Country Life UK Magazine - October 23, 2024

In this issue

Meet St Crispin and reviving granny’s rings.

The rise of Saudi art and America’s Cup drama..

All that money could buy

A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages

8 mins

Nature's own cathedral

Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods

5 mins

Upon St Crispin's Day

Etched into modern memory by Shakespeare, this inspirational martyr became the subject of a rousing battle speech by chance, discovers Ian Morton

3 mins

Give the dog a throne

Devoted dog owners, past and present, have created a veritable barkitectural digest. Flora Watkins pays tribute to some of the most palatial pet houses in the land

5 mins

Capturing the castle

Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker

6 mins

The original Mr Rochester

Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre

5 mins

Winging it

Precision engineering, electrifying competition and ballooning budgets define the America's Cup, the most coveted trophy in international sport, says Paul Henderson

5 mins

Promise of adventure

From sailing to fishing, golf and exceptional watersports, the Caribbean offers activities aplenty for those who are game, discovers Holly Kirkwood

6 mins

Shifting sands

Saudi Arabia has undergone accelerated social change and is set to become a global art powerhouse, with contemporary artists playing a crucial role, discovers Jessica Lack

5 mins

Power of four

An enigmatic blend of savoury and sweet, laced with heat to tease and tickle, the food of Morocco is both mysterious and misunderstood, finds Tom Parker Bowles

5 mins

Sympathy for the Devil

Provocative and insightful, philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli was as complex and paradoxical as his beloved city, discovers Eileen Reid

3 mins

Plants for plants' sake

The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson

7 mins

Souvenirs of greatness

FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.

3 mins

Kitchen garden cook - Apples

'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'

2 mins

'Sloes hath ben my food'

A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright

3 mins

Get it write

Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution

6 mins

Read all stories from Country Life UK

Country Life UK Magazine Description:

Country Life; architecture, gardens, countryside, property, the very best of British life Published by IPC Media. Country Life, the quintessential English magazine, is undoubtedly one of the biggest and instantly recognisable brands in the UK today. It has a unique core mix of contemporary country-related editorial and top end property advertising. Editorially, the magazine comments in-depth on a wide variety of subjects, such as architecture, the arts, gardens and gardening, travel, the countryside, field-sports and wildlife. With renowned columnists and superb photography Country Life delivers the very best of British life every week.