Country Life 5 December 2018 features Britain’s best wildlife photography, our top choices for Christmas wines and why house plants are making a return.

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SPELLBINDING: Paula Lester is captivated by images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards.

THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS: Grahame’s best-loved characters, born from a great love of nature.

CHRISTMAS WINES: From fizz to Port, Harry Eyres pick the best wines for the festive season.

HOUSE PLANTS: Steven Desmond explains this most recent Victorian revival.

SEAT OF CIVILISATION: The second of two articles on Seawood Castle and its life as the home of Kenneth Clark.

FAVOURITE PAINTING: Bamber Gascoigne chooses a poignant portrait.

PIGGERY TO PALACE: How neglected outbuildings become family homes and luxury hideaways.

LIVING NATIONAL TREASURE: The ice sculptor.

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BY THE BOOK: Octavia Pollock on why the Encyclopaedia Britannica still has a place in the age of Google.

INTERIORS: Entrancing entrance halls.

CRANBERRIES: Tasty bakes, curtesy of Melanie Johnson.

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