BBC Countryfile viewers slam special episode for ‘scraping the barrel’ as series draws criticism over lack of farming content

BBC Countryfile fans have been left fuming over the content of a special episode of the show which aired on Sunday evening. 

Viewers were quick to criticise the Archaeology at Hinton Ampner episode of the popular series, slating it for a lack of farming content. 

The latest instalment of the long-running show saw presenter Anita Rani scavenging fields to uncover ancient relics and work alongside experts to measure electrical current in the ground – which is called resistivity. 

John Craven also played a prominent part in the episode, as he investigate a prehistoric settlement given the moniker of ‘Britain’s Pompeii’.

Located at Must Farm, the site was perfectly preserved by a Bronze Age fire and John was offered the chance to handle a pot from the site.

Viewers were quick to criticise the Archaeology at Hinton Ampner episode of the popular series, slating it for a lack of farming content

Another segment of the programme saw Margherita Taylor head to the Sherwood Pines Forest.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, a number of users expressed their dismay at the topic of the special episode, commenting: ‘I love Countryfile, except tonight it was boring boring…scraping the barrel it would seem’. 

‘The entire programme is rubbish now. Tonight had sod all to do with farming etc. I love an archaeology programme, but not on Countryfile. The BBC have ruined it, along with many other ones.’ 

‘Archaeology isn’t what #Countryfile is meant to be. It’s supposed to be about farming not ancient no longer of use relics.’

‘Such a boring programme tonight not an animal in sight! #countryfile’. 

A description of the episode on BBC iPlayer read: ‘From Roman coins to Stone Age axes and prehistoric bones, Britain’s countryside is full of hidden ancient treasures.

‘Anita Rani is in Hinton Ampner, a medieval village and country estate near Winchester in the county of Hampshire. It’s home to Neolithic and Bronze Age settlements and barrows. 

‘Some of the Hinton Ampner estate land is being turned from grasslands and farmland into biodiverse habitats such as woodlands and wildflower meadows. 

‘But, before that happens, the grounds are being meticulously examined for archaeological traces so no important historical artefacts are lost.’

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, a number of users expressed their dismay at the topic of the special episode