What it feels like to play a violin that cost millions – with a bow that cost more than a house.
Theatre, film & music
The magic of London’s theatres, encapsulated perfectly by Peter Dazeley and Mark Rylance
Dazeley has taken pictures of 47 of London’s theatres, including world-famous venues such as the Haymarket, Coliseum and Covent Garden Opera House. It’s not just the venerable old places that…
Sherlock Holmes hits a milestone – test yourself with the ultimate Sherlock quiz
Tim Symonds, author of five Sherlock Holmes novels, is your quizmaster.
Top 10 fictional spies, from Bond and Bourne to Hannay and Smiley
Cold War agent George Smiley is back after 25 years. To celebrate John le Carré’s new novel, Katy Birchall presents her top 10 literary spies.
Royal Academy artists have decorated ukuleles, and they’re being sold off to help a great cause
Some of Britain's finest artists have each painted a ukulele, with the instruments being auctioned off for charity later this week. Huon Mallalieu reports.
Chris Barber: Britain’s Godfather of Jazz playing off key, and the day he entertained 1m people
Chris Barber, Britain's Godfather of Jazz, has been a leading light of this country's jazz scene for over half a century. He talks to Jack Watkins.
150 years of the Shipping Forecast: The magic and poetry of Dogger, Fisher and German Bight
‘Fisher, west or south-west 4 or 5, occasional rain, mainly good. German Bight, northwesterly 5 or 6, occasionally 7 at first, showers, moderate or good.’ These poetically encoded words will…
Vivien Leigh’s country house goes up for sale
The much-loved Wiltshire bolthole of Vivien Leigh, star of Gone with the Wind, has gone on the market.
Which Bennet sister are you?
The Bennet sisters in Pride and Prejudice are some of Jane Austen's most memorable creations - take our quiz and find out which of the five you most resemble...
Love Game of Thrones? Visit County Antrim’s beautiful Causeway Coast
If you're a self-confessed Game of Thrones geek and watching the show just isn't enough, visit Ballygally Castle - the perfect base for exploring the Irish filming locations.
10 performances not to miss at the 2017 Proms
There are highlights every night at the BBC Proms but these performances should be particularly special – by Ysenda Maxwell-Graham and Molly Biddell.
Edward Fox on acting, poetry, and why he’ll never write an autobiography
Edward Fox has been one of Britain's great stars of film and theatre for over half a century. He spoke to Jack Watkins.
Why we still have Austen-mania
Jane Austen’s work forms an enduring strand of our cultural DNA. Matthew Dennison explains how she revolutionised novel-writing and why she’s still much loved 200 years on.
Behind the names: The Austen characters you need to know
Feisty feminist heroines and dashing handsome heros.
Where to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen
2017 marks the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's death. Here are exhibitions and events that mark the occasion.
A night at the ballet under the stars plus champagne, dinner, wine and B&B for just £145
Country Life readers can take advantage of a wonderful offer to go the Covent Garden Dance Company's Hatch House ballet in July.
Hamlet at Glyndebourne: ‘I felt as I was experiencing the play with fresh eyes and ears’
Shakespeare has been the source of countless operas and musicals, but whenever I see a show based on a familiar text, I apply one simple test: does the music enrich…
‘Ballet under the Stars’ at Hatch House to feature Galeazzi and Lacarra
The former Royal Ballet principal Mara Galeazzi is one of the greats dancing with the Covent Garden Dance Company at Hatch House's open-air ballet in July.