazine brings you The Plodcast - a weekly escape to the British countryside with fascinating guests and the wonders of the great outdoors. Enjoy a new escape into the countryside every Tuesday and wind down with our Sound Escapes on a Friday. Find out more about us at www.countryfile.com/podcast Subscribe to the print version of BBC Countryfile Magazine at https://www.buysubscriptions.com/print/bbc-countryfile-magazine-subscription

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All Episodes

60:25

322. Discover the history of England in 25 poems -...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/28

Explore the history and identity of England from Saxon times to the modern day through 25 poems. Host Annabel Ross meets author Catherine Clarke in the heart of England by the River Thames to discuss her work analysing famous and not-so-well-known verse that sheds light on how a nation sees itself. A fascinating and highly relevant journey – with singing and strange herons! Catherine's book A History of England in 25 Poems is published by Allen Lane Also, the Plodcast is very proud to announce

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20:16

Sound Escape 244. Hear the song of the River Usk in...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/24

It's early in the morning and the human world is awake and bustling. But down by the river you pause to watch the water glide over its stony bed and listen as it composes a gentle, soothing chorus. Robins and long-tailed tits drop in from time to time with small, beautiful solos.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins and introduced by

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56:55

321. Secrets of the darkness on a night walk with...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/21

As the evenings draw in, we're heading out with environmental historian Dr Andrew Flack to experience how the night change our sensory perception of the world. He has written a new book called Dark Natures: Finding Life in the Shadows, which is out soon. Annabel Ross is your host this week, looking at how humans and animals adapt to the dark – and how it can stoke fears and understanding of the natural world.Andrew is Associate Professor in Environmental and Sensory History at Bristol University

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12:00

Sound Escape 243. The sounds of an English churchyard...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/17

You've wondered down a country lane to find a small, ancient church with a square tower. Crumbling gravestones covered in moss or lichen lean here and there in the churchyard but no one is around. You find a welcome bench, sit down and simply listen.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins and introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the

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53:59

320. Wander the beaches of North Cornwall with artist...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/14

In this episode, we head back to high summer and the North Cornwall coast. Plodcast host Fergus takes a beach walk with artist Sarah Adams. Venturing into murmuring caves, Sarah shares valuable insight into the inspiration she takes from the rock formations, the light and the shadows – and how she goes about her work. And she's brought art materials for Fergus to have a go himself. To see Sarah's work, visit www.sarahadams.studio/Also, the Plodcast is very proud to announce that it is media partner

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13:33

Sound Escape 242. Footsteps though a beechwood full...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/10

We're walking in beechwoods in a vale high up in the Welsh hills. Leaves are beginning to fall but the sound beneath your feet is the faint rustle of last year's leaves. Among them, an extraordinary variety of fungi are sprouting and the air is heavy with the scent of mushrooms. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins and introduced by

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53:51

319. Why are wallabies living wild on the Isle of...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/07

The Plodcast has learned that hundreds wallabies are living wild on the Isle of Man? How did these Australian marsupials get there and what impact are they having on local ecology? Friend of the Plodcast James Fair led the expedition into the Irish Sea to meet local experts - David Bellamy and Graham Makepeace-Warne from the Manx Wildlife Trust - and see if he could set eyes on these creatures from the other side of the world. Also, the Plodcast is very proud to announce that it is media partner

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13:34

Sound Escape 241. Take a breather overlooking...

The Plodcast ·

2025/10/03

With the sun high on a cloudless day, you listen to the rippling waves of the Exmoor coast. The gentle foam trickles over deep red seaweed and smoothed rocks. Everything feels calmer here.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Lewis Dobbs and introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside –

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70:50

318. Discover the power of old ballads with Amy Jeffs...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/30

A wonderful Plodcast walk this week – in Vallis Vale in the Mendip Hills. Plodcast host Fergus joins artist, historian and musician Amy Jeffs on a late summer walk along a beautiful stream discussing Amy's new book: Old Songs, which looks at the origins and importance of traditional ballads. Listen on for some true Plodcast magic – some unexpected wildlife encounters, beautiful singing and a bone whistle! Old Songs: Stories of Love and Death from Traditional Ballads by Amy Jeffs and Gwen Burns is

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19:33

Sound Escape 240. Wind down to the evening song of a...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/26

