We started our journey in January 2026, with a single aim to write thoughtful stories about the things that matter to people living and working in the rural wards of Cheshire.

We provide the long read; features on local characters and in-depth opinion pieces, parish politics, farming, arts and culture, heritage and history, and seasonal inspiration.

The Ruralist is independently run and answers only to its readers and the places it covers.

It was in Hatherton, on a Saturday afternoon in October, that I first began thinking seriously about hyperlocal news. My attention drifted between international headlines and the fields outside my window. Neighbours were tending stocked gardens; a tractor moved slowly across the horizon, when a simple question came to mind: what is happening in my local community — and how do I find out?

Like many people, I was already piecing things together through social media groups, parish council notices, and shop notice boards. From that came the idea for The Ruralist: an online newspaper created specifically for people living and working in rural communities.

After taking time to think it through, I began building The Ruralist as an independent, hyperlocal publication. I hope it offers a sense of connection to place, keeps you informed about the issues that matter locally, and accurately reflects rural life.

Jen Smith, Editor, NCTJ Trainee Journalist.

Subscribing to The Ruralist is free. Joining our mailing list ensures you receive a monthly newsletter that highlights the latest news and features.

If you would like to contribute towards the running of the newspaper, there’s a Buy me a coffee link on the Home page. Any contributions are much appreciated!

Our articles are written by humans. We use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to carry out editorial reviews, and then a final human check is performed before we publish.

We’d love to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing: [email protected]