Beyond the frosted glass: Christmas shop windows in London
Flora Howard strolls through London’s chilly streets to admire the Christmas window displays of past and present

Harrods, Christmas 2010, Peter Pan, showing Peter and Tinker Bell with the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, just before they fly out of the window to Neverland
Fortnum & Mason, Christmas 2008, Gerda in the palace of The Snow Queen
Fortnum & Mason , Christmas 2006, ‘Alice in Wonderland', showing Alice with the Cheshire Cat.
Harvey Nichols, Christmas 2010, snowman-themed window
Fortnum & Mason , designs for the Christmas 2011 Burlesque display
Smythson's designs for the Christmas 2011 Narnia-inspired, enchanted-forest theme
Harrods, Christmas 2011, crystal Christmas with Swarovski
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Country Life is unlike any other magazine: the only glossy weekly on the newsstand and the only magazine that has been guest-edited by His Majesty The King not once, but twice. It is a celebration of modern rural life and all its diverse joys and pleasures — that was first published in Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee year. Our eclectic mixture of witty and informative content — from the most up-to-date property news and commentary and a coveted glimpse inside some of the UK's best houses and gardens, to gardening, the arts and interior design, written by experts in their field — still cannot be found in print or online, anywhere else.
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A spectacular tower for sale that's a blend of Victorian folly, architectural marvel and 21st century family home
Hadlow Tower has space, and a back story of love, jealousy and intrigue.
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Some Like (to quiz when) It Hot: Country Life Quiz of the Day heatwave special, July 11, 2025
If you're struggling to keep cool — and who isn't? — our Quiz of the Day will at least take your mind off the soaring temperatures.