CATEGORIES
A joy to behold
Mary Miers retraces the history of Sausmarez Manor and marvels at the beauty of the house and its subtropical gardens.
Once on this island
From conger eels to witches with creaky joints, Carla Passino and Nicco Bargioni explore Guernsey's rich folkloric heritage
Provenance is all
Two items estimated in the hundreds make five-figure sums and we say a nostalgic goodbye to Edward Hudson's furniture
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