A spark of genius

Living abroad proved inspirational for four great British minds, as Carla Passino discovers

A winning combination

A clean, green structure balanced by romantic billowy planting is the key to this beautifully judged garden, reveals Non Morris

Capturing the royal gaze

Over the course of her reign, more than 1,000 artists have been invited to paint Her Majesty. Charlotte Mullins reveals some of the secrets behind seven of the most recognisable

To honour our Queen

The Household Cavalry faces the busiest season in its 360-year history, but its dedicated men and women are ready for the challenge, reports Octavia Pollock

A fine mess

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

The plants are the thing

Flower Show was much better than I expected

Land of dreams

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

‘Believe nothing to be impossible'

‘No harder than dancing the Charleston’, according to Lady Heath, flying planes was all the rage for the women of the 1930s, explains Charles Harris

With a spring in its step

Kathryn Bradley-Hole selects some of the many highlights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which at long last returns to its traditional May slot

To ring a nightingale

On a cold spring morning, Patrick Galbraith held a nightingale in the palm of his hand. Yet, by the time he has grandchildren, this amazing little bird may have sung its last

Three of a kind

The beautiful North Wessex Downs are the leafy backdrop to three imposing country houses for sale

Lek at me

Managed moorland is the place to observe an extraordinary mating ritual

Oriental splendour

Glamorous and easy to grow, Japanese tree peonies are the mainstay of Primrose Hall Nursery in Bedfordshire, says Val Bourne

The lions of Trafalgar Square

Britain's greatest masterpieces

Rivers of waste

Simon Cooper traces the history of sewage discharges in British waters and suggests possible solutions

Loopy about lupins

Steven Desmond uncovers the touching story behind the exotic, multi-coloured field of lupins at Terwick in West Sussex

ENGLISH HOMES OLD & NEW

English Home part V Each month of this 125th anniversary year, COUNTRY LIFE illustrates a period in the development of the English great house. In the fifth of this 12-part series, John Goodall looks at developments through an age of revolution

Tea and tour at Arley Hall

Charles Stanley and COUNTRY LIFE welcomed guests to the this historic house in Cheshire for a memorable afternoon

Skimming the surface

With a mind-boggling ability to walk on pools, rivers and even the ocean, water skaters are Nature’s great survivors, says Ian Morton

Stands and delivers

The walled garden, Culham Court, Berkshire The home of Urs and Francesca Schwarzenbach Disciplined design underpins maximal planting to create a garden that stays in the memory, finds Tiffany Daneff

Take a walk on the wild side

From watching whales and puffins to stalking, fishing and playing rounders on golden beaches, the Benmore Estate, on the island of Mull, is a private paradise offering unforgettable memories for families

Seeing the best in Britain

In this anniversary issue, Simon Jenkins considers what COUNTRY LIFE does each week and why it matters so much.

The cow that went global

The shorthorn cow is coming into its own again. Jamie Blackett celebrates the 200th anniversary of the herdbook and the legacy of a dedicated farmer