Best Walks Around Britain Podcasts (2025)

1
Best of 2025 … so far: ‘I am not who you think I am’: how a deep-cover KGB spy recruited his own son 51:52

19h ago51:52

51:52

Every Wednesday and Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from May: for the first time, the man the KGB codenamed ‘the Inheritor’ tells his story By Shaun Walker. Read by James Faulkner. Help su…

1
A Garden Fit for Bridgerton 22:26

1d ago22:26

22:26

Join a tour of a garden designed for pleasure, as we relive its party heyday. Claremont in Surrey once played host to events described as the lovechild of a festival and a palace garden party. Presenter James Grasby uncovers the best spots, the shenanigans they elicited, and the most incredible views reminiscent of scenes from hit Netflix drama, Br…

1
Ken Follett on Stonehenge, building cathedrals, and the glaring flaw in Shakespeare's greatest soliloquy 38:18

2d ago38:18

38:18

Ken Follett is a man who doesn’t really need much introduction, but introduce him I will anyway. Thirty-eight books written. 197 million copies sold in 80 countries and in 40 languages. Very popular across the world — and even in China and Brazil, according to the man himself. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country L…

1
How Pakistan fell in love with sushi 33:52

3d ago33:52

33:52

Once upon a time, Pakistanis scorned raw fish. Now sushi is everywhere from Ramadan meals to wedding buffets – and it all started with one man and a dream By Sanam Maher. Read by Amina Zia The Oath documentary: to be a Palestinian doctor in Israel’s healthcare system. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
Best of 2025 … so far: ‘The ghosts are everywhere’: can the British Museum survive its omni-crisis? 38:45

6d ago38:45

38:45

Every Wednesday and Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from March: beset by colonial controversy, difficult finances and the discovery of a thief on the inside, Britain’s No 1 museum is in de…

1
Best of 2025 … so far: the great abandonment: what happens to the natural world when people disappear? 36:18

8d ago36:18

36:18

Every Wednesday and Friday in August we will publish some of our favourite audio long reads of 2025, in case you missed them, with an introduction from the editorial team to explain why we’ve chosen it. This week, from February: across the globe, vast swathes of land are being left to be reclaimed by nature. To see what could be coming, look to Bul…

1
The finest wines available to humanity, and how to buy them, with Beth Pearce 29:28

9d ago29:28

29:28

You would be forgiven that a trip to space might be one of the hardest things that a human being could do. But, it might actually be becoming a Master of Wine (MW). After all, more people have been to space than there are MWs. One such master of the grape is Beth Pearce, the head of buying at Flint Wines, who took some time from her very busy sched…

1
The Shining: my trip to the G7 horror show with Emmanuel Macron 41:03

10d ago41:03

41:03

Deeply unpopular in France, President Macron relishes the international stage, where he projects himself as the leader best placed to handle Trump. Seven years after our last encounter, I joined him as he prepared for battle By Emmanuel Carrère. Read by David Sibley. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

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Are we witnessing the death of international law? 34:40

13d ago34:40

34:40

A growing number of scholars and lawyers are losing faith in the current system. Others say the law is not to blame, but the states that are supposed to uphold it By Linda Kinstler. Read by Rachel Handshaw. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: Bicycle graveyards: why do so many bikes end up underwater? 29:57

15d ago29:57

29:57

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: every year, thousands of bikes are tossed into rivers, ponds, lakes and canals. What’s behind this mass drowning? By Jody Rosen. Read by Masud Milas. Help support our independent journalism …

1
Levison Wood: Trekking the Nile, near-death experiences and why nothing beats a cup of tea and a piece of toast 29:33

17d ago29:33

29:33

'There was a time when I couldn't walk down the King's Road without being mobbed,' chuckles Levison Wood. This is no brag, though: it's said with the bemusement of a man who was catapulted to fame after his plan to trek the length of the River Nile made him into an unlikely celebrity alongside today's crop of modern explorers. • Listen to Country L…

1
Poison in the water: the town with the world’s worst case of forever chemicals contamination 38:15

17d ago38:15

38:15

When a small Swedish town discovered their drinking water contained extremely high levels of Pfas, they had no idea what it would mean for their health and their children’s future. By Marta Zaraska. Read by Myanna Buring. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
‘A relentless, destructive energy’: inside the trial of Constance Marten and Mark Gordon 1:02:41

