Best Toby Keel Podcasts (2025)

1
Hannah Shergold: Flying helicopters, rampaging elephants and painting Ronnie Wood 52:54

Play Pause

1d ago52:54

52:54

Hannah Shergold is nothing if not proof that following your instincts really can take you anywhere. Today, she's one of the best-known artists in Britain, a painter and sculptor who has sold countless works, and raised over £350,000 for charity while doing it. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on Sp…

1
Mark Ashley-Miller: The man who sailed to (almost) every harbour in the British Isles 30:40

9d ago30:40

30:40

In 2018, Mark Ashley-Miller bought a boat. There's nothing unusual in that, but there is in what happened next: he decided to sail around the coasts of Britain and Ireland, visiting every single harbour in the British Isles. And unlike most people who have such pipe dreams, he actually did it. The journey is now over, and we're delighted that Mark …

1
Jules Perowne: Where to go in 2026, hotel disasters and podcasting with Richard E. Grant 34:06

16d ago34:06

34:06

Jules Perowne — CEO and founder of Perowne International — is one of the most respected voices in the luxury travel industry, working as a consultant and PR guru for some of the most famous hotels in the world, including Gleneagles, Claridges and dozens more around the globe. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Li…

1
White-tailed eagles: From 'the greatest wildlife crime imaginable' to Nature's most wonderful comeback story 24:46

23d ago24:46

24:46

For most of the last 2,000 years, the white-tailed eagle — or sea eagle — has been one of the most common birds of prey in Britain. That all ended in horrendous fashion from the late 18th century onwards. Shooting, poisoning, egg collection, a mania for taxidermy and more combined to see this majestic creature — affectionately dubbed the 'flying ba…

1
If there's no fish, there's no fishing, with Robin Philpott 28:20

29d ago28:20

28:20

If you are a person who lives in the UK, and you like standing in, or nearby, rivers, there’s a good chance you will have heard of Farlows. It is one of the great outdoors companies of the UK, a place for all fishermen and women to obsess over rods and reels while they tell themselves that they would catch way more fish if they could just buy a bit…

1
What the hedge can tell us about the countryside, with Richard Negus 36:36

1M ago36:36

36:36

Hedges are fascinating because they are like buildings. They are pretty much everywhere in rural England, Scotland and Wales, and yet do we ever really stop and think about what they are and what they do? One man who thinks a lot about what they are and what they do is Richard Negus, a professional hedgelayer and writer from Suffolk. His recent boo…

1
Ken Follett on Stonehenge, building cathedrals, and the glaring flaw in Shakespeare's greatest soliloquy 38:18

1M ago38:18

38:18

Ken Follett is a man who doesn’t really need much introduction, but introduce him I will anyway. Thirty-eight books written. 197 million copies sold in 80 countries and in 40 languages. Very popular across the world — and even in China and Brazil, according to the man himself. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country L…

1
The finest wines available to humanity, and how to buy them, with Beth Pearce 29:28

2M ago29:28

29:28

You would be forgiven that a trip to space might be one of the hardest things that a human being could do. But, it might actually be becoming a Master of Wine (MW). After all, more people have been to space than there are MWs. One such master of the grape is Beth Pearce, the head of buying at Flint Wines, who took some time from her very busy sched…

1
Levison Wood: Trekking the Nile, near-death experiences and why nothing beats a cup of tea and a piece of toast 29:33

2M ago29:33

29:33

'There was a time when I couldn't walk down the King's Road without being mobbed,' chuckles Levison Wood. This is no brag, though: it's said with the bemusement of a man who was catapulted to fame after his plan to trek the length of the River Nile made him into an unlikely celebrity alongside today's crop of modern explorers. • Listen to Country L…

1
Bruce Hodgson: Artichoke's founder on catflaps, carpentry and the future of crafts 32:12

2M ago32:12

32:12

What do catflaps and some of the finest carpentry in the land have in common? Bruce Hodgson, that’s what. The man who founded Artichoke is our guest on the Country Life Podcast this week, talking us through the history of the brand, as well as his own personal journey as a craftsman, and what the future holds for heritage crafts. Bruce’s journey to…

