A Year on Our Farm: How the Countryside Made Me

Escape into nature with Matt Baker's fascinating journey through nature's year and family life on the farm

Peppered with his hand drawn sketches and moments from his TV career throughout, this is a heartfelt and fascinating insight into Matt's life outside of our TV screens
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Matt Baker is at his happiest on the farm.

Away from the bright lights of hosting our favourite television programmes, Countryfile, The One Show, Blue Peter and many more, he is often in the company of his family, dogs, array of sheep, Mediterranean miniature donkeys and a whole host of wildlife in the farm's ancient woodland.

Now, following the ever-changing seasons, Matt takes us on a journey with his family on the farm.

We see woodland animals emerge after a long winter of hibernation, hear the dawn chorus in the height of summer and see the preparations unfold for the harsh and wild winter months.

Peppered with hand drawn sketches, unforgettable moments from his TV career and stories of a landscape you'll fall in love with, Matt offers readers a touching insight into life on the farm, and how the power and beauty of the countryside can be an inspiration and source of joy for all of us.

A celebration of the natural year, Matt Baker takes us on a journey through the seasons, his life on the farm and how the power and beauty of the countryside has made him who he is.

Matt Baker is our much-loved television presenter, and from Blue Peter, to Countryfile, to The One Show, he has charmed a nation. Matt grew up in County Durham on a hill farm before his career in entertainment began. As a teenager he was a British champion gymnast and when Blue Peter was looking for a new presenter Matt put together a striking showreel somersaulting in the farmyard and riding a unicycle. In his seven years on the show Matt won two BAFTAs for Best Presenter two years in a row and a Royal Television Society Award. Matt has also presented Radio 4's Open Country, Secret Britain, One Man and His Dog, as well as starring in a host of musicals and presenting BBC Sport's Gymnastics coverage for many years. Matt has raised over 40 million pounds for Children In Need with his Rickshaw Challenge, and is also a trustee of the charity. Matt lives with his wife, children, his sheepdogs and his many beloved farm animals.