The Plodcast - podcast cover

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

Episodes

Sound Escape 29: relax on a Gower headland while gulls call above and a tractor gathers hay

Listen to gulls as you sit on a headland overlooking the sea on the south Gower coast. Nearby a tractor bales hay as the last rays of afternoon sun light the fields. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes give you a gentle, relaxing postcard of the countryside for you to enjoy when you can't get there yourself. Recorded and presented by Hannah Tribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 10, 202113 min

115. Climbing the epic peak of Suilven in Assynt in northern Scotland

Suilven is one of Scotland's most impressive peaks. Fergus Collins joins two old friends for an expedition to climb this magnificent mountain in Assynt and discover some of the intriguing and sometime brutal history of the region. Along the way they encounter fantastic wildlife in stunning wild surroundings. Image Gavin Meredith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 07, 20211 hrSeason 10Ep. 5

Sound Escape 28: unwind to late summer swallows above an Iron-Age hillfort in the Brecon Beacons

Atop the Iron-Age hillfort known as Pen y Crug high above the edge of Brecon, you can relax to the calls of the last of summer's swallows. Wind and sheep sigh in the bracken and holiday traffic makes its way home on the main road in the Usk Valley below. Sound Escapes – from BBC Countryfile Magazine – are your chance to catch an audio postcard of the countryside and be soothed by the sounds of nature wherever you are. Recorded and presented by Fergus Collins Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac...

Sep 03, 20218 min

114. Exploring the lost town of Old Sarum in Wiltshire with writer Christopher Somerville

Legendary walker and writer Christopher Somerville joins our own Annabel Ross to explore the ruins of Old Sarum near Salisbury in Wiltshire and tells the curious tale of the dark forces at work that led to the medieval town being abandoned. A charming summer adventure in the countryside with a backdrop of skylarks and corn buntings. Find out more in Christopher's book Ships of Heaven: the private life of Britain's cathedrals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more...

Aug 31, 202158 minSeason 10Ep. 4

Sound Escape 27: be calmed by the wild song of the ash tree

Relax to the rustle of a summer breeze through the leaves of an ancient ash tree in the Brecon Beacons. BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes offer a mindful few minutes of escape into nature – a few minutes of restful sounds of the countryside to enjoy wherever you are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 27, 20219 min

113. Investigating the chilling Pool of Witches on a Brecon Beacons mountain

Lost on a lonely, trackless mountain lies Pwll Gwy-Rhoc – the Pool of Witches – a mysterious lake that is the source of strange tales. Come with us on a quest to find the stories hidden in this untamed, ancient landscape. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 24, 20211 hr 3 minSeason 10Ep. 3

Sound Escape 26: slow down with the sounds of a narrowboat passing through a lock on the Peak Forest Canal

Enjoy the gentle drama of a narrowboat passing through a lock on the Peak Forest Canal on the western edge of the Peak District. This slow radio is the latest Sound Escape from BBC Countryfile Magazine. Each one allows you to be soothed by the sounds of nature. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 20, 20219 min

112. Strange tales at a Dorset henge… Part 2 of the Knowlton Circles mystery with Mary-Ann Ochota

Explore the extensive earthworks or Knowlton Circles in Dorset and the eerie ruined church at their centre. Archaeologist, anthropologist and broadcast Mary-Ann Ochota looks for answers in this ancient landscapes and meets local people with tales of strange encounters within the circles. Find out more in Mary's new book: Secret Britain: Unearthing Our Mysterious Past Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 17, 202146 minSeason 10Ep. 2

Sound Escape 25: be charmed by the gentle babble of a farmland stream

Cool off beside a babbling brook on the border of Cheshire and Derbyshire. In Countryfile Magazine's latest Sound Escape, it's early afternoon on a hot summer's day and you find yourself on the banks of a tiny but lively stream – a calm place for cooling off. Recorded by Andrew Griffiths, image by Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 12, 20218 min

111. The mystery of Knowlton Circles in Dorset with Mary-Ann Ochota – part 1

Join archaeologist, anthropologist and broadcaster Mary-Ann Ochota on the Dorset downs as she ventures across an ancient landscape of mysterious pathways, burial mounds and unexplained earthworks. She's on a quest to explore the secrets of enigmatic Knowlton Circles - a little-known neolithic henge. Mary-Ann is the author of Secret Britain: Unearthing Our Mysterious Past. Afterwards, join the Plodcast team to talk about the adventure and a very special listeners' Sound of the Week. Hosted on Aca...

