Countryfile's Matt Baker Opens Up on Struggling with City Life and Returning to His Farming Roots

Matt Baker, the beloved presenter of Countryfile, has candidly shared how a major life change once left him feeling overwhelmed and out of place. Speaking to Eleri Siôn on BBC Radio Wales, Baker recounted his journey from his family farm in Durham to the fast pace of London, and how reconnecting with the land helped him regain his sense of self.

Growing up on a farm that nurtured a variety of sheep breeds, including Hampshire Down and Hebridean sheep, Baker’s life was deeply rooted in rural traditions. His children, too, have grown up immersed in farming, a lifestyle he cherishes deeply. However, when Matt left his farming roots behind to take on the iconic role of presenter on the children’s show Blue Peter, he quickly realized that urban life in London was not for him.

“I felt like a duck out of water,” Baker admitted. “I couldn’t handle this world.” The transition from green fields to city streets was jarring, and he struggled to adapt to the drastic change. Recognizing that he needed to reconnect with his pastoral past, Matt sought out a way back to the countryside, acquiring a small cottage and land near Durham.

A key step in his return to farming was bringing home Meg, a sheepdog from a neighbouring farm, to help manage his flock. From that moment, Baker never looked back. “Once we found a little cottage with a bit of land so I could get some sheep, everything was all right again,” he revealed. “The longest I’ve ever been without a flock of sheep is six months.”

This return to rural life restored Matt’s happiness and comfort, allowing him to balance his busy television career with his passion for farming. He first moved back to the family farm when he was just 10 years old, so it’s clear that the countryside remains central to who he is.

Fans can catch Matt Baker continuing to explore rural life on Countryfile, which airs Sunday evenings on BBC One.