Country Life

Published by Time Inc. (UK) Ltd 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.

THE MASTER AND EVA • Your indispensable guide to the capital

News

Go with the flow • The banks of the River Thames are littered with historical houses and royal residences, says Carla Passino, who advocates experiencing them all on a walk upstream

At home along the River Thames

The great and the good

MY PLATE OF VIEW • Plaza Khao Gaeng, 103–105 New Oxford St, WC1

Old in name, but not in nature • Six years ago, the Government sold the War Office-Sir Winston Churchill’s former haunt and the heart of First and Second World War logistics–on a 250-year lease. On the eve of its rebirth as a luxury hotel, Clive Aslet looks back its extraordinary history

THE CAPITAL ACCORDING TO... Penelope Chilvers • The shoe designer speaks to Rosalyn Wikeley about Andalusian artisans, Notting Hill’s community spirit and rifling the V&A archives for inspiration

A manifesto for the countryside • Future Publishing Ltd, 121–141 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 6JR 0330 390 6591; www.countrylife.co.uk

Country Life

1980s Notebook

The COUNTRY LIFE manifesto • It goes without saying that the new Prime Minister’s in-tray will be piled high with a difficult winter in prospect, but here we offer some ideas for legislation that could improve morale and even be popular

Town & Country Notebook

Wines of the week

Letters to the Editor

Small, but vital

A prodigy of the Picturesque at risk

The way we were • Photographs from the COUNTRY LIFE archive

Reasons to be cheerful • Talk, Trust, Feel

Lily of the Valley by Charlotte Verity

The Great Tower, Dover Castle

Confessions of a lifetime • The author on the painful memories evoked in his new memoir

Playing with history • Founders’ Hall, Cloth Fair, London EC1 The Worshipful Company of Founders A post-Modern livery hall that is a striking home for an ancient company can teach us something about sensitive development in London, notes John Martin Robinson

Changing times, changing titles • In its 125th year, COUNTRY LIFE is making some small, but mighty changes to its Style Guide

‘I gave up my career for the Sealyham’ • A lot of vulnerable native breeds have their fans, but not all have someone as determined to save them as Harry Parsons. Julie Harding travels to Sealyham HQ to meet his latest litter of puppies

Thunder and lightning, what could be more frightening? • We can all identify bolts of lightning, rainbows and stormy skies, but what of some of the earth’s more unusual and most spectacular weather phenomena?Here, photographers explain the science behind their astounding images

New looks for a new season • Later this month, new furniture, fabrics, wallpapers, lighting and accessories will be unveiled at Focus/22 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Amelia Thorpe chooses her favourites

The 21st-century country house • At this month’s Focus/22, COUNTRY LIFE will host an event at which interior designer Emma Sims-Hilditch will discuss the changing face of the English country house

Loafing around • There’s nothing like a new pair of shoes for September, reminisces

Family affairs • Past grandeurs...