CATEGORIES

If you can't beat them, hire them

England look to emulate their opponents, New Zealand, to lay the foundations for future success. Will it succeed, asks James Fisher

Access all areas

On June 11 and 12, hundreds of private and hidden gardens will open their gates to the public for London Square Open Gardens Weekend. Natasha Goodfellow enjoys a preview

A lot on their plate

Lord Byron chose his coat of arms, Sigmund Freud the riddle of the sphinx and Walt Disney Mickey Mouse, but, be they miniature works of art or merely a chance to show off, John F. Mueller finds all bookplates to be fascinating

A taste of honey

Aphids might be the bane of gardeners' lives, but they act as pastry chefs to yellow meadow ants and are the favoured snack of both ladybirds and lacewings, finds Ian Morton

‘Believe nothing to be impossible'

‘No harder than dancing the Charleston’, according to Lady Heath, flying planes was all the rage for the women of the 1930s, explains Charles Harris

With a spring in its step

Kathryn Bradley-Hole selects some of the many highlights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which at long last returns to its traditional May slot

To ring a nightingale

On a cold spring morning, Patrick Galbraith held a nightingale in the palm of his hand. Yet, by the time he has grandchildren, this amazing little bird may have sung its last

Three of a kind

The beautiful North Wessex Downs are the leafy backdrop to three imposing country houses for sale

Lek at me

Managed moorland is the place to observe an extraordinary mating ritual

Oriental splendour

Glamorous and easy to grow, Japanese tree peonies are the mainstay of Primrose Hall Nursery in Bedfordshire, says Val Bourne

The lions of Trafalgar Square

Britain's greatest masterpieces

Rivers of waste

Simon Cooper traces the history of sewage discharges in British waters and suggests possible solutions

Loopy about lupins

Steven Desmond uncovers the touching story behind the exotic, multi-coloured field of lupins at Terwick in West Sussex

ENGLISH HOMES OLD & NEW

English Home part V Each month of this 125th anniversary year, COUNTRY LIFE illustrates a period in the development of the English great house. In the fifth of this 12-part series, John Goodall looks at developments through an age of revolution

Tea and tour at Arley Hall

Charles Stanley and COUNTRY LIFE welcomed guests to the this historic house in Cheshire for a memorable afternoon

Skimming the surface

With a mind-boggling ability to walk on pools, rivers and even the ocean, water skaters are Nature’s great survivors, says Ian Morton

Stands and delivers

The walled garden, Culham Court, Berkshire The home of Urs and Francesca Schwarzenbach Disciplined design underpins maximal planting to create a garden that stays in the memory, finds Tiffany Daneff

Take a walk on the wild side

From watching whales and puffins to stalking, fishing and playing rounders on golden beaches, the Benmore Estate, on the island of Mull, is a private paradise offering unforgettable memories for families

Seeing the best in Britain

In this anniversary issue, Simon Jenkins considers what COUNTRY LIFE does each week and why it matters so much.

The cow that went global

The shorthorn cow is coming into its own again. Jamie Blackett celebrates the 200th anniversary of the herdbook and the legacy of a dedicated farmer

In the footsteps of giants

After decades of thoughtful restoration, the gardens at Folly Farm offer a masterclass in maintaining an historic garden and simultaneously celebrating the best in contemporary planting, finds Tiffany Daneff

Strawberries taste good

A Chardin still life makes a record price in a good week for French and Italian art

Tradition and modernity

The imaginative extension of a farmhouse in the spirit of Lutyens and the Arts-and-Crafts Movement has created a delightful and humane family home, Jeremy Musson reports

Dracula by Bram Stoker

Britain's greatest masterpieces

Do you believe in cod?

Greedy and gormless, this is no sexy fish, but, on the plate, perfectly pearlescent cod is easily the equal of halibut or Dover sole, believes Tom Parker Bowles

Loyal toasts

Friends of COUNTRY LIFE tell Katy Birchall why they enjoy the magazine, from the riddle to rare breeds, fine architecture to Tottering-by-Gently

Another brick in the wall

One brick might be a humble entity, but put many in the right hands and you have a work of art. Jack Watkins examines the history of this seemingly simple building material

A front-row seat

COUNTRY LIFE has been commenting on the state of the nation for 125 years. Sometimes, the past seems wholly removed, but there are moments when it all seems startlingly familiar

A mixture of expertise and clap trap

Our fishing correspondent considers how angling-from monkey climbers to how to tie a helicopter rig-has developed in the past 125 years

A castle and palace conjoined

One of the outstanding palaces of Baroque Europe was planned as both a residence and national monument. John Goodall revisits this extraordinary building