New Beginnings

The new director of Badminton Horse Trials on starting at the bottom

Nipper

John McEwen comments on Nipper

More Cider With Rosie

A century after the author grew up there, Emily Rhodes follows Laurie Lee’s footsteps through the Cotswolds village of Slad and discovers that his spirit remains

Grapes Are Not The Only Fruit

Picked at peak ripeness, Cotswold apples, pears, quinces and damsons are now being made into the first British eau de vie. Jane Wheatley experiences a taste sensation at the Capreolus Distillery

Heather Today, Gone Tomorrow

BACK in April, an article in The Times caught my eye. It bemoaned the declining popularity of heathers.

If Looks Could Kill

Our forebears judged some plants by their looks to be medically beneficial, but the consequences of consuming certain species could be dire.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

Not so much a hot hatchback as a red-hot hatchback, Volkswagen’s Golf R two-litre TSI 4Motion is the Golf GTI’s naughtier–and much more powerful–big brother

Animal Magic

Adam Henson’s Cotswold sheep

Going Round The Bend

John Wright rediscovers the unexpected pleasure of steambending wood into all sorts of shapes and sizes

From Abbot To Artist

A house built for the Abbot of Pershore in the 14th century was restored as a studio by an American artist and later became a family home. Alan Calder describes the development of this remarkable Cotswolds building

An Icon Reborn

Raffles, Singapore

A World Of Pure Imagination

Fringed with cities of world-class culture and filled with festivals galore, it’s no surprise that artistic buyers continue to follow in the footsteps of literary giants and make their homes in the Cotswolds

80 Not Out

Three new octogenarians and their unmatched contributions to the theatrical world

What The Butler Saw

The actor on being mobbed in Washington DC and envying Highclere’s head gardener

The Tall Tale Of The Walnut Tree

From its origins in the Garden of Eden to its intricately patterned wood and our love of cracking open and consuming its hard-shelled fruit, the walnut tree has enjoyed a long and colourful history, says Charles Hulbert-Powell

The Luck Of The Irish

They’re one of our most vulnerable native breeds– but what Glen of Imaal terriers lack in numbers, they make up for in personality, discovers Emma Hughes

Stories Of Survival

Dedicated owners have kept the glories of two houses alive–a Nash masterpiece in Pembrokeshire and a Queen Anne hunting lodge in North Yorkshire

Practically Perfect In Every Way

IN the same way that many people seem to want a fastgrowing shrub offering year-round interest and which stops growing when it reaches a manageable height, so they also ask for a border perennial that is tough, easy to grow, happy in most soils, self-supporting and in bloom for as much of the year as possible.

Like Grandpa, Like Grandson

Knowing when to introduce children to the joys of fishing is a conundrum, but youth often means confidence–and success

Heavenly Hydrangeas

Mark Griffiths extols the beauties of this shrub, from its 18th-century beginnings to its revival in the hands of hydrangea champion Maurice Foster

Desperately Seeking Leonardo

Silvia Davoli considers Britain’s long infatuation with the Renaissance Master and explains how the desire to buy a genuine Leonardo led to a new approach in collecting Italian art

All The Fun Of The Festival

From the Great Exhibition to the London Design Festival, Britain has a long tradition of celebrating creativity, says Clive Aslet

A Last Hurrah

The new, starry, big-screen version of Downton Abbey will be the perfect antidote for anyone having withdrawal symptoms after the series’ end, says Kate Green

Not Too Hot Too Handle

THOSE of you who have kept sheep know that they’re seemingly born in search of ill-health; if you’ve tried growing chillis, you might be forgiven for thinking that they’re the vegetable equivalent. Although not quite so intent on bringing about their own demise as our woolly friends, chillis are certainly tricky to get to flourish.

Meet Man's Best Friend

People are increasingly welcoming family-protection dogs into their homes, says expert training company K9Protector

Style Secrets

Meet the British designer Stewart Parvin, in conversation with COUNTRY LIFE’S Luxury Editor Hetty Lintell to discuss inspired looks, insider secrets, his latest collection and styling tips–with an exclusive shopping experience–in the intimate setting of the designer’s flagship store

Louise Moelwyn-Hughes

John McEwen comments on Portrait of a Young Girl

Kitchen Garden Cook Apples

Normandy chicken with apples Serves 4Preheat the oven to 180ËšC/ 350ËšF/gas mark 6.

The Beauty Of Bespoke

Specially designed, handmade shutters, blinds and curtains create the perfect outcome in any space, new or old

Jack And Jill Went Up The Hill

Jack Windmill and Mill House, Clayton, West Sussex A home of Claire Maugham The redevelopment of a house within a former windmill complex has inspired a remarkable contemporary home with striking interiors.