The legendary birthplace of Siddhartha in Nepal beckons worshipers from around the world—and archaeologists hoping to uncover new evidence about the revered spiritual leader
In a world that consumes two billion cups of coffee each day, climate change is threatening the most popular species. How one leading botanist is scouring remote corners of the earth to find new beans that could keep our cups full
Long overlooked, Swedish painter Hilma af Klint made pioneering abstract art. Today she’s a global star—but some scholars insist she should be sharing the spotlight
Lanzarote: The Spanish island’s volcanic landscapes are beloved by artists, winemakers and hikers Sierra Leone: Stunningly biodiverse, the West African nation is finally opening up to travellers Brazil:In search of jaguars on the meandering waterways of the Brazilian Pantanal The Alps: Classic itineraries taking in the mountain range’s forests and fast-flowing streams Bangkok: Find peace away from the crowds in Thailand’s storied capital Panama City: The sparkling high-rises of this Central American metropolis conceal a fascinating history River Shannon: Village pubs and flower-filled meadows pepper this Irish waterway Portland, Maine: Innovative farmers are driving this coastal hub’s dining scene Lisbon: From pilgrims to party people, the Portuguese capital has stays for all types of visitor
The detention of the popular Istanbul mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu last month has sparked Turkey’s largest anti-government protests in years, with people gathering nightly amid violent clashes with police. But after thousands of arrests and with disagreements about how the protests should move forwards, the opposition movement is at a crossroads.
Amid concerns that Turkey may be slipping irretrievably towards full authoritarianism, Ruth Michaelson reports from Istanbul on how the detention of a popular young activist has caused particular anger among opponents of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s government. Ruth also weighs up what options now lie ahead for the protest movement amid disagreements about the best way forward.
Spotlight | Myanmar, after the earthquake With thousands now known to have been killed as a result of last Friday’searthquake that struck near Mandalay,Rebecca Ratcliffe reports on fading hopes of finding more survivors
Environment | The power of dead seaweed Rotting sargassum is clogging up Grenada’s beaches – but innovative technology is turning it into fuel, fertiliser and bioplastics. Natricia Duncan and Abigail McIntyre report
Feature | The rapid growth in beard transplants Demand for beard transplant surgery is soaring – despite the dangers that lurk in unregulated clinics. Are the risks worth it? Simon Usborne investigates
Opinion | How to beat the far right As a lonely, hate-filled kid in Sydney’s suburbs, Matthew Quinn turned to far-right ideology. Now he reveals how he helps others avoid that path
Culture | The return of FKA twigs Despite global stardom, FKA twigs has always felt a lack of belonging. The musician opens up to Zoe Williams about f ighting censorship, crying on stage and performing for peanuts
The art of conversation can be aided by a carefully configured drawing room, says Emma Burns of Sibyl Colefax & John Fowler
All ‘Clough-ed up’
Ben Lerwill marks 100 years of Portmeirion in North Wales, the outlandish architectural creation of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis
Property market
Arabella Youens casts her eye over compact country estates in Dorset, Devon and Hertfordshire
A prince among plantsmen
Charles Quest-Ritson is wowed by the memorable magnolias among the 6,000 plants in the Kent garden of Maurice Foster
Travel
Libby Brodie and Rosie Paterson explore the magnificent Maldives and Pamela Goodman shares not so fond memories of cheese fondue
Zoë Wanamaker’s favourite painting
The actress chooses a vibrant work bursting with the light, colour and energy of spring
A house of many inspirations
Jeremy Musson marvels at the amazing transformation of 300-year-old farm buildings at High Wardington House, Oxfordshire
The legacy
Kate Green pays tribute to Joe Henson, a ‘true gentleman’ who led the way in safeguarding some of our favourite native breeds
From this slumber you shall wake
Numbers have plummeted in the past 20 years, but plans are afoot to revive the fortunes of the hazel dormouse, reveals Jack Watkins
The good stuff
Immortalise your beloved pet in a beautiful piece of bespoke jewellery, suggests Hetty Lintell
London Life
Amie Elizabeth White embarks on the capital’s Big Egg Hunt, Country Life writers present all the titbits you need to know this month and Huon Mallalieu takes a trip down memory lane as he recalls the colourful characters of Booksellers’ Row
Foraging
John Wright lauds elderflower for its ‘scent beyond compare’
Arts & antiques
Carla Passino delves into the beauty, birds and beasts in the kingdom of J. M. W. Turner
Close to your chest
Huon Mallalieu investigates how the chest of drawers has gradually made itself at home in every room of the house
A song of the four seasons
Henrietta Bredin applauds the fusing of poetry and music in the exquisite song cycle ‘Seasons’
APOLLO MAGAZINE (March 31, 2025): The April 2025 issue features ‘The sonic visions of Oliver Beer’; The Frick returns to Fifth Avenue and How the Acropolis became modern….
