Architecture
Explore the riches and history of Britain's greatest castles and houses, old and new.
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Keep dreaming: The spectacular reimagining of Norwich CastleA bold attempt to reconstruct the early-12th-century interiors of the Keep at Norwich Castle has paid off. Edward Impey visits this hugely ambitious Norman palace to find out more; photography by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By Edward Impey Published
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'It's both old and new — yet you can’t see the join': Nicholas Howard on one of the greatest treasures at Castle HowardNicholas Howard talks to John Goodall about one of the highlights of Castle Howard.
By John Goodall Last updated
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How a sweet malted milk gave rise to the finest garden in Edwardian EnglandThe story behind the pleasure gardens of Cowley Manor is a fascinating one, albeit with an all too predictable ending.
By Melanie Bryan Published
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The inventor-turned-industrial magnate who founded Unilever spent millions on art — and housed it in this gallery built to honour the love of his lifeCreated as a memorial to his wife, the architecture and superlative art displayed in Lady Lever Art Gallery are the legacy of one of the greatest British businessmen and collectors of all time. Steven Brindle reports. Photographs by Paul Highnam
By Steven Brindle Published
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The original golden gates, created by an unparalleled genius of 17th-century metalworkForget the bridge in San Francisco: the most beautiful golden gates we've ever seen are at Burghley House in Lincolnshire.
By John Goodall Published
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Country Life's 'unusually hurried and ill-composed photographs' of a curious home eviscerated by The BlitzRadnor House was unfashionable... until it wasn't.
By Melanie Bryan Published
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A decades-long project to save a house from 500 years of 'ungainly, hotch-potch extensions' and reveal its original beautyRescued from dereliction in the early 1990s and never previously described by Country Life, Balgone House in East Lothian has evolved from tower house to remarkable Classical seat, as Mary Miers explains. Photography by Will Pryce.
By Mary Miers Published
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A glimmer of hope for Mentmore Towers, the 'treasure-house that would evoke all the richness of 16th-century Venice'The home, once belonging to the Rothschild family, is in desperate need of repair. Something must be done.
By John Goodall Published
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The rise and ruin of an Elizabethan Hall that tried in vain to prepare a war poet for the trenchesWilfred Owen was one of a myriad First World War troops who learned the art of trench warfare at Park Hall.
By Melanie Bryan Published
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The 'King's favourite architect' bows out after 60 years of excellence and keeping the flame of Classicism alive in the dark decades of ModernismAs the celebrated Classical architect Quinlan Terry retires after a career spanning more than six decades, Clive Aslet looks back at his life and work.
By Clive Aslet Published
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Charles Berkeley on the arch at the castle that's been in his family since the 1100sJohn Goodall meets Charles Berkeley, whose family have owned Berkeley Castle in Gloucestershire for nine centuries, to find out about one of its most striking original features.
By John Goodall Published
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Thomas Becket, a lion and the author of 'Out of Africa' all lived in this medieval monastery photographed for Country LifeMelanie Bryan recounts the fascinating history of Haverholme Priory.
By Melanie Bryan Published
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Duelling, revolution and a picture-perfect cottage in IrelandDuring the 1790s, a widow, Mary Bushe, created a Romantic cottage and garden for herself: Dangan Cottage, Co Kilkenny. John Goodall explains the background to its creation and reports on the remarkable recent restoration of the property, now the home of Christopher Moore.
By John Goodall Published
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'Works of craftsmanship that bring these rooms to life': Thirlestane Castle's spectacular 17th century plasterworkEdward Maitland-Carew's family have been at Thirlestane since the 13th century. He spoke to John Goodall about the extraordinary ceilings that were created roughly half-way through that tenure.
By John Goodall Published
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Even a visit from Queen Mary couldn't save this 15th-century Yorkshire mansion from Britain's coal industryMethley Hall surpassed everyone's expectations and managed to stay standing long beyond its time.
By Melanie Bryan Published
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Curraghmore: The great Irish house transformed by the most 'brilliant, exasperating, expensive and chaotic' architect of the 18th centuryIn the second of two articles, John Goodall looks at the later development of Curraghmore, Co Waterford — home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Waterford — and a new discovery relating to its outstanding interiors by James Wyatt. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Goodall Published
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What to do with the remains of Glasgow's Mackintosh building?A recent update on the condition of the building, and what to do with it next, has raised some eyebrows from the architectural and conservation communities.
By Julie Harding Published
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One family, six centuries and an Irish house of unsurpassed beauty: The fascinating tale of CurraghmoreCurraghmore in Co Waterford, Ireland — the home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Waterford — has been developed over the course of six centuries by a single family. In the first of two articles, John Goodall explores its early history and first Georgian transformation. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
By John Goodall Published
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'They will never be for the purists': The relentless, referential and upbeat joy of postmodern buildingsAs many of postmodern architectures finest buildings enter their fourth decade, Jack Watkins makes the case for why this often overlooked architectural style warrants further study.
By Jack Watkins Published
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The great Tudor hall that housed the guillotine probably used on Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette was executed by guillotine on October 16, 1793. Rumour has is that the exact same machine found its way to Weald Hall in Essex where it was photographed by Country Life.
By Melanie Bryan Published
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Scarborough: How the 'queen of spas' created the modern seaside townA woman’s discovery of an iron-rich spring four centuries ago launched the development of Scarborough as the original seaside resort. Kathryn Ferry tells the remarkable story of the architectural development of the North Yorkshire spa.
By Kathryn Ferry Published


