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Artwork for Folk on Foot

Folk on Foot

Matthew Bannister
Folk Music
Christmas
Music
Plygain Carols
Community
Northumberland
Katie Spencer
Martin Simpson
Nature
Quinie
The Wilderness Yet
Morris Dancing
Folk Album Of the Year Award
Eilean Shona
Hartlepool
The Young'uns
Welsh Tradition
Festival News
English Folk Traditions
Brexit

“Modest people, playing gorgeous music, speaking articulately about areas they love. Fabulously calming” – one listener’s description of this multi-award-winning podcast in which Matthew Bannister goes walking with top folk musicians in the landscapes that have inspired them. “A restorative breathing space in sound” – The Telegraph. “Immaculately produced” – The Times

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PublishesWeeklyEpisodes127Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsArtsMusicPerforming Arts

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Artwork for Folk on Foot

Latest Episodes

On this month’s show, Kellie While joins Matthew Bannister to launch a call for entries for the 2026 Folk Album of the Year Award. There are also songs old and new from Emily Portman, Peggy Seeger, Natalie Wildgoose, Phil Odgers and John Kettle, Fink... more

YouTube

Enjoy this classic episode from September 2018.

The multi award winning singer Cara Dillon and her husband and musical collaborator Sam Lakeman take Matthew on a walk through the countryside around the Northern Irish town of Dungiven where she was b... more

We’re going back to Neolithic times with the award winning author Rob Cowen (“Common Ground” and “North Road”) and his friend the actor and singer Johnny Flynn. For two thousand years the Thornborough Henges in what is now Yorkshire were used as cere... more

YouTube

This month's show features music from Adam Ross, Clementine Lovell, Ryan Young, Laura Cannell, Karine Polwart and Pippa Murphy, Teddy Thompson, Frankie Archer and Tide Lines. Lucy Shields previews forthcoming releases and Matthew Bannister announces ... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Cara Dillon
Singer and guest on Folk on Foot
Music
Episode: Folk on Foot Classic: Cara Dillon in Dungiven
Rob Cowen
Author of North Road book and presenter on the walk
Author, North Road project
Episode: Rob Cowen and Johnny Flynn at Thornborough Henges
Adam Ross
Singer-songwriter spotlighted in the show, performing and discussing his work
Independent musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—7th July 2026
Jon Boden
Former lead singer of Bellowhead and noted folk musician
Musician
Episode: Folk on Foot Classic: Jon Boden in the Loxley Valley
Angeline Morrison
Singer-songwriter and researcher behind The Sorrow Songs
The Sorrow Songs project
Episode: Folk on Foot Classic: Angeline Morrison in North Cornwall
Guy Hayward
Co-founder of the British Pilgrimage Trust
British Pilgrimage Trust
Episode: A Robin Hood Pilgrimage with Guy Hayward
Simon Nicol
Founding member of Fairport Convention, guitarist and vocalist
Fairport Convention
Episode: Simon Nicol in conversation at Cecil Sharp House
Sean Cooney
Member of The Young'Uns
The Young'Uns
Episode: The Young’Uns at Roseberry Topping
Barry Kerr
Artist, winner of Folk Album of the Year 2025
Curlew's Cry (album)
Episode: Folk Album of the Year Award Gala: Highlights

Host

Matthew Bannister
Host of Folk on Foot; guides conversations with musicians during walks

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 717 ratings
  • Exceptional folk music podcast

    Always calming, engaging, informative, inspiring. Beautiful interviews with beautiful music in beautiful places. Important stuff for any folk fans

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joe Scadding
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Folk Albums of the Year

    These albums are all incredible. Thank you for playing extended clips or full songs and the interviews have also been excellent. What a treasure trove!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jwd51
    United States8 months ago
  • Exceptional

    A true comforting podcast, like listening to mates having a yarn & great music

    5 stars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TBDTAS
    Australiaa year ago
  • Great folk walks

    Every episode is a delight, combining wonderful songs with a walk in a place that has deep meaning for the singer

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Folk59
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Love It

    Absolutely love listening to these episodes, a great combination of walk , talk and of course, amazing live music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lozboy
    United Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The sense of place and landscape enriches the music, making episodes feel immersive and memorable.
Fans appreciate discovery of new artists through the format and recommendations for live events.
Listeners praise the host's warmth and conversational style, noting the show's calming, intimate feel.
Guests are described as engaging and authentic, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and community.
Production quality and the blend of walk, talk, and music are frequently highlighted as standout.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rob Cowen and Johnny Flynn at Thornborough Henges
Q: Johnny, will you just tell us what you're going to sing?
Johnny introduces Burial Blessing, a co-written piece with Robert McFarlane, recorded in Cosmo Sheldrake's studio and Neolithic burial chamber settings.
Rob Cowen and Johnny Flynn at Thornborough Henges
Q: Johnny, will you sing us a song here?
Johnny performs a piece born from walking with Robert McFarlane, inspired by place and time, in a spot that connects past and present.
Rob Cowen and Johnny Flynn at Thornborough Henges
Q: But how did you two first meet?
We think it was around 20 years ago at a festival, where Rob and I ended up on a bill together, and we later connected through Rob McFarlane on the River's Trust Walk.
Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th May 2026
Q: Is there any more Spell Songs work on the way?
Yes, there is; we're on tour in September with a new record coming out soon, and more live dates including Folk by the Oak and a broader tour later in the year.
Official Folk Albums Chart Show—5th May 2026
Q: Tell us about that track and why you chose that title.
I was thinking about the small acts of work, service, and devotion that people perform every day, and how those simple acts can define love and life, which became the core idea of the track.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Folk on Foot

What is Folk on Foot about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program centers on intimate conversations with top folk musicians while they walk through landscapes that inspire their work. Guests range from traditional folk singers to contemporary songwriters and bands, with episodes highlighting the creative process, place, and storytelling woven into live performances. A standout is the strong sense of place—listeners experience environments, history, and local culture alongside music—creating a restorative, atmospheric listening experience. The format often blends interview, live performance, and field recordings, offering a calm, immersive entry point for listeners who love music, travel, and cultural storytelling. Potential listeners may value high-quality production, thoughtful host guidance... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Folk on Foot?

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How many listeners does Folk on Foot get?

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What are the audience demographics for Folk on Foot?

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How many subscribers and views does Folk on Foot have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Folk on Foot has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Folk on Foot?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Folk on Foot:

1. As the Season Turns
2. The Plodcast
3. Ramblings
4. A Life More Wild
5. Desert Island Discs

How many episodes of Folk on Foot are there?

Folk on Foot launched 8 years ago and published 127 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Folk on Foot?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Folk on Foot?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Folk on Foot from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Folk on Foot?

Recent guests on Folk on Foot include:

1. Cara Dillon
2. Rob Cowen
3. Adam Ross
4. Jon Boden
5. Angeline Morrison
6. Guy Hayward
7. Simon Nicol
8. Sean Cooney

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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