The Frick returns to Fifth Avenue
An interview with Oliver Beer
How the Acropolis became modern
In praise of ‘degenerate’ art
Also: The duchess who scandalised Spain, why the market for women’s art is slowing, Dutch paintings at Apsley House, how Bugatti built a style icon, the sensational designs of Alphonse Mucha, and a preview of Art Dubai; reviews of Gertrude Abercrombie in Pittsburgh, Medardo Rosso in Vienna, and a history of image-eating. Plus: Will Wiles on a French avant-garde portrait with a family connection
HISTORY TODAY MAGAZINE (March 25, 2025): The latest issue features ‘The Lost World of Ancient Assyria’ – The Library of Ashurbanipal, the African king at Edward VII’s coronation, the origins of India’s Brahmins, British witnesses to Buchenwald, spinning James I’s succession, and more.
Can Vietdamned: How the World’s Greatest Minds Put America on Trial by Clive Webb rescue Bertrand Russell and Jean-Paul Sartre’s activism from irrelevance?
COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE (March 11, 2025): The cover of Country Life’s 12 March 2025 issue, featuring The Garden Hall at Pitshill House, West Sussex, as photographed by Paul Whitbread.
Water you wading for?
The village pond, once the hub around which community life revolved, is being reinvented as a ‘superpower’ habitat for rare species, finds Vicky Liddell
Sorry seems to be the easiest word
Deborah Nicholls-Lee makes no apology for asking why there is nothing more British than saying sorry (up to eight times a day, we regret to say)
Two’s company, three’s a crowd farmer
Jane Wheatley is impressed by a new European project linking farmers direct to consumers in an effort to ensure fair pricing
Peak sugar
Harry Pearson is sweet on Kendal Mint Cake, the original energy snack that is still going strong after conquering Everest and crossing the Antarctic
Arts & antiques
Nature’s beauty and vulnerability are laid bare in a new exhibition at Chatsworth in Derbyshire, as Carla Passino discovers
Josh Eggleton’s favourite painting
The chef and restaurant owner chooses a contemporary collage that keeps the viewer guessing
Like cats on a hot tin roof
A feline stand-off in a Wiltshire farmyard has echoes of tax and trade talks for Minette Batters
Gothic splendours
John Goodall hails the rebirth of Victorian gem Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire, some two decades after a devastating fire
The legacy
Kate Green lauds the brilliant, but tragically brief blooming of cello prodigy Jacqueline du Pré
The red army
Ian Morton reveals why we don’t want wood ants in our pants
The good stuff
Pretty pastels are back for spring, so think pink, says Hetty Lintell
Bring me everlasting flowers
Catriona Gray meets a man crafting blooms from coppiced hazel
If you want colour…
Picture-perfect primulas offer an easy way to festoon the garden with a kaleidoscope of colour, suggests Charles Quest-Ritson
Foraging
John Wright savours the peppery crunch and kick of black mustard, but he’ll never pick it in Yeovil
It’s a Scream
The wild work of Edvard Munch betrayed a troubled soul, but the Norwegian artist found salvation in Nature, declares Jessica Lack
Boomers Daily 