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Artwork for Folk on Foot

Folk on Foot

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

Enjoy this classic episode from July 2019.

Regularly voted one of the world’s greatest guitarists, Martin Simpson has been nominated for an astonishing 23 Radio 2 Folk Awards – and won artist of the year twice. He was brought up in the North Lincol... more

Come for a wild and windy walk in the Scottish borders with the brilliant guitarist Jenn Butterworth. We visit the remote farmhouse where she grew up, the pub where she worked as a teenager, the otter statue commemorating Gavin Maxwell and the ancien... more

YouTube

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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

Jenn Butterworth
Guitarist and singer, solo artist behind Her by Design
Episode: Jenn Butterworth at Whithorn
Kellie While
Chair of the Jury for the Folk Album of the Year Award
Folk Album of the Year Award (panel chair)
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026
Hamish Napier
Folk musician sharing details about forthcoming album
Self / Isle of Skye-based musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026
Nick Hart
Artist behind The Real Nursery Rhymes Project segment
Musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026
Jackie Oates
Singer on The Real Nursery Rhymes Project
Musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026
Sam Carter
Artist performing live track and talking about Nick Jones collaboration
Musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026
Damien Dempsey
Irish singer-songwriter discussing Holy Well and its songs
Musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026
Phil Odgers
Artist whose songs are featured on the chart
Musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026
John Kettle
Artist associated with The War Is Over project
Musician
Episode: Official Folk Albums Chart Show—4th August 2026

Hosts

Matthew Bannister
Host guiding walks and interviews, with a focus on placing conversations within landscape and tradition.
Lucy Shields
Co-host; previews live events and releases, provides album previews and industry context.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 725 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 Kingdom3 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 States9 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.

Listeners praise the calming, atmospheric quality and thoughtful guests.
Shows are described as comforting, beautifully produced, and deeply engaging.
Fans love the balance of walking, storytelling, and music.

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?

A soothing, walking-and-talking series that blends intimate conversations with live performances and landscape storytelling. Episodes consistently spotlight folk musicians and traditional song, often anchored by a strong sense of place, whether wandering coastal lanes, moorland paths, or historic towns. The format tends to pair autobiographical storytelling with craft-focused chats about songwriting, arranging, and recent releases, punctuated by carefully curated live music. A standout characteristic is the show's ability to tie personal histories to geography, creating a restorative listening experience that still keeps listeners abreast of the contemporary folk scene. This mix of place, people, and performance likely appeals to devoted fo... 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?

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What guests have appeared on Folk on Foot?

Recent guests on Folk on Foot include:

1. Jenn Butterworth
2. Kellie While
3. Hamish Napier
4. Nick Hart
5. Jackie Oates
6. Sam Carter
7. Damien Dempsey
8. Phil Odgers

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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