In this issue

Bright lights, empty city
As humans stay at home, the birds and animals of London’s parks