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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.ourmediashop.com/bbc-countryfile-magazine-wmonx25

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All Episodes

7:30

Sound Escape 260. Hear a lost sound of the...

The Plodcast ·

2026/02/13

This week we're featuring a lost sound of the countryside – the curious melodies of clattering mills. These were wind-powered devices on tall poles that made a racket to scare birds from the crops – especially starlings plundering cherry crops. Thanks to Sonke Prigge for collecting these incredible sounds, which will be included in the British Library’s Very Rare and Lost Sounds collection. This is special strand within the Library's national sound archive dedicated to preserving audio that’s at

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53:54

337. Head into the green lanes of Devon to discuss...

The Plodcast ·

2026/02/10

What is an honesty box? And how did it help writer Lucy Brazier understand her husband's serious mental health issues and save her marriage? And all this against a backdrop of a quirky and often challenging rural existence in deepest Devon. Plodcast host accepted Lucy's invitation for a walk and deep and meaningful talk on one of those rare, crisp winter days. Lucy's book The Honesty Box: the diary of a broken marriage, a mental health crisis and a large marrow is published by Bloomsbury.The BBC

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12:02

Sound Escape 259. Enjoy the early morning crunch of...

The Plodcast ·

2026/02/06

You awake to a strange silence, a deep calm. As you draw back the curtain, you are surprised to see a soft blanket of snow across the garden and beyond. This wasn't forecasted. But, like the boy in the Snowman, you quickly pull on warm clothes and dash out to explore – to be the first to lay down a trail of footsteps in the fresh snow. Sparrows, a gorgeous song thrush and distant barking hounds provide the commentary.BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the

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40:39

336. Come for a wander in a winter woodland - and...

The Plodcast ·

2026/02/03

This week, Plodcast host Fergus sets out to find signs of spring in seldom-visited woodland in south Monmouthshire. Listen on for a mindful Plodcast full of eerie midwinter atmosphere. Later, Fergus returns to his garden to record a Big Garden Birdwatch for the RSPB. The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards Special Interest Podcast of the Year 2024 & 2025 and the PPA Podcast of the Year 2022. If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive

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12:39

Sound Escape 258. Wild encounters and roaring waves...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/30

The pipes and flutes of curlews, oystercatchers and redshanks rise occasionally above the rush and roar of breakers on this little visited haven along the Sussex coast. You walk along the high tide line, splashing through pools of cockle and limpet shells. 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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62:37

335. Meet the rebel wilding lord trying to build the...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/27

Hugh Crossley aka Lord Somerleyton has rewilded large parts of his estate on the Norfolk-Suffolk border. After initial success spreading his message across East Anglia – in what he and his rewilding partners called WildEast – Hugh is aiming to spread his 'Map of Dreams' across the whole of the UK.Plodcast host Fergus Collins went for a wander with Hugh around his estate for an entertaining talk about his WildKingdom plans – and how he has needed to break convention and challenge tradition to make

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16:59

Sound Escape 257. Hear a garden come alive with...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/23

After several days of intense cold deep in the Sussex countryside, a bright, warmer morning encourages a procession of birds to move through the garden in search of food – from rooks and jackdaws to dunnocks, robins and long-tailed tits. The resident sparrows seem to cheerfully welcome these visitors. 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

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72:20

334. Talking curlews and wild musical inspiration...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/20

Head to the Severn Estuary to meets curlews and other wild waterbirds in the company of singer-songwriter Merlyn Driver. Merlyn's music draws on nature and folk traditions and he talks to Plodcast host Annabel Ross about why he needs this magical connection. Later in the Plodcast, Annabel and Merlyn meet with writer and conservationist Mary Colwell, who has done so much work to save the curlew in the UK.Plus, listen on for the Plodcast team who meet for the first time in 2026 to read your messages

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17:05

Sound Escape 256. The winter song of the River...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/16

Just a few miles from its source, the River Severn is already a dashing, tumbling river, full of youthful promise and energy. You meet it while walking in a small market town – listening to the river's winter song as it cascades over rocks and through mini gorges before heading out into wide pastures and down into the borders. 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

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56:15

333. Prepare for the Big Garden Birdwatch with a walk...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/13

The RSPB's annual Big Garden Birdwatch is one of the world's biggest citizen science projects and provides incredible insights into the populations of our common birds.To find out more, Plodcast host Fergus meets the RSPB's Chief Operating Officer James Robinson in beautiful RSPB Nagshead Nature Reserve in Gloucestershire. As they listen out for winter birdlife, James explains to Fergus why the Birdwatch matters and how to get involved – and provides a fascinating insight into the work of this great

