Here's your passport to Ambridge!

1. Join a national conversation

The Archers is a national institution. As English as the Royal Family, the Test Match and tutting at queue jumpers. Billy Connolly even suggested the theme as the National Anthem. As a listener you’re sharing it with people around the world, of all ages, from celebrities, to super fans, to people who use the omnibus edition to time their roast potatoes. So how do you get into The Archers? Here's how....

Stuck on a train? Waiting for a plane? Queuing at the check-out? Boring bit of motorway? The Archers podcast can transport you to the heart of rural England and you return refreshed. It’s your own secret world. The podcast has millions of listeners monthly… people take Ambridge into the bath, on holiday, and into bed. Why not join them? Shove up a bit…

3. How to get started with The Archers (when you haven’t got a clue...)

If you don’t know your Bull from your Brookfield; your Penny Hassett from your Lakey Hill; your Foot and Mouth from your Farmer’s Lung; Village Green from your Borsetshire Blue - here’s why you should listen to the world’s longest running radio drama, and how to survive the first few weeks. So.. ready to join the millions of people around the world who love The Archers? Come on in.

Just like life, there’s usually one big storyline going on all the time, and smaller domestic ones running alongside. Family feuds, violent relationships and affairs co-exist with cake baking and the Village Show. Go for the big story and let it draw you in.

In the beginning you’ll just want the baddies to get their comeuppance, but in six months' time you’ll discover you’re just as interested in who won the Flower and Produce Show.

You’re moving into a new village here. Be patient. You’ll get to know everyone in time just by hearing them in the shop, The Bull, fighting and flirting. You’ll feel like a local in no time.

The Rob Titchener Radio Relief Kit

If you’re a social media lurker or one of the Twitterati, one of the finest ways to enjoy the Sunday omnibus is in the company of Archers fans around the globe who tweet their comedic asides, vent their fury at the characters and generally let rip in 140 characters. Also if you have any newbie questions, like “Why is Hazel so horrible?”, they’ll be happy to help. This will come in handy: #thearchers

As an Archers listener, it’s not really Christmas until we’ve heard a reference to Stir Up Sunday. Summer is punctuated by the Single Wicket competition and the Flower and Produce show and February means lambing. People who live or work overseas and listen to The Archers say it’s a little bit of comforting home on the radio.

There’s a huge resource of information on The Archers website. If you get a bit lost, have a look at the character pages and start sorting out who’s who. Ambridge is ready to welcome you, every night, 7.02pm to 7.15pm, or whenever you like, via the podcast.

It’s crucial listening. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll make friends. Actually, you’ll probably find you’ve got friends who listen already.

So…are you ready? Off we go...dum-tee-dum, tee dum, tee dum…(fade out)