As the day draws to a close, the cattle gather for their night-time routine, and the birds sing their final calls of the day. The pink-and-orange sunlight spills through the trees and onto the farmyard's vast fields.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Lewis Dobbs and introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound

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55:04

317. Haunting poetry and crashing waves on the...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/23

The Plodcast heads to Penzance in Cornwall this week to hear the haunting poetry of Katrina Naomi. Katrina met Plodcast host Fergus on a beach near the town to discuss her latest collection of poems Battery Rocks, inspired by the sea in all its dark beauty. Poor Katrina had injured her foot so was on crutches – and the whole Plodcast team wish her a speedy recovery. Battery Rocks is published by Seren. And now you can get in touch with the Plodcast team via: The BBC Countryfile Magazine

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17:40

Sound Escape 239. Listen to the night-time snuffles...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/19

Just as you're closing the back door as dusk falls, you hear a rustling in from the end of the garden. Is it a cat or a rat? No, it's a hedgehog foraging for slugs, beetles and worms around the compost heap. You sit quietly and listen to your visitor - its snuffles like the puffs of a tiny steam train. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus

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50:31

316. Inspiring conservation stories from the Global...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/16

This week we return to the Global Birdfair, held in summer at Rutland every year. Hear two inspiring conservation stories: the first interview is with Stephanie Borrelle who works with Birdlife International to conserve seabirds such as albatrosses in the Southern Hemisphere. The second chat brings us back to the UK and efforts to save two endangered birds: the curlew and the corncrake. Nick Acheson is our guest, talking about his work with the Deepdale Conservation Trust. Find out more about

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19:04

Sound Escape 238. Pause on a bridge over a late...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/12

Deep in a cool woodland, you hear the rumour of a stream long before you see it. A small stone bridge crosses the water, just above a small waterfall. It's the perfect place to stop and dream.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Fergus Collins and introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the

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53:14

315. Relax with a dreamy day's fishing beside a...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/09

Let the Plodcast take you to a peaceful lake deep in the Somerset countryside. Lily pads float in margins, dragonflies buzz past and kingfisher makes regular sorties across the water. And you'll meet the Plodcast team of Fergus, Hannah, Lewis and Kev chatting on the bank, and trying to catch the elusive tench – a mysterious fish of lazy summer ponds. Listen on for a joyful adventure... And now you can get in touch with the Plodcast team via: The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast group on

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14:30

Sound Escape 237: Soak in the sounds of rushing rain...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/05

We're listening to the rain. Its been dry for weeks, and this shower feels like its washing the world clean. The water runs down the roofs and gurgles in the drainpipes. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded and introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to:

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38:26

314. Meet the people behind the Merlin app that helps...

The Plodcast ·

2025/09/02

This week we're at the Global Bird Fair, held every summer on the edge of Rutland Water in the tiny county of Rutland.Plodcast host Fergus met two of the people behind the incredible Merlin app which you can use to help you identify birdsong. Alli Smith and Ian Davies from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on the podcast stage at Birdfair to hear how the magic happens. With special thanks also to Charlie Bingham for organising the Birdfair podcasts, Oscar Henderson for recording and producing, and

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17:52

Sound Escape 236. Perch by a still Somerset lake

The Plodcast ·

2025/08/29

Soothed by the gentle lapping of water, you pause by a quiet lake. It's a hot day, but you find refuge sheltered under the rustling willow trees. Moorhen families drift by as the lively fish swim beneath.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded by Lewis Dobbs, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of

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70:57

313. A quest to find storks and turtle doves at Knepp...

The Plodcast ·

2025/08/26

An extremely special edition of the Plodcast this week as we head to Knepp Wildlands in Sussex to look for storks and listen for turtle doves in the company of Isabella Tree. Isabella and her husband Charlie Burrell have transformed their former dairy farm into one of the best examples of rewilding in Europe – and it's a magical place to explore. Plodcast host Fergus was lucky enough to meet up with Isabella one midsummer evening. Isabella's new book Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back is

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11:25

Sound Escape 235. Listen to the distinct chorus of...

The Plodcast ·

2025/08/22

We're on hampsted heath. A light shower has covered the trees in raindrops, and parakeets. As they gossip to pass the time before they're free to fly once more.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be. Recorded and introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: theplodcast@countryfile.com Learn

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