Country Life UK Magazine - June 01, 2022

In this issue

Collectors’ issue

The ladybird: gardener’s friend and aphid’s enemy

Jungle look: the man who made art with lions

The secrets of signet rings and bookplates

Access all areas

On June 11 and 12, hundreds of private and hidden gardens will open their gates to the public for London Square Open Gardens Weekend. Natasha Goodfellow enjoys a preview

5 mins

Ollie Dabbous

The Michelin-starred chef-patron of Hide talks to Flora Watkins about cooking up a storm for Royal Ascot and why Holland Park is home

3 mins

Powell-Cotton Museum dioramas

DIGITAL technology has expanded the range of ways via which museums convey stories to the public, but you can’t beat a diorama for inciting a sense of awe in Nature. Those at the Powell-Cotton Museum in Quex Park, Kent, reawaken the feelings of wonder and exhilaration from childhood, when first going to a zoo or opening a vividly illustrated book of exotic beasts.

3 mins

A lot on their plate

Lord Byron chose his coat of arms, Sigmund Freud the riddle of the sphinx and Walt Disney Mickey Mouse, but, be they miniature works of art or merely a chance to show off, John F. Mueller finds all bookplates to be fascinating

5 mins

One ring to rule them all

A man of many obsessions, Jonathan Self was recently inspired to commission a new signet ring to add to his collection–this one representing his own life, in the style of those worn by medieval merchants

6 mins

A taste of honey

Aphids might be the bane of gardeners' lives, but they act as pastry chefs to yellow meadow ants and are the favoured snack of both ladybirds and lacewings, finds Ian Morton

5 mins

Land of dreams

Three large farming estates in some of the prettiest corners of England come to market

5 mins

A fine mess

Former military buildings sold off as the armed forces modernise can be architectural gold dust to discerning developers, finds

4 mins

The plants are the thing

Flower Show was much better than I expected

3 mins

If you can't beat them, hire them

England look to emulate their opponents, New Zealand, to lay the foundations for future success. Will it succeed, asks James Fisher

3 mins

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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.