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Artwork for Open Country

Open Country

BBC Radio 4
Conservation
Broomway
Thames
Holloways
Biodiversity
Epping Forest
Climate Change
Postal Paths
Charles Darwin
Wiltshire
Great Wakering
Foulness Island
Vindolanda
Bristol
Fylde
Cornwall
Nature Conservation
Salt Production
Derry
Local History

Countryside magazine featuring the people and wildlife that shape the landscape of the British Isles

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes466Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Open Country

Latest Episodes

Martha Kearney meets the people protecting and restoring rare arctic-alpine plants in Eryri, also know as Snowdonia. Robbie Blackhall-Miles is a conservation horticulturist working for the charity Plantlife. He shows Martha his secret nursery for rar... more

Between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, when the tides are low enough and the days long enough, a sandbank emerges from the Solent. At some point each summer, in most summers since 1984, this exposed bank becomes the venue for an extraordinary ev... more

Pilgrimages are usually associated with the Middle Ages, when they were at their peak. Banned by Henry VIII in the 16th century, they are now regaining popularity. In this programme, Martha Kearney joins a group of people on a river pilgrimage in Ken... more

Martha Kearney learns ancient skills like forging a knife, flint knapping and making a fire with flint and steel, alongside local schoolchildren at the Ancient Technology Centre in the Dorset countryside. The centre is a unique collection of archaeol... 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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Guy Hayward
Founder of the British Pilgrimage Trust
British Pilgrimage Trust
Episode: River Pilgrimage
Dawn Champion
Contributor familiar with the British Pilgrimage Trust
British Pilgrimage Trust
Episode: River Pilgrimage
Lucilla Newell
Lead for Ripple Effect project
Ripple Effect (University of Sussex and Friends of the River Medway)
Episode: River Pilgrimage
Olivia Hemmings
Core pilgrim participating daily
Open personal journey
Episode: River Pilgrimage
Laura Hayward
Pilgrim participating daily
Pilgrimage participants
Episode: River Pilgrimage
Antony Whitlock
Tutor at the Ancient Technology Centre teaching Saxon knife craft
Ancient Technology Centre
Episode: Ancient Technology Centre
Clive Perrin
Volunteer at the Ancient Technology Centre for 40 years
Ancient Technology Centre
Episode: Ancient Technology Centre
Jen Heath
Tutor at the Viking Longhouse teaching Anglo-Saxon Day weaving
Ancient Technology Centre
Episode: Ancient Technology Centre
Nada Krisha
Tutor/Instructor for flint knapping demonstrations
Ancient Technology Centre
Episode: Ancient Technology Centre

Hosts

Martha (host)
Host of Open Country
Narrator
Host introducing the episode and guiding the on-site exploration

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 383 ratings
  • Just a thought!

    Please let’s have a fresh presenter! It’s getting really tired! Helen has been incredible, but it’s now time!

    Please take a bow x

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nigel d stabler
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Many Thanks!

    Always a most refreshing and delightful view.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bechill59
    United States2 years ago
  • Mountain Rescue

    Anyone who is traveling into the back country? Should listen to this if they do not know about the 10 essentials and hiking safety. Thank you to all the volunteers who are involved in certain rescue. Thankfully, I haven’t needed to be rescued… Yet! You are true heroes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Klingrid
    United States3 years ago
  • Open Country

    Why is this podcast not updated when it is fully up to date on the BBC Sounds app?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    ceeebeeebee
    United Kingdom5 years ago
  • Glorious Mix of Countryside Listening

    As a lover of nature and the countryside as well as a passionate supporter of British food and farming, this podcast is just perfect listening.

    They cover a huge range of topics and without exception every programme is relevant, informative, interesting and well presented.

    I always smile when I see a new episode has been uploaded in the knowledge that I have 30 minutes of quality listening to look forward to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Little Bevie B
    United Kingdom5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience enjoys the broad geographic and thematic coverage of countryside topics, from hedgerows and verges to restoration and wildlife corridors.
Listeners appreciate the mix of ecology, heritage, and community voices, with high regard for host delivery and production quality.
Open Country is consistently praised for informative, engaging nature storytelling and strong on-site reporting.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#80
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#7
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#37
United Kingdom/Science
Apple Podcasts
#84
Canada/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#36
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#49
Germany/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Black Poplars: How to Save a Tree
Q: What are you doing to help the Black Poplar population?
We generate new Black Poplar saplings every year and distribute them free of charge to various groups and landowners.
Black Poplars: How to Save a Tree
Q: What's special about the Black Poplar?
The Black Poplar is crucial for preserving biodiversity and is characterized by its unusual shape and cultural significance.
Shivering Sands
Q: What was it like to be a DJ on the fort?
It was an incredible experience, broadcasting illegally from a precarious structure on the sea.
Shivering Sands
Q: How effective were they as forts?
They shot down 22 enemy aircraft and 30 doodlebugs, saving many lives.
Anneka Rice and Maggi Hambling in Suffolk
Q: Did you drink your coffee?
Not sure if I did, to be honest.

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 Open Country

What is Open Country about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Open Country showcases bold countryside storytelling, blending on-site reporting with intimate conversations about conservation, restoration, and rural culture. Episodes frequently explore habitat restoration, wildlife, hedgerows, and community-driven landscapes, often featuring landowners, scientists, artists, and volunteers who are actively shaping the British landscape. The show stands out for its hands-on, place-based approach, blending ecological detail with human-interest and local heritage, making it compelling for listeners who care about nature, farming, and countryside heritage. Potential guests and sponsors should note its consistent emphasis on practical stewardship, public engagement, and storytelling that ties landscape to com... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Open Country?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Open Country. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Open Country and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Open Country get?

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What are the audience demographics for Open Country?

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How many subscribers and views does Open Country have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Open Country 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 Open Country?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Open Country:

1. The Plodcast
2. Scotland Outdoors
3. Wild Tales | Nature Podcast
4. A Life More Wild
5. The Knepp Wilding Podcast

How many episodes of Open Country are there?

Open Country launched 17 years ago and published 466 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 Open Country?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Open Country?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Open Country from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Open Country?

Recent guests on Open Country include:

1. Guy Hayward
2. Dawn Champion
3. Lucilla Newell
4. Olivia Hemmings
5. Laura Hayward
6. Antony Whitlock
7. Clive Perrin
8. Jen Heath

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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