Take a wander along on of Britain's oldest roads: the Ridgeway. TV presenter, writer and archaeologist Mary-Ann Ochota is the patron of the Ridgeway National Trail, and takes host Fergus on a circular walk from the stone circle at Avebury onto mysterious Fyfield Down before walking along the Ridgeway to magnificent West Kennet Long barrow – where a big surprise is awaiting them in the prehistoric burial mound. Photograph by Oliver Edwards.

This is episode 2 of season 15 of the Plodcast: Mindful Walks in Nature

Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: editor@countryfile.com. If read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team.

Visit the Countryfile Magazine website: countryfile.com

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180. Along the Ridgeway with archaeologist Mary-Ann Ochota

BBC Countryfile Magazine brings you The Plodcast - a weekly escape to the British countryside with fascinating guests and the wonders of the great outdoors.
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Nature

Enter Rivendell – or what might as well be – a hidden valley on the edge of Eryri (Snowdonia) in North Wales. Plodcast host Fergus takes a nature ramble with the writer Julie Brominicks who lives off-grid with her partner here in a caravan beside a magical stream.

Julie is a passionate advocate for the Welsh language and explains how it is interwoven with the landscape, nature and the rural culture of Wales.

Produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. Music written and performed by Blair Dunlop.

Don't forget you can claim a free copy of BBC Countryfile Magazine – simply head to try.countryfile.com/plodcast and sign up for the latest edition.

If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews.

Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: editor@countryfile.com.

If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team.

Visit the Countryfile Magazine website: countryfile.com
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249. Welsh language and landscape with Julie Brominicks

We're on the edge of a settlement on the Isle of Harris - lochs and mountains flow from where the houses end. In the quiet of the morning, a willow warbler sings his descant; turning the music of a mountain stream into birdsong.

BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be.

Recorded by Fergus Collins, introduced by Hannah Tribe. Image by Getty.

Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: editor@countryfile.com
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Sound Escape 171. Relax to the gorgeous melody of a willow warbler

Explore a landscape of craggy mountains, turquoise seas and deep blue lochs on the Isle of Harris in search of rare wildlife – and especially golden and white-tailed eagles. Join Plodcast host Fergus on an epic search for these mighty birds – in a series of wild adventures in the Outer Hebrides.

Produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. Music written and performed by Blair Dunlop.

If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews.

Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: editor@countryfile.com.

If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team.

Visit the Countryfile Magazine website: countryfile.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

248. A quest for eagles on the Isle of Harris

It's bright early morning in East Devon, the ground is still damp from the rains during the night but the light brings an optimistic view of the day ahead. You are between open farmland and a small woodland, sitting with your morning brew and drifting away into the morning soundscape of beautiful birdsong.

BBC Countryfile Magazine's Sound Escapes are a weekly audio postcard from the countryside to help you relax and transport you somewhere beautiful, wherever you happen to be.

Recorded by Jack Bateman, introduced by Hannah Tribe.

Email the Plodcast team – and send your sound recordings of the countryside – to: editor@countryfile.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sound Escape 170. A peaceful morning in the Devon countryside

A new rewilding project has been announced in Somerset. Created by the charity Heal, the project aims to transform several hundred acres of farmland into wildlife-rich habitat that offers huge benefits for people, too.

Listen on as Plodcast host Fergus meets with Heal CEO Jan Stannard to hear about the plans and what wildlife to expect – and they find some real wildlife surprises along the way.

Find out more about Heal at www.healsomerset.org.uk

Produced by Jack Bateman and Lewis Dobbs. Music written and performed by Blair Dunlop.

If you've enjoyed the plodcast, don't forget to leave likes and positive reviews.

Contact the Plodcast team and send your sound recordings of the countryside to: editor@countryfile.com.

If your letter, email or message is read out on the show, you could WIN a Plodcast Postbag prize of a wildlife- or countryside-themed book chosen by the team.

Visit the Countryfile Magazine website: www.countryfile.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

180. Along the Ridgeway with archaeologist Mary-Ann Ochota

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