Armillary sphere

The roots of the armillary sphere go back centuries but the design has retained its appeal, and sculptor David Harber creates some of today's most spectacular examples, says Jenny Oldaker

Six of the best HERITAGE RAILWAYS

Plying an 84-mile round trip route through the Scottish Highlands (current licensing woes willing), the Jacobite Steam Train starts at Fort William and skirts the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, and spectacular beaches on its way to Mallaig.

TRAVEL

48 hours in Stockholm and the best heritage railways.

A PERSONAL PASSION

For opera lovers, Glyndebourne Festival is the highlight of the summer, beloved for its magical setting as well as the calibre of its productions. Celia Rufey steps behind the scenes as it celebrates its 90th birthday

Small WONDERS

Compact rooms can be awkward, but they're a great chance to get creative with design. We share tips, techniques and furniture to make the most of smaller spaces...

48 hours in LEWES

As Glyndebourne Festival celebrates its 90th anniversary, there's no better time for a weekend away in the neighbouring town of Lewes in East Sussex says Sarah Riches

WE HEART ART

Visiting national art galleries and their acclaimed masterpieces is one thing, but the real satisfaction of being an art lover lies in building a collection of your own, says Caroline Wheater

The mystery COLLECTOR

One of the joys of collecting antiques is that pieces often come to us with stories attached. The story of Murray Pollinger, who built up an important collection of Samuel Alcock porcelain, is like the stuff of fiction. Fittingly so, as Willa Latham discovered...

Dream Dealers

The antique textiles trade is a collaborative one, says Celia Rufey. Here, she speaks to a few key dealers about their working practices and discovers the pieces that most pique their interest

Pride of place WINDSOR CHAIRS

These sturdy wooden stalwarts of the home are still very much in demand today. Janet Gleeson explores their story as she continues her series on regional antiques

New Romance

Having discovered this thatched cottage while holidaying in a favourite spot on the coast of the Baltic Sea, Christine Pink bought it as a weekend bolthole. However, she fell in love with the property and its surroundings and soon gave up city life

A Living Museum

Architect and artist Simon Hurst has spent years turning his everyday terraced house into a bequiling cabinet of curiosities

Queen of Vintage

Tineke Tichelaar has collected vintage design for decades, but only now have her treasures found a perfect home an old village train station with its authentic colours still intact

Ancient and MODERN

A crumbling Dorset barn nestled in a beautiful garden has been transformed into a quirky open-plan home, filled with art and antiques

FRANCES PRIEST

Dominique Corlett speaks to the ceramic artist about the language of pattern, and tiles as public art

200 YEARS OF THE NATIONAL GALLERY

As the National Gallery celebrates its 200th birthday this May, Caroline Wheater discovers how the priceless art collection was born from the donations and bequests of wealthy art-lovers who wanted to share their treasures with the People

Six of the best HISTORIC SHOPS

Whether you're looking for jewellery, sweet treats or a classic novel, make gift-shopping an event this Mother’ Day with a visit to these historical establishments, says Rhiannon Batten

48 hours in MAASTRICHT

‘A walled city on a beautiful river, with cobbled streets, stylish boutiques, grand squares and one of the world’s top antiques fairs, Maastricht in the Netherlands is steeped in history and charm, discovers Caroline Wheater

Pride of place SUNDERLAND LUSTRE

Admired for its pearly-pink glaze and often beguiling inscriptions, Sunderland lustre is a collector’s dream, says Janet Gleeson in her first column on regional antiques

STAR SALES

For this months selection, Caroline Wheater focuses on furniture that has recently been offered in Fine sales at some of the UKs best auction houses

Antique Rugs

Sue and Nick Shrimpton and their daughter Min sell antique rugs through their business, Yarn, after years of collecting for their homes. Sue tells us more...

Collecting JOHN OGILBY'S MAPS

A typical 17th-century county map finely detailed towns, villages and rivers, yet it was Ogilby who made roads the focus

HEART OF OAK

From tables to coffers, beautifully handcarved pieces of early oak furniture are as useful today as they were over 400 years ago, and work surprisingly well in modern interiors

UK FAIRS SPECIAL 2024

Whether youre searching for a key piece to complete your collection, or hoping to find interiors inspiration and afew decorative items to update your home, a fair is the place to start, says Charlotte Packer

Spitalfields Silk

During the 18th century, thousands of skilled Huguenot silk weavers settled in east London’s Spitalfields, kickstarting the golden age of English silk design and production, says Celia Rufey

A lesson IN STYLE

Nestled in one of the Cotswolds' most notable villages, this unique historic property has seen numerous changes over the years, but is now a welcoming home, thanks to its industrious owners

Fresh Perspective

Bursting with character and charm, Jojo Humes’ Suffolk home is a testament to her vision, hard work and creativity

English Rose

Blousy florals and vintage finds conibine to Create a Felaxed feelin an 18th-century farmworker s cottage

MARTIN & DOWLING

Malcolm Martin of the esteemed wood-sculpting duo speaks to Dominique Corlett about a quarter of a century of collaboration, and letting the work lead the way

48 hours in Manchester & Stockport

There is so much more to this thriving area of north-west England than football and soap operas