Architecture

The redecoration of the drawing room at Russborough House in Co Wicklow, Ireland, offers a fascinating insight into the aesthetic preoccupations of Grand Tourism in the mid 18th century. John Goodall explains; photography by Paul Highnam for Country Life.

By John Goodall Published 9 March 25

Adrien Brody won the Best Actor award for his turn in ‘The Brutalist’, playing the role of Lazslo Toth, one of the key movers in the architectural movement. Will Hosie takes a look at the legacy of Brutalism in Britain, looking at the best buildings both of Brutalism and the Bauhaus Movement which preceded it.

By Will Hosie Last updated 3 March 25

The process of stitching together the architectural fabric of the Aldourie estate in Inverness-shire has created an outstanding group of new and restored buildings. John Goodall explains more; photography by Paul Highnam for Country Life.

By John Goodall Published 2 March 25

Tim Richardson looks at the innovative and superbly maintained 18th-century landscape garden of Bramham Park in West Yorkshire, home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox. Photographs by Paul Highnam.

By Tim Richardson Published 23 February 25

In the second of three articles on Bramham Park, West Yorkshire — the home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox — John Goodall tells the story of the destruction of this house by fire in 1828 and its astonishing revival that continues into the 21st century.

By John Goodall Published 16 February 25

Bramham Park is one of the most original and idiosyncratic houses of early 18th-century Yorkshire. Richard Hewlings examines its history and origins, and offers a fresh analysis of its architecture. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.

By Richard Hewlings Published 9 February 25

'Molten lead cascaded from the roof into the centre hall, and then the dome crashed to the ground, leaving the interior an inferno of blazing timber and shattered stonework.' 85 years on from the devastating fire at Castle Howard, restoration is still going on. Annunciata Elwes reports.

By Annunciata Elwes Published 5 February 25

Brockfield Hall in North Yorkshire is the family home of Charlie Wood and Hatta Byng, editor of House & Garden, who have transformed it since they came here in 2020, winning multiple awards in the process. John Martin Robinson reports on the restoration project that revived this compact Regency house as a modern family home. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.

By John Martin Robinson Published 4 February 25

In the second of two articles, William Aslet explains how the opulent interiors of Moor Park, Hertfordshire, were completed and the manner in which conversion into a golf club saved the building.

By William Aslet Published 26 January 25

William Aslet looks at Moor Park, Hertfordshire, where the ambitious work of the painter and architect Sir James Thornhill recast a major 17th-century house as a Baroque masterpiece. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.

By William Aslet Published 19 January 25

When it comes to buildings of historical and architectural note, we don't love them simply because they are old, but because they are beautiful and engage our attention.

By Country Life Published 17 January 25

The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans is one of the oldest churches in Britain — and quite possibly the very oldest — but no building survives through hundreds of generations without change. John Goodall examines some of the recent changes made to highlight the saints associated with this ancient church. Photographs by Paul Highnam and John Goodall for Country Life.

By John Goodall Published 12 January 25

John Goodall assembles a shortlist of his favourite architecture books published recently.

By John Goodall Published 9 January 25

Plus a property perfect for a sweet summer's evening near Salcombe, the bewitching joy of darkness and a quiz.

By James Fisher Published 8 January 25

A church built for Britain’s first known Christian martyr developed into The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans, Hertfordshire. John Goodall tells the tale of the saint and the building he inspired; photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.

By John Goodall Published 5 January 25

With the help of specially commissioned drawings by Matthew Rice, Jeremy Musson considers the abiding presence of the stone-built manor house in the stories of Thomas Hardy.

By Jeremy Musson Published 22 December 24

The home of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers Established in 1403, the Stationers’ Company was long responsible for regulating the printing industry. Lucy Denton looks at the history of this remarkable institution and its headquarters: Stationers’ Hall, London EC4.

By Lucy Denton Published 8 December 24

Apethorpe Palace in Northamptonshire — a seat of Baron and Baroness von Pfetten — was enlarged in the 1560s and 1620s specifically to receive first Elizabeth I, and then James I. John Goodall tells the story.

By John Goodall Published 1 December 24

The painted church of the Annunciation and the Archangel Michael, Urși, Vâlcea County, Romania, has been the object of an heroic 10-year restoration programme,

By John Goodall Published 27 November 24