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'Each of my active ancestors had the good sense and taste to purchase or commission the outstanding work of their time': Meet the collecting dynasties
Whether it is adding contemporary paintings to a gallery of Old Masters or branching out into territories as diverse as Modernist chairs, Iranian tiles or Churchill memorabilia, the passion for collecting seems to run in some families.
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Belmont House: The 'jewel in Kent’s celebrated crown', created by a decorated soldier who was sent to prison and premature death by false accusations
Belmont House in Kent is a Georgian creation rich in military associations, now run by a trust. Steven Brindle looks at its history and the remarkable architect responsible for its design; photographs by Will Pryce for Country Life.
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Splendid isolation overlooking one of Britain's tiniest towns, with a Thomas the Tank Engine-style railway
In the hills away to the east of Welshpool you'll find Mount House, on the outskirts of the town of Llanfair Caereinion. Penny Churchill investigates.
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If I could turn back time: Is your vintage timepiece the real deal? Yes — if you buy it directly from this watch brand
IWC's new Curated collection takes the hassle out of vintage watch buying.
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How American political refugees, economic migrants and devoted Anglophiles are transforming London
One luxury restaurant, apartment and tennis court at a time.
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The new rat-pack: the Gen-Z team saving shearwaters and killing invasive species on a remote island in the Irish sea
Meet the twenty-somethings trading clubbing and pub quizzes for bird ringing and hard graft on the Calf of Man.
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'Nature's loo roll': Verbascum, one of the most curious — and useful — plants you'll find in an English country garden
With its ability to rouge cheeks, settle stomachs and operate as Nature’s loo roll, verbascum is as surprisingly useful as it is pretty, discovers Ian Morton.
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Farmhouse kitchens done right at these five beautiful country houses across Britain
A country house with a farmhouse kitchen is the archetype of the bucolic dream in Britain. Arabella Youens picks out five on the market right now that have wonderful examples.
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Raising the steaks: Which native animal produces the best beef?
We tasked eight gourmands — including food writer Tom Parker Bowles and chef Jackson Boxer — to find out which native British cow produces the best côte de boeuf.
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Ella Fitzgerald's Cote d'Azur suite is now a magnificent apartment in the Art Deco hotel where Churchill, Coco Chanel and Hemingway once lived the high life
It's almost 50 years since the iconic Hotel Le Provençal in Cap d'Antibes closed its doors, but it's now been transformed into a wonderful Riviera residence. Anna White looks inside.
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These boots were made for walking (up Mount Everest, 101 years ago): How identical twin brothers plan to test George Mallory's shoes against modern-day mountaineering kit
Shoemaker Crockett & Jones has crafted a replica pair of George Mallory's boots for one half of The Turner Twins to wear in the high-altitude Himalayas.
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A Norman Keep and castle for sale in the rolling hills of the Lake District, which was once owned by Richard II
Appleby Castle has hosted battle re-enactments, falconry displays, offers 22 bedrooms and is up for auction.
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'There is only a handful of fruit trees I’d grow for their non-edible charms — quince is one'
A versatile fruit that's superb in jams and with booze, quince also doesn't make you work too hard for all that pleasure.
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Diversity in style and diversity in location: London's best art is all around us
London's hotels, pubs and restaurants show the great depth of the capital's artistic tastes.
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This country estate is peaceful, spacious and elegant... just please don't ask us how to pronounce it
In the heart of Wales's beautiful Irfon Valley, The Cefnllysgwynne Estate is seeking a new owner.
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‘Sex, Money, Race, Religion’: Unlikely pair Philharmonia Orchestra and Gilbert & George collaborate on one-off concert
The artist duo once declared music to be ‘the enemy’, but this hasn’t stopped them from teaming up at the Royal Festival Hall for the orchestra’s 80th anniversary.