1
The truth about P.G. Wodehouse: Robert Daws on playing England's greatest comic writer 36:20

2M ago36:20

36:20

Anyone who loves P.G. Wodehouse knows Jeeves and Wooster, Blandings Castle and the Oldest Member golf stories. But what of the man himself? His early life as a sensation on Broadway? His extraordinary seven-days-a-week work ethic? The truth about his attempts to flee the Nazis, scuppered by an unreliable car, before he was interned and pressured in…

1
What it's like to come face-to-face with a great white shark, by Dan Abbott of Netflix's All The Sharks 32:27

3M ago32:27

32:27

How do you come to a point in your life when you find yourself swimming with great white sharks? And how can it be that when you do, you find that moment 'completely normal'? Dan Abbott — aka Shark Man Dan — answered these and many more questions when he joined us on the Country Life Podcast at the beginning of 2025. In the six months or so since t…

1
Marcus Janssen: Chelsea Lifejackets, bagging a 'MacNab' and recognising the best of the British countryside 33:13

3M ago33:13

33:13

'We still see people out wearing colours which we know for a fact we haven't produced in 15 or 20 years,' chuckles Marcus Janssen, head of Schöffel, as he speaks about the company's gilets — the 'Chelsea Lifejackets' — to James Fisher on this week's edition of the Country Life Podcast. Marcus took over at Schöffel after a career as a countryside jo…

1
Corinne Fowler: Exploring the hidden history of the British countryside, one walk at a time 30:04

3M ago30:04

30:04

Corinne Fowler has never been one to shy away from straight talking. The Professor of Colonialism and Heritage at the University of Leicester made headlines for weeks back in 2020 after co-authoring a report for the National Trust on how the history and creation of many of our great houses are bound up with the history of slavery, conquest and colo…

1
Steve Backshall on sharks, idyllic childhoods and getting his fingertips eaten by piranhas 24:40

3M ago24:40

24:40

The adventurer, broadcaster, scientist and writer Steve Backshall has been a fixture on TV screens in Britain for nearly three decades — and we're absolutely thrilled that he joined James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify • Listen to Country Life podcas…

1
Hannah Bourne-Taylor: Saving swifts, naked protests and the bird that nested in my hair 26:04

4M ago26:04

26:04

‘I thought, okay, well it worked for Lady Godiva, didn’t it? This whole naked stuff? So let me give that a try. I felt like it was the only option.’ Just as it worked for Lady Godiva, so it has for Hannah Bourne-Taylor, the campaigner, naturalist and writer who has spent years fighting for change to help Britain’s bird population — and particularly…

1
Simon Armitage: "I've tried getting AI to write poems — and they've all been reassuringly awful" 30:01

4M ago30:01

30:01

Poet, author, musician and Yorkshireman, Simon Armitage has been Britain's Poet Laureate since 2019 — so we're thrilled that he joined James Fisher on the latest edition of the Country Life Podcast. From the surprising details of what he does — or, more accurately, doesn't — have to do as part of his role, to the primary school teacher who didn't e…

1
Poppy Okotcha: The model-turned-gardener who swapped the catwalk for the vegetable patch 25:11

4M ago25:11

25:11

Amid the birdsong, the snores of a dog, and the purrs of a cat, sits Poppy Okotcha. The horticulturist and author joined the Country Life Podcast this week to discuss all things gardening and, specifically, its restorative effects on not only nature but people. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on S…

1
What you absolutely must see at the Chelsea Flower Show 2025, from the King's new rose to the 'perfect' garden 34:11

4M ago34:11

34:11

The Chelsea Flower Show is one of the high points of the summer: a celebration of plants, gardens and creativity, as well as an unbeatable opportunity to rub shoulders with those who share the passion for making the most of this gorgeous time of year in England. This year, Country Life has its own presence at the show, at stand PW210, and we're thr…

1
Tony Juniper: Saving the world, breeding budgies and why the King is 'the most influential environmentalist of all time' 31:28

4M ago31:28

31:28

When it comes to England’s environment and our landscape, few people in the country are as important as Tony Juniper. Since 2019, he has been the chairman of Natural England, the public body for ensuring that the country’s natural environment is protected and enhanced. Not a small job, as we are sure you’ll agree. He is also a recognised authority …