Aug 10, 202150 minSeason 10Ep. 1

Sound Escape 24: sit back and relax to the sleepy hum and buzz of a midsummer meadow

Chill out to the hum and buzz of a summer meadow. In Sound Escape 24, you find yourself waist deep in glorious midsummer wildflowers in a meadow in the Gwent Levels in South Wales. Crickets and grasshoppers chirrup and sing, bees bumble by, while blackcaps, chiffchaffs and a reed bunting sing from the nearby hedges. A lazy aeroplane dones overhead. Recorded by Fergus Collins and presented by Hannah Tribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choic...

Aug 06, 20219 min

A new season of Plodcasts: explore the histories and mysteries of the countryside

Join us for 13 thrilling adventures of discovery as we head out into the countryside to explore ancient sites, hear haunting tales and enjoy atmospheric walks in strange and beautiful places.Guests includes archaeologist Mary-Ann Ochota, walker and writer Christopher Somerville, nature writer Nicola Chester, treasure hunter Lara Maiklem, writer Tom Cox and many Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 03, 202112 min

Sound Escape 23: a walk among birdsong in Dovedale in Derbyshire

Enjoy the delights of Dovedale in this mindful walk through one of the Peak District's most beautiful valleys. Deeply relax to the gentle melodies of nature – including summer blackbirds and robins – in the latest Sound Escape from BBC Countryfile Magazine. Recorded by Andrew Griffiths and presented by Hannah Tribe. Image from Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 30, 202112 min

Sound escape 22: the joyful song of summer on the allotment

Sit back and relax to soothing birdsong on a gentle summer’s morning on the allotment. In this Sound Escape, a meditative short podcast that celebrates the seasonal melodies of nature, relax to the tinkling song of a charm of goldfinches as they forage on the edge of the veg plot while gulls drift over on a lazy breeze. Recorded and presented by Hannah Tribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 23, 202118 min

Sound Escape 21: the song of the River Dove in the Peak District

Relax to the song of the Peak District's most beautiful river. Sit on the banks of this gentle bubbling stream with delightful birdsong raining down – in this short Sound Escape: mindful moments of nature brought to you by BBC Countryfile Magazine. Recorded by Andrew Griffiths and presented by Hannah Tribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 16, 202113 min

110 . Rewilding in the Black Mountains with woodsman Rob Penn

Hear how a massive tree-planting project will transform the Black Mountains peak of Bryn Arw in the Brecon Beacons. Woodsman and writer Rob Penn explains how the Stump Up For Trees project has convinced local farmers and landowners to embrace nature and reveals how making the hill more nature-friendly will benefit the visitors and the local community. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 13, 202155 minSeason 9Ep. 14

109. A Yorkshire River Journey with Radio 3's Petroc Trelawny

Presenter of "Breakfast" on BBC Radio 3 Petroc Trelawny talks about his week of live shows following a Yorkshire river from source to sea. Petroc reveals how the show will blend the evocative sounds of nature with chosen pieces of classical music including local composers and performers. In this podcast, Petroc also shares his favourite pieces of music – and those works that best evoke the British countryside. A Yorkshire River Journey runs from 12-16y from 6.30-9am. And you can catch up on BBC ...

Jul 09, 202131 minSeason 9Ep. 13

108. Take a boat adventure onto a beautiful loch in wild and rugged Assynt, Scotland

In the last of the current series, we head to the far north of Scotland to explore a remote loch and its wildlife – plus we attempt to fly-fish for brown trout in the beautiful waters while serenaded by cuckoos and buzzards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 06, 202147 minSeason 9Ep. 12

Sound Escape 20: the mesmerising churring of a nightjar on a summer's night

Welcome to Sound Escapes from BBC Countryfile Magazine: your chance to relax to the seasons sounds of nature wherever you are – and however busy your day. In this episode, it's a warm June evening on a hill in the Brecon Beacons and the strange churring of a nocturnal bird called the nightjar rises above the heady scent of honeysuckle and foxgloves. Presented by Hannah Tribe and produced by Jack Bateman. Image from Getty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more abo...

Jul 02, 20219 min

107. Searching for a very rare butterfly in Rockingham Forest

Extinct in England, the chequered skipper has been reintroduced to a secret site in Rockingham Forest in Northamptonshire by the Back from the Brink project The plodcast's Megan Shersby tells this heartening story and explores the forest in the hope of seeing one of these jewel-like butterflies. Listen on also for our podcast chat and Sound of the Week. The plodcast is produced by Jack Bateman and the image is from Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more ab...

