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Secrets from the world of whisky, from the 60-year-old bottle that sold for £650,000 to the tipple you get at the supermarket
In our last episode of 2025, James Fisher is joined on the Country Life Podcast by Kevin Balmforth and Andrew Simpson.
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For the first time in five centuries, Catholic worshippers in England and Wales may soon outnumber Protestants
New figures suggest that Britain’s youth has found God. Catholicism, in particular, is proving popular.
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'We begin making in May and start packing and despatching in November — it’s carnage': How the Cotswolds' favourite cake-makers get ready for Christmas
Jessica White of the Meg Rivers Artisan Bakery makes it on to our list of our heroes of Christmas.
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A short history of all the must-have toys for Christmas
Today’s queues may be digital, but the fight to secure that must-have present and avoid small, disappointed faces is timeless. Tom Howells looks at the toys topping recent (and less recent) Christmas wish lists.
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How a journey from Greece to Devon in a knackered old Citroen proved that cars have souls
Cars are more than just metal, more than just machines, more than just memories. Simon de Burton reckons with deus ex machina on a long drive home.
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Dachshund through the snow: How the sausage dog became the festive season's unofficial mascot
From fearless working dog to festive favourite — a brief history of the dachshund and what it’s really like to own one.
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How the spirit of Andy Warhol lives on through Christmas
Andy 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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Just can't get enough of the muff? The history of the furry handwarmer with the funny name
Deborah Nicholls-Lee goes diving into the history of the muff.
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‘Someone wanted a two metre block of ice with a cardboard cutout of Michael Bublé inside’: Ice sculpting is no chilled gig
Lotte Brundle visits an industrial freezer in Surrey to get to grips with what it takes to be a master ice sculptor.
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The return of one of Europe's most iconic hotels is just the beginning for Bucharest
The Corinthia Bucharest, formerly the Grand Hotel du Boulevard, has reopened its doors. It shows that 'Little Paris' is ready to live up to its name.
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'There were 900 people in the queue and I waited three hours, but it was worth it': The Christmas cracker-maker who supplies Britain's most exclusive shops
Hannah Bidmead of Nancy & Betty is the luxury Christmas cracker maker who makes the list of our heroes of Christmas.
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How posh is your Christmas stocking?
A shooting sock makes the perfect Christmas stocking, says Sophia Money-Coutts.
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A gift for every interest — and every deadline: The best coffee-table books to give at Christmas
Amie Elizabeth White rounds up some of the best coffee-table books of 2025.
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Tim Wilson of The Ginger Pig on the perfect Christmas ham
A great ham is one of the joys of the Christmas period, and thus Tim Wilson of The Ginger Pig takes a spot on our list of Christmas heroes.
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What do a 19th century earl, Coco Chanel and Harry Styles have in common? A love of cardigans, of course
Amie Elizabeth White takes a look back at the history of the cardigan.
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Why the interior design industry should ignore Pantone’s colour of the year and stick to its guns
A colour your landlord would adore is not one worth celebrating, argues Lotte Brundle.
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‘I gave her full access to our archives. We never offer that’: The historic Tiffany jewellery that gave life to Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein
The use of fine jewellery in filmmaking should not be underestimated.
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To celebrate 100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, we took it back to its roots
The world's most iconic luxury car is 100 years old. To celebrate a special birthday, Matthew MacConnell took it on a special journey.
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The 12 dogs of Christmas
Twelve shining canine stars to know — and add to your watchlist — this season.
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What the Country Life team are asking Father Christmas for this year
We hope he has deep pockets.
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East London's salmon smokehouse is full of secrets
From the shores of western Scotland to a smokehouse in London Fields, Max Bergius is bringing fine fish to the capital's best restaurants. So what's the secret?