1
Louis D. Hall: Crossing the Alps, sailing the Atlantic in a glorified bathtub and bringing sanity to how we live with horses 32:00

5M ago32:00

32:00

Most people have friends who text them about going to the pub. If you're Louis D. Hall, you've got friends who'll text you about crossing a mountain range, sailing the Atlantic or coming face to face with remote tribes. All in a normal day (or week's) work for Louis. Most recently, he's trekked on horseback from Italy to Cape Finisterre in Spain, i…

1
George Monbiot: 'Farmers need stability and security... Instead, they're contending with chaos' 41:05

5M ago41:05

41:05

For four four decades, George Monbiot has been one of Britain's strongest voices speaking out on the environment. After starting his career with the BBC, Monbiot is now best known for his books and his weekly column in The Guardian, winning a reputation as a tireless and passionate advocate for the natural world, as well as making plenty of enemies…

1
Vintage tractors and memories of summers past, with Oliver Godfrey 27:00

5M ago27:00

27:00

Everyone has their passions. I, for example, enjoy collecting football shirts. Other people like stamps. Some people like vintage tractors. Oliver Godfrey, from Cheffins, is very good at auctioning them. It is important to understand people and their passions. So we asked Oliver to join the Country Life Podcast, to talk us through the slightly nich…

1
Melissa Harrison: The accidental nature writer who became an accidental nature app developer 31:12

5M ago31:12

31:12

The nature writer, children's author and journalist Melissa Harrison joins James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast to talk about her life, her career, and how she found herself creating a smartphone app to help people connect with nature. • Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts • Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify • Listen to Cou…

1
The remarkable history of Britain and its animals, with Karen Jones 28:00

6M ago28:00

28:00

The animals we share Britain with mean far more to us than we realise. Beyond the obvious companionship, food and farming, they are a part of our folklore, our language and intertwined with our lives. Karen Jones, professor of environmental and cultural history at the University of Kent, has long been fascinated by the creatures that populate our i…

1
Chloe Dalton: The woman who swapped top-level geopolitics to rescue a baby hare, and had her life changed forever 36:05

6M ago36:05

36:05

Before lockdown changed life in Britain in early 2020, Chloe Dalton led an almost overwhelmingly metropolitan existence. A foreign policy expert, her comfort zone was in the corridors of power, around Whitehall and Westminster, a person who — in her own words — was ‘addicted to the adrenaline’ of flying around the world playing a key role in the de…

1
The photographer on a 15-year quest to find the most incredible doors in London, with Cath Harries 30:31

6M ago30:31

30:31

It's almost two decades since photographer Cath Harries set out to work on a book documenting London's finest pubs. As she walked the streets of the capital, however, she found herself wondering about a new project: London's most extraordinary doors. The idea took hold, and she found herself embarking upon a project which would take a decade and a …

1
Britain's whale boom and and the predator that's far scarier than a great white shark with Dan Abbott, aka Shark Man Dan 32:15

6M ago32:15

32:15

Wildlife cinematographer Dan Abbott has travelled the world documenting marine life from the peaceful turtles of the Mediterranean to the iconic great white sharks off the coast of South Africa. More recently, though, Dan has hit the headlines for the videos he has shared of the colonies of whales who have made the British coast a regular stop in r…

1
The timeless elegance of English country house style, with Guy Goodfellow and Steven Rodel 34:33

7M ago34:33

34:33

Guy Goodfellow and his Creative Director Steven Rodel have carved out a reputation as two of the finest interior designers working in Britain today. We're thrilled, then, that they were able to join us for the Country Life Podcast, to discuss the unique qualities of British design, the country house look, and what it feels like to see your cushions…

1
Eleanor Doughty: The secret lives of the aristocracy in Britain 34:41

7M ago34:41

34:41

After starting her career writing about student life, Eleanor began to write about Britain's great country houses, and — more importantly — the people who live in them. Over a decade later she has travelled to over 150 of the finest country piles in Britain, interviewing their owners to discover the ups and downs of their lives. Listen to the Count…

