TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT: The latest issue features ‘Who won the war?’ We did, say the Americans, the British and the Russians. Each nation has a long history of claiming a unique role in defeating the Axis powers and diminishing the contribution of its allies. By Martin Ivens
From Belvoir to Belfast, the Exe to the Itchen and Holkham to Herefordshire, 11 friends of Country Life reveal what makes their beloved little corner of the British Isles stand out from the crowd
All hail the new Carolean age
A host of Charles III’s creative subjects are echoing the artistic achievements of the Restoration. Kate Green, John Goodall and Carla Passino investigate
Best in class
Julie Harding showcases the British-made products that are the embodiment of excellence both at home and abroad
Blooming brilliant
Charles Quest Ritson meets the dedicated custodians of our precious plant heritage
Susan Owens’s favourite painting
The art historian and author chooses a coastal masterpiece that brings the elements to life
The legacy
‘We’re doomed’—Kate Green salutes the hapless Captain Mainwaring and his motley, but much-loved Dad’s Army troops
Enthroning harmony
The King’s decades-long quest for harmony shines through in his architectural ventures, as Clive Aslet discovers
Trunk call
Julie Harding reveals how The King is backing efforts to save our majestic oaks, the arboreal icons of the British landscape
Winging it
Mark Cocker hails the original ‘jump jet’, the heady hen harrier
Life is like a rainbow
The vibrant hues of Nature’s paint palette are the daubs of warning, mating and more, suggests John Lewis-Stempel
Wink and you’ll miss it
There’s nothing tame about tiddly-winks, finds Amie Elizabeth White
Penny for your thoughts
Does familiarity breed contempt for Matthew Dennison as he delves into enduring proverbs?
Heritage threads
Hetty Lintell heads into the countryside to celebrate the very best of British fashion
No, Mr Bond, I expect you to cycle…
Paul Henderson joins the Q for Aston Martin’s top two-wheeler
Interiors
Giles Kime is wowed as the WOW!house opens its doors
A phoenix rises
Tiffany Daneff admires the revival of the historic gardens at Bledhow House in Buckinghamshire
A storm in a teacup
Jonathon Jones shares the dos and don’ts of brewing up
Arts & antiques
The politics, passions and portaits of wealthy American heiresses, with Carla Passino
Do judge the book by its cover
Carla Passino toasts the British illustrators who gave life to the worlds of Winnie-the-Pooh, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Rabbit
From trout to treasure and wine to witches, it’s the county that has it all. Country Life writers present 13 tales tall and true from Hampshire’s rich history.
The legacy
Kate Green salutes Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu and his matchless motoring collection
A room with a view
Adam Rattray visits the rented lodgings where Jane Austen spent her final days and reveals secrets recently uncovered in the house in Winchester, Hampshire
City of legend
Winchester is a place of kings and cobbles. Jason Goodwin visits our venerable one-time capital and finds it ageing well
London Life
Will Hosie welcomes top-class women’s tennis back to The Queen’s Club and washes down burgers with martinis to mark the return of the high-low restaurant, plus our writers have all you need to know this month
Travel
Emma Love has all the latest news, from Arles to Antwerp, Steven King hails the revival of Madrid and Pamela Goodman learns to love camels
Into the Goodwood
The West Sussex estate’s fresh focus on art and education is heralded with an exhibition of Dame Rachel Whiteread’s work
Nishat Khan’s favourite painting
The composer and musician chooses a fascinating scene that you could almost step into
The good stuff
Hetty Lintell strides into summer with bold red-and-white stripes
Interiors
A copper-topped kitchen catches the eye of Arabella Youens
Shape shifters
Non Morris is mesmerised by the tiered grass amphitheatre sculpted by Kim Wilkie in the garden of The Holt in Hampshire
Winging it
Mark Cocker hails the majestic merlin, the favoured hunting foil of Mary, Queen of Scots
Arts & antiques
Mollie Dent-Brocklehurst tells Carla Passino why she’ll never part with a remarkable drawing of a little girl with her hair ablaze
Jubilation and bittersweet tears greeted the end of hostilities in 1945, reports Octavia Pollock.
Mrs Olga Hopkins, Second World War veteran, takes centre stage on this week’s Frontispiece.
The carver, the baker and fancy shoemaker
Jane Wheatley meets some of the craftspeople enhancing the Cotswolds’ standing as a hive of creativity.
‘I am the Marquis of marmite’
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is applying his trademark swagger to a new passion for painting, reveals James Fisher.
Nothing lasts forever
Laura Parker reveals in those ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ moments that only Nature can provide.
The Cotswolds never disappoints (above)
Penny Churchill showcases glorious country houses for sale in two ‘golden triangles’.
All set for the Chelsea chop?
This it the time to prune our late-flowering herbaceous perennials — join John Hoyland in wielding the secateurs.
Martina Froth’s favourite painting
The Yale Centre for British Art Director chooses a work tinged with a melancholy sadness.
An estate made public
John Goodall investigates the gradual architectural revolution of Bowood in Wiltshire, a house that boasts a remarkable history.
The legacy
Kate Green pay tribute to Alan Turing, the code cracker who curtailed the Second World War.
The Badminton A-Z (above)
From amateur riders to Zaragoza, Kate Green guides you through the world-class eventing action.
New series: Winging it
The elegant hobby is capable of snatching swallows in flight — Mark Cocker is rapt by raptors.
The good stuff
Hetty Lintell is wowed by watches.
Interiors
Restful bedroom furniture and accessories, with Amelia Thorpe.
London Life
Rosie Paterson reveals how bees are creating a buzz in the capital, our writers have all your need to know this month and Selina Cadell shares her on-stage experiences of the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
A soft touch
Tiffany Daneff marvels at the flower-filled paradise of Hampnett House in Gloucestershire.
Travel (above)
Emma Love has an eye for adventure, Mark Hedges goes wild on safari in Botswana, Rosie Paterson hits the walking trail in Sri Lanka and Pamela Goodman hail’s Giubbilei’s gardens.
Art and antiques
Simon Finch tells Carla Passino he will not part with his £1 note signed by a Great Train Robber.
One king to rule them all
Mary Miers explores the artistic and cultural legacy of James I.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER MAGAZINE (May 1, 2025): The latest issue features the pintxos bars of San Sebastián to exploring the artists’ studios of Barcelona, the June issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK) invites you to discover mainland Spain’s most breathtaking cities through the eyes of locals.
Kenya: In the southern safari regions, humans and wildlife have a fragile coexistence Faroe Islands: In search of shapeshifters and sea trolls in this elemental archipelago in the Atlantic Biarritz: On France’s Basque coast, this nostalgic town is revered by surfers and gourmands alike Croatia:Hop from beach clubs to medieval monasteries with these island itineraries Cartagena: Local designers and bartenders are giving this Colombian city a shake-up Trentino: Mediterranean and Northern European cultures collide in this mountainous Italian province Chengdu:In Sichuan’s provincial capital, teahouses are attracting a new generation of travellers Prague: The Czech capital’s hotel scene is a feast for design aficionados
Plus, our pick of this month’s most exciting travel news; celebrating 200 years of Berlin’s Museum Island; a look at the flavours of Burgundy; exploring Galloway, Scotland, on two wheels; an architectural tour of Casablanca; the best summer music festivals; a dose of Victorian whimsy on the Isle of Wight; independent bookshops worth travelling for; and essential kit for festivalgoers.
News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious
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