BBC - Countryfile – May 2020

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SPRING IN THE HILLS Your window on our wild uplands

COUNTRY Wordsworth’s

BRINGING THE

BEST OF THE BRITISH COUNT RYSIDE TO YOU!

ISSUE 164 MAY 2020 £4.75

Lake District Follow in the footsteps of Britain’s greatest nature poet

Love

BUGS 18 incredible

WONDER OF WILTSHIRE

The miracle of Salisbury Cathedral

insects to find in the UK

WILDFLOWER MASTERCLASS Take perfect pics of spring blooms

DARTMOOR ADVENTURE 60 YEARS OF THE TEN TORS

GET FIT KIT TOP TRAIL SHOES TESTED

EDITOR’S LETTER

HOW TO CONTACT US To subscribe or for subs enquiries: Domestic telephone: 03330 162112 Overseas telephone: 01604 973720 Email: bbccountryfile@buysubscriptions. com Post: BBC Countryfile Magazine, PO BOX 3320, 3 Queensbridge, The Lakes, Northampton NN4 7BF

Delight in glorious spring wildflowers, page 34

A window on the wild Where to begin? In a normal May we’d be telling you how to make the most of this most marvellous of months – the rush of wildflowers, birdsong and butterflies, and the greening of our woodlands. But, at the time of going to press, Britain, like so much of the world, is still in lockdown and our lives are confined to our homes and a smallish circle of our local area. It’s impossible to know how things will have changed by the time you read this. So in the pages of this magazine, on our website countryfile.com and through our podcast, we are bringing the countryside to you. We’ll show you what’s going on in the natural world, meet amazing rural people and keep in touch with the Countryfile presenters. (I’m sure many of you can relate to Ellie Harrison’s column this month – see page 106. It’s almost the first page I recommend you turn to!) We’ll also reveal how to make the most of the ‘countryside’ in your neighbourhood, learn some fun crafts and enjoy as much of the green outdoors from your home as possible. And of course, there will always be walks and holiday ideas so we can all dream of the happy times when we will be free to explore once again. Please may that be soon. For now, stay safe, stay happy and stay in touch.

Fergus Collins, [email protected] PLEASE NOTE: We’ve included a useful Coronavirus Countryside Code for anyone walking in the countryside; see page 10.

To talk to the editorial team: Telephone: 0117 300 8580 Email: [email protected] Post: BBC Countryfile Magazine, Eagle House, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 4ST Advertising enquiries: 0117 300 8815 App support: http://apps.immediate.co.uk/support Syndication and licensing enquiries (UK and international): [email protected] +44 (0)207 150 5168

Follow us on Twitter: @countryfilemag Follow us on Instagram: @Countryfilemagazine Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ countryfilemagazine Find us online for lots of bonus content: www.countryfile.com Download the official BBC Countryfile Magazine app from the Apple, Google Play or Amazon App Store.

Listen to our new season of countryside podcasts; visit iTunes or countryfile.com/ podcast

Photos Oliver Edwards, Getty

THIS MONTH’S CONTRIBUTORS Simon Bainbridge, page 20 “From the elevated path of Loughrigg Terrace, it’s easy to appreciate why this beautiful scene became one of the most inspiring locations in English poetry.”

www.countryfile.com

Emma Wells, page 40 “Step inside Salisbury Cathedral and this early Gothic masterpiece quickly reveals why it holds a reputation as one of England’s greatest treasures.”

Mike Dilger, page 50 “Bats spend virtually all their lives out of both sight and sound, so it is bizarre that these harmless, captivating critters face so much prejudice.”

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Contents

15 Make delicious spring soup

50 Bat-spotting with Mike Dilger

40 The story behind Salisbury Cathedral

20 Poetry in motion – walk in Wordsworth’s Lake District

MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

FEATURES

6 15 APRIL IN THE COUNTRY

20 WORDWORTH’S LAKES

Great nature books to read. Identify six weeds worth saving. How to tie a clove-hitch knot.

On the cover

To mark the 250th anniversary of the great poet’s birth, follow in his footsteps through the Lake District landscape that inspired his radical verse.

Cover: Getty. Photos: Nick-Wilcox-Brown, Steve Nicholls, Getty, Alamy

15 SPRING GARDEN RECIPE 34 SHOOTING WILDFLOWERS

16 ON THE FARM WITH ADAM

Seasoned photographer Steve Nicholls reveals how you too can take stunning pictures of local flora.

Beautiful Rydal Water in the Lake District, a lake that William Wordsworth loved and lived beside for much of his life.

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On the cover

We announce the winners of our 2020 awards, from top holiday destination to landmark of the year, as voted by you.

62 TEEN TORS 40 BIRTH OF AN ICON

ON YOUR COVER

Bring the outdoors into your headphones with the BBC’s 10 best audio nature shows. By radio producer Alasdair Cross.

56 ANNUAL AWARDS

Make borage, pea and mint soup.

Thanks to sustainable farming, Britain’s rare breeds could enjoy a welcome revival.

54 NATURAL SOUNDS

On the cover

The building of Salisbury Cathedral began 800 years ago. Emma Wells admires this medieval marvel.

Join a team of youngsters as they take on an Army-devised challenge to conquer 10 tors in Dartmoor, Devon.

68 LOVE BUGS

50 BATS IN MY BELFRY The One Show’s Mike Dilger studies the shy, rare and remarkable species that has chosen to roost in his garage roof.

On the cover

On the

cover You needn’t travel far to find incredible insects – the British Isles is home to a fantastic array of fascinating species.

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subscribe today and save with our special offer, page 32

34 How to take fabulous photos of wildflowers

68 Beautifully bizarre British bugs

Great days out

REGULARS 19 COUNTRY VIEWS

90 GET FIT KIT

Ancient pilgrimage routes have found a new lease of life as waymarked walking trails, says Sara Maitland.

