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The house which inspired The Darling Buds of May is on the open market for the first time in almost 90 years
The house which inspired H.E. Bates to write his most famous works – and which became world famous as the setting for The Darling Buds of May – is for sale. Penny Churchill reports.
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E.H. Shepard's original map of the Hundred Acre Wood from Winnie-the-Pooh is up for auction
This delightful piece of literary and artistic history by E. H. Shepard is to be auctioned for the first time in half a century, with Sotheby's expecting it to go for well over £100,000.
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The magnificent Kent home of the godfather of British children's illustrators
Penny Churchill takes a look at the former home of Randolph Caldecott, one of Britain's greatest-ever illustrators, which has come to the market in Kent.
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Nursery rhymes: How murder, theft and fake news found their way into the tales we tell our children
Murder, animal cruelty and dishonesty aren’t generally considered child-friendly topics, yet they’re the basis of many much-loved nursery rhymes. Flora Watkins explains.
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The greatest horse rides ever, as chronicled in a ‘unique treasury of horse and human wisdom’
Jon Hare takes a look at an exhaustive new book chronicling some of the greatest rides ever taken on horseback.
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Jason Goodwin: 'We have books all over the floors and carpets on the furniture'
Our columnist Jason Goodwin talks about jam jars, duvets and the books which are taking over his house.
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Jason Goodwin: How to spend 24 hours in London without spending a penny
Our columnist Jason Goodwin headed to London expecting to have to dig deep to keep himself and his wife entertained. Instead, even the thank-you present for his hosts didn't cost him a penny.
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Nine of the best new crime thrillers for 2018, from Ruth Rendell to Anthony Horowitz
A collection of hitherto-undiscovered tales by the late Ruth Rendell plus the latest from Anthony Horowitz and Jessica Fellowes appear in Leslie Geddes-Brown's round-up of the latest thrillers in the bookshops.
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The story of the Oxfordshire house where Dylan Thomas wrote Under Milk Wood
The Manor House at South Leigh is where one of Britain's greatest 20th century poets produced one of his most famous works.
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Charades: An exclusive Rebus short story for Country Life at Christmas, by Ian Rankin
John Rebus finds the truth behind a festive parlour game in this short story, written exclusively for Country Life by Ian Rankin.
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The joys of farming in December: Winter sunshine, leaping sheep and hens who lay an extra Christmas present
Rosamund Young, author of The Secret Life of Cows, on sparing walnut trees, freeing sheep and a very special Christmas Day breakfast.
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Autumn farming: Endless jobs, the pain of potatoes and the ram who made a break for freedom
Rosamund Young's fourth beautiful article for Country Life explores, potatoes, intelligent sheep and the accidental devastation of spiders' webs.
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The last word on Capability Brown – but one which comes with a health warning
This book on Lancelot 'Capability' Brown by the greatest living expert on his work is like nothing else – but it comes with one or two caveats, as George Plumptre explains.
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The Country House Library: Why these rooms and their collections need to be taken much more seriously
A new account of the country-house library will compel us all to reassess these rooms and their collections, says John Goodall.
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Sherlock Holmes hits a milestone – test yourself with the ultimate Sherlock quiz
Tim Symonds, author of five Sherlock Holmes novels, is your quizmaster.
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Charles Spencer on history, Jane Fonda and being 'up to my **** in alligators'
Charles Spencer is leading the charge for the return of popular history. He spoke to Giles Kime.
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Britain's 100 best Railway Stations: Simon Jenkins on the gateways to our railways
The latest book by Simon Jenkins looks at the 100 best railway stations in Britain. Gavin Stamp looks over the tome with his critical eye.
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Which Bennet sister are you?
The Bennet sisters in Pride and Prejudice are some of Jane Austen's most memorable creations - take our quiz and find out which of the five you most resemble...
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A chance to join a unique discussion on Shakespeare's love of flowers, plants and herbs
Country Life's Mary Miers is hosting a talk with Gerit Quealy, author of 'Botanical Shakespeare'.
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Why we still have Austen-mania
Jane Austen’s work forms an enduring strand of our cultural DNA. Matthew Dennison explains how she revolutionised novel-writing and why she’s still much loved 200 years on.
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The life and times of Jane Austen
A potted history of one of our greatest literary influences.
