St Bartholomew-the-Great: A living fossil in the City of London
In 2023, two connected institutions in the heart of London — the church of St Bartholomew-the-Great and St Bartholomew's Hospital in Smithfield, London — celebrated their 900th anniversary. John Goodall took a look in a two-part article, with superb photographs by Will Pryce.
West Horsley Place, Surrey: The real-life country house where the BBC’s Ghosts is filmed
The BBC comedy Ghosts started out under the radar, but grew to become one of the best-loved television sitcoms to come out of the UK in years. In April we paid a visit to the house where it is filmed: West Horsley Place in Surrey.
Inside Windsor Castle, by kind permission of the Sovereign
Illustrated with photographs taken in the last few days of the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II, this quite extraordinary look inside one of the world's greatest castles is simply unmissable.
The Reform Club: Inside ‘the most magnificent club in London’, almost unchanged since the days of Phileas Fogg
Few buildings are more famous for their fictional roles than their real-life ones, but the Reform Club is one such example. We took a look inside and discovered its history.
Lincoln Cathedral: The 950-year story of one of Europe’s very greatest cathedrals
On the 950th anniversary of the royal transfer of The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin, Lincoln, John Goodall looked at the medieval development of what is without doubt one of Europe’s most brilliantly conceived cathedrals.
The best country house architects in Britain
The definitive list of the architects who you can trust with the creation, restoration or re-imagination of a country house.
Somerton: The ruined medieval castle transformed into a magical family home
On the edge of the Fens within distant sight of Lincoln Cathedral, Somerton Castle appears to be a handsome 17th-century house with a tower most surprisingly stuck on the end. It is that, yet it's also a comfortable, modern family home.
How a ‘scarred and degraded’ landscape became a 21st century Reptonian marvel with a dream country house at its heart
A landscape previously used for intensive farming proved to be an inspiring example of a house rooted in the history and character of its surroundings.
Fawley Hill: Inside the wacky and wonderful home of the late Sir William McAlpine
A dining room with a tented ceiling, a swimming pool entered via a psychedelic door and a train set running around the breakfast table? Marcus Binney looked at a home filled with remarkable collections and striking interiors that reflect its creator’s enthusiasms and interests.
Munstead Wood: The house that Edwin Lutyens built for Gertrude Jekyll
This year, Munstead Wood in Surrey was saved by the National Trust. Clive Aslet explained how it came from a happy friendship between a great gardener and architect, both closely connected to Country Life.
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‘Whatever do you do up there?’ enquire certain English infidels. The answer? ‘Lady, if ya gotta ask, ya’ll never know’: David Profumo's piece of heaven in Highland PerthshireDavid Profumo on the joy and wonder of the Highlands.
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I lichen the look of you: A rare lichen-covered fingerpost that's been frozen in time and donated to the Natural History MuseumA fingerpost, covered in 12 different species of lichen, has been donated to the Natural History Museum by Exmoor National Park — but they had some trouble getting it there.
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50 years ago, the English country house seemed headed for extinction. Instead it was the start of a new golden ageRather than perceiving the mid 20th century as a troubled period in the history of the country house, John Martin Robinson argues that it was perhaps one of the most interesting, unexpected and enterprising. All photography from the Country Life Image Archive, by June Buck, Paul Barker, Val Corbett, Will Pryce and Paul Highnam.
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‘It has been destroyed beyond repair, not by the effect of gunfire, but by a deliberate act of vandalism’: Britain’s long lost great houses that live on only inside the Country Life archiveIn the wake of the First and Second World Wars, some of Britain’s greatest houses were lost forever — to extinct familial lines, financial woes, neglect, vandalism and tragic accidents. Thankfully, plenty are preserved — in photographic form at least — for eternity, inside the Country Life archive.
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'This is how the countryside looked to Gilbert White, to Thomas Hardy, even to Shakespeare and Chaucer': The forgotten corner of the world where King Charles has poured his energy into preserving an all-but-extinct way of lifeThe historic buildings of a Transylvanian settlement have been restored and preserved with the help of several foundations and backed by The King’s personal enthusiasm. Jeremy Musson reports on this remarkable place; photographs by Paul Highnam.
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From the Country Life archive: Yes, that is a Moon Transmitter on London's South BankEvery Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.
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'I have lost a treasure, such a sister, such a friend as never can have been surpassed': Inside Jane Austen's Winchester home, the house where she penned her final words and drew her final breathJane Austen spent the last days of her life in rented lodgings in Winchester, Hampshire. Adam Rattray describes the remarkable recent discoveries made about the house in which she died.
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Winchester: The ancient city of kings and saints that's one of 21st century Britain's happiest places to liveKings, cobbles, secrets, superstition and literary fire power–Winchester has had it all in spades for centuries and is as desirable now as it ever was, says Jason Goodwin.
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The Old House, Dorset: There's beauty up aboveA series of new plasterwork ceilings, collaboratively designed with the creating artist, has transformed the interiors of The Old House, Dorset, the home of Charles and Jane Montanaro. Jeremy Musson explains more; photographs by Paul Highnam.
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From the Country Life archive: The Maori meeting house in leafy SurreyEvery Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.
