The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
National and international news from BBC Radio 4
Bells on Sunday
The Church of St Giles, Cripplegate in the City of London
2 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Giles, Cripplegate in the City of London. Show more
Polly Neate, CEO of the housing and homelessness charity Shelter. Recently rescued in a dramatic cliff top drama, Neate was determined to fight social injustice from an early age. Show more
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
Brett Westwood explores our relationship with an Arctic legend, the narwhal. This 'unicorn of the sea' is not only extraordinary in appearance, but tantalisingly difficult to study Show more
The latest weather reports and forecast
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the papers.
Sunday
Christmas in Bethlehem, 800th anniversary of the nativity scene, The stories behind our favourite carols
44 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Edward Stourton presents a special Christmas Eve edition of Sunday, featuring live carols from Manchester Chamber Choir. Show more
Actress and presenter Joanna Lumley makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of ShelterBox. Show more
The latest weather forecast
The latest news headlines. Including a look at the Sunday papers.
Sunday Worship
The Compassion of the Christ Child
38 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for 11 months
For the Fourth Sunday in Advent, with the Chapel Choir of Methodist College, Belfast. Led by the Rev Emily Hyland. Preacher: the Rev Dr Janet Unsworth. Show more
Michael Morpurgo reflects on the joys of taking your time, recorded on a walk near his home in Devon. Show more
Martin Hughes-Games presents the Hawfinch. The Hawfinch exerts 180 pounds per square inch with it massive bill to crack open tough seeds to get at the soft kernels inside. Show more
The Sunday morning news magazine programme. Presented by Paddy O'Connell
Alan faces a last minute hitch, and Chris makes a surprising decision. Show more
Desert Island Discs
Delia Smith, CH, CBE, cookery writer and broadcaster
38 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Delia Smith, cookery writer and broadcaster, shares the eight tracks, book and luxury she would take with her if cast away to a desert island. With Lauren Laverne. Show more
A return visit to the Dorking Halls featuring panellists Fred Macaulay, Milton Jones, Lucy Porter and Omid Djalili, plus Jack Dee in the chair. Show more
The Food Programme
Christmas with The Food Programme
29 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Cooking at Christmas is so much more than just the main meal, so this year Sheila Dillon, and chef Thomasina Miers, show us how to do more with less. Show more
The latest weather forecast
Radio 4's look at the week's big stories from both home and around the world
My Dream Dinner Party
Simon Callow's Dream Dinner Party
28 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Actor and writer Simon Callow hosts a dinner party with a twist - all his guests are from beyond the grave, long-time heroes brought back to life by the radio archive. Show more
Gardeners' Question Time
From the Archives: Christmas Edition
42 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Kathy Clugston is visited by the ghosts of GQT Christmases Past, Present and Future for an archive edition of the show. Show more
The series that looks at books, plays and stories and how they work. John Yorke explores the extraordinary legacy of Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story, The Greatest Gift. Show more
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Christmas 2023
1 hour, 36 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for 11 months
A service of carols, hymns and readings live from the candlelit Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. Show more
Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart are joined by musicians and poets as they brave the weather by land and sea to perform at the most remote pub in mainland Britain - The Old Forge. Show more
Felicity Hannah explores how climate change is leaving communities 'uninsurable' because of the rising risk of them being hit by extreme weather events. Show more
Polly Neate, CEO of the housing and homelessness charity Shelter. Recently rescued in a dramatic cliff top drama, Neate was determined to fight social injustice from an early age. Show more
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
The latest weather forecast
Six O'Clock News
24/12/2023 British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe buys stake in Manchester United
15 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
His company will take control of the club's football operations
Frank Cottrell-Boyce chooses audio highlights from the past week. Show more
Alistair has some news to impart and Jazzer offers Christmas cheer Show more
Stand Up Just William
William's Truthful Christmas
28 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for 11 months
Martin Jarvis entertains a packed house with this classic story, William’s Truthful Christmas, performed specially for Christmas Eve at the Riverhouse Barn Theatre, Surrey. Show more
Jess wrestles with her past as her suspicions about Kev’s game playing grows, leading the pair to Brighton - and a show down. Show more
Andrea Catherwood discusses Antisocial anthems with Adam Fleming and announces the Feedback Interview of the Year. Show more
Actress and presenter Joanna Lumley makes the Radio 4 Appeal on behalf of ShelterBox. Show more
Last Word
Maureen Sweeney, Sir Tim Brighouse, Shirley Anne Field, Juanita Castro
28 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Matthew Bannister on postmistress Maureen Sweeney, educationalist Sir Tim Brighouse, actor Shirley Ann Field and activist Juanita Castro. Show more
Archive on 4
'Twas the Night Before Christmas: The poem that changed the world
57 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Poet Luke Wright celebrates the iconic poem that begins with this line 'Twas the night before Christmas...' and asks if we need a new version. Show more
The latest national and international news from BBC Radio 4
Loose Ends
Brian Cox, Toby Jones, Mary Beard, Richard Coles, Katherine Jenkins, Marisha Wallace, Anneka Rice, Clive Anderson
43 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Clive Anderson and Anneka Rice are joined by Brian Cox, Toby Jones, Mary Beard and Richard Coles for an eclectic mix of conversation, music and comedy. Show more
New York-based writer Cahir O'Doherty describes Fairytale of New York as a masterful expression of the Irish spirit and antidote to some of the more saccharine Christmas offerings. Show more
A Midnight Mass for Christmas Eve from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Show more
Bells on Sunday
The Church of St Giles, Cripplegate in the City of London
2 minutes
on BBC Radio 4 FMAvailable for over a year
Bells on Sunday comes from the church of St Giles, Cripplegate in the City of London. Show more
The latest weather reports and forecasts for UK shipping
BBC Radio 4 joins the BBC World Service.
