Take part in Star Count

Find out more

We are the countryside charity

We’re passionate about making the countryside a better place for everyone to live, work and enjoy.

Our vision

A female couple walk hand in hand through a forest as a small boy runs ahead

What we care about

We want to connect people to our beautiful countryside, wherever they live.

Our areas of work

Adults and children in a community garden

Get involved

Love the countryside? Want to help us make it even better? Find out how.

Get involved

Discover our countryside

Want to know about the best spots for stargazing or a good walk near you? We can help.

Explore days out and more

Local transport

Our research identifies rural ‘transport deserts’: do you live in one?

Our research has identified areas with low rural public transport provision – and we’re campaigning for change.

Find out more

Climate emergency

A view of English farmland down a valley with green grassy slopes and a farm

Change how we use land, says new climate change report: our response

We support the findings of the Committee on Climate Change report that the way we use land needs to change in order to address the climate crisis.

Find out more

What gets built and where

A man walks a dog through a housing estate planted with trees

Badly designed homes – what can we do?

Great housing design means homes that work well for residents and communities – but too few houses meet these conditions, especially in rural areas.

Latest news

Local transport

Our research identifies rural ‘transport deserts’: do you live in one?

Climate emergency

Bedfordshire

Response: London Luton Airport Expansion Consultation

Events

Rutland

Rutland 2036

Climate emergency

Gloucestershire

News briefing: Greener UK and climate talks

Central Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire

CPRE Lancashire

What our countryside and green spaces need from the new government

England’s best spots for stargazing

Discover some of the best places in England to enjoy our starry skies.

Discover more

Sounds of the night

If you’re joining us to Star Count this month, take the opportunity to listen out for some winter wildlife

Discover more

Written in the stars

CPRE has long worked for dark skies over our countryside, not least to allow for the breathtaking experience of stargazing. Here, professional star-spotter Gary Fildes shares his journey to becoming a professional astronomer – and what the dark skies over Northumberland mean to him.

Discover more

A woman stands outside Kielder Observatory looking over Kielder Water

Peace of mind

Lots of us know that time in the countryside can make us feel better. But some organisations are going a step further and using the countryside tonic.

Discover more

A woman reaches to pat a horse over a fence

CPRE The countryside charityFollow15,77824,766

CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

Although it's still unsettled, it looks like large parts of the country could have clear skies tonight and Thursday - ... this could be your best chance to do a #StarCount.

Wrap up warm and get counting people!

All the info you need is here 👉 https://www.cpre.org.uk/get-involved/take-action/star-count-2020/

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CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

‘Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet’
- Stephen Hawking #WednesdayWisdom

Light from stars ... can travel millions of years to get here, only to be obscured by light pollution. Help us reclaim our dark skies. Take part in #StarCount 👉 https://bit.ly/2HqdaCt

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CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

This is a good read.

Highlights the importance of bringing farming and nature together - and looking after the ... landscapes that make our countryside so special.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/25/the-end-of-farming-rewilding-intensive-agriculture-food-safety

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CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

'Suffocating local accountability and putting developers in charge [of planning] is not the way forward.' Couldn't agree ... more @RichardVize.

We need the planning system to deliver for people and countryside - and deregulation isn't the answer.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/21/beautiful-homes-on-sunlit-uplands-not-once-the-developers-are-in-charge?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

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CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

So it hasn't been the best weather for star-gazing so far this week (go away clouds🙅‍♂️)

But, it looks like ... there may be some clearer skies in the next few days so there'll be plenty of opportunities to get out and #StarCount!

Keep your eyes on the forecast🤞

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CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

Ever heard birds singing late into the night in places lit by a streetlight?

Light pollution can affect wildlife, as ... well as obscuring our view of the wonderful night sky.

Help us reclaim our dark skies by taking part in #StarCount >> http://www.cpre.org.uk/starcount

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CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

Did you know that the tawny owl call ‘Tu-whit-to-woo’ is made up of two birds calling to each other? The female ... might say ‘ke-wick’ and the male replies ‘hoouh’. 🦉

Check out our guide to the nocturnal nature you could encounter when doing a #StarCount 👇 https://www.cpre.org.uk/discover/sounds-of-the-night/

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CPRE The countryside charity@CPRE·

A spectacular starry sky is our #MondayMotivaton

The Milky Way is one of the most amazing sights you can see in our ... countryside. But light pollution means that many of us can’t see the stars. Help us change this. Take part in #StarCount https://bit.ly/2HqdaCt

📸 Matthew Savage