20d ago1:02:41

1:02:41

How did the daughter of an aristocrat end up at the Old Bailey with her partner, charged with killing their two-week-old baby? By Sophie Elmhirst. Read by Serena Manteghi. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: how two BBC journalists risked their jobs to reveal the truth about Jimmy Savile 46:13

22d ago46:13

46:13

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: listening to the women who alleged abuse, and fighting to get their stories heard, helped change the treatment of victims by the media and the justice system By Poppy Sebag-Montefiore. Read …

1
The Last Voyage | Sutton Hoo 26:31

22d ago26:31

26:31

Embark on the last voyage of an Anglo-Saxon burial ship and learn how its discovery changed our understanding of a civilisation. In 1939, archaeologists uncovered a “ghost ship” under the acidic sandy soil of Sutton Hoo, in Suffolk. Now, presenter James Grasby reimagines the last journey of that vessel, and who was aboard, as it was hauled from the…

1
Bruce Hodgson: Artichoke's founder on catflaps, carpentry and the future of crafts 32:12

24d ago32:12

32:12

What do catflaps and some of the finest carpentry in the land have in common? Bruce Hodgson, that’s what. The man who founded Artichoke is our guest on the Country Life Podcast this week, talking us through the history of the brand, as well as his own personal journey as a craftsman, and what the future holds for heritage crafts. Bruce’s journey to…

1
The curse of Toumaï: an ancient skull, a disputed femur and a bitter feud over humanity’s origins 58:27

24d ago58:27

58:27

When fossilised remains were discovered in the Djurab desert in 2001, they were hailed as radically rewriting the history of our species. But not everyone was convinced – and the bitter argument that followed has consumed the lives of scholars ever since By Scott Sayare. Read by Bert Seymour. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.c…

1
Horse racing and erotica: how I survived the fickle world of freelance writing 31:03

27d ago31:03

31:03

Gabrielle Drolet had always dreamed of being a writer. But when disability closed down most of her opportunities, a strange career began By Gabrielle Drolet. Read by Kate Handford. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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From the archive: The sludge king: how one man turned an industrial wasteland into his own El Dorado 50:53

29d ago50:53

50:53

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: when a Romanian businessman returned to his hometown and found a city blighted by mining waste, he hatched a plan to restore it to its former glory. He became a local hero, but now prosecuto…

1
The truth about P.G. Wodehouse: Robert Daws on playing England's greatest comic writer 36:20

30d ago36:20

36:20

Anyone who loves P.G. Wodehouse knows Jeeves and Wooster, Blandings Castle and the Oldest Member golf stories. But what of the man himself? His early life as a sensation on Broadway? His extraordinary seven-days-a-week work ethic? The truth about his attempts to flee the Nazis, scuppered by an unreliable car, before he was interned and pressured in…

1
Sold to the Trump family: one of the last undeveloped islands in the Mediterranean 17:09

1M ago17:09

17:09

Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner have spent more than $1bn on an Albanian island that will be a luxury resort – once the unexploded ordnance has been removed By Marzio Mian. Read by Mo Ayoub For more on US politics and the Trump family check out Politics Weekly America. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpo…

1
How does woke start winning again? 34:27

1M ago34:27

34:27

British progressives have suffered major setbacks in recent years, in both public opinion and court rulings. Was a backlash inevitable, and are new tactics needed? By Gaby Hinsliff. Read by Carlyss Peer. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

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From the archive: The death of the department store 33:54

1M ago33:54

33:54

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: the closure of John Lewis’s store in Sheffield after almost 60 years was a bitter blow. As debate rages over what to do with the huge empty site, the city is becoming a test case for where B…

1
Roman Chariot Racing | The Prasina Stone 8:38

1M ago8:38

8:38

What does Formula One and chariot racing have in common? High speed and high thrills races are something we usually think of when we’re chatting about Silverstone or the Grand Prix. Celebrity drivers, highly engineered teams and arenas of fans might seem like a modern scene. But thanks to a piece of ancient graffiti carved into stone at a Roman vil…

1
What it's like to come face-to-face with a great white shark, by Dan Abbott of Netflix's All The Sharks 32:27

1M ago32:27

32:27

How do you come to a point in your life when you find yourself swimming with great white sharks? And how can it be that when you do, you find that moment 'completely normal'? Dan Abbott — aka Shark Man Dan — answered these and many more questions when he joined us on the Country Life Podcast at the beginning of 2025. In the six months or so since t…

1
‘Do you have a family?’: midlife with no kids, ageing parents – and no crisis 30:48

