Country Life this week takes you effortlessly from the shores of Lake Como into the Cumbrian hills for a secret fudge recipe, and back to the south east for a new exhibition of Roman watercolours

** Kathryn Bradley-Hole visits Hotel Villa d’Este by Lake Como in Italy, which has gardens fit for a queen

** Vicky Liddell charts the rise of the rural dress emporium

** A 100-year-old Cumbrian fudge recipe has Tessa Waugh wanting more of the tasty treat

** How to create the perfect study

** As the 6 Nations tournament gets under way, Owain Jones assesses each nation’s chances

** Huon Mallalieu is fascinated by Francis Towne’s Roman watercolours

PLUS we cook with purple sprouting broccoli, show you how to move house and commute for nothing, and talk to Olympic rower Katherine Grainger about getting ready for Rio

*** Missed it in the shops?  Buy this issue individually online