1
Patrick Galbraith: Dukes, drug dealers, nudists, and the truth about access to Britain's countryside 27:42

7M ago27:42

27:42

Should we have a right to roam? It's something that we've talked about a fair bit at Country Life in recent times — not least with our articles from opposing sides of the argument from Alexander Darwall and Lewis Winks. Rather than just listen and read, Patrick the author and journalist Patrick Galbraith decided to travel the length and breadth of …

1
Gareth Dennis: The truth about HS2 that you never knew until it was too late 37:29

7M ago37:29

37:29

HS2: blot on the landscape? Or the greatest missed opportunity in a generation? What if the future of transport in Britain wasn't about electric cars and extra runways at Heathrow, but a 200-year-old technology of the past? That's the argument made by Gareth Dennis, the engineer, writer, policy adviser and podcaster who has made a name for himself …

1
The best places to visit in 2025 and hunting for the Ark of the Covenant, with Lonely Planet's Tom Hall 39:06

8M ago39:06

39:06

It’s an annoying thing to have to write down, because in my head it felt like it was only yesterday, but it’s been 10 years since I finished university, packed a big rucksack, and went to go and see the world. Lots of people had gap years. We all knew that there were only two essential items that you needed. Some rehydration tablets and a Lonely Pl…

1
Marina Gibson: The angler extraordinaire on salmon fishing, conservation and bagpipes on the Tay 40:17

8M ago40:17

40:17

We are back. Thank you all for bearing with us while we get our ducks in a row for another year of the Country Life Podcast. If it’s even possible, it’s going to be better than last year, that we can guarantee. Our first guest for 2025 is the legendary Marina Gibson, angler extraordinaire, who was more than happy to indulge me in lots of fishing re…

1
Mushroom gin, Lego houses, and Dull Men (and women), with James May 29:37

9M ago29:37

29:37

Like all serious journalists, James May used to work for Country Life writing about cars. It didn't go very well, but thankfully he bounced back and went on to present Top Gear, The Grand Tour, and many other TV shows including his latest, James May and The Dull Men. He's also been busy making his own gin. James Gin started off as something to pass…

1
Champagne with fish and chips, and what to drink at Christmas with Oscar Dodd of Fortnum & Mason 36:44

10M ago36:44

36:44

'Anything said with absolute confidence and in absolute terms is normally nonsense,' says Oscar Dodd, about Fortnum & Mason's wine and spirits buyer, when it comes to discussing the oft-trotted out truisms about wine, beer and spirits that you often hear. But not everything you hear is so wide of the mark. 'They say that the English drink their red…

1
Kelvin Fletcher: From Strictly to sheep dip 23:34

10M ago23:34

23:34

Dancer, actor, father of four and farmer. There are very few things that Kelvin Fletcher cannot do. ‘Hold on’, you might say. ‘What do you mean farmer? I thought that was just acting?’ Well, it was, until about three years ago when Kelvin and his wife Liz decided that they needed a change of scenery. Plans to move to Los Angeles were touted, but a …

1
Henrietta Spencer-Churchill: My life at Blenheim Palace 25:41

10M ago25:41

25:41

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, the only daughter of the 11th Duke of Marlborough, has by any measure led an extraordinary life. As a girl she moved from the family home in Oxfordshire to Blenheim Palace, the family seat and — by any measure — one of the finest buildings not just in Britain, but the world (it has UNESCO World Heritage Site status…

1
The science behind how Nature can heal us, and how it's easier than you think, with Professor Miles Richardson 33:14

11M ago33:14

33:14

The idea of 'nature as a healer' as become a truism, often repeated without much thought given to how or why it should do so. One man who has thought about this phenomenon — and spent much of his life researching and writing about it — is Professor Miles Richardson, a member of the psychology department at Derby University, founder of the Nature Co…

1
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen: Changing rooms, velvet and leather, and growing old disgracefully 32:13

11M ago32:13

32:13

In 1996, a television show arrived on British screens which changed the way we see interior design: Changing Rooms. It made household names of several of its stars, including host Carol Smilie and carpenter 'Handy Andy' Kane, but none became so famous as designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, whose flamboyant dress sense, often outrageous designs and la…

