architecture
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Restoration House: The house in the heart of historic Rochester that housed Charles II and inspired Charles DickensJohn Goodall looks at Restoration House in Rochester, Kent — home of Robert Tucker and Jonathan Wilmot — and tells the tale of its remarkable salvation.
By John Goodall Published
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'A glimpse of the sublime': Inside the drawing room of the 'grandest Palladian house in Ireland'The redecoration of the drawing room at Russborough House in Co Wicklow, Ireland, offers a fascinating insight into the aesthetic preoccupations of Grand Tourism in the mid 18th century. John Goodall explains; photography by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Goodall Published
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Brutalism and the Bauhaus in BritainAdrien Brody won the Best Actor award for his turn in ‘The Brutalist’, playing the role of Lazslo Toth, one of the key movers in the architectural movement. Will Hosie takes a look at the legacy of Brutalism in Britain, looking at the best buildings both of Brutalism and the Bauhaus Movement which preceded it.
By Will Hosie Last updated
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The ideal of the Scottish castle: Aldourie's joyful fantasy of turrets, invention and recreationThe process of stitching together the architectural fabric of the Aldourie estate in Inverness-shire has created an outstanding group of new and restored buildings. John Goodall explains more; photography by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Goodall Published
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Nature and nurture in the gardens of Bramham ParkTim Richardson looks at the innovative and superbly maintained 18th-century landscape garden of Bramham Park in West Yorkshire, home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
By Tim Richardson Published
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The fire that destroyed Bramham Park — and the astonishing revival that it sparkedIn the second of three articles on Bramham Park, West Yorkshire — the home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox — John Goodall tells the story of the destruction of this house by fire in 1828 and its astonishing revival that continues into the 21st century.
By John Goodall Published
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Bramham Park: A Palladian premonitionBramham Park is one of the most original and idiosyncratic houses of early 18th-century Yorkshire. Richard Hewlings examines its history and origins, and offers a fresh analysis of its architecture. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By Richard Hewlings Published
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Seven of the UKs best Art Deco cinemas that help remind us of what we have (wrongly) long stopped expecting from public buildingsFrom the birthplace of modern cinema, to the home of the largest Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ in Europe, the UK’s remaining Art Deco cinemas are flourishing. Here are seven of the best.
By Amie Elizabeth White Published
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Brockfield Hall, the great Yorkshire house that's gone from Regency mansion to modern family homeBrockfield Hall in North Yorkshire is the family home of Charlie Wood and Hatta Byng, editor of House & Garden, who have transformed it since they came here in 2020, winning multiple awards in the process. John Martin Robinson reports on the restoration project that revived this compact Regency house as a modern family home. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Martin Robinson Published
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Moor Park: How one of Britain's great architectural treasures was saved by golfIn the second of two articles, William Aslet explains how the opulent interiors of Moor Park, Hertfordshire, were completed and the manner in which conversion into a golf club saved the building.
By William Aslet Published
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Moor Park: The suburban golf club with an outrageous Baroque masterpiece as a clubhouseWilliam Aslet looks at Moor Park, Hertfordshire, where the ambitious work of the painter and architect Sir James Thornhill recast a major 17th-century house as a Baroque masterpiece. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By William Aslet Published
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Athena: Perhaps the time has come to be more honest about the importance of beautyWhen it comes to buildings of historical and architectural note, we don't love them simply because they are old, but because they are beautiful and engage our attention.
By Country Life Published
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Saints alive: How St Albans Cathedral has entered the 21st century in vibrant style, thanks to sculptors, artisans and dazzling colour projectionsThe Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans is one of the oldest churches in Britain — and quite possibly the very oldest — but no building survives through hundreds of generations without change. John Goodall examines some of the recent changes made to highlight the saints associated with this ancient church. Photographs by Paul Highnam and John Goodall for Country Life.
By John Goodall Published
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The 12 architecture books you should read in 2025, by our architectural editor John GoodallJohn Goodall assembles a shortlist of his favourite architecture books published recently.
By John Goodall Published
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Guinness rustling in the Midlands, how to look after a listed building and why oat milk might make you depressedPlus a property perfect for a sweet summer's evening near Salcombe, the bewitching joy of darkness and a quiz.
By James Fisher Published
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The tale of St Alban: An abbey, a Cathedral, and a martyr so holy that 'his executioner’s eyes popped out of his head'A church built for Britain’s first known Christian martyr developed into The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans, Hertfordshire. John Goodall tells the tale of the saint and the building he inspired; photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Goodall Published
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Country Life's top 10 architecture stories of 2024, from the palace that's 'the stuff of dreams' to a Palladian masterpiece you can rent by the weekendWe take a look back at our most popular architecture articles of the last 12 months.
By Toby Keel Published
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Stationers’ Hall, one of London's best-kept secrets: 'The observant pedestrian might briefly glimpse it through an archway. Most pass by oblivious'The home of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers Established in 1403, the Stationers’ Company was long responsible for regulating the printing industry. Lucy Denton looks at the history of this remarkable institution and its headquarters: Stationers’ Hall, London EC4.
By Lucy Denton Published
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James I's love affair with Apethorpe, the great country house that 'surpasses all belief'Apethorpe Palace in Northamptonshire — a seat of Baron and Baroness von Pfetten — was enlarged in the 1560s and 1620s specifically to receive first Elizabeth I, and then James I. John Goodall tells the story.
By John Goodall Published
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Wooden walls restored: The astonishing restoration of the church at UrșiThe painted church of the Annunciation and the Archangel Michael, Urși, Vâlcea County, Romania, has been the object of an heroic 10-year restoration programme,
By John Goodall Published
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When it comes to heritage development, the conservation officer is king. We need more of themA lack of funding and expertise is having a detrimental effect on our listed heritage. To survive, these buildings need to adapt, and to adapt, these buildings need more people who understand what makes them special.
By Country Life Published


