CATEGORIES
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.