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12:39

Sound Escape 255. A walk through a winter woodland,...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/09

It's bright and sunny but it's an illusion: a gale is swirling through the treetops, the aftermath of last night's storm. Shielded among the trees, you enjoy a walk through piles of fallen leaves – even the most reluctant faller plucked from its twig by the wind.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

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53:37

332. Blow off the cobwebs with a hike into the hills...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/06

Happy New Year and welcome to the first Plodcast of 2026. The Plodcast is a weekly adventure in the British countryside brought to you by BBC Countryfile Magazine. In this episode, Plodcast host Fergus Collins sets out on a bright morning into a little known upland landscape in the Bannau Brycheiniog to search for the legendary Chartists' Cave. He is joined by friend and regular walking leader for the Crickhowell Walking Festival Andy Knifton. Listen on for an eerie walk into an atmospheric

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13:34

Sound Escape 254. Wake up to gentle birdsong in a...

The Plodcast ·

2026/01/02

It's early morning and the winter's frost is receding as you step out into the brisk air. The low coos of wood pigeons greet you as you gaze at the mellow pink sky. The sounds of people to-ing and fro-ing tell you it's time to put the kettle on.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 Jack Bateman and introduced by Hannah Tribe. Email the Plodcast team –

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49:27

331. Enjoy an epic starling murmuration on the...

The Plodcast ·

2025/12/30

A very special Plodcast to end 2025. The Plodcast team of Fergus, Hannah, Kev, Jack and Lewis head to the Somerset Levels in the hope of witnesses and recording one of Europe's most extraordinary wildlife spectacles: the great starling roost over the reedbeds of this wild and wonderful part of the West Country. It did not disappoint. Have a listen!Thank you so much for listening and contributing to the Plodcast in 2025. Have a very Happy New Year and don't forget to get in touch with your own

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15:04

Sound Escape 253. Hear the voices of a million...

The Plodcast ·

2025/12/26

Dusk is imminent and you're standing on a raised path, an old abandoned railway line through the marshes. For the past 30 minutes vast uncountable flocks of starlings have poured overhead and settled in the reedbeds. Now, millions of chattering voices sound like breakers on a distant shore while other wetland birds chur and chunter unseen.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

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58:53

330. It's the Plodcast Christmas Special and team...

The Plodcast ·

2025/12/23

Join the Plodcast team of Fergus, Hannah, Jack and Lewis – with special guest and quiz master Kevin Parr. As well as tackling Kev's now legendary Plodcast quiz, the team gather by the fire to reminisce about the past year's adventures in nature and the countryside. Plus, Jack has some jokes... Thank you so much for listening and contributing to the Plodcast in 2025. Have a very Happy Christmas and don't forget to tune in on 30 December for perhaps our most magical team adventure in nature so far

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15:54

Sound Escape 252. Enjoy sunshine and peace along the...

The Plodcast ·

2025/12/19

After climbing a few steps you're atop the sea wall and the vast skies and broad seascape of the Bristol Channel open before you. You're looking south from Wales across the water to Somerset and North Devon. It's eerily quiet with just a distant roar of water, a passing plane and the calls of occasional passing gulls, curlews and goldfinches. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever

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50:24

329. Making a spun-iron frying pan at a family-run...

The Plodcast ·

2025/12/16

Plodcast host Fergus heads to Cleobury Mortimer in deeply rural Shropshire to visit the Netherton Foundry. Here, Neil and Sue Currie and their team make beautiful spun-iron cookware using traditional skills and tools. And Fergus gets the chance to fashion frying pans from scratch – a magical insight into a thriving, family-run rural business. A huge thanks to Neil and Sue, as well as Ryan, Toby, Colin and Maddie for their time – and patience!Find out more about Netherton Foundry

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13:09

Sound Escape 251. Hear the song of the wind on the...

The Plodcast ·

2025/12/12

A cold front has swept down from the north overnight but it's a bright morning over the frosty marshes. A breeze pushes ripples across a lagoon of deepest blue and then gently jostles the dead rushes and reeds. Nothing else stirs.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

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60:38

328. Hunting for mushrooms - and legendary animals -...

The Plodcast ·

2025/12/09

Plodcast regular Kevin Parr joins host Fergus Collins for a charming mushroom hunting walk in a wooded Welsh valley. Along the way, as the foraging basket with treats, they discuss Kev's extraordinary new book, An Unnatural History of Britain – his series of epic quests in search of animals that really shouldn't be here. It's an unmissable audio delight. An Unnatural History of Britain is published by The History Press. The BBC Countryfile Magazine Plodcast is the Publishers Podcast Awards

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