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Curious Questions: Who wrote the Happy Birthday song?There are few things less pleasurable than a tuneless public rendition of Happy Birthday To You, says Rob Crossan, a century after the little ditty came into being
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Why do we get so many April showers?It's the time of year when a torrential downpour can come and go in minutes — or drench one side of the street while leaving the other side dry. It's all to the good for growing, says Lia Leendertz as she takes a look at the weather of April.
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Help for our four-legged heroes: the charity that looks after retired service animalsIn 2016, the Countess of Bathurst set up the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals, which continues to look after blue-light families and their animals.
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John Lewis-Stempel: Never look after other people's animalsOur countryside columnist does a friend a favour, and ends up having to free a half-ton heifer from a muddy trench.
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A walk across the Cheshire Plain, the 200-million-year-old landscape where yesterday’s old industrial sites are today’s nature reservesFiona Reynolds heads out for a walk on the Cheshire Plain, where industry and farming are juxtaposed to startling effect.
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St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, Heysham: The mythical Lancashire ruins with a heavenly viewAnnunciata Elwes takes a look at St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, a Morecambe Bay landmark.
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Curious Questions: Why was a lifeboat hauled 13 miles overland in the midst of one of the worst storms of the 19th century?Martin Fone on the brave men of the RNLI, and the tales of Louisa and Forrest Hall.
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Curious Questions: Who created the Oxford English Dictionary?Martin Fone, who has long been fascinated by words, digs in to the story of how Sir James Murray created the first Oxford English Dictionary — despite having a full-time job and 11 children — and ended up having his own special post box.
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Why does BBC Radio 4 broadcast 'the pips' at the top of the hour?The Greenwich Time Signal has been an ubiquitous part of BBC Radio for a century, but few know what it really is and where it came from
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How to tie the only knots you'll ever needThe 'Surrey Six' is a collection of ways to tie rope that, for most people, are the only six knots you'll ever need. Agnes Stamp tries her hand at tying them, and looks in to the lore of knot tying.
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Twelfth Night: What it is, when it falls and why it's the biggest celebration we no longer enjoyOnce a time of merriment when rules were subverted, Twelfth Night has long since lost its sparkle, says Vicky Liddell, as she digs into the colourful past of the Feast of Fools and finds that some traditions live on.
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The real Ebeneezer Scrooge who inspired Charles Dickens was actually 'noted for his generosity, jovial disposition and appetite'Ian Morton explores the runaway success of the Dickens Christmas classic and reveals the 'real' Ebenezer Scrooge, who was far from a mean man.
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The Country Life columnist who ended up at an illegal rave in the Brecon BeaconsPatrick Galbraith has a night to remember.
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A walk of wonder: The enduring beauty of the Kingston Lacy beech avenueFiona Reynolds takes a stroll around ancient Badbury Rings leads to Kingston Lacy, where an 188-year-old avenue of trees stands proud
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King Charles Spaniels: 'They’re like little people in fur coats'Once a favourite of the nobility, the distinguished King Charles spaniel is a loving and loyal little lap dog that can also hold its own outdoors, says Katy Birchall.
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Indices to Country Life articlesThe Country Life Index of articles is all articles published by Country Life, since 1897, in one place.
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Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers turns 30Not all heroes wear capes, some are more likely to put on the wrong trousers and ask their dog if he wants ‘more cheese’. Harry Pearson meets Wallace and Gromit, two of our best-loved Plasticine characters.
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Curious Questions: What is the Stone of Scone?Shrouded in myth and mystery, the unremarkable-looking Stone of Scone — the ancient symbol of Scottish sovereigns — still plays a significant role in the coronations of British monarchs, says Matthew Dennison.
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The Ship Inn Cricket Club: The tale of the world's only cricket club to play its matches on the beachA game of beach cricket with captains and kings leaves Steve King with hazy memories, but the all-encompassing glow of a perfect game (despite losing by three wickets).
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10 of Scotland’s most magical white sand beachesWhat better day to celebrate some of Scotland's most stunning locations than St Andrew's Day? Here's our pick of 10 of the finest white sand beaches in the country.
