{"id":28310,"date":"2026-04-01T13:53:54","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T12:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/?p=28310"},"modified":"2026-04-01T13:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T12:53:54","slug":"david-attenborough-explores-the-hidden-wildlife-of-britains-gardens-in-new-ou-bbc-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/news\/science-mct\/david-attenborough-explores-the-hidden-wildlife-of-britains-gardens-in-new-ou-bbc-series\/","title":{"rendered":"David Attenborough explores the hidden wildlife of Britain\u2019s gardens in new OU \/ BBC series"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new OU \/ BBC series,\u00a0Secret Garden<\/em> begins Sunday 5 April<\/em> at 6pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.<\/p>\n

Sir David Attenborough explores the hidden wildlife thriving in Britain\u2019s gardens in a new five\u2011part series. Filmed in five contrasting gardens across the UK, the series uncovers the remarkable lives of the often charming, and sometimes daring, animals living just beyond our back doors.<\/p>\n

From pine martens in the Western Highlands to dormice in south Wales, swallows in the Lake District, otters in Oxfordshire and blue tits in Bristol, Attenborough reveals a surprising diversity of species making their homes alongside us. Even in these peaceful settings, the rules of the wild still apply.<\/p>\n

The series also meets the gardeners creating these vital pockets of habitat and shows how small actions can support struggling species. With 80% of Britons having access to a garden, an area larger than all the UK\u2019s national nature reserves combined, our backyards now play a crucial role in wildlife conservation.<\/p>\n

The series was supported by\u00a0Dr Kadmiel\u00a0Maseyk, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences and Dr Lucy\u00a0Dablin, Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability who provided the academic expertise for the programme.<\/em><\/p>\n

Reflecting on her contribution to the series, Dr Lucy Dablin explains<\/p>\n

My research focuses on the relationships between nature, communities and changing landscapes, particularly in the Amazon. It has been especially rewarding to work with the relationships between humans and nature in the UK via the Secret Garden series. My goal is to make academic knowledge accessible for wider audiences, and I enjoy connecting communities to new perspectives on their environments.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Supporting Online content:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit our\u00a0Broadcast & Partnerships site<\/strong>\u00a0OU Connect<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0where you\u00a0can\u00a0discover the wildlife on your doorstep with our Secret Garden interactive experience.<\/p>\n

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This series was commissioned by Broadcast & Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), with particular relevance to\u00a0Q52 BSc (Honours) Environmental Sciences, R58 BSc (Honours) Biology, R16 BSc (Honours) Geography & Environmental Science, Q64 BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (Biology), Q64 BSc (Honours) Natural Sciences (Environmental Science), and the M05 MEnv Master of Environmental Science.<\/p>\n

Commissioned by\u00a0Dr Caroline Ogilvie<\/strong>, Director, Broadcast & Partnerships<\/p>\n