The Countryside
The beauty of the British countryside and country life, from the experts at Country Life.
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Baby, it’s cold outside (even if you have a natural fur coat): How our animals brave the winter chillWhen the temperature drops, how do Britain’s birds, beasts and plants keep the cold at bay? John Lewis-Stempel reveals Nature’s own thermals.
By John Lewis-Stempel Published
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How many insects are there for every person on Earth (give or take a million) and other questions. It's the Country Life Quiz of the Day, November 12, 2025Test your general knowledge in today's Country Life quiz.
By Country Life Published
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Retro rubbish: Waste from the 90s unearthed in 97-mile-long beach cleanThe 6,482 volunteers unearthed waste discarded decades ago among the 232,229 pieces of litter recorded during the initiative.
By Julie Harding Published
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The Labour government of the 1970s saved our country houses. Will a Labour government of the 2020s save our country churches?Why not invest to save the most valuable community resources we have, perfectly placed at the heart of communities?
By Fiona Reynolds Published
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Dangerous beasts (and where to find them): Britain's animals that are best left aloneJohn Lewis-Stempel provides a miscellany of our otherwise benign land’s more fearsome critters.
By John Lewis-Stempel Published
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Picture round: Guess the animal in today's Country Life Quiz of the Day, November 6, 2025In today's quiz we're asking you to guess the names of these lesser-known animals.
By Country Life Published
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From the Caribbean with love: The other James Bond who wrote the definitive guide to tropical birdsThe Caribbean plays host to a brilliant spectrum of colourful avians, says John Lewis-Stempel, as he revels in a birdwatcher’s paradise. Illustrations by Annabelle King.
By John Lewis-Stempel Published
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This bear welcomes you to the Country Life Quiz of the Day, November 4, 2025Put your mind to the test.
By Country Life Published
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Mystery, muse and metaphor: There's more to fog than meets the eyeSmothering, transformative and beautiful, fog’s close-set shroud has inspired titans of literature, cinema and art — and forces the rest of us to look at the world a little closer.
By John Lewis-Stempel Published
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Take a bough: How — and why — you should plant a mature treeFor instant impact in a newly landscaped garden, there’s nothing quite like planting mature trees or native hedgerow plants for transformative and long-lasting results.
By Steven Desmond Published
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'The view changes with the seasons, so there’s always something new to see': David Beckham on one of his favourite sights in the CotswoldsSir David Beckham discovered this Cotswolds view while looking for a house to buy.
By David Beckham Published
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'It makes me feel as if I’ve done a good job as a father and that I did the right thing in wanting us to have a house here': David Beckham on why the countryside matters so much to him and his familySir David Beckham talks to Paula Minchin about discovering the joys of beekeeping and gardening.
By Paula Minchin Last updated
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It's a foxy one: The Country Life Quiz of the Day, October 21, 2025The quiz of the day is back and better than ever.
By Country Life Published
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What is a Japanese llama called? The Country Life Quiz of the Day, October 20, 2025Featuring more questions you didn't know you needed the answer to.
By Country Life Published
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‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best time is now'Now is the time to firstly, hug a tree, and secondly, plant some more — in increasingly imaginative ways.
By Country Life Published
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‘Once upon a time they covered an area the size of Ireland’: The restoration of Britain’s native oyster reefs is shaping future marine projects around the worldJane Wheatley reports on an innovative project to restore Britain’s once plentiful native oyster reefs in Tyne & Wear.
By Jane Wheatley Published
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The secret life of seeds: The little wonders that sustain all life on EarthThey might not be especially striking to look at — if you can see them at all — but seeds are among the natural world’s most awe-inspiring marvels.
By John Lewis-Stempel Published
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Temperate rainforests are being planted all over Britain — what are they and why do we need them?Glen Auldyn on the Isle of Man is part of a £38 million restoration scheme to re-establish rainforests all over the world. Lotte Brundle went to see what's going on.
By Lotte Brundle Published
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Claws for thought: The world leading crustacean conservation charity that is saving our lobstersThe National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall is fighting for the species' survival. But it could do with some help.
By Oliver Berry Published
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Release the beasts! The Country Life Quiz of the Day, October 10, 2025But where?
By Country Life Published
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The Essex entrepreneur with big plans to eradicate microplastics from our oceans — and he's got the royal seal of approvalAdam Root plans to eradicate microplastics from our ocean for good.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated


