Clare Balding Explores Inkpen’s Countryside with Author Nicola Chester

Clare Balding’s popular BBC Radio 4 programme, Ramblings, features the picturesque village of Inkpen today, with an episode highlighting a walk with author Nicola Chester. The show, now in its 25th year, has been described by Balding as her favorite broadcasting role, where she engages in inspiring conversations while exploring the great outdoors. The episode will also air again on Saturday and be made available on iPlayer.

During their ramble, Chester and Balding delved into the themes of Chester’s book, Ghosts of the Farm, a compelling narrative rooted in the history of the Inkpen area. The book draws inspiration from Julia White‘s 1985 work, The Inkpen Saga, which chronicles White’s remarkable experiences as a farmer in Inkpen during the 1940s and 1950s. Chester’s narrative centres on White, a trailblazer who pursued her dream of farming during the Second World War and navigated the challenges of being accepted in a traditionally male-dominated community.

Chester, an award-winning nature writer and former columnist for the Newbury Weekly News, expressed her own aspirations of becoming a farmer, noting that her journey led her to work with horses instead. The discussion raises an intriguing question: was it easier for women to break into farming during the 1940s compared to today?

The 2025 Spectator Book of the Year has received significant acclaim, keeping Chester busy with upcoming literary festivals this summer. Reviews highlight the book’s rich blend of memoir and historical non-fiction. One critic remarked that Chester is “an unparalleled writer of rural things, a conjurer of ghosts,” while another praised her ability to intertwine nature writing with social history and political commentary.

Chester is also known for her role as an ambassador for the Kennet Valley Wetland Reserve and serves as the Writer in Residence for the Kintbury Eco Centre. Her connection to the local community and its history enhances her storytelling, providing readers with a unique perspective on the countryside’s evolution.

Visuals accompanying the article include a historical photograph of Julia White from circa 1944, who farmed at Manor Farm in Inkpen, and images captured by Karen Gregor, the producer of Ramblings. These visuals further enrich the narrative, allowing audiences to connect with the history and landscape that inspired Chester’s work.