This week we take a look at just why we love our labradors so much, as Ben Fogle charts the complicated history of the world’s favourite dog. Meanwhile, Matthew Dennison reveals the country houses where great authors found the inspiration to create classics, and our kitchen garden cook creates deliciously healthy recipes with kale.

In our interior design section, Arabella Youens discovers what’s new in the interiors world, we learn the secrets behind Janie Money’s designs and Rosie Paterson picks top-of-the-tree Christmas table settings.

In property we visit an elegant West Sussex rectory for sale, and take a trip to the sunshine in Barbados, where of course the weather is balmy at this time of year.