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Ted Dexter: The Italian-born icon who brought dash and glamour to English cricket
Ted Dexter, the former England cricket captain and chairman of selectors, is still bursting with wit, wisdom and insight about the game he loves. He spoke to Jack Watkins.
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Meet the intrepid explorer who ran the entire 630 miles of the South West Coast Path
This summer, explorer George Bullard and paragliding coach Alex Ledger ran the entire length of the South West Coast Path to raise money for brainstrust.org.uk. He spoke to Rosie Paterson.
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The Glorious 12th: 12 facts about the first day of the grouse shooting season
The start of the shooting season - the Glorious 12th August - is nearly here. Charlotte Peters of Shooting UK explains everything you need to know.
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Chalkstream fishing on the River Test and River Dever: 'You have to be as surreptitious and precise as a sniper'
Our fishing correspondent David Profumo ventures to England for a series of forays on venerable chalkstreams, where he bags a few brown trout and a lot of nostalgia.
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Riding in the Magnolia Cup: 6am starts, a total ban on chocolate, and the chance to go on board 'the ultimate equine athlete'
Country Life's Octavia Pollock rode in the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood, the charity race for female amateur jockeys which is one of the highlights of the meeting. She tells the tale of what it's been like to take on this gruelling but hugely-rewarding physical and mental challenge.
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Dressage: How 'horse dancing' evolved from ancient, deadly beginnings to modern Olympic glory
There can be no short cuts to success in dressage. The Ancient Greeks’ sympathetic methods of training horses, which were all about survival in battle, should still hold good in today’s widespread embrace of the Olympic sport, as Pippa Cuckson explains.
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Inspired by Wimbledon? Expert tennis tips to help brush up a rusty game
With Wimbledon in full swing, it's the time of year when often-deserted tennis courts are suddenly teeming with players.
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Walking Winchester: Mystery and intrigue, extraordinary beauty and historic survivals
Fiona Reynolds walks in, through and around Winchester, a place which shows how city and country could come closer together.
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Back on the river at last: 'I start to rediscover muscles in my back I had forgotten existed'
Jamie Blackett takes a welcome break from his soggy farm in Dumfriesshire to head up to the Highlands for a first post-lockdown fishing outing.
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Four summits, 12 miles, 5,000ft of climbing — and one unforgettable day in Snowdonia
Fiona Reynolds heads to Snowdonia for a day's walking. Twelve miles, four summits and 5,000ft of ascent later, the water’s cool and the air is clear... but she's very glad her husband is there to give her a lift back to the cottage.
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Rosie and Jim: The seven rules of cycling that no cyclist will ever tell you
Rosie Paterson and James Fisher share the truth about cycling, and wonder how it is that March was simultaneously 28 years and yet only two months ago.
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How to enjoy a touch of Royal Ascot this week, even if you're only watching from home
Royal Ascot, one of the highlights of the racing calendar, is going ahead this week — but only for the hoses, trainers and jockeys.
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50 greatest horses of all time
In praise of brilliant horses.
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Curious Questions: Why do we call picture puzzles 'jigsaws'?
Jigsaws have been around since the 18th century and have gone through all sorts of iterations. Martin Fone traces their curious history.
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Curious Questions: When did we first start playing cards?
Played with friends, family or in solitude, there are few things as familiar as a pack of cards. Yasha Beresiner takes a look at how we came to enjoy this form of entertainment — and how it's been spun out into everything from art to propaganda tool.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Super-luxury board games for the bored and well-heeled
Never again will you be able to look at your charity shop-sourced Scrabble set with the same light in your eyes.
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How to win at board games, from Monopoly and Cluedo to Scrabble and Snakes and Ladders
As millions of people around the country are set to have an enforced period at home, it'll be time to bring out the classic board games. But how can you make sure you beat the kids? Luck helps, but tactics are better as Matthew Dennison explains.
