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Science

This Natural Life

BBC Radio 4

Martha Kearney explores the importance of the natural world in the lives of her guests.

Each person she meets takes her to a location which means something to them, and describes the role nature has played in their life, explaining how it has shaped, influenced or fascinated them.

In the process she gains surprising new insights from some well-known faces - from Cate Blanchett, who talks about her love of bee-keeping, to Martin Clunes, who takes Martha on a walk with his five dogs before rolling up his sleeves to scrub his horse's hooves in preparation for the village show. Delia Smith, James Dyson, Adjoa Andoh and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall are all on Martha's guest list.

This series celebrates the power and mystery of the natural world, and finds reasons to be optimistic about its future.

  • 20 episodes
  • Updated Thursday

Episodes20

  • Thursday · 23 min

    Patrick Barkham

    The nature writer takes Martha Kearney butterfly-spotting in Foxley Wood, Norfolk.

  • July 23 · 23 min

    Roma Agrawal

    Writer and structural engineer takes Martha Kearney to Kilburn Grange Park in London.

  • July 16 · 23 min

    Peter Lord

    The Aardman Animations co-founder takes Martha Kearney to a magical mediaeval deer park.

  • July 9 · 24 min

    Judi Dench

    Dame Judi Dench tells Martha Kearney about her love of trees.

  • January 1 · 24 min

    Kiri Pritchard-McLean

    Comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean takes Martha Kearney to visit her favourite island.

  • Dec 23, 2025 · 24 min

    His Majesty The King

    His Majesty the King tells Martha Kearney about his lifelong passion for the natural world

  • Dec 18, 2025 · 23 min

    Dara McAnulty

    Martha Kearney meets the young naturalist at Murlough Nature Reserve in County Down.

  • Dec 11, 2025 · 23 min

    Jane Anderson

    Martha Kearney meets Jane Anderson, one of the UK's leading physicians in HIV medicine.

  • Dec 4, 2025 · 24 min

    Emma Pinchbeck

    Martha Kearney meets Emma Pinchbeck, the head of the Climate Change Committee.

  • Nov 27, 2025 · 23 min

    Sarah Perry

    The writer takes Martha Kearney to the rook and jackdaw roost at Buckenham Carrs, Norfolk

  • Aug 7, 2025 · 24 min

    Jeanette Winterson

    Author Jeanette Winterson shows Martha Kearney round her garden in the Cotswolds.

  • Jul 31, 2025 · 24 min

    Angela Harding

    Martha Kearney travels to Fair Isle to meet the illustrator Angela Harding.

  • Jul 24, 2025 · 24 min

    Lira Valencia

    Wildlife ranger Lira Valencia tells Martha Kearney about her love of the natural world.

  • Jul 17, 2025 · 24 min

    Antony Gormley

    Martha Kearney meets the artist Antony Gormley.

  • Jul 10, 2025 · 23 min

    Charlotte Church

    The singer-songwriter meets Martha Kearney in the Cambrian mountains of mid Wales.

  • Mar 27, 2025 · 24 min

    Raynor Winn

    The Salt Path author Raynor Winn takes Martha along the south west coast path in Cornwall.

  • Mar 20, 2025 · 25 min

    George McGavin

    Martha Kearney meets entomologist George McGavin to talk about the importance of nature.

  • Mar 13, 2025 · 24 min

    Sacha Dench

    Conservationist Sacha Dench talks about her love of nature.

  • Mar 6, 2025 · 24 min

    James Dyson

    Businessman Sir James Dyson talks to Martha Kearney about the natural world.