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.

Miss Isabelle Hope Copeland

The magic of mushrooms • Future Publishing Ltd, 121–141 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington, London W2 6JR 0330 390 6591; www.countrylife.co.uk

Country Life

Town & Country

A biting issue

An unanswerable argument

Town & Country Notebook

Letters to the Editor

Mind your language

Odessa should be a heritage bellwether

The way we were Photographs from the COUNTRY LIFE archive

My favourite painting Clare Moriarty

Begone, dull care • A 500-mile pilgrimage to the remote, far reaches of Scotland is worthwhile for the serenity

For King and country • As Charles III’s 74th birthday approaches, Matthew Dennison considers His Majesty’s immense contribution to the countryside, the Arts, architecture and the environment, and ponders what sort of monarch he might be

The life and times of Charles III

Let’s hear it for The King • A brilliant conversationalist, a cracking host and, surprisingly, an excellent actor, Charles III genuinely cares for people and strives to make a difference to their lives. Anna Tyzack speaks to some of those who have crossed his path

A forest lawn renewed • The home of Stuart Richmond-Watson Wakefield Little Lodge, Northamptonshire A historic hunting lodge has been brilliantly enlarged and adapted to create a small country house, as John Martin Robinson explains

Bring in the heavyweights • England’s past might have been ‘borne on his back’, but now, thanks to a rediscovered appreciation of his delightful temperament and eco credentials, the future of the Shire horse looks brighter than it has for decades, says Julie Harding

A Shropshire Lad

A point of honour • From chivalric titles to the national honours system, John F. Mueller explores the idiosyncratic intricacies of British orders, medals and decorations

The music of grief • Most composers only ever wrote one choral requiem, usually prompted by a personal loss. Claire Jackson examines why these pieces of music are so comforting and so emotive

Dancing to the beat of a million wings • Rolling like an enormous shape-shifting black cloud, as countless birds swoop and dive in unison, the starling murmuration is a spellbinding phenomenon. Simon Lester is mesmerised

Squid’s in • The squid might be a literary villain, but, once fried in a crispy batter, stuffed with tomatoes and capers or served raw with soy and ginger, calamari is one of the sea’s greatest gifts to cooks, says Tom Parker Bowles

Bags of time • Beautiful handbags should be made to last, says Hetty Lintell, but some now work hand in hand with Nature

Shining lights • Illuminating ideas to brighten your home, selected by Amelia Thorpe

The wonder of wool • Since its launch by Charles III in 2010, the Campaign For Wool has eloquently communicated the benefits of one of Nature’s greatest gifts to the home, finds Giles Kime

A past master • At the heart of Ben Pentreath’s magic is his ability to reinvent the past

Houses that work for you • Two listed properties with additional income streams can help you pay your way

Kings, Queens, Lords and Ladies • See how the other half live in...