Let there be light

Orangeries, be they the old-fashioned kind for growing fruit or more modern ones barely distinguishable from conservatories, certainly can brighten a place up

My salad days

Obey the rules and there are few finer things than a salade Niçoise served in the shade of an old olive tree, believes Tom Parker Bowles

Awash with colour and inspiration

A visionary, painterly approach by a nurseryman gardener has resulted in an extraordinarily brilliant display, finds Mary Keen

Way out west

Two vast and important estates in the South-West have it all, from copious farmland and rental income, to clifftop views and near-private beaches

The rewards of restoration

Antique rugs and carpets add extraordinary character to interiors and, with care and attention, can be preserved for generations

Rediscovering the Boy King

In the 100 years since George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon, stood alongside Howard Carter at the entrance to Tutankhamun's tomb, he has been demoted to a mere financier. Now, the current Earl and Countess want to give their forebear his time in the limelight, says Eleanor Doughty

We must restore local churches to local people

Parish churches may still be physically the centre of communities, but their redundancy as places of worship is becoming a national crisis. Simon Jenkins proffers solutions to the nation's greatest conservation challenge, including deconsecration and looking to European models

The beauty of materials

Tim Moulding of traditional builders R. Moulding & Co explains the relationship between good-quality, well-chosen materials and beautiful buildings

Just blame it on the weathervane

Once only made to resemble cockerels thanks to a papal decree, weathervanes now come in all shapes and sizes, from dolphins and fleurs-de-lys to gryphons and witches, finds Harry Pearson

A design of splendid convenience

In the second of two articles, John Goodall revisits this celebrated house and the story of its creation in the mid-18th century by the Earl of Leicester and his widow

The Ark

'Tradescant had one of the first horse chestnuts planted in this country'

Eat your greens

MOST Oriental greens or leaves are brassicas M that originate from China and surrounding countries.

The misunderstood queen

Henrietta Maria: Conspirator, Warrior, Phoenix Queen | Teller of the Unexpected: The Life of Roald Dahl, an Unofficial Biography

Old masters know best

Depth of knowledge still tells, with experienced dealers faring well at London Art Week

Friend or foe?

Country folk have always known to rip up ragwort whenever and wherever it appears, but this native perennial supports a host of species, finds Ian Morton

Planting stories

When the author Justine Picardie took on a new garden, she turned to her friend Jo Thompson, a Gold medal-winning designer. Together, they have made a quiet haven filled with roses and memories, reveals Caroline Donald

A new lease of life

Lucy Denton examines the highs and lows of renting an estate property

The only way is Essex

Two starring country houses with ancient origins have recently been rescued and another has emerged unscathed from wartime action

Sweet with the evening rain

There are few scents quite so evocative of summer as that of rain upon warm earth-but why does it smell so good? Martin Fone explores petrichor

My field of dreams

Even managing the smallest of acreages for wildlife, by carefully considering what you plant and when, can make a massive difference to all sorts of flora and fauna, advocates Simon Lester

The new bronze age

A talking point that can inspire passions and transform a landscape, large-scale sculpture is increasingly valued by modern collectors. Anna Tyzack meets the artists bringing grand visions to life

The spirit of the age

In the first of two articles, John Goodall revisits the splendours of this celebrated house created in the mid-18th century by Thomas Coke, Earl of Leicester

Get the scoop

Rising temperatures mean many of us will find ourselves reaching for an ice cream. Jack Watkins traces the sweet treat's roots and discovers that its popularity owes a lot to London's ingenious residents and Regent's Canal

Art for east's sake

The eastern stretches of London are home to some of the capital's largest and most accessible art collections, including sculptures by Damien Hirst and Antony Gormley. Carla Passino takes a look at what you can visit on foot

Shooting season blighted by partridge shortage

The perfect storm of Brexit, covid and avian flu means that many shoots are having to reduce the number of days offered or close entirely

Heroic restorations

Three fine country homes have had new life breathed into them by their determined owners

A perfect marriage

A house that is in perfect harmony with its surroundings will enhance the everyday lives of its owners

In with the new

There's no doubt about it-new-build homes are increasingly popular. From convenience and preference for local materials to environmental benefits, Annunciata Elwes finds out why

'It ain't what you do, it's the way that you do it....

With Bananarama's hit ringing in his ears, our piscatorial correspondent David Profumo recalls a late-April foray after trout down South

Tiny cogs in a giant machine

If we woke up one day and there were no bees left, people would pay attention. Yet the steady eradication of our life-giving insects is no less horrifying, points out George McGavin