The Accidental Countryside uncovers the surprising ways wildlife has adapted to – and flourished within, the landscapes we’ve shaped across the UK. In this revealing and uplifting exploration of British nature, Stephen Moss shows how animals and plants have made homes in the most unlikely places, often thriving where we least expect them.

From seabirds nesting among ancient stone structures in Shetland, to the rich biodiversity of Somerset’s peat diggings, Moss traces how human activity has inadvertently created new sanctuaries for wildlife. He takes readers to the hidden corners of Belfast’s docklands where rare insects survive against the odds, and to the heart of London, where peregrine falcons claim the Shard as part of their urban territory.

Blending natural history with vivid storytelling, The Accidental Countryside reveals the unexpected refuges that keep the UK’s ecosystems connected, celebrating the resilience of nature in a rapidly changing landscape.