The high life
Those with a head for heights and near-unlimited funds — not to mention a penchant for living in deserts with economies driven by oil and ultra-luxury — might be keen to hear that the penthouse apartment of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai is up for sale at £40 million.
Those who don’t have the aforementioned head for heights etc. might still be curious to take a look at these pics of the 21,000sq ft apartment which comes with a private lift, epic views and 12 parking spaces to make sure that you can throw intimate soirees without wondering where your guests will leave their Rolls-Royces.
Worth noting is that the pics here, delightful as they are, are CGI mock-ups: the apartment is currently a shell, and around £4 million will need to be spent to kit it out. At least you'll get exactly what you want — but if that kids' room doesn't become a reality, it'll be a travesty.
Also worth noting that it’s billed by agents IDRE as ‘the world’s highest residential property’ by the vendors — though that very much depends on how you measure this sort of thing. No doubt there are goat herder’s huts in the Himalayas that are way higher than even the top of what is, at 828 metres, the world’s tallest building.
The Country Life Quiz of the Day...
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Country Life's gardening superstars heading to RHS Malvern
The RHS Malvern Spring Festival (May 8-11) has proven increasingly popular this year — and if you’ve pondering whether you should make the trip in 2025, the list of guests has just been released, and might well convince you. Country Life writers Alan Titchmarsh and Mark Diacono are both showing up, as is another good friend of ours in Raymond Blanc.
We're fairly sure you know what Alan looks like. Here he is anyway.
There is also a chance to see BBC Gardener’s World trio Rachel de Thame, Adam Frost and Frances Tophill on stage — and for those really looking to push the boat out, for £134 you can book a spot at a VIP cream tea with Rachel on the Friday, or Adam on the Saturday. More details at rhsmalvern.co.uk.
Are you growing a plant at risk of extinction?
Search your gardens, greenhouses and allotments this February, says Plant Heritage, which is calling on the public’s help for its annual Threatened Plant of the Year competition.
Anyone can enter if they believe they have a named cultivar that currently cannot be bought from any nursery, garden centre or similar, but that had been grown or sold in the UK or Ireland before 2015.
Aubrieta Shangarry is a former winner of the Threatened Plant of the Year competition
‘Many plants — including some considered common — could be at risk of disappearing from our gardens if they aren’t cared for,’ explains Gwen Hines, Plant Heritage’s CEO.
‘We hope to uncover more rare plants this year and I’d urge everyone to scour their gardens and other green spaces for potential entrants.’
The deadline for entries is April 30 — all those shortlisted will be displayed with Plant Heritage at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival from July 1–6, with the winner being announced on the first day of the festival. You can enter at plantheritage.org.uk.
That's it for today — we're back tomorrow, and every weekday, with our round-up of things you need to know
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'One of the truly great gardens of the world' is at risk of having its vistas and tranquility blighted foreverThe views from Rousham, the birthplace of the English landscape-garden movement are at risk of development plans for the nearby former RAF Upper Heyford Air Force base get the go-ahead.
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The wisteria clad cottage where Noël Coward and Ivor Novello held court at the height of their fameThe 17th-century Follejon Cottage just outside Windsor was a perfect escape from the city for Noël Coward and his circle of friends. As it goes on the market, Penny Churchill takes a look.
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The wisteria clad cottage where Noël Coward and Ivor Novello held court at the height of their fame
The 17th-century Follejon Cottage just outside Windsor was a perfect escape from the city for Noël Coward and his circle of friends. As it goes on the market, Penny Churchill takes a look.
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A Cotswolds property that's the strangest mix of old and new we've ever seen... and yet somehow, it all worksThe Gasworks is a house quite unlike anything you've seen before — or at least anything you've seen all in one place. Toby Keel takes a closer look.
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A country house near Windsor that could be straight from the pages of a Jilly Cooper novelPenny Churchill looks at the beautiful polo-lover's sanctuary that is Barkham Square Park.
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The factory that once fuelled the Victorians' insatiable appetite for pianos has become a set of gorgeous, characterful apartmentsChappell & Co were a huge name in 19th century music, even working with Beethoven. Today, one of their old factories in Camden has become a series of beautiful apartments.
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What £1 million buys you across Britain, from a Cornish cottage to a miniature castle in the HighlandsSprawling country houses, a mini-estate in Scotland and homes where the sea almost laps up at your feet are among the property options open to those with a seven-figure budget. Here's our pick of the best £1 million houses for sale across the land.
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The Hampshire home of a Victoria Cross-winning British WWI ace fighter pilot is for sale, with lake, chapel and some of the best fishing rights in EnglandPenny Churchill looks at Longparish House, a north Hampshire haven on the River Test.
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Five superb country homes, from under £1 million to £20 million, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some the best homes to come up for sale via Country Life in the past week includes a Wiltshire dream home and a vast Kent mansion that's an easy commute to the City.
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Rock stars and the country house: Liam Gallagher's life in the Cotswolds is in the finest tradition of music A-listers, from The Beatles to BeyoncéWhat is it about the British countryside that draws A-listers from every walk of life? With Liam Gallagher's Cotswold former home on the market, Toby Keel takes a look.