Jun 29, 20211 hrSeason 9Ep. 11

Sound Escape 19: The hum of busy bumble bees

Welcome to Sound Escapes from BBC Countryfile Magazine – your chance to relax to soundtracks of glorious nature wherever you are and whatever you are doing. In this episode, take a break in the shade at the bottom of the garden, and let nature do all the hard work . Image from Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 25, 202110 min

106. Meet the wildlife of a beautiful, unspoilt stream in a Peak District valley

Take a springtime wander up a Peak District valley called William Clough in the company of angler and naturalist Andrew Griffiths. Meet some of the aquatic residents as Andrew tries his hand at stream dipping and hear tales of battles over access on nearby Kinder Scout. Plus, the delightful songs of skylarks, meadow pipits and curlew Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 22, 202143 minSeason 9Ep. 10

Sound Escape 18: the beguiling songs of warblers from a reedbed by a lake in the Brecon Beacons

Welcome to Sound Escapes from BBC Countryfile Magazine – your chance to relax to soundtracks of glorious nature wherever you are and whatever you are doing. In this episode, we're beside a sleepy lake deep in the Brecon Beacons. Wind rustles through the golden reedbed as reed warblers sing their charming songs. Image from Getty. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 18, 20219 min

105. Discover the mysterious lives of cuckoos in a Cambridgeshire fen

In this episode, Megan Shersby heads to the East of England to one of Britain's oldest nature reserves, the wetland wonder of Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire. Here she meets Professor Nick Davies of Cambridge University, an expert on the lives of cuckoos, to talk about these remarkable birds and how they use foster parents to raise their young. Later, Megan joins the regular plodcast team to talk cuckoos, sounds of the week and other nature news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

Jun 14, 202157 minSeason 9Ep. 9

Sound Escape 17: Be transported to a wooded Welsh valley to hear redstarts and song thrushes

Welcome to Sound Escapes, your chance to relax to the sounds of the British countryside no matter busy you are. In this episode, enjoy the song of one of our migrant birds, the redstart, plus backing singing from chiffchaffs, blackcaps, song thrushes and blackbirds. A gentle, calming delight. Hosted by Hannah Tribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 11, 202110 min

104. Explore the Dorset heaths in search of Britain's rarest reptile

Meet the spring wildlife of one of Britain's rarest habitats – lowland heaths. Roam the heath-clad landscape in search of rare reptiles including the elusive smooth snake in the company of Owain Masters and Nick Dobbs from the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust. Plus a host of rare insects, plants and the gorgeous Dartford warbler. Plus, a special guest appearance from plodcast favourite Kevin Parr. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choic...

Jun 08, 20211 hr 6 minSeason 9Ep. 8

Sound Escape 16: listen to the cascade of wood warbler song in an ancient oak wood

Welcome to Sound Escapes, your chance to relax to the sounds of the British countryside no matter busy you are. In this episode, you're on a path rising up a steep-sided wooded valley in South Wales. The endless May rain has stopped and a male wood warbler is singing his extraordinary song from the emerald canopy of tangled oak trees. The air is fresh, the leaves are fresh and there is a sense that spring can begin again in earnest. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Le...

Jun 04, 202110 min

103. A joyful spring chorus of birdsong in a West Country oak woodland

Somerset artist Lucy Pendrick gets up early to listen to the whole of the dawn chorus of resident and migrant birds in a deciduous woodland on the edge of the Somerset Levels. Revel in this incredible spring orchestra of natural music that most people sleep through. Plus, Lucy also captures the dusk chorus as the birds wind down at the end of the day. Pure magic. Find out more about Lucy's work at her website The Whispering Wild Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn ...

Jun 01, 202150 minSeason 9Ep. 7

Sound Escape 15: relax to the gentle patter of rain in a Maytime bluebell wood

Welcome to Sound Escapes – your chance to relax to the sounds of nature no matter how busy you are. In this episode, we take you to Bickley Wood on the River Avon the outskirts of Bristol where bluebells are freshly in bloom. A gentle rain is falling. Recorded by Daniel Graham and presented by Hannah Tribe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 28, 202113 min

102. Forgotten tales, ancient woods and fairytale creatures on the loch – enjoy spring on the Hebridean Isle of Seil

Join poet Kenneth Steven for an early spring adventure in an ancient hazel wood, a mysterious glen and a beautiful loch on his home island of Seil in the Inner Hebrides. Along the way Kenneth recounts tales of history and mystery – and finish with one of his own marvellous poems. Find out more about Kenneth's work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

May 25, 202146 minSeason 9Ep. 6