Exhibition Until November 1 ‘The Royal Academy of Arts in Yorkshire’, Zillah Bell Galleries, Thirsk, North Yorkshire. Original prints selected from this year’s Summer Exhibition by Norman Ackroyd CBE RA (http://zillahbellgallery.co.uk)
Concert Oct 30 ‘An American in Paris’, St Peter’s, Eaton Square, London SW1. Tamsin Waley-Cohenand Huw Watkins play Debussy, Ravel and Gershwin. 7.30pm, tickets £18 (020–7288 6511; www.eatonsquareconcerts.org.uk)
What to book this weekend December 10 and 17 Turkey Shoot, The Royal Berkshire Shooting School, Pangbourne, Berkshire. Competition across 10 stands, followed by a ‘Turkey Flush’. Tickets £99, including cartridges, clays and lunch (01491 672900; http://rbss.co.uk)
November 14 Countryside Day, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Racing, plus a parade of National Hunt stallions, the Brightwells Bloodstock Sale and terrier racing in the paddock. Gates open 10am, tickets from £8 (0844 579 3003; www.cheltenham.co.uk)
November 14 Sky at night: star-gazing, Down House, Downe, Kent. Listen to experts share their tips for stargazing, before taking a look through the telescopes in the meadow at Charles Darwin’s house. 7pm–9pm, adults £20, children £15 (0870 333 1183; www.englishheritage.org.uk)
November 19 Filling the Hungry Gap: Hampshire farmland bird walk and talk, Cannon Heath Farm, Overton, Hampshire. Get an insight into the environmental issues arising on the estate and keep an eye out for skylarks and grey partridge. 2pm–4pm, £10, including homemade afternoon tea (www.gwct.org.uk)
November 29 Curing for Christmas: ham and bacon, Humble by Nature, Penallt, Monmouthshire. Tips and tricks from Graham Waddington, co-founder of Gloucestershire artisan charcuterie company Native Breeds. 9.30am–1pm, £75 (01600 714595; www.humblebynature.com)
November 30 Winter is Coming: Game Night, No 4 Restaurant, St Agnes, Cornwall. A secret menu of game dishes is revealed on the night to diners and served feast-style. Tickets £35 per person, excluding drinks (01872 554245; http://no4peterville.co.uk)
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50 years ago, the English country house seemed headed for extinction. Instead it was the start of a new golden ageRather than perceiving the mid 20th century as a troubled period in the history of the country house, John Martin Robinson argues that it was perhaps one of the most interesting, unexpected and enterprising. All photography from the Country Life Image Archive, by June Buck, Paul Barker, Val Corbett, Will Pryce and Paul Highnam.
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'Meat, ale and guns — what else do you need, bar glorious scenery?': William Sitwell on the Brendon Hills, West SomersetWilliam Sitwell chooses the Brendon Hills as his piece of heaven in Britain.
