Out & About

The wonder of walking in Edinburgh: 'What an extraordinary city this is!'

Fiona Reynolds takes a long walk across the Scottish capital and sees it in a new light.

The wine cooler built into a kitchen island, and seven more of the best new looks and ideas for your most-used household space

The latest designs and products to inspire, selected by Amelia Thorpe

Rosie and Jim: 'Some things have longevity, but it feels like maybe this pandemic isn’t one of them'

Our columnists take a break from worrying about their domestic situations to ponder Venice's empty canals, melancholy reminiscence and the debate over who struts better: Mick Jagger or Nick Cave.

Scotland on film, from Harry Potter and Trainspotting, to its surprise stand-in role as London, New York and San Francisco

The brooding horizons, misty glens and dramatic castles of Scotland make it a mecca for film crews shooting anything from historical dramas to Bond films and sci-fi adventures, finds Daniel Pembrey.

Enter the Country Life poetry competition

Calling all budding poets: Country Life is running a poetry competition, with the winning effort to be published in full in the magazine.

Wimbledon's 'critical' expansion plans spark controversy in SW19: 'The locals feel that Wimbledon used to hold a special place in their hearts. Now, it’s just a big, money-driven machine'

The All England Lawn Tennis Club's ambitious plans to expand into Wimbledon Park have caused consternation among local residents. Annunciata Elwes reports.

The champion dog trainer with a game-changing method who can teach any dog new tricks

Award-winning dog trainer Ben Randall — who looks after the dogs for everyone from David Beckham to Gordon Ramsay — happened upon his own approach to training which made him hugely successful. These days, he's sharing the secret, and Paula Lester paid a visit with her labrador, Nimrod. Photos by Sarah Farnsworth for Country Life.

Best wellington boots: The finest wellies you can buy

There's nothing quite so vital to life in the countryside as a decent pair of wellies. Country Life's luxury editor Hetty Chidwick makes her pick of the best you can buy.

The slithering truth about the snakes of Britain, from grass snakes to the 6ft beasts that roam central London (yes, really)

Forever associated with sin, these elongated reptiles are much misunderstood contributors to our ecosystem, believes Annemarie Munro.

The irresistible Old English Sheepdog: 'What could be more wonderful than a big ball of fluff always happy to see you?'

These big bundles of fur have advertised Dulux and danced with David Bowie, but numbers of old English sheepdogs are plummeting, warns Katy Birchall.

Curious Questions: Why isn't there a Crufts for Cats?

Charles Cruft was a salesman-turned-showman who created the world's biggest dog show — yet Cruft himself owned a cat. So why didn't he do the same for felines and create a Crufts for Cats? Well, it turns out that he did — but it was scuppered by the British weather. Martin Fone tells the extraordinary tale.

The return of the golden eagle to southern Scotland: How the king of birds is set to make a comeback beyond the Highlands

Already firmly established in the Highlands, these majestic raptors are now being reintroduced in southern Scotland. Joe Gibbs investigates their reception and the repercussions.

Why we love horses: The 40,000 year story of people and their steeds

Equus caballus has served us for millennia on the land, the battlefield and in the sporting arena, so it’s no wonder our passion for our trusty steeds remains unbridled, says John Lewis-Stempel.

Six things to look out for at London Craft Week

The re-scheduled event will offer a feast of interior inspiration.

Walking on Dartmoor: 'Ponies, sheep and cattle have created an extraordinary upland landscape, but there’s now fear among the commoners'

The people who manage the evocative Dartmoor landscape are facing challenges, says Fiona Reynolds.

Jason Goodwin: The £11 million grant that made my blood run cold (and why I needn't have worried)

A vast windfall for the Dorset Museum gave Jason Goodwin some sleepless nights — but he needn't have worried about the place losing its charm.

Curious Questions: Why do we give rosettes to winners?

Whether pinned on a politician’s lapel or won in the show ring, rosettes can be more precious than shiny trophies, as Julie Harding finds out.

Crackdown on dog theft in the pipeline — and what you can do to protect your dog in the meantime

Lockdown brought with it a huge demand for people wanting dogs, to keep them company in long hours spent alone at home. Sadly, that's sparked a huge rise in dog theft. Katy Birchall reports on a ‘low-risk, high-reward’ crime and gets suggestions on how you can protect your pooch – or get him or her back if the worst happens.

Ben Goldsmith: 'Families who have worked the same land for generations are best placed to breathe life back into our landscapes'

Wilder farming is as close to a silver bullet for the future management of our marginal lands as we’ll find and it’s high time to embrace this new way, says Ben Goldsmith. Photographs by Anya Campbell.

The six most destructive dog breeds

Dogs often charm their way through even their naughtiest moments, but some really push their luck. We take a look at some of the most notoriously destructive breeds, and the chaos they cause.