Marvin the lamb, The Lost Gardens of Heligan
We begin our round up of Country Life's top Instagrams of 2019 just as we should, with the most beloved of all creatures, Marvin the lamb. Marvin basically broke the internet with his whimsical smile and teddy-bear face, receiving the most likes we've ever seen and propelling himself firmly into our hearts forever.
Asthall Manor, Oxfordshire
Our next highest number of likes fell to Asthall Manor in September. Beautifully framed by buttery stone gates, the gabled Jacobean Cotswold manor house was home to the extremely talented Mitford sisters.
The home of Birdie Fortescue, Norfolk
Interior designer Birdie Fortescue turned her family beach house into their main home. Our inbox was instantly bombarded with people asking who had supplied the stair runners and beautiful flagstone flooring.
Reddish House, Wiltshire
The 'dream house' and gardens of Cecil Beaton attracted admirers from all over the world in July, even converting one person who previously (unimaginably) hated period properties to our cause.
A sleeping dormouse, Yorkshire Dales
This little guy unsurprisingly garnered much love in November as he raised awareness for the dwindling dormouse population, suffering from loss of habitat. If you do see a dormouse, please report it on the PTES website.
A sleeping hedgehog, Suffolk
Another slumbering angel, this little guy taught our followers that baby hedgehogs are called hoglets. Longer summers have increased births later in the season, meaning that many hoglets are still too small to survive the winter cold. You can help by installing a hedgehog house or (if you don't have animals that would eat it themselves) leaving a little kitten or puppy food out for them if you know there are some in your area.
Findon Place, West Sussex
This year saw the birth of another Country Life Instagram account, Country Life Property. We recently celebrated the account passing 10K, and this wonderful picture shows just how we managed to pass the milestone so quickly!
Slad Valley, Gloucestershire
Beautiful country views are our bread and butter. The charming setting of Cider with Rosie shines in this post from September, reminding us that those little idyllic pockets of England are still there for those who care to find them.
The gardener's bothy at Gunton Hall, Suffolk
We're entirely unsurprised that this little beauty shot to the top of the leaderboard – after all, there is something uniquely fascinating about minature homes. This is certainly the case with Vine House, transformed from an awkwardly-shaped collection of rooms into a lovely, flowing home.
Badminton Horse Trials (1973), Gloucestershire
Finally, a lovely family portrait marking the 70th anniversary of Badminton reached our top ten by merit of the family pictured. One follower remarked Lord Snowdon's resemblance to British movie star Benedict Cumberbatch, while others were left longing for tweed outfits and woolly tights.
Country Life's best Instagram posts of 2018: Wondrous nature, spectacular architecture and men in red trousers
This year has been a stunning one for Country Life photography and we're lucky to have been able to share
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The winners and losers of summer 2025, from foragers to fishermen, and turtles to troutBlue skies and rising mercury cause have been a theme of this summer, but there are always those who thrive and those who struggle in unusual times.
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The alligator pear is more commonly known as what? Country Life's Quiz of the Day, August 19, 2025Test you general knowledge with Tuesday's Quiz of the Day.
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How Sir Walter Scott made the Dandie Dinmont terrier a legendThis week marked Sir Walter Scott’s birthday — and so it seemed the right moment to celebrate the terrier that owes its fame, and its name, to his pen.
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'Two months to the Moon, three for rest and refreshment and two more for the return': The English stork success storyLong unseen on British shores, white stork chicks are hatching once again in the UK and a colony is now flourishing in West Sussex thanks to a pioneering restoration project.
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How the acrobatic buzzard survived persecution to become one of Britain's best avian huntersIt may appear lethargic, but no one could argue with the hunting prowess of the common buzzard when it transforms into a surging missile intent on an unsuspecting victim.
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From Lincoln to London, the crosses of Eleanor are a legacy of loveA grief-stricken Edward I built a legacy to love across the middle of England in memory of his adored Queen Consort, marked by 12 Eleanor Crosses. The historian Alice Loxton walks in the footsteps of the epic funerary procession.
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Pier today, gone tomorrow: Blackpool pleasure pier up for saleA product of Victorian entertainment, piers are synonymous with the British seaside. But they need our help to survive.
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Sophia Money-Coutts: Can my dog sit with me at the table when I’m eating out?'Admittedly, I did once offer Dennis a small piece of truffled arancini in a Mayfair restaurant, but I felt it was important that he try his first truffle.'
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A hoover for goose droppings, a tree-planting battle with the Hilton, and a disgusting banana: Inside Buckingham Palace and its gardensThe summer tours of The King’s residence this year include two new state rooms and a peep inside his private gardens.
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What everyone is talking about this week: Would you swim in the River Thames?Week in, week out, Will Hosie rounds up the hottest topics on everyone's lips, in London and beyond.
