Country Life UK Magazine - October 16, 2024

In this issue

Murder on the palace floor - John Goodall charts the rise, fall and rise again of the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Edinburgh landmark’s 900-year history.

This perfumed arcadia - The smooth flanks of the Downs are our oldest manmade habitat,
suggests John Lewis-Stempel from a lofty perch on Caburn hill...

Murder on the palace floor

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh The official residence in Scotland of His Majesty the King

10+ mins

This perfumed arcadia

Home to the iconic skylark, the chalk downlands are as colourful and botanically diverse as rainforest. John Lewis-Stempel explores England's oldest manmade habitat

4 mins

Meet the tusk force

The Chinese water deer, with its distinctive tusks and delicious venison, has thrived here since escaping from deer parks in the 19th century. Paula Lester stalks one for her supper

5 mins

Duck and Cover - With a comical and heart-warming call, the eider or 'cuddy duck' is a convivial bird that was highly favoured and protected by Northumberland's patron saint, says

Anyone who has spent time on the rugged, castle-fringed coast of Northumberland will be familiar with the call of the eider duck. The male emits a fluty 'ahoooh' that sounds amazed and a little censorious. The female responds with a throaty cackle-Dame Barbara Windsor to the drake's Kenneth Williams, if you like. There's something good humoured, fond and comforting in the eiders' calling. It evokes feelings of nostalgia even in those hearing it for the first time.

4 mins

A Nose for Nature -With an uncanny ability to detect elusive species in the wild, dogs are poised to play a vital role in conservation and biosecurity.

Ꮓiba seems to be the perfect colleague: hard-working, efficient and fun to be around. However, Ziba isn't a person; she's a conservation detection dog, especially trained to sniff out the presence of rare bats and birds. The sixyear-old German shorthaired pointer is one of an increasing number of dogs helping to conserve wildlife. Similar to sniffer dogs employed to detect drugs or explosives, these detection dogs are using their extraordinary sense of smell to identify anything from great crested newts to pine martens.

5 mins

Once upon a time in the west

Having returned to the fabled Grimersta lochs and streams of Lewis for the first time in 40 years, our correspondent finds himself reliving the glory

5 mins

England at its best

The Exmoor National Park Authority is celebrating its 70th birthday. Kate Green recounts what makes this 'high country of the winds', of deer, dark skies, tough ponies and resilient farmers, so special

6 mins

Hooked on classics

A new generation of designers is learning the language of Greek and Roman architecture, finds

3 mins

And they're off!

Four historic country houses with long-standing racing credentials come to the market in prime sporting areas of Berkshire and Oxfordshire

5 mins

You had me at Merlot

The British wine industry is growing at a rate of Nebuchadnezzars, altering the palate of the countryside market, finds

3 mins

Where her tears fell, asters grew

Small-flowered asters, with their quiet beauty and clouds of starry blooms, are the final shout of autumn, advises

3 mins

Not to be sneezed at

The ritual and performance of snuff, the 'titillating dust' that has fuelled creativity and enhanced social situations since the 16th century, is still popular today, discovers

6 mins

Read all stories from Country Life UK

Country Life UK Magazine Description:

Country Life; architecture, gardens, countryside, property, the very best of British life Published by IPC Media. Country Life, the quintessential English magazine, is undoubtedly one of the biggest and instantly recognisable brands in the UK today. It has a unique core mix of contemporary country-related editorial and top end property advertising. Editorially, the magazine comments in-depth on a wide variety of subjects, such as architecture, the arts, gardens and gardening, travel, the countryside, field-sports and wildlife. With renowned columnists and superb photography Country Life delivers the very best of British life every week.