1M ago30:48

30:48

In my 40s, I found myself with a life that didn’t look like it was ‘supposed’ to. What was I doing? On trips to South Korea with my mother, an answer began to emerge By E Tammy Kim. Read by Jennifer J Kim. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Why does Switzerland have more nuclear bunkers than any other country? 27:50

1M ago27:50

27:50

Switzerland is home to more than 370,000 nuclear bunkers – enough to shelter every member of the population. But if the worst should happen, would they actually work? By Jessi Jezewska Stevens. Read by Rachel Handshaw. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
From the archive: ‘You can’t be the player’s friend’: inside the secret world of tennis umpires 45:59

1M ago45:59

45:59

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: new technology was supposed to make umpiring easy. It hasn’t worked out that way By William Ralston. Read by Simon Vance. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadp…

1
Marcus Janssen: Chelsea Lifejackets, bagging a 'MacNab' and recognising the best of the British countryside 33:13

1M ago33:13

33:13

'We still see people out wearing colours which we know for a fact we haven't produced in 15 or 20 years,' chuckles Marcus Janssen, head of Schöffel, as he speaks about the company's gilets — the 'Chelsea Lifejackets' — to James Fisher on this week's edition of the Country Life Podcast. Marcus took over at Schöffel after a career as a countryside jo…

1
My husband and son suffered strokes, 30 years apart. Shockingly little had changed 30:35

2M ago30:35

30:35

I was told my husband would never talk again, while physiotherapy was dismissed entirely. My son was failed in similar ways, but for the brilliance of some medical staff who refuse to believe a stroke is the end By Sheila Hale. Read by Phyllida Nash. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
‘The Mozart of the attention economy’: why MrBeast is the world’s biggest YouTube star 35:24

2M ago35:24

35:24

He’s spent 24 hours immersed in slime, two days buried alive – and showered vast amounts of cash on lucky participants. But are MrBeast’s videos simply very savvy clickbait – or acts of avant garde genius? Written and read by Mark O’Connell. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpod…

1
From the archive: ‘A nursery of the Commons’: how the Oxford Union created today’s ruling political class 29:49

2M ago29:49

29:49

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2022: at the Oxford university debating society in the 80s, a generation of aspiring politicians honed the art of winning using jokes, rather than facts By Simon Kuper. Read by Andrew McGregor. He…

1
The Tale of Beatrix Potter | Writer, Scientist, Sheep Farmer 23:14

2M ago23:14

23:14

Many of us grew up reading about Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle, but how much do you know about the woman behind the stories? In this episode we explore the lesser-known sides of Beatrix Potter. Discover how her love of natural science, fascination with fungi and knack for sheep farming formed one of Britain's most celebrated authors. [Ad] This p…

1
Corinne Fowler: Exploring the hidden history of the British countryside, one walk at a time 30:04

2M ago30:04

30:04

Corinne Fowler has never been one to shy away from straight talking. The Professor of Colonialism and Heritage at the University of Leicester made headlines for weeks back in 2020 after co-authoring a report for the National Trust on how the history and creation of many of our great houses are bound up with the history of slavery, conquest and colo…

1
‘Outdated and unjust’: can we reform global capitalism? 34:05

2M ago34:05

34:05

President Trump’s tariffs have plunged the world economy into chaos. But history counsels against despair – and the left should seize on capitalism’s crisis of legitimacy By John Cassidy. Read by Chris Reilly. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Extremely loud and incredibly scouse: how Jamie Carragher conquered football punditry 46:06

2M ago46:06

46:06

Football coverage no longer stops after the final whistle. And in this new era, the former Liverpool defender reigns supreme By Kieran Morris. Read by Felipe Pacheco. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Cape to Cape: Two Wheels, One World - Pt2 40:58

2M ago40:58

40:58

“Across the Sahara, through the Congo rainforest, and into the hearts of strangers—Ken & Marie pedal into the unknown. This is a story of connection, kindness, and the wild beauty of Africa.” Welcome to “Cape to Cape,” a two-part podcast that follows Kenneth Jørgensen and Marie Stoubæk on a once-in-a-lifetime bikepacking adventure. Over 518 days an…

1
From the archive: Burying Leni Riefenstahl: one woman’s lifelong crusade against Hitler’s favourite film-maker 49:37

2M ago49:37

49:37

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2021: Nina Gladitz dedicated her life to proving the Triumph of the Will director’s complicity with the horrors of nazism. In the end, she succeeded – but at a cost Written and read by Kate Connol…

