Country Life's experts have delved into their little black books to bring you the finest architects, builders, interior decorators and garden designers in Britain.
Gardens
A simple guide to the wildflowers of Britain
From deciduous woods yet to fill out with leaf, to windswept hilltop shingle beach and riverbank, our flora can give so much pleasure.
The best garden designers in Britain
A beautiful country house is as much about its surroundings as its bricks and mortar, something that the best garden designers in Britain all understand. We've completely revised and updated…
Villa San Michele: The remarkable garden built on Capri’s Roman ruins
Steven Desmond explores the remarkable gardens of Villa San Michele, founded on Roman ruins and one of the destinations of a Country Life readers’ tour later this year.
Britain’s best wild daffodil display? The ‘Golden Triangle’ of Gloucestershire and Herefordshire
Wild daffodils grow all around Britain, but nowhere more so than the towns of Dymock and Kempley on the western border of Gloucestershire.
The 19th century plant hunters who helped make Caerhays Castle’s incredible collection
The magnificent gardens at Caerhays Castle in Cornwall are every inch the equal of the building which dominates the landscape, thanks to extraordinary efforts of collection, cultivation and breeding stretching…
The true rose of St Valentine isn’t actually red
In 1971 a Catalan rose-breeder called Pere Dot introduced a little pink Polyantha rose called San Valentin. Charles Quest-Ritson explores.
How to do topiary the easy way: What to plant, how to cut it
Yes, if you want to carve peacocks and swans you'll need to take a course. But if you just want some lovely greenery with a few interesting shapes, Mark Griffiths…
Quinta da Regaleira, Portugal: The mysterious garden designed by a world-famous set designer and architect
Between 1898 and 1912, one of the world’s most mysterious gardens was created by the opera and theatre designer Luigi Manini. Tim Richardson introduces us to its splendours and its…
Knowle Hill Farm, Kent: The hilltop garden to enjoy winter and early-spring flowers
A windy hilltop was no deterrent to the owners in creating a garden with a special focus on winter and early-spring flowers, finds George Plumptre.
How to grow plants that you really shouldn’t be able to grow in England
Take a chance on surprising survivors advises Steven Desmond.
Giardini La Mortella: A lost world of near-tropical beauty tucked away on an Italian isle
Steven Desmond describes the cross-fertilisation of exuberant experimentation and cool practicality that produced La Mortella, one of the destinations of a Country Life readers’ tour later this year.
Where to see snowdrops: The best places in Britain
The sight of snowdrops peeping through in January or February never fails to cheer us up – here's our pick of where to go and see them this winter.
Dunsborough Park: A home for sale next door to Wisley with gardens that look like they’ve been created by the RHS
Dunsborough Park is an exceptional house, but it's 100 acres of gardens are far beyond even that, with some of the finest privately-owned grounds in Britain. Now, they're looking for…
The incredible gardens at Wilton Castle, a 900-year-old home looking for a new custodian
Wilton Castle has been featured in Country Life for it's astonishing mix of architecture, and gardens which rank among the finest in Herefordshire.
Six common garden problems, solved by our experts
Unlike buildings and interiors, gardens are continuously changing themselves, regularly creating new conundrums. Country Life’s experts reveal some of the problems that have been vexing them recently – and how…
Ablington Manor: A magnificent house and gardens almost untouched by the passing of time
Ablington Manor: A magnificent house and gardens almost untouched by the passing of time
The practice of landscape: 10 great gardens by Humphry Repton
Humphry Repton was the leading garden-maker at the turn of the 19th century. Here are 10 of his best-loved gardens in Britain.
Alan Titchmarsh: Grevillea, the winter flower which can stop you in your tracks
Alan Titchmarsh recommends an import from Down Under which is capable of making a remarkable splash in a British winter garden.
The traditional fence-maker who has been turning out wattle hurdles for nearly 25 years
Traditional hazel fencing – or 'wattle hurdles' as they're properly known – is as popular as ever, a beautiful hand-made alternative to cheap, mass-produced panels which have taken over the…