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The Royal Albert Hall: A 19th-century marvel that 'has lost none of its power to amaze'
This week, the Royal Albert Hall celebrates its 150th anniversary. With photographs taken during the unnatural quiet of lockdown, John Goodall looks at the remarkable story behind the creation of this world-famous venue. Photographs by Will Pryce.
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Beckside House, Lancashire: A monument to the preservation of Georgian architecture
The home of one of Country life's architectural correspondents, Dr John Martin Robinson, reveals the influence of pattern books in the practice of English architecture. John Goodall admires its revival and the addition to it of two brilliantly judged new wings. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
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In Focus: The greatest Victorian houses in Britain, as featured in a magnificent one-off magazine
Under the expert eye of architecture editor John Goodall, Country Life has published a superb look at the greatest Victorian Houses in Britain, from Balmoral to Westminster. Here, John explains more about the places he has chosen — and why.
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Templeton House's escape from demolition and oblivion to become an incredible rarity: a country estate within the M25
A house that might have vanished beneath London’s spreading suburbs has been lovingly returned from institutional use and forms the heart of an estate within the capital. John Goodall reports on Templeton House, Roehampton, the home of David and Laura Rich-Jones. Photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library.
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Curves and curlicues: 10 stunning staircases from the Country Life Archive
Iron can be wrought into the most delightful staircase balustrades. John Goodall chooses some favourites from Country Life’s outstanding archive.
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Hampton Court's Baroque era reinvention: The transformation of the threshold of power
Hampton Court's association with Henry VIII takes the focus away from its Baroque elements, but they're worthy of attention argues John Goodall. Photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library.
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The Great Hall at Hampton Court, the building that 'brings the visitor closer to the world of Henry VIII than any other'
John Goodall looks at the remarkable history of Henry VIII's celebrated great hall at Hampton Court Palace.
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The salvation of Sudeley Castle: How one of the finest castles in the Cotswolds was saved from ruin
John Goodall delves into the later centuries of Sudeley Castle's existence, telling the story of its revival as a shrine to English history.
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Sudeley Castle: The tumultuous tale of one of the finest castles in the Cotswolds
John Goodall tells the story of Sudeley Castle, Gloucestershire, and explains how a soldier — probably with the help of his mother — won the trust of a child king and created a great castle in the Cotswolds with the rewards. Photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
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The Fraser Mortuary Chapel, a grand monument that's 'one of the most splendid in Britain'
The Scottish revival architecture of Patrick Allan-Fraser in Arbroath includes the Fraser Mortuary Chapel, an extravagant creation he designed for the town cemetery. John Goodall takes a closer look; all photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
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Hospitalfield: The Victorian creation of a visionary patron of the arts
Replete with late-Victorian collections and furnishings, Hospitalfield, Angus — the property of the Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust — is today home to a cultural organisation for artists and education in the Arts. John Goodall looks at the driving personality behind a remarkable survival. Photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
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The Ring of Gullion AONB: 'A landscape rich with archaeology and mythology, ancient churches and castles'
John Goodall looks at a spectacular part of Northern Ireland that's full of legends and myths.
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Arundells, Salisbury: Inside the private sanctuary that was the beloved home of a former statesman
Sir Edward Heath's house in Salisbury, Arundells, is at the heart of this wonderful small city. John Goodall pays a visit to tell its story; photography by Justin Paget for the Country Life Picture Library.
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The Howardian Hills AONB: 'If Yorkshire really is God’s own county, then the Howardian Hills are the divinity's chosen estate within it'
John Goodall takes a look at one of the varied and picturesque parts of Yorkshire: the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
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Burghley House: The 500-year story of one of the very greatest houses in Britain
Burghley House in Lincolnshire — the home of Miranda and Orlando Rock — is one of the very greatest houses in Britain. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of William Cecil, a statesman of defining importance in the nation’s history. John Goodall considers the Tudor development of the great baronial seat he created for himself, while Jeremy Musson looks at the 20th and 21st century story of the house. All photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
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Holcombe Court, the 'finest Tudor house in Devon', and the 20-year, no-expense-spared labour of love to restore it to glory
Roger White unravels the development of Holcombe Court in Devon, while John Goodall looks at the restoration of this magnificent Tudor house under the ownership of Nigel Wiggins. Photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
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The futuristic house of cork, fitted together like Lego, where the skylights stop it from blowing away
A research project by architects Matthew Barnett Howland and Dido Milne created Cork House in Eton, Berkshire, an experimental home of great style and interest. It also presents a challenge to the architectural world, as John Goodall explains. Photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library.
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The tale of the couple who gave Chequers to the nation and caught the mood of war-ravaged Britain
In 1917, the newly restored Chequers was gifted to the nation as the country seat of Britain’s Prime Ministers. John Goodall turns to a personal diary to explain how this came about; photographs by Paul Highnam.
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Stirling Castle: Renaissance of a Royal Palace
It was within sight of Stirling Castle that two of the most famous Scottish victories over the English were won. John Goodall takes a look at this impressive building and its history; all photographs by Paul Barker for the Country Life Picture Library.
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Chequers: The salvation and restoration of a house which became the Prime Minister's official country retreat
Chequers Court, Buckinghamshire, is the country seat of Britain’s Prime Ministers. By courtesy of the Chequers Trust, John Goodall paid a visit to find out more, and uses a diary to explain the circumstances of its magnificent Edwardian transformation. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
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London has never been this quiet in 2,000 years — here's what it looks like, and what we can learn
In all of its 2,000-year history, it seems unlikely that the City of London has ever stood so silent as it does presently. Can we learn from the quiet, asks Architectural Editor John Goodall, who also took the photographs on this page.
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Llandaff Cathedral: The creation, destruction and re-buidling of a monumental, expected and unforgettable building
John Goodall looks at the remarkable history of the 900-year-old Llandaff Cathedral, from its early beginnings to the trailblazing post-Second World War restoration. Photographs taken by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
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Shawford Park, Hampshire, an idyllic 17th century house by the river where 'the old and the new spark off each other'
John Goodall visits Shawford Park, Hampshire, the home of Peter and Elisabetta Mallinson, and finds an idyllic 17th-century house set between two branches of the River Itchen. All photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
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The Bishop's Palace, Wells: How a magnificent episcopal residence was built in the shadow of one of our greatest cathedrals
Encircled by water in the shadow of its cathedral, the Bishop’s Palace at Wells is a captivating survival. John Goodall looks at the history of this outstanding building 800 years after its construction. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
