CATEGORIES

Rory Stewart - The former Cabinet minister and hit podcast host talks to Alec Marsh about the parlous state of British politics, land management and his deep love of the countryside

The gently spoken 51-year-old former Conservative Cabinet minister is a countryman at heart. That's clear: he even changes into a tweed waistcoat for the interview, which takes place at his London home and begins with a question about his precise career status. Having resigned from the Commons and the Conservative Party in 2019, the former diplomat and soldier has reinvented himself, first with an unconventional but promising run as an independent for the London mayoralty (abandoned because of COVID19 in 2020) and then as a media figure, co-hosting one of the country's most popular podcasts, The Rest Is Politics, alongside Alastair Campbell, the former Labour spin doctor.

Fodder

Local fare with the feel-good factor.

Celebrating the game changers

Once served only in the traditional manner, the fruits of our forays now find their way into all manner of diverse and delicious dishes, say Neil and Serena Cross

The first civil engineer

John Smeaton left an indelible mark on the field of engineering and, three centuries after his birth, his legacy remains as strong as ever

School spirits

From grey ladies and ghostly gardeners to more malign entities, public schools are a rich repository of unnatural phenomena

'A long way from Piccadilly or Pall Mall'

Marking 150 years since the birth of Sir Winston Churchill, Dr Conor Farrington explores this eminent statesman’s often-overlooked 1907 tour of British East Africa: a journey rich with enchanting natural beauty and sporting adventure

Top of the pups

Canines in all their guises were celebrated at The Field Top Dog Awards lunch at Defender Burghley Horse Trials whether eager on the peg, patient at home or perpetually making mischief

Angling for success

It’s never too early to shape up for next season’s salmon and trout, and these top fishing schools are here to help

Talking scents

The canine nose is an astonishingly complex piece of biotechnology that man has harnessed for sustenance and sport for thousands of years

Wall-to-wall excitement

Criss-crossed by formidable drystone walls, the High Peak Harriers’ scenic country provides a day out with an exhilarating difference

Going wild for great British game

Meet the passionate farmers, stalkers and chefs working tirelessly to put sustainable and healthy game meat on the country’s tables

Travelling in style

The gun bus is an integral part of any shoot but a band of imaginative owners are thinking outside the’box when it comes to finding the perfect shooting brake, be it traditional, quirky or lavish

A military operation

The unique coastal habitat of Geedon marshes is the setting for a bracing day of sport for members of the Colchester Garrison shoot, run by and for soldiers who serve not only their country but also the countryside

Cloud shadows raced across the landscape below us as the south-westerly wind freshened, causing the first pheasants to lift high and curl over the pegged guns GWCT Fantastic Four Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

A party of guns enjoy the ultimate shoot raffle prize: four thrilling drives on four exceptional sporting estates

Strength in Numbers -The success of Britain's growing band of Farmer Clusters shows the value in working together and engaging with the public in the name of conservation, says Gabriel Stone

In a world that leans into gloomy headlines, it's important to wave the flag for a refreshing success story. That's especially the case when it comes to our overburdened farming sector and the wider way in which we manage the landscape. Yes, we: everyone can play a role, not least through one inspirational initiative. Ever since a 2013 pilot project by the GWCT in association with Natural England, Farmer Clusters have mushroomed across Britain. Led by farmers with guidance from expert advisers, today's network of about 125 clusters encourages a cohesively managed, locally tailored, larger-scale approach to conservation work.

Going over old ground

Forget modern tractors and minimum tillage - there is something glorious about the sight of farmer, horse and vintage plough in perfect harmony

Return of the natives

There is nothing as satisfying as creating a magical miniature woodland or conservation hedgerow using our native trees - and now is the best time to start.

Tagging the Cornish tunny

Enormous Atlantic bluefin tuna are once again making waves in UK waters almost a century after their showstopping appearance in the North Sea

In it for the long haul

It may have fallen out of favour at the elite level but long-format three-day eventing is still proving popular with grassroots riders

Unpicking the story of hunt buttons

These treasured tokens are bestowed only upon those who go above and beyond in service of their hunt but the rules around them can be complex

A place of tradition in the heart of town

Cordings has helped shape the sartorial landscape of Britain for 185 years, with its classic country tailoring a firm staple of many sporting wardrobes

Don't play it by ear

Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on day-to-day life, making ear protection a non-negotiable piece of field kit

Back to base-ics

Britain's famously unpredictable climate can make staying comfortable in the field a challenge but the right under layers can be a game changer

Stand and deliver

A good stance provides the platform for shotgun marksmanship and is fundamental to consistent success in the field or breaking clays

Heaven is a High Four

A team of guns enjoy a day of the finest sport Devon has to offer, courtesy of the GWCT and a quartet of generous shoot owners

A covey of partridges flushed high across the line, guns picking their birds as pheasants entered the fray. The last bird of the drive was a lone pheasant rocketing past two guns as the whistle sounded Sutton Parva Wiltshire

Challenging sport and plentiful hospitality are the order of the day on a relaxed family-run shoot where the ethos is 'less is more'

Attired for autumn

The changing of the seasons leads to an inevitable shift in the sporting wardrobe as flat caps, fore-and-afts and ratcatchers come out of hibernation, say Neil and Serena Cross

Sir Alexander McCall Smith

When he isn't busy penning bestselling novels, this prolific Scottish author is to be found on the water, indulging his passion for sport with rod and line, says Alec Marsh

Why proper conduct is key

Game shooting is a force for good in the British countryside but shoots must consider how they can demonstrate this to those who would curtail our sport, says lan Coghill

Helping hot dogs chill out

From cool coats to clippers, there are a whole host of ways to keep your canine companion comfortable as the summer heat intensifies, says David Tomlinson