A Year on Our Farm: How the Countryside Made Me

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

'A delight' Countryfile Magazine
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Matt Baker finds his calm on the farm.

Surrounded by nature with his family, dogs, array of sheep, Mediterranean miniature donkeys and a whole host of wildlife in the farm's ancient woodland, Matt shows us how the power and beauty of the countryside can bring joy to us all.

Following the ever-changing seasons of the year, we see woodland animals emerge after a long winter of hibernation and lambs begin to gambol in April. We 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 Matt's TV career and stories of a landscape you'll fall in love with - from its sun-soaked pastures to 6ft snow drifts - Matt reveals how the outdoors has made him who he is today.

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.