Countryfile is a weekly factual programme that celebrates the British countryside by exploring rural life, farming, wildlife, environment, and community issues from across the UK. It first aired in 1988 and has since become one of the BBC’s most enduring and beloved Sunday evening shows, shining a light on stories from villages, farms, woodlands and coastlines. Each episode visits a different location, mixing beautifully shot landscape features with interviews, personal stories and reports on topics like conservation, agriculture and local culture.
The current presenting team on Countryfile is a diverse group of experienced broadcasters and countryside enthusiasts who bring the UK’s landscapes and rural stories to life. Regular presenters include long-serving veteran John Craven, who has been with the show since 1989, alongside familiar faces such as Adam Henson, Matt Baker, Anita Rani, Tom Heap, Sean Fletcher, and Ellie Harrison. The team also recently welcomed Vick Hope as a permanent presenter, bringing fresh energy and personal connection to rural reporting.
A central part of Countryfile is its focus on both the beauty and the challenges of countryside life, from seasonal farming work to environmental change and wildlife conservation efforts. Presenters often join local farmers, naturalists and community members as they showcase how landscapes are cared for and how rural traditions persist and evolve. The programme also highlights topical issues such as land management, biodiversity projects and sustainability initiatives, making it as much about contemporary rural concerns as about picturesque scenery.
The series is filmed on location throughout the UK, typically a week or two before broadcast, which allows presenters to engage with current seasonal activities and topical rural issues. This forward-filming schedule helps keep the content relevant and timely, whether the team is capturing spring lambing, autumn harvests or local conservation milestones. With episodes airing every Sunday, the programme has become a fixture of weekend broadcasting and a source of inspiration for viewers planning their own countryside escapes or outdoor adventures.
