Ever had that feeling when you watch someone on telly every week, and you wonder what their actual life is like? That’s essentially how it went with me and John Craven. I’ve watched him for as long as I can remember, starting from his Newsround days to, now, his Countryfile ones, and I wondered where this broadcasting legend actually lives these days.
Turns out John has been quietly living in Oxfordshire for years. And honestly? When you think about it, of course, that makes sense. And this is a guy who’s been banging on about the British countryside all his working life, so where else would he want to make his home?
Why Oxfordshire Suits John Perfectly
At 84, for anyone asking How Old Is John Craven?, John could live anywhere he pleases. Yet he picks a particular corner of England, and I reckon there are some brilliant reasons for that choice. Oxfordshire isn’t flashy or showy. It’s mainly just breathtaking countryside with proper English villages in between.
The county is in the middle of England, so when work calls, John can get wherever he needs to in a jiffy. But more importantly, it’s got that authentic rural character that he’s been celebrating on our screens for decades. Rolling hills, working farms, market towns where people still speak to one another; it’s the real deal.
My mate is from near Chipping Norton, and she always says you meet the most fascinating people at the local pub quiz. John is easily one of those regulars today, answering questions about agriculture that leave everyone else scratching their heads.
Family Life in the Heart of England
Where does John Craven live now becomes even more interesting when you consider his family situation. John Craven lives with his wife in Oxfordshire; they have been married for more than 50 years, which is quite sweet in this day and age. They have two daughters, Emma and Victoria, and currently relish their roles as grandparents.
There’s something quite touching about a family putting down proper roots somewhere. John’s been all over the country during his career, such as Yorkshire, the North East, Gloucestershire, and Buckinghamshire, but I think Oxfordshire is where they’re going to stay put.
I recently interviewed somebody at Radio Horton (that’s the local hospital radio station in Banbury) and they said John’s their President. Demonstrates he is not just living in the county, but he is fully engaged in the community. That says all you need to know about the kind of guy he was, right?
The Perfect Match Between Man and Location
Here’s the thing that jumps out at me most about John’s decision. This is not about a celebrity randomly selecting a posh postcode. That is somebody who really loves what he does and chose to live somewhere that feeds that passion every single day.
There are working farms in Oxfordshire as well as chocolate-box villages. There are thus real farmers experiencing genuine problems, and just the sort of thing that Countryfile would broadcast. John is literally surrounded by the world he reports on. No wonder his presentation feels so authentic.
The Thames Path runs right through the county too. I bet John takes regular walks along it, probably bumping into the odd viewer who recognises him. Though knowing his reputation, he’d probably stop for a proper chat rather than hurrying past.
Living the Rural Dream (Without the Drama)
Look, when I’m stuck in traffic on the M25, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to just pack it all in and move somewhere peaceful. John’s actually done it, hasn’t he? Where does John Craven live now isn’t just about an address; it’s about a life choice that makes complete sense.
I drove through Oxfordshire last month, visiting my cousin, and you know what struck me? The place has this calm feeling that’s hard to find these days. Yes, you can still get to London when you absolutely have to, as the train from Oxford takes about an hour. But most of the time, you don’t want to leave.
There’s no nonsense about Oxfordshire. The villages are just villages, not tourist attractions pretending to be something they’re not. People get on with their lives, grow things, fix things, and chat to their neighbours over garden fences. Exactly the sort of place where someone like John would feel at home.
A Broadcaster Who Practices What He Preaches
John’s mentioned in interviews that he’s always fancied living somewhere with sea views. But clearly, landlocked Oxfordshire has won his heart. Maybe it’s the way morning mist hangs over the Thames Valley, or how the Chilterns look when the light’s just right.
What I find brilliant is that at his age, John could have packed it all in years ago. Instead, he’s chosen to keep working while living somewhere that makes him happy. That’s proper inspiration for anyone thinking about how to age well.
The Community Connection
Living in Oxfordshire means John’s part of a community that still values the things he’s always talked about. Farmers’ markets where you know who grew your veg. Village halls where everyone pitches in for the annual fête. There are pubs where conversation matters more than the latest gadgets.
His involvement with Radio Horton shows he’s not just living there; rather, he’s contributing. That’s the mark of someone who understands what community actually means.
Making Oxfordshire Home
So there you have it. John Craven lives in Oxfordshire, and it couldn’t be more fitting. He’s found his spot in one of England’s most beautiful counties, surrounded by the rural life he’s spent decades celebrating. At 84, he’s still working, still passionate about the countryside, and still calling somewhere properly English his home.
Good for him, I say. After entertaining and educating generations of viewers, he’s earned the right to live exactly where it makes him happiest. And from what I can see, Oxfordshire’s doing the job perfectly.
