Countryfile enthusiasts have taken to social media to express their disappointment following the latest episode aired on Sunday, 3rd August. The show, featuring John Craven exploring the heritage of North Yorkshire and celebrating the 200th anniversary of the railway, sparked debate among viewers.
In this episode, Craven focused on the Wensleydale Railway, a historic line revived by dedicated volunteers after years of neglect. While the segment highlighted an important aspect of local history, many fans felt the episode drifted from the traditional nature and countryside themes they expect from the programme.
Social media users voiced their concerns, with one viewer commenting on X (formerly Twitter): “Motor bikes and trains. Have they run out of PROPER country life related subjects? #countryfile.” Another added, “What on earth is happening to #countryfile? It’s really lost the plot these days. This week they give us the John Craven show.”
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Critics compared the show unfavorably to other programmes, with a third viewer remarking, “What on earth is going on with #countryfile? Isn’t it supposed to be about life in the countryside, not a bad imitation of the dreadful #theoneshow?”
Some comments took a humorous tone, such as one joking, “Next week on #countryfile: a feature on the art of barrel scraping,” while another sarcastically noted, “And now lifeboats #countryfile.”
One disappointed viewer shared, “Can’t watch this anymore. It’s really gone downhill and lost its raison d’etre #countryfile.”
Amid the viewer backlash, John Craven recently opened up about a separate issue close to his heart—UK recycling efforts. Speaking with Countryfile magazine, he expressed his frustration, stating, “It is so disheartening; every day 17 million single-use drinks containers—plastic, aluminium, and steel—are thrown away rather than recycled in the UK. We see them everywhere, from busy streets to the wildest remotest places.”
He recounted a personal experience that highlighted the problem: “I once crawled deep underground, explorer-like, to the very end of a cave system, elated by my achievement until the lamp on my helmet picked out a pile of empty bottles, proving I was by no means the first there.”
Despite the mixed reactions to the show’s recent format, Countryfile continues to be available for viewers on BBC iPlayer.