John Craven has been presenting Countryfile since its launch in 1989 and, for the first time, he has distilled all his knowledge and wisdom about country life into The Countryfile Handbook.

This book is an invaluable resource for those who live in the countryside or want to know more about it. Divided into the different types of land (villages and market towns; fields and farming; upland; lowland; woodland; waterways; coastline) it offers practical information:

¤ How to tell the difference between the swallow, martin and swift

¤ How to learn the various sheepdog calls

¤ The do's and don't's of foraging

¤ How lichen can help tell us how clean the air is

informative essays on rural issues:

¤ Why hedgerows are important

¤ Saving British meadows

¤ Reintroducing beavers

plus useful (and entertaining) facts and figures:

¤ Did you know an acre is the space need to park 200 cars

¤ 10 things to do with a stinging nettle

¤ What to do if you see a sheep on its back

Together with stories and anedotes from the programme, this book really will become your Countryfile companion.