1
Louise Davidson: Haunted houses, psychic aunts, Gothic novels and writing at night with the lights off 33:12

11M ago33:12

33:12

Why are country houses so often the perfect settings for horror novels? That's just one of the questions posed by James Fisher to Louise Davidson, author of The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond, on the latest episode of the Country Life Podcast. Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify Listen to Country …

1
Do leopards hunt in packs, and other frequently asked questions on travel, with Rosie Paterson 34:30

11M ago34:30

34:30

When it comes to travel, few know more than our very own Rosie Paterson. She has been to many places, and seen many things. And that’s just this year. She also has her finger on the pulse when it comes to places people might like to go in the future. Imagine how smug you would feel telling friends at a drinks party that, actually, ‘Japan is a bit o…

1
Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham: 'We're designing houses for the next 50 years' 36:03

12M ago36:03

36:03

Interior designers Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham, better known by their company name Salvesen Graham, have earned a reputation as some of Britain's most sought-after interior designers, developing an aesthetic which blends classic principles with modern touches. Yet as well as having a great love of beautiful rooms and objects, they're both firml…

1
The truth about growing up in a castle, with Cosmo Linzee Gordon 30:59

12M ago30:59

30:59

I suppose we all remember the house, or houses, we grew up in. Where we learned to walk, or first explore the garden, or climb some stairs. Most houses are quite small. Some are quite big. And then there are houses like Cluny Castle in Abderdeenshire. I was joined on the podcast this week by its owner, Cosmo Linzee Gordon, who grew up there. Cosmo …

1
Poems about pies, the foul-mouthed parrot upstaging Margaret Atwood and starting World War III via Desert Island Discs: Ian McMillan on the Country Life Podcast 33:54

12M ago33:54

33:54

What is the fundamental job of a writer? 'We try to turn the world into language,' according to the poet, broadcaster and writer Ian McMillan. Ian, one of Britain's best-loved poets and writers, as well as the presenter of The Verb on BBC Radio 4, joined James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast in what is one of the most entertaining and wide-rangi…

1
Literature, landscape and bending rivers, with Vicky and Charles Rangeley-Wilson 35:04

1y ago35:04

35:04

Organising a literary festival is no mean feat. You've got to book the right guests, organise plenty of activities, and find somewhere to host it. Vicky and Charles Rangeley-Wilson joined the podcast this week to talk about exactly that, ahead of the upcoming Literature and Landscape Festival in Norfolk. With a star-studded lineup, there was plenty…

1
Lucy Shepherd: Britain's most intrepid young explorer on trekking the Amazon 31:21

1y ago31:21

31:21

The bushmaster snake is on the one hand, very polite: it announces its presence with a two-tone whistle. On the other hand, however, it's utterly merciless: a creature which will chase humans through the jungle, attack aggressively, and should it miss with its fangs will leap on to its intended prey and attempt to whip them in to submission. Listen…

1
Charlie Bigham on food, farming and why it takes three hours to make the perfect lasagne 32:14

1y ago32:14

32:14

We were thrilled to discover that Charlie Bigham is a real person. It's a bit like meeting Aunt Bessie, and asking how she does her Yorkshire Puddings, or running swapping tips with Ronald McDonald about how to get your fries crispy. But real person he is, and he's a man with a fascinating story to tell, from ditching a hugely promising career in o…

1
Adam Hay-Nicholls: How to sneak onto a yacht at the Monaco GP, rub shoulders with Beyoncé and accidentally buy a Bentley 25:33

1y ago25:33

25:33

Here at the Country Life Podcast, we like to think we deliver a useful and necessary service. We want to discuss the important issues. We want to talk to Norman Foster about why architecture matters. We want to speak to farmers about how they can help tackle the climate crisis. We strive to compress the beauty of nature into an audio format so we c…

1
The Spice Girls, The Stage and the state of the Arts, with Alistair Smith 33:00

1y ago33:00

33:00

If it wasn’t for The Stage, there’s every chance that Britain and, indeed, the world may have been deprived of such great names as Kenneth Brannagh, Harold Pinter, Michael Caine, Sharon D Clarke, Idris Elba, The Spice Girls and Steps. Listen to Country Life podcast on Apple Podcasts Listen to Country Life podcast on Spotify Listen to Country Life p…