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'Herod’s catapult has been confiscated': The Nativity play that might be alright on the nightNever work with animals and children, they say, but surely it isn’t a proper Nativity without them?
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'It isn’t only a moment in time, but a meeting place of past, present and yet to come': Fergus Butler-Gallie on how our churches shape our ChristmasesThe Church of the Nativity still moves millions of people to tears and represents the power of hope. It is why, says the Reverend Fergus Butler-Gallie, we flock to our local church at Christmas, no matter how far removed it may seem.
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‘I wasn’t really sure that I wanted to be a ballet dancer’: The English National Ballet's prima ballerina on playing Clara in The Nutcracker and her consuming passionsLotte Brundle meets Ivana Bueno, who is dancing the role of Clara in The Nutcracker this year at the London Coliseum.
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The policeman turned goat-herder turned beautician, whose goats' milk soap became a sensationBeautiful soaps always make a wonderful gift, and that's why the goats' milk soap-maker Nick King is one of our heroes of Christmas.
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How the spirit of Andy Warhol lives on through ChristmasAndy Warhol found Christmas a tricky time, yet threw himself into the festivities and, when he decided to illustrate his series on American myths, he had no doubt he should include the jolly old man in the bright red suit.
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Meg Walters: The BBC's 1995 adaptation of 'Pride and Prejudice' is the ultimate Millennial fairytaleThe BBC's 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s 'Pride and Prejudice' adaptation is 30 years old. Beloved by Millennials everywhere, it set a benchmark for period dramas that still stands today.
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The exquisite Christmas decorations that spark childhood joy, and the decoration-maker who creates themElizabeth Harbour's irresistibly pretty Christmas decorations earn her a place as one of our heroes of Christmas.
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The plants to give for Christmas which will keep flowering for yearsJohn Massey of Ashwood Nurseries grows thousands of Christmas plants each year — making him one of our Christmas heroes. Here are his tips for the best ones to give.
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Where should you go in 2026? Anywhere that you can just kick back and relaxCountry Life's Rosie Paterson joins the podcast.
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Has the secret of Vermeer’s most enigmatic masterpiece finally been revealed? A British art historian’s controversial claim to have uncovered the true identity of 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'Andrew Graham-Dixon talks to Carla Passino about Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' — an iconic example of Dutch Golden Age art and one of the most famous paintings in the world.
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'Real children like it… I think it frightens some adults, but very few children': 75 years of The Chronicles of NarniaAs C. S. Lewis’s enchanting children’s classic 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' turns 75, Matthew Dennison pulls back the coats to explore its evergreen spell.
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Dragonflies, flowers, dogs and lobsters: The 17th century nature brought back to life by the paintings of Alexander MarshalAlexander Marshal — this country’s first major botanical painter — deserves to be better known, writes Tiffany Daneff, after seeing his luminous originals in the Royal Collection.
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The accidental Impressionist who captures country life on canvasPainting a local cricket match, Sherree Valentine-Daines received an invitation that changed her career and led her to become artist-in-residence at Goodwood
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‘I have an obsession with having a good time’: Fred Sirieix on his newfound love of gardening, moving to the UK and his consuming passionsLotte Brundle chats to the French Maître d'hôtel, best known for bringing his charming hospitality to Channel 4’s First Dates and for his antics with Gordon Ramsay and Gino D'Acampo.
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A lifelong Londoner on how to beat the throngs and make the most of the city this ChristmasToo few people know how to do Christmas right, says Will Hosie. Here are his tips and tricks for navigating the capital this festive season.
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The King, The Queen, David Beckham and me: Paula Minchin on Country Life's best guest editsCountry Life's Paula Minchin talks about the magazine's high-profile guest edits on the Country Life Podcast.
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What is everyone talking about this week: (Whisper it) is smoking back?You’d be forgiven for thinking that young people are a bunch of mopes, who refuse to drink, go dancing or have sex and are ruining British nightlife for all — but you're wrong, says Will Hosie.
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Child stars, Prince and nursery rhymes: It's the Country Life Quiz of the Day, December 5, 2025It's all in today's quiz.
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'A teaspoon of living soil contains more creatures than there are people in existence': Unearthing the dirt's vital role in our future on World Soil DaySarah Langford argues that it is high time soil become fashionable.
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Can you guess the landmark from its gingerbread copy cat? Take our quizToday's quiz takes a detailed look at the gingerbread works on display at London's The Gingerbread City — and asks if you can guess which iconic landmark they are.
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What on earth is the person who comes up with Annabels's otherworldly facade displays on? London's most magical Christmas shop displaysPhotographs by Greg Funnell.
