Countrystride

About Countrystride

A celebration of the landscapes, culture, heritage and people of Cumbria and the Lake District.

Publisher

Countrystride

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Oct 2018

Latest episode

30 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

170 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Oct 2026

   #170: Acorn Bank & the apples of Cumbria

   ...in which we celebrate the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness in one of the north country’s foremost orchards. Striding out from the Georgian facade of the National Trust’s Acorn Bank in the company of Ruth Cassell (Gardens & Landscape Manager for Lakes and Eden Portfolio) and Bronwyn Thomas (Garden Supervisor at Acorn Bank), we’re introduced to our heroine of the podcast – Dorothy Una Ratcliffe, the Yorkshire-born author, traveller and woman of means, who bought the property in 1934 and began planting apple trees. Arriving in Dorothy’s walled orchard, we learn about the journey of the humble apple, from the mountain forests of Kazakhstan, by way of the Silk Road and expanding Roman empire, to the gardens and orchards of landed Cumbria, including Lowther Castle and Holker Hall. Walking among the laden boughs of Acorn Bank’s 175+ heritage apple varieties, the waters of Crowdundle Beck bubbling in the background, we consider the establishment of this nationally important collection through a collaborative lineage of gardeners and apple enthusiasts, and about the science (and accidents) of apple cultivation – of grafting, root stocks and pollination. In the house’s drawing room – now joined by Margaret Hoyes (Gardener at Sizergh) – we embark on a heritage apple taste test, focussing on local varieties like the Keswick Codlin (actually from Ulverston), Nelson's Favourite (not that Nelson), the Duke of Devonshire (not that Duke of Devonshire), Lord Lambourne and super-local Maulds Meaburn, before noting the Hallowe’en-horror origin story of the Bloody Ploughman. Reflecting on the nation’s favourite fruit – and learning the chemical difference between eaters and cookers, the importance of an open canopy and how best to pick an apple – we consider both the vulnerability of heritage varieties and their increasing importance in a fragile food system during an era of changing climate and seasons. Acorn Bank comprises ornamental gardens, 180 acres of parkland and woodland, a café and historic working watermill. The property closes for the winter in November and reopens in February ready for half term. For more information see here. You can learn more about Cumbria’s orchards from the North Cumbria Orchard Group and South Lakeland Orchard Group. A reminder that on Friday next week (6 Nov), we host our first Countrystride Live event of the autumn at Rheged – ‘Are Our National Parks Broken?’ with Julian Glover, Tiffany Hunt, Tim Farron MP and Rose O’Neill, where we’ll ask why interest in our protected landscapes has waned in Westminster – even as visitor pressures mount – and what a renewed vision for world-leading protected landscapes might look like. With plenty of chance to ask questions, and exclusive access to the Forty Fells exhibition, tickets can be purchased here: https://rheged.com/event/countrystride-live-are-our-national-parks-broken/

2. 

   14 Oct 2026

   #169: Carrock Fell – Great mountain days

   ...in which we celebrate the satisfaction of long days on the fells in a ‘rock and stroll’ ascent of enigmatic Carrock Fell in the northeast corner of Lakeland. In a ‘Mark and Dave’ pod, we set out from Carrock Beck on a northerly pasture line onto the Back a’ Skidda’ massif, discussing what ‘great mountain days’ mean to us – long journeys, ever-changing scenery, a mix of natural and human interest, a sense of adventure… and the post-walk pint. Climbing past tumbledown bields and chatting with fellow walkers, we swap favourite great mountain days – a high-level circuit of Great Gable, a greater Langdale traverse, the Kentmere Round – and reflect on the difference between bagging and wider journeys through the Lakeland landscape. Arriving on Carrock Fell’s rocky summit, we discuss the enigmatic ‘hill fort’, the remarkable view (Cheviot visible on the northeastern horizon) and the fell’s unlikely place in one of English literature’s most celebrated travelogues. Traversing the fell’s squelchy western ridge, we give mountain-day love to a Derwent Water circular, a Wetherlam wander and a Newlands round. Descending the old sledway of Red Gate, we discuss the Caldbeck Fells’ extensive mining history – not least the remarkable Carrock tungsten mine – and close the pod by reflecting on the mounting stand-offs between walking ambitions and ageing limbs. Mark’s new book, Best Walks in the Lake District, can be ordered direct from Cicerone here, or from all good Cumbrian bookshops. Dave’s new book, Forty Fells, can be ordered direct from Inspired by Lakeland here, or from all good Cumbrian bookshops.

3. 

   12 Sept 2026

   #168: Mardale – Flooding of a valley

   ...in which we head east to one of Lakeland’s loneliest dales, and tell the story of a once-thriving valley lost beneath the dammed waters of Haweswater. In the company of local historian and dialect champion Jean Scott-Smith, we set the historic scene on Mardale, cradled in the Far Eastern Fells and overlooked by a British fort, a Roman Road and Scandinavian shielings. Proceeding into the 18th century, Jean paints a picture of a bustling farmed valley, with rich dairy pastures and a steady flow of traders and packmen making their way over the passes of Nan Bield and Gatesgarth and down past High and Low Water. Recounting tales of the Kendal Archers, boisterous nights at the Old Dun Bull (where buckets of ale were passed around) and the legendary week-long Mardale Shepherds Meet (originally held on High Street, latterly at the Dunnie), we introduce a range of local characters, from the Kings of Mardale to eccentric ‘Old Barham’ the vicar, who bled parishioners using a tortoise-shell lancet. With the waters of Thirlmere insufficient to meet the growing thirst of Manchester, we learn about Manchester Corporation’s acquisition of the valley – with barely a whisper of protest – and, following the Haweswater Act of 1919, the subsequent abandonment of the hamlets of Measand, Mardale Green and Whelter before the grammar school was relocated, the church taken down and Royal Engineers arrived with explosives to raze the remaining farms and homesteads. Heading up-dale to rain-drenched Mardale Head, Jean points out landmarks uncovered by the summer’s drought – including foundations of the Dun Bull, and the old valley road (its walls as they were 90 years after the terminal flood) – before noting nearabouts landmarks – the corpse road to Shap, the grandstand-view peatcutters’ huts, the former navvie settlement of Burnbanks. Closing the pod in Shap’s upper graveyard – where many of Mardale’s dead were reinterred – we reflect on the passing of a community; on the media circus that unfolds in dry years; and on the surprise discovery of Mardale’s long lost church organ. Shap Local History Society holds an extensive archive, including artefacts and images relating to Mardale, at their Heritage Centre, Market Cross, Shap. The archive is open by arrangement – please contact either 01931 716671 or 01931 716386.

Who has been a guest on Countrystride

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Robert Southey
• Nicola Lawson
• Charlotte May
• Edith Fricker
• Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

11 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

84 ratings

Contact Countrystride

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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