We trial the best trail-running shoes and look at the latest exercise gear.

32 SUBSCRIBE NOW!

What to read and listen to this month.

A special offer for new subscribers, plus a free waterproof jacket.

96 YOUR LETTERS Have your say on rural issues.

47 JOHN CRAVEN 98 QUIZ AND CROSSWORD Test your countryside knowledge.

105 NEXT MONTH What’s coming up in our June issue.

48 BEHIND THE HEADLINES: THE IMPACT OF HS2

106 ELLIE HARRISON

This ambitious high-speed rail project has been contentious since its inception. We look at the arguments on both sides.

The nationwide lockdown has been hard on us all. Getting into nature is the best way to cope and restore calm.

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SPRING IN THE HILLS

On the cover

76 Humble hills of Wales Clwydian Range, Denbighshire

80 A place to settle down

93 BOOKS, RADIO AND TV

Extensive outings are currently on hold, but let’s not forget that this year marks the 20th anniversary of our cherished right to roam.

75 Celebrate bluebells in the hills

Settle Hills, North Yorkshire

81 King of the hill Win Green, Wiltshire

82 Mini mountain with a view Loughrigg Fell, Cumbria

84 Wild Chilterns Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire

85 Great Gower ridge Cefn Bryn, Swansea

86 Sylvan hills of Fermanagh Lough Navar Forest, Fermanagh

88 Tranquility in the uplands Moffat Hills, Dumfries and Galloway

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Photo: BBC / Ben Cherry

MAY IN THE COUNTRY PICTURES › WILDLIFE › PEOPLE & PLACES › COUNTRY KNOW HOW › FOOD

PEMBROKESHIRE PUFFINS The puffins of Skomer Island take a star turn in the first episode of A Wild Year, a new documentary series exploring three distinct and beautiful regions of the British countryside: the Pembrokeshire Coast, North York Moors and the Fens. Enjoy a front-seat ride as you enter the raucous, brutal and sometimes hilarious soap opera of a seabird colony. Using a spectacular range of time-lapse techniques, A Wild Year airs on BBC Two later this year and brings fresh insight into the rhythms of these wild habitats.

A NEW ‘SUPER’ RESERVE Dorset heath – a species of heather – blooms across the open landscape of Studland in south Dorset in early July. The county’s lowland heathlands are an incredibly rare habitat, home to nightjars and Dartford warblers, and butterflies such as the silver-studded blue. The natural wealth of the region has been recognised with the creation of Britain’s first super National Nature Reserve. Covering 3,331 hectares, the Purbeck Heaths NNR links existing protected areas to create a truly resilient wild landscape.

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LEAP OF FAITH

DECEPTIVE ORCHID

A brown trout leaps to catch a mayfly, propelling itself out of the water. Brown trout are found in clean, well-oxygenated rivers and lakes and occasionally canals, and are Britain’s only native trout species. However, the sheer variety of colouration and behaviour means that it has been considered to be many different species over the years.

Often found in colonies on chalk or limestone soils, the fly orchid is so named because its flowers resemble winged insects. The flowers and their scent lure in male digger wasps, which pick up and spread pollen in their mistaken attempts to mate with the blooms. May and June are ideal times to look for orchids on grassland and in forest glades.

Photos: Getty, Alamy

PLAYTIME FOR CUBS As most of us are spending more time in our homes and gardens, we’re paying more attention to the wildlife around us. Foxes live alongside millions of people in the UK, often going unnoticed. But in May, as parents forage for their cubs, they roam in gardens and streets. The cubs are usually born in March and by May they can be seen playing and fighting around the den (often located under garden sheds or in deep hedge banks).

COVID 19 COUNTRYSIDE CODE Confused about the outdoor-exercise guidelines during the coronavirus crisis? Follow this countryside code to keep yourself and others safe ith our movements restricted in order to prevent the spread of infection and save lives during the coronavirus crisis, it is still important to get a daily dose of fresh air and exercise for our physical and mental health. However, we must all be responsible when walking

W 1

Read the latest advice. You can find essential information on the government’s website: gov.uk/coronavirus Keep up to date by following BBC News: bbc.co.uk/news You can find clear guidance on self-isolating and exercise here: bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51506729

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Avoid making non-essential car journeys to the countryside. This includes day trips for walks and weekend breaks.

Stay local and use open space near your home where possible. Only go outside alone or with members of your own household.

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outdoors, think of others and change our behaviour so that we can defeat the virus and get our lives back to normal as quickly as possible. Here are a few guidelines to follow, especially if you are fortunate to be able to walk in local countryside as part of your daily exercise. This was the latest advice at the time of going to press.

4 5 6

If walking in your local countryside, touch stiles and kissing gates as little as possible. Wash your hands after every excursion. Do not leave any gates open. Avoid walking near or through farmyards. Farmers have enough to do without having to disinfect gates.

Keep your distance from other walkers. Unless you are with members of your own household, groups of more than two people in parks and other public spaces have been banned and the police will enforce this.

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At the time of going to press, there was no restriction on how long you can exercise for.

8 9

Keep dogs on leads. Letting your dog off lead to jump on other people is irresponsible. Dogs can pass the virus on their coats and collars. Be careful using dog-poo bins as these will be touched by many hands. It may be safer to take all dog-poo bags home. This is NOT an excuse for littering the countryside with dog-poo bags. Please think of our wildlife and other people.

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While you’re outdoors, make the most of it! Take the time to appreciate the fresh air and spring wildlife; listen out for trilling bird calls and spot life blooming in every corner. The exuberance of spring is a timely reminder of nature’s cycle of renewal and revitalisation.

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