Matt Baker, well-known for his deep connection to the British countryside through shows like BBC’s Countryfile and Channel 4’s Our Farm in the Dales, has opened up about a challenging period in his life. Though he currently enjoys a peaceful life on his 11-acre property in the Chiltern Hills with his wife Nicola and their two teenage children, Matt recalls struggling after leaving his rural roots behind.
Growing up on a farm on the outskirts of Durham, Matt’s childhood was steeped in pastoral tranquility. But at age 10, when his broadcasting career took off with a presenting role on the children’s programme Blue Peter, he had to move to London—a drastic change that proved to be a “shock to the system.” The transition from country calm to city chaos was tough, especially for someone who describes himself as happiest when immersed in nature.
In an interview with HouseBeautiful, Baker said, “When I first moved from the Durham Dales to a flat in London to work on Blue Peter, it was a shock to the system, and a really unhappy time because I wasn’t used to living like that.” Eventually, returning to a cottage with some land and the ability to keep sheep brought his sense of wellbeing back. “The longest I’ve ever been without a flock of sheep is six months,” he revealed. “I didn’t realize how much a part of my life the countryside and farming were until they weren’t there.”
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Matt thrives in the outdoors, valuing the rhythm of nature and the changing seasons. He finds that rural life helps him feel “most productive, creative, and useful,” a sentiment reflected in his long-standing commitment to countryside programming.
After seven years on Blue Peter, Matt moved on to The One Show, co-hosting for nine years alongside Alex Jones. Since 2009, he has been a staple on Countryfile and recently led Channel 4’s Our Dream Farm, a series about aspiring farmers competing to manage a 600-acre farm in Snowdonia National Park.
Matt also revisited his family’s organic sheep farm in the Durham Dales for Our Farm in the Dales, stepping in to help after his mum, Janice, suffered a serious accident involving their flock.
Fans can catch Matt Baker on Countryfile this Sunday at 7:15 pm on BBC One and iPlayer, where his passion for rural life continues to shine.