1
Steve Backshall on sharks, idyllic childhoods and getting his fingertips eaten by piranhas 24:40

2M ago24:40

24:40

The adventurer, broadcaster, scientist and writer Steve Backshall has been a fixture on TV screens in Britain for nearly three decades — and we're absolutely thrilled that he joined James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify • Listen to Country Life podcas…

1
‘You can let go now’: inside the hospital where staff treat fear of death as well as physical pain 38:52

2M ago38:52

38:52

In a Danish palliative care unit, the alternative to assisted dying is not striving to cure – offering relief and comfort to patients and their families By Line Vaaben. Read by Freya Miller. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
An English gentleman, a crooked lawyer: the secrets of Stephen David Jones 54:02

2M ago54:02

54:02

With his brilliant mind and impeccable credentials, it’s little wonder that wealthy clients trusted him with their fortunes. Then they started to get suspicious By Hettie O’Brien. Read by Simon Vance. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Cape to Cape: Two Wheels, One World - Pt1 36:04

2M ago36:04

36:04

“A 30,000 km dream begins on the icy cliffs of Norway. Join Ken & Marie as they cross the continent, climb the Atlas Mountains, and discover the joy of slow travel on the road to Africa.” Welcome to “Cape to Cape,” a two-part podcast that follows Kenneth Jørgensen and Marie Stoubæk on a once-in-a-lifetime bikepacking adventure. In 2024 over 518 day…

1
From the archive: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o: three days with a giant of African literature 59:05

2M ago59:05

59:05

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2023: The Kenyan novelist’s life and work has intersected with many of the biggest events of the past century. At 85, he reflects on his long, uncompromising life in writing Written and read by Ca…

1
Ela, Sheriff of Wiltshire | A Medieval Marvel 13:47

2M ago13:47

13:47

In 1196, 9-year-old Ela was hidden away in France after becoming the third Countess of Salisbury. After being discovered and brought back to England by a knight who supposedly sang underneath windows to find her, Ela went on to become one of the thirteenth century's most influential women. As well as being a peeress, Ela is also known for being the…

1
Hannah Bourne-Taylor: Saving swifts, naked protests and the bird that nested in my hair 26:04

2M ago26:04

26:04

‘I thought, okay, well it worked for Lady Godiva, didn’t it? This whole naked stuff? So let me give that a try. I felt like it was the only option.’ Just as it worked for Lady Godiva, so it has for Hannah Bourne-Taylor, the campaigner, naturalist and writer who has spent years fighting for change to help Britain’s bird population — and particularly…

1
Death, divorce and the magic of kitchen objects: how to find hope in loss 28:45

2M ago28:45

28:45

As they pass through different hands, cooking utensils can magically connect us to loved ones who are no longer with us By Bee Wilson. Read by Colleen Prendergast. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/longreadpodBy The Guardian

1
Missing in the Amazon: the disappearance – episode 1 26:51

2M ago26:51

26:51

Three years ago British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous defender Bruno Pereira vanished while on a reporting trip near Brazil’s remote Javari valley. The Guardian’s Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips investigates what happened in the first episode of a new six-part investigative podcast series. Find episode 2 – and all future…

1
The Best Routes to Reach England's Highest Peak: Scafell Pike 38:56

2M ago38:56

38:56

"There’s no single way to experience Scafell Pike — and that’s what makes it so magical." In this episode of "The Outdoor Station," I share my recent Coast to Coast walk with my wife before diving into a conversation with author and mountain leader Graham Uney. We discuss his new book on 15 routes up Scafell Pike, his experiences as a hilltop asses…

1
A deadly mission: how Dom Phillips and Bruno Pereira tried to warn the world about the Amazon’s destruction 30:36

2M ago30:36

30:36

The Guardian journalist and the Brazilian Indigenous expert were killed while investigating the impact of deforestation. In this extract from the book Phillips was writing at the time of his death, he reflects on his encounters with the rainforest and its people – and why it is so vital to save this precious place By Dom Phillips. Read by Felipe Pa…

1
From the archive: Alan Yentob: the last impresario 47:39

2M ago47:39

47:39

We are raiding the Guardian long read archives to bring you some classic pieces from years past, with new introductions from the authors. This week, from 2016: For decades, Alan Yentob was the dominant creative force at the BBC – behind everything from Adam Curtis to Strictly Come Dancing. He was a towering figure in British culture – so why did ma…

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Walks Around Britain Podcasts

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