
Carla Passino
Carla must be the only Italian that finds the English weather more congenial than her native country’s sunshine. An antique herself, she became Country Life’s Arts & Antiques editor in 2023 having previously covered, as a freelance journalist, heritage, conservation, history and property stories, for which she won a couple of awards. Her musical taste has never evolved past Puccini and she spends most of her time immersed in any century before the 20th.
-
A historic property with exceptional views in a picture-postcard Cornish hamlet
Once belonging to Sir Edward Hain MP, Morveren House combines beautiful views with handsome architecture and an idyllic setting just outside St Ives.
By Carla Passino Published
-
A charming period property in a rural Welsh village, yet with city, seaside and airport all in easy reach
The Old Vicarage combines elegant interiors with lush grounds in a rural village within easy reach of Cardiff International Airport.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Revealed: The best places to live in Great Britain for work-life balance
The Outer Hebrides lead the chart of the local authorities that offer the best work and life balance, according to new research. Carla Passino explains more.
By Carla Passino Published
-
A picturesque mill for sale in Staffordshire, with eclectic interiors and gorgeous grounds
Period charm meets contemporary living at Grade II-listed Chorlton Mill, in Staffordshire, a historic property that's especially well suited to entertaining.
By Carla Passino Published
-
A Grade II-listed manor house set in a wildlife paradise in Wales
Dating from the 18th century and set in beautiful countryside, Cuffern Manor is an award-winning guest house that could be easily converted into a lavish family home.
By Carla Passino Published
-
A stone-built millhouse in a perfect Cumbrian village where Wordsworth helped run a pub
The Mill House is a delightful property with salmon and trout fishing rights, set in lovely grounds in Sockbridge and Tirril, the parish where William Wordsworth's nephew once ran an inn — and persuaded his famous uncle to help him.
By Carla Passino Published
-
A grand Devon country house where Oliver Cromwell officially began the English Civil War
The grandiose Chanters House, in Ottery St Mary, Devon, was the place where Oliver Cromwell declared the Civil War and the Coleridge family created one of the West Country's most impressive libraries.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Is the housing market cooling off? Softening in buying and selling amid Lockdown 3.0, home schooling and the Stamp Duty holiday crush
After soaring in the latter half of 2020, the housing market in Britain now appears to be cooling off, according to the latest survey by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Carla Passino reports.
By Carla Passino Published
-
An ancient riverside property in a vibrant Kent village with an original Victorian pool
Part of a historic mill complex, Orchard House, in Franingham, Kent, combines period features with a modern sense of space and a magnificent waterside setting in a lovely village with easy access to excellent schools.
By Carla Passino Published
-
No Mr Bond, I expect you to buy: The most expensive Bond villains' lairs
The scheming villains of the James Bond films always seem to live in extravagant and magnificent homes — but how much would they cost in real life? Carla Passino takes a look, with the help of some new research.
By Carla Passino Published
-
How property owners and farmers can turn their barns into warehouses
In one of the great unexpected consequences of 2020's turmoil, there's a huge demand for extra warehousing — and it could be one that rural property owners turn to their advantage.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Hackney's journey from bucolic open space to one of London's great melting pots: 'It's the friendliest place I know in London'
Over the centuries Hackney has morphed from a land of gardens and streams to a vibrant, artsy and welcoming community, as Carla Passino explains.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Living on Primrose Hill: Chocolate-box streets, village spirit and some of the best views in London
Carla Passino takes a look at the finer things about living on Primrose Hill.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Four truly incredible homes for sale across the world
Carla Passino picks out some of the best homes on the market across the globe right now.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Three mesmerising historic homes for sale across the Continent, from a Venetian palazzo to a villa with its own aqueduct
With interest in international properties making a surprisingly strong showing, Carla Passino picks out three beautiful houses in popular destinations.
By Carla Passino Published
-
In Focus: How Pimlico went from Mozart's playground to a world-famous hub for design and antiques
London’s premier design district is home to some of the world’s leading interior-design and furnishing shops, but its refined façades belie a bohemian past, as Carla Passino discovers.
By Carla Passino Published
-
The strange case of the blonde hedgehogs of Alderney
While hedgehogs across most of Britain have been in a worryingly steep decline, those in the Channel Islands fare better since they have no natural predators — and that has meant a strange quirk has taken place on the tiny island of Alderney.
By Carla Passino Published
-
How St James's went from London's 'receptacle for offal and cinders' to its prettiest little city centre village
Carla Passino takes a look at St James's, the part of London that is truly 'regal by design'.
By Carla Passino Published
-
Chiswick life: Beautiful homes, art and elephant-shaped topiary in leafy West London
Royalty, rockstars and a rose or two have all called the leafy district of Chiswick home. Carla Passino delves into what gives it its charm.
By Carla Passino Published
-
The real story of Belgravia: Angry mobs, the 'Bloody Bridge', and London's most beautiful garden squares
Belgravia is the name on every Londoner’s lips, thanks to Julian Fellowes’s recent TV series of the same name. Carla Passino delves into the affluent district’s history.
By Carla Passino Published
-
'You can't furlough a cow': Farmers urge with public to buy direct to keep them in business during lockdown
Enterprising farmers have been setting up websites and even selling their wares via vending machines to keep things moving as much of the world has ground to a halt. Carla Passino reports.
By Carla Passino Published
-
A drink for all seasons: nine crowd-pleasing, well-priced wines from around the world
From Rioja alternatives to fruit-packed bottles, discover an eclectic selection of interesting, reasonably priced wines with our latest list.
By Carla Passino Published
-
A 'a symphony in red brick' just outside Guildford offering charm, creature comforts and two swimming pools
Set on the Sutton Park Estate, Grade II-listed The Manor House has beautiful period features, manicured grounds and two swimming pools.
By Carla Passino Published
-
The house where a young JFK forged his career has come up for sale in Washington
A pretty, red-brick building that has been beautifully renovated, 1400, 34th Street, was home to the American politician at the outset of his career.
By Carla Passino Published