This week in Country Life we celebrate gorgeous autumn gardens as we immerse ourselves in Shute House, Wiltshire, one of Geoffrey Jellicoe’s most-admired creations. We also investigate the saffron crocus, source of the world’s most valuable spice, and meet two growers leading its renaissance in the Loire valley.

Meanwhile, we learn that trugs are making a comeback, we discover why poison appealed to Agatha Christie, who used it widely in her books, we reveal the latest in interior design and select the highlights from Decorex International and Focus/15, we learn to cook with figs and Harry Meade chooses his favourite painting for us.

Get this latest issue of the magazine at your local newsagent, or grab a digital issue on your tablet at www.countrylife.co.uk/digital-edition