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What is everyone talking about this week: Can AI pass aesthetic judgement?Someone asked ChatGPT and Gemini what the most beautiful city in Britain is. Their answer seems fair. Where does that leave us?
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The roads less travelled: The shapeshifting glories of Britain’s sea pathsRoger Morgan-Grenville celebrates the joys of wandering along the evanescent byways revealed by our tides.
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Country Life 24 September 2025Country Life 24 September 2025 walks Britain's most beautiful sea paths, tells the tale of Mr Darcy's shirt and finds the best homes in the West Country.
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South Devon: Everything you need to know about where Olivia Coleman and Benedict Cumberbatch's new film was shotMile-upon-mile of coastline, England’s largest fish market and idyllic scenery make South Devon a fantastic staycation destination — and filming location. Here’s our guide to what to do, where to stay and what to eat.
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The cure for endless scrolling is a weekend away in this solitary 16th century castle on a Scottish beachSaddell Castle in Kintyre has no mobile phone signal in places and, as such, is a brilliant place for a digital detox after its recent renovations.
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How an imaginative couple created a sustainable haven that dreams are made of, complete with cider press, vineyard and farm stay accommodationSince leaving London in 2022, Sophie Brendel and Panu Long have been lovingly turning Thornfalcon Winery & Press, in Somerset, into a 'sustainable heaven' — with even more planned for the future.
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Beyond Royal Portrush: Castles, country houses and ancient towers in the other dimension of golf in IrelandRory McIlroy's history-making exploits and The Open arriving at Royal Portrush have made 2025 a banner year for Irish golf — but there's far more to golf on the island of Ireland than those headline-grabbers, as Toby Keel finds out.
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Water you're waiting for? Britain's best heritage lidos were built to save swimmers from polluted seas full of potato peelings, oil and coal — and they're still in action todayThe seaside lido continues to offer safe swimming for holidaymakers irrespective of the tide, but they're also architectural gems worthy of our admiration.
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Beyond Stonehenge: The ancient moorland megaliths and grand stone rings that you can enjoy without the tourist hordesWith their potent blend of wild looks and mystery, Britain’s ancient sites have an enduring magnetism — and there are far more of them than you might imagine.
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'Meat, ale and guns — what else do you need, bar glorious scenery?': William Sitwell on the Brendon Hills, West SomersetWilliam Sitwell chooses the Brendon Hills as his piece of heaven in Britain.
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The pristine and unspoilt English county that 'has all the ingredients of perfection'Many people simply pass straight through Northumberland heading for Scotland. Big mistake, says Matt Ridley.
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The extraordinary Exe Estuary, by the Earl whose family have lived here for 700 yearsCharles Courtenay, the 19th Earl of Devon, shares his own personal piece of heaven: the Exe Estuary in Devon.
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‘So old-fashioned, it’s new-fashioned’: Riding the rails on the Belmond Royal ScotsmanWhat goes around, comes around, says Steven King of a trip through Scotland to celebrate 40 years of the Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train.
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Quentin Letts: Heaven in HerefordshireQuentin Letts is best known as a merciless sketch writer and critic — but when he's back home at Herefordshire he embraces a very different life.
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'No Yorkshire dale, no Scottish moor, no view from Westminster Bridge can match it': Charles Quest-Ritson on The Itchen Valley, his personal piece of heavenCharles Quest-Ritson lavishes praise on the Itchen Valley, a part of Britain that's so charming and unspoilt as to restore your faith in the world.
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My piece of heaven: The Vale of Belvoir by Lady Violet MannersLady Violet Manners, who grew up in Belvoir Castle, shares her love of the area around her ancestral home.
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Penicuik Estate review: An exclusive use house and cottages for collectors and connoisseursThe Penicuik Estate in Midlothian, Scotland is an ever-growing hospitality empire with a fascinating history.
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The breathtaking Cornish cove that's 'like something from a fantasy'Ben Lerwill takes a look at Kynance Cove, the 'scenic highlight of the Lizard Peninsula'.
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Exploring the countryside is essential for our wellbeing, but Right to Roam is going backwardsCampaigners in England often point to Scotland as an example of how brilliantly Right to Roam works, but it's not all it's cracked up to be, says Patrick Galbraith.
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'The Wild Rabbit is a paean to Lady Carole Bamford's ethos of comfortable, yet incredibly spoiling accommodation'At the heart of Kingham, one of Oxfordshire’s most historic and beguiling villages, The Wild Rabbit offers the chance to enjoy the authentic charm of the Cotswolds with all the trappings of a five-star hotel.
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How to disconnect from reality and feel like a new person in under 72 hoursOur round-up of the best British retreats that work wellness wonders in under 72 hours.
