Episodes

  • Ghost Signs and Hidden High Street Heritage Walk

    Ghost Signs and Hidden High Street Heritage Walk
    Dec 18 2025
    If you've not got green space on your doorstep, find out how getting a dose of fresh air along your local High Street can reveal much more than you might think.

    Host Claire Hickinbotham joins a guided walk through one town centre to uncover the secrets that are hidden in plain sight in towns and cities up and down the country.

    She sets off from Mr Straw's House, a visitor attraction in Worksop, and follows in the footsteps of the brothers who lived there and would go for a regular Sunday stroll.

    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.

    Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.

    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors https://www.craghoppers.com/

    Production
    Presenter/Producer Claire Hickinbotham
    Sound Jesus Gomez
    Sound Design Nikki Ruck

    Contributors
    With thanks to Diane and Janet and Danielle Lander-Brown from Mr Straw's House

    Tips for your Nature Fix
    Follow the walk we went on in Worksop https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/mr-straws-house/worksop-walk-from-mr-straws-house

    Check out this urban walk in Manchester
    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/castlefield-viaduct/historic-castlefield-walk

    Or just go for a stroll along your local High Street and see what you can find.

    Find out about our work in urban spaces
    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/our-cause/nature-climate/how-the-national-trust-is-supporting-urban-heritage-and-parks

    Follow us on your favourite podcast app or on Instagram @wildtalesnt

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a Nature Fix idea you’re like to hear, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
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    20 mins
  • Funky Fungi Hunting

    Funky Fungi Hunting
    Nov 27 2025
    Discover how one man’s regular dog walk kickstarted a passion for fungi hunting that led to a big career change.
    Steve Hindle takes host Claire Hickinbotham on a walk around Hardcastle Craggs in West Yorkshire, with his faithful, mushroom-hunting dog, Meg, pottering alongside.
    As they scour the slopes in search of rare fungi, Steve reveals how his life changed from making circus rings to searching for fairy rings.
    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.

    Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.

    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors https://www.craghoppers.com/

    Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham
    Producer: Claire Hickinbotham
    Sound Design: Nikki Ruck

    Contributor: Steve Hindle

    Tips for your Nature Fix

    There are ‘Live Wild’ nature connection events and workshops available in the Woodland at Hardcastle Craggs. Have a look what’s on offer Live Wild at NT Hardcastle Crags | Live Wild

    You can also sauna surrounded by ancient woodland at Hardcastle Craggs. There are monthly pop ups until April 2026 RootsandRocks

    Or if a walk is more your thing Discover Hardcastle Crags | W Yorkshire | National Trust

    Discover more about the rare fungi at Hardcastle Craggs Grassland Fungi Project at Hardcastle Crags | National Trust

    Follow us on your favourite podcast app or on Instagram @wildtalesnt

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a Nature Fix idea you’re like to hear, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
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    23 mins
  • City Cemetery Bat Walk

    City Cemetery Bat Walk
    Oct 30 2025
    Enter a city cemetery at night on a magical bat-spotting adventure, for this month's Nature Fix.
    Host Claire's a bit scared of nocturnal flapping things but can The Bat Conservation Trust's Dr Parvathy Venugopal convince her there's lots to love about bats?
    We're entering Arnos Vale cemetery heritage site and nature sanctuary in the middle of Bristol, on the lookout for the wildlife that emerges in the dark.
    Keep your eyes to the skies after sunset during April to October where you might be lucky enough to spot the UK's bats flitting and feasting above your head.

    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.

    Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.

    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors https://www.craghoppers.com/

    Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham
    Producer: Michelle Douglass
    Sound Design: Nikki Ruck

    Contributor: Dr Parvathy Venugopal

    Tips for your Nature Fix

    Find out everything you need to know about bats with the Bat Conservation Trust
    https://www.bats.org.uk/

    Take part in the Bat Conservation Trust's Sunset Survey from April to October
    https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/getting-started/sunset-survey

    Explore Arnos Vale cemetery in Bristol
    https://arnosvale.org.uk/

    Discover things to do at places cared for by the National Trust
    https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/

    Follow Nature Fix on your favourite podcast app

    Join a community of nature lovers on Instagram @wildtalesnt

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a Nature Fix idea you’re like to hear, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
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    21 mins
  • Motherhood and Connection with City Girl in Nature

    Motherhood and Connection with City Girl in Nature
    Sep 25 2025
    Kwesia aka City Girl in Nature, is an advocate for nature and mothers alike. She grew up disconnected from the natural world, but after a life changing trip to the jungles of Peru, Kwesia is on a mission to connect people living in inner cities to the greenery around them, and there are two tiny people feeling the benefit: her sons.

    She takes host Claire Hickinbotham to explore the nature hidden in plain sight in the centre of Battersea Park, and to find the wonders of community gardens nestled amongst the tower blocks.

    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.

    Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.

