Annunciata Elwes
Annunciata grew up in the wilds of Lancashire and now lives in Hampshire with a husband, two daughters and an awful pug called Parsley. She’s been floating round the Country Life office for more than a decade, her work winning the Property Magazine of the Year Award in 2022 (Property Press Awards). Before that, she had a two-year stint writing ‘all kinds of fiction’ for The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, worked in internal comms for Country Life’s publisher (which has had many names in recent years but was then called IPC Media), and spent another year researching for a historical biographer, whose then primary focus was Graham Greene and John Henry Newman and whose filing system was a collection of wardrobes and chests of drawers filled with torn scraps of paper. During this time, she regularly gave tours of 17th-century Milton Manor, Oxfordshire, which may or may not have been designed by Inigo Jones, and co-founded a literary, art and music festival, at which Johnny Flynn headlined. When not writing and editing for Country Life, Annunciata is also a director of TIN MAN ART, a contemporary art gallery founded in 2021 by her husband, James Elwes.
-
A secluded property in Cornwall — accessible only via boat or foot — that has played a part in rock and roll history
From a site used by Medieval merchants, to serving as the inspiration behind a classic novel, to a world-famous recording studio, there is plenty to be inspired by at The Old Sawmills, which can be found on its own romantic stretch of river, not far from Fowey in Cornwall.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A wonderful family home in West Sussex with a gorgeous pool and idyllic countryside surroundings
Versatile living space, elegant period features and sublime private gardens meet at Loveders Farm, near the village of Nutbourne in West Sussex.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A beguiling country house in Oxfordshire that combines fascinating period architecture with pretty gardens
'Wonderfully eclectic and individual', Blenheim House fuses Georgian and Victorian architecture to form a unique and totally charming family home. Annunciata Elwes takes a look.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A sunny, Grade II listed family home in Hertfordshire with peaceful gardens that border the River Cam
Located in the sought-after village of Ashwell, The Old Rectory is a beautiful family home with light-flooded interiors and charming gardens.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
An award-winning oast barn conversion that overlooks the Swale Estuary in Kent
Distinctive Nouds Oast magically incorporates its conical oast roundels into flexible, beautiful living spaces that harmonise with the surrounding gardens and landscape.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A sensational country home built by Edwin Lutyens with gardens designed by Gertrude Jekyll — now for sale for the first time in 50 years
This is your chance to own a piece of gardening and architectural history.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A stunning Medieval Hall House that is the perfect blend of historic and modern — just 30 miles from London
Hollybush Farm is a real hidden gem, with fabulous period features and surrounded by exquisite gardens and grounds.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
The newborn peregrine falcons of Salisbury Cathedral
Salisbury Cathedral has welcome a new group of peregrine falcons, reports Annunciata Elwes.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
The mysterious sea of bluebells that appeared on Exmoor
A remote part of Exmoor has burst into springtime colour for the first time in centuries.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A truly idyllic home that was once the hunting lodge for the Earl of Grosvenor, now transformed into an elegant period home
Nestled in a private corner of the award-winning village of Great Abington is Abington Lodge: Where over 19 acres of gardens and grounds meet with elegant interiors and wonderful ancillary accommodation.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A spectacular Georgian home in the beautiful village of Lavenham which is as pretty as its surroundings
Magnificent inside and out, The Old Rectory is a truly awe-inspiring property with a separate three-bedroom coach house and one-bedroom apartment.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
One of Britain's greatest swimming pools and the standing stone that inspired Tolkien being saved for new generations
Two landmarks of very different nature have received boosts which should help them survive many more years: the elegant Saltdean Lido near Brighton, and a country boundary stone near Oxford that's been a local landmark for centuries. Carla Passino and Annunciata Elwes report.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Live in the grand home that became Hogwarts in three of the Harry Potter films
Wingardium renovatio! Eagle-eyed Harry Potter fans may recognise the 100-acre Royal Connaught Park from several of the early movies.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A striking oast barn conversion in a pretty village that is just a short train journey from London
Caste-like Down Farm Oast offers the chance for buyers to live in a beautifully-converted property with unique features, all whilst being surrounded by beautiful scenery and an idyllic village setting.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Rustic charm is in abundance at this cottage in the South Downs National Park — and it's on the market for less than £1 million
There are a number of factors which make Farriers stand out from the crowd — from the organic, raw interiors which beautifully showcase the property's period features, to its unrivalled location in the West Sussex countryside.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A gloriously renovated cottage near the Chiltern Hills which offers the very best of modern-day living in a historic home
Cobweb Cottage is an idyllic home that has been restored to a meticulous standard, located in a sublime village setting but with easy access into London.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A gorgeous home in the midst of the Lake District National Park which has access to world class walks from the doorstep
Within the Wasdale Valley, surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery, stands a beautiful home with plenty to offer.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
Fancy living around the corner from Harrods with £2.6 million to spend? Then this elegant two-bed apartment is for you
This elegant two-bed apartment in Hans Crescent offers luxurious living in one of the capital's most esteemed neighbourhoods.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
The iconic English pig that is now at serious risk of disappearing forever
The latest Rare Breeds Survival Trust report brings shocking news: the Large White pig, a mainstay of British farms, is at serious risk. Annunciata Elwes reports.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A charming chocolate box cottage for sale in an idyllic setting — and it's well within the M25
Willow Cottage in Totteridge, North London, is a little slice of green paradise with plenty of potential.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A striking 19th century lodge in 'one of Buckinghamshire's most picturesque villages' is up for sale for less than £900,000
Originally forming part of the Mentmore Towers estate, Laundry Lodge is a striking Grade II listed home that stands in the village conservation area opposite the local church, and offers plenty of charm and appeal.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
An elegant Georgian farmhouse near Stratford-upon-Avon which comes with romantic wild gardens and a studio
Lovely interiors and even lovelier gardens make Stamford Hall House in the Warwickshire village of Ettington completely irresistible.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
A truly breathtaking period farmhouse in the Kent countryside with stunning interiors and a charming brick bakehouse in the garden
It's not often that a property stops us in our tracks, but that's just what Gould Farm, near the village of Frittenden in Kent, has done.
By Annunciata Elwes Published
-
The UK visitor attractions where numbers soared in 2021
Visitor numbers in 2021 for some of Britain's top tourist attractions have been made public, and while there's good news for many places, others struggled as the pandemic continued to bite. Annunciata Elwes takes a look.
By Annunciata Elwes Published