In this issue

Spring is here
Why a dew pond is one of life’s great natural delights.

Chin up: meet the new Sloane Rangers
The castle built for left-handers
The countryside minister on ‘being brave’

Affairs of the heart

Romance–as well as scientific and artistic endeavour–was synonymous with Mayfair long before Bridgerton appeared on our screens, discovers Carla Passino

7 mins

A minister for all seasons

The Defra Secretary on badgers, Brexit and other burning topics

5 mins

Circles of life

Shrouded in mystery and once believed to replenish themselves magically at night from condensation in the air, spherical dew ponds are often manmade and fed by rainfall, explains Simon Lester

4 mins

A Kerr-handed castle

Ferniehirst Castle, Roxburghshire A seat of Lord Ralph Kerr Rebuilt in 1598, this delightful Borders castle, built for left-handed people, was revived by bursts of sensitive restoration, as John Martin Robinson explains

8 mins

The Painting's On The Wall

Once practised by Michelangelo, Raphael and da Vinci, the art of fresco creation has changed little in 1,000 years. Marsha O'Mahony meets the artists following in their footsteps

5 mins

Taking it on the chin

From how to wear red trousers with aplomb to always ‘going to the loo’, The Chin Dictionary is a self-deprecating and witty guide to being ‘posh’, observes Joe Gibbs

6 mins

The right trousers

Once frowned upon, now a staple of the female wardrobe, trousers have come a long way. Emma Hughes charts the journey of this favourite garment

7 mins

Georgian grace

The late 18th century saw a wealth of fine country houses spring up in the county of Somerset

4 mins

Brilliant blossoms

The collection of magnolias begun by a former president of the RHS is being continued by his daughter in the arboretum at Llanover in Monmouthshire, reveals Stephen Anderton

5 mins

The land is yours

Official War Artist Thomas Hennell, who struggled with schizophrenia throughout his short life, should be better appreciated for both his shocking portrayals of conflict and his fine watercolours of pastoral life, says Peyton Skipwith

5 mins

Read all stories from Country Life UK

Country Life UK Magazine Description:

Country Life; architecture, gardens, countryside, property, the very best of British life Published by IPC Media. Country Life, the quintessential English magazine, is undoubtedly one of the biggest and instantly recognisable brands in the UK today. It has a unique core mix of contemporary country-related editorial and top end property advertising. Editorially, the magazine comments in-depth on a wide variety of subjects, such as architecture, the arts, gardens and gardening, travel, the countryside, field-sports and wildlife. With renowned columnists and superb photography Country Life delivers the very best of British life every week.