    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors atcraghoppers.com/national-trust

    Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham
    Producer: Marnie Woodmeade and Michelle Douglass
    Sound Design: Nikki Ruck

    Tips for your Nature Fix

    Claire met Kwesia at Battersea Park and they travelled to the Doddington and Rollo Community Roof Garden.
    You can find your nearest community garden here: https://www.goodtogrowuk.org/map/
    To find out more about Kwesia’s work you can find her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@citygirlinnature

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
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    25 mins
  • The Secret Story of Trees with Levison Wood

    The Secret Story of Trees with Levison Wood
    Aug 28 2025
    Explorer and broadcaster Levison Wood is taking us deep into the UK’s ancient temperate rainforest to uncover the secret stories of trees.
    In this month’s Nature Fix Levison tells host Jo Dyson how his military training and thirst for adventure led him to a career in extreme environments, from walking the length of the River Nile, to exploring the Amazon Rainforest and trekking the Himalayas.

    But there’s nowhere quite like home and on this journey we’re taking a summer hike through the lush oak forests of Hembury and Holne Woods in Dartmoor National Park.

    We explore the stories from Celtic lore held in these centuries-old woods and reflect on the amazing environmental and health benefits of trees.
    Explore the ancient wonder of trees in this woodland adventure.

    Levison Wood’s book The Great Tree Story is out now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Tree-Story-Forests-Shaped/dp/1856755614

    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.

    Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.

    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors https://www.craghoppers.com/

    Presenters: Jo Dyson and Claire Hickinbotham
    Producer: Michelle Douglass
    Sound Design: Nikki Ruck

    Contributor: Levison Wood

    Tips for your Nature Fix


    Find out more about Levison Wood’s adventures, books and TV shows and follow him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/levison.wood/?hl=en

    Explore Hembury and Holne Woods in Devon, looked after by the National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/fingle-bridge/things-to-do-at-hembury-and-holne-woods

    Discover more amazing trails in Dartmoor National Park including Wistman’s Wood National Nature Reserve

    https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/enjoy-dartmoor/places/wistmans-wood

    Follow us on your favourite podcast app or on Instagram @wildtalesnt

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a Nature Fix idea you’re like to hear, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Queer Ecology and the Joy of Rotting Wood

    Queer Ecology and the Joy of Rotting Wood
    Jul 31 2025
    Come on a fascinating queer ecology walk with ecologist Connor Butler as he shares his joy at flipping logs for fun and challenging perceptions or what’s considered natural in nature.

    Connor takes host Claire Hickinbotham around Osterley Park in the heart of west London, where he explains why wildlife is undeniably queer.

    From trees that change sex to the humble woodlouse that only gives birth to females you’ll come away with a whole new take on your next walk.

    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.

    Inspired by nature and designed to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.

    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors atcraghoppers.com/national-trust

    Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham
    Producers: Marnie Woodmeade and Claire Hickinbotham
    Sound Design: Nikki Ruck

    Tips for your Nature Fix
    You can read more about Connor on his website connorbutler.co.uk, and check out his walks in the Upcoming Events section.
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Rockpool Safari

    Rockpool Safari
    Jun 26 2025
    Join us as we go on a rockpool safari on the Isle of Wight with marine biologist Theo Vickers, to hear how he took a childhood hobby and turned it into a career.
    While many of his friends left the island to find jobs, Theo knew his heart was on the beach, and now he’s sharing his passion for underwater life with visitors and islanders.
    He takes Claire Hickinbotham on one of his rock pool safaris at Compton Bay.

    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.
    Inspired by nature anddesigned to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.
    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors at https://www.craghoppers.com/national-trust/
    Producer/Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham
    Editor/Sound Design: Nikki Ruck
    Tips for your nature fix
    We went out on one of Theo’s Rockpool Safaris at Compton Bay and Downs | Isle of Wight | National Trust
    As we discovered, rock pooling isn’t just for kids, but it is one of our 50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾ Explore a rock pool │50 things to do | National Trust
    If you’re not on the Isle of Wight you can get a boat across for a day trip, or you could stay a little longer
    Holiday cottages on the Isle of Wight | National Trust

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story idea you'd love to hear, contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
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    20 mins
  • Welsh Myths and Waterfalls Walk

    Welsh Myths and Waterfalls Walk
    May 29 2025
    Join a walk to a lake in the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) to hear how Ranger Emma Kolano-Rogers made the brave decision to step away from a career she’d trained for at university but was causing her anxiety.
    A few years later she’s knee deep in mud, falling over in bogs and learning how to snot rocket, and she’s happier than ever.
    She takes host Claire Hickinbotham to find the ‘Lady of the Lake’ and shares some Welsh folklore tales on the short but steep walk.

    For the Welsh transcript of this episode please click here.
    Or copy this link:
    https://audioboom.com/posts/8735669-taith-chwedlau-a-rhaeadrau-cymru

    [Ad] Heading out for adventure? Discover Craghopper’s National Trust range of clothing and accessories.
    Inspired by nature anddesigned to last, each item in the collection comes with a guarantee for life.
    And with every purchase, you’re helping to support the Trust’s vital work restoring our natural landscapes.
    Get ready for your journey outdoors at www.craghoppers.com/national-trust

    Producer/Presenter: Claire Hickinbotham
    Editor/Sound Design: Nikki Ruck

    Tips for your Nature Fix
    Claire met Emma at Llyn y Fan Fach Car Park - Google Maps and the walk followed a track up to the lake.
    There was one tight spot past a locked gate that makes this walk unsuitable for wheelchairs and buggies.
    And if you fancy a little bit of what Emma’s getting, have a look at this, Walking in nature for wellbeing | National Trust, or this National Trust Jobs :: Countryside

    If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk
    Show More Show Less
    18 mins