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Can I just shock you? I quite like the new Jaguar
Amid declining sales, the real betrayal would have been letting Jaguar die a slow and painful death by doing nothing at all.
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A huge bubbling, burping, living thing: The rise (and rise) of sourdough starters
‘We look after not only our recipes, but our starters themselves — the forces of nature that keep us all going’
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When Christian Dior came to Scotland: 'I was even more struck by the beauty of the country, the castles, and the moors, than I had expected'
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker.
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Zebras, lobsters, lions and Ronald Reagan's baby elephant: The strangest pets in history
These days nobody would dream of keeping a wild animal as a pet, but there was a time, not so long ago, when a gentleman could stroll into Harrods and buy an elephant or an alligator. Jonathan Self explores the era of the exotic menagerie.
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St Moritz and the slopes of hazard: How a Victorian bet sparked the Swiss resort's love affair with adrenaline-pumping winter sports
There's no sport that cannot be played out on frozen water, according to the fabled Swiss ski resort of St Moritz. In fact, skiing, ironically, might be the safest thing to do whilst you're there, says Rosie Paterson.
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'The regular Satanic sort of thing', 'an appurtenance of terror', or 'capillary decorations': The moustache still divides opinion
We can all agree that growing a moustache for charity is a good idea. But is it worth keeping afterwards? Harry Pearson looks to the past to find the answers.
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Ferrari 12 Cilindri: 'If you have an empty and winding dual carriageway ahead, and a get-out-of-jail-free card in your wallet, you’ll be in nirvana'
Ferrari's latest grand tourer is everything you could want from a 'gentleman's express' and a fitting coda to the naturally aspirated V12. Adam Hay-Nicholls put it through it's paces.
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'A British comfort-food classic, it soothes and satisfies in equal measure': Tom Parker Bowles and the perfect cottage pie
A British food classic, the humble cottage pie–lusciously rich beef mince, topped with buttery, yet crisply tipped mashed potato–is guaranteed to sooth and satisfy in equal, economic measure.
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'I have tasted ecstasy and felt peace': The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon, where the Northern Lights dance
The Blue Lagoon has long been one of Iceland's most famous attractions. The five-star Retreat Hotel on site is the ultimate way to experience it and to remind yourself that everything is going to be ok.
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The dish that's as simple as it is brilliant: Tom Parker-Bowles on omelettes, and his ultimate omelette recipe
On omelette takes minutes to make, but a lifetime to master — and practice may eventually make perfect, hopes Tom Parker Bowles.
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Think what you got for Christmas was bad? The worst presents in literature will cheer you up...
A diamond-encrusted tortoise, a humble pencil case tied up with string and a cursed jewel: Felicity Day unwraps some of the best and worst presents given in literature
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The most wonderful time of the year: Country Life's A to Z of Christmas
Lights and turkeys and bells, oh my! Embrace the festive spirit with Amie Elizabeth White’s A to Z of Christmas
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Country Life's best, worst and funniest adverts of 1923, from Burberry and thinning baths to the SUV of a century ago
From telephone-equipped hotel rooms to cars ‘for lady drivers’, the advertisements featured in Country Life in 1923 captured Britain’s evolution as well as the odd quack remedy. Melanie Bryan takes a look.
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Not so jolly old St Nicholas? The dark side of Santa
Father Christmas may be the rosy-cheeked, jolly character who personifies the fun of the festive season, but he’s had to overcome a few setbacks on the way, notes Ian Morton.
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Not just for Christmas: The enduring appeal of jigsaws
Born as a brain-teaser to teach children geography, the humble jigsaw puzzle is now one of the world’s favourite pastimes. Ben Lerwill explores its enduring appeal.
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Curious Questions: Why do ships have figureheads?
Always adorned with eyes, often female and sometimes in a compromising pose, carved figureheads were cherished by their crews. But why? Harry Pearson takes a look.
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Britain's best folk festivals, from the weird and wonderful to the downright dangerous
Burning barrels, hare-pie scrambles, bottle kicking and horn dances: no one does eccentric quite like the English. Harry Pearson explores our weird, wonderful and sometimes distinctly dangerous folk festivals.
