One core discussion within the agenda of Future Countryside 2025 is Gen Z’s view of the British Countryside. As a Gen Z who was raised in London, my perspective of the British Countryside may be different to those who grew up in rural areas. For me, the British Countryside is an escape, a family day out on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, not just any ordinary day. The National Trust allowed my family to visit iconic estates and scenes from our favourite films, notably pride and prejudice’s locations around Chatsworth House.
Christmas, to me, screams British Countryside: visiting Hever Castle every December to walk the grounds bathed in festive lights and to step into a Christmas Anne Boleyn might have experienced. It seems that for me, the countryside is less about a casual stroll through greenery and more about celebrations and destinations.
Ultimately, my view of the countryside is rooted in heritage and culture. Now, in my twenties, I wonder if I still have the same accessibility to these places. Immersing myself in the scenic hills and woodlands has shifted from family outings to pub conversations about its beauty, followed by vague plans with friends - “yes, we’ll book a day out soon” - with calendars and budgets becoming key restraints for recent graduates.
I realise now how much I took for granted the day trips my parents organised during my childhood. I crave long walks through fields and meadows; it feels like the dreamiest way to spend a Sunday, ideally ending with a pub lunch at the end of the trail. Preserving this way of life, and ensuring its accessibility for all ages, urges a commitment to a resilient countryside through the sustainability of its living memory.
Keeping an eye out for deals and ways to escape the city has become a pastime for me, whether it’s for a day out of London with mates, my boyfriend, or visiting family from abroad. A recent discovery was Time Out’s partnership with Chiltern Railways, offering a list of British attractions and countryside locations accessible by train, with a spring discount available until the end of July 2025. Knowing where to look means a countryside trip doesn’t have to be reserved just for celebration – it becomes a chance to create new memories as a city dweller, discovering what the countryside continues to offer.
Future Countryside 2025 will outline differing views from Gen Z around the UK, as the future stewards of the British Countryside. These insights will be available to view through livestream on the 20th of May by Farmers Weekly.
Register here for the livestream of Future Countryside and be part of the conversation shaping the countryside of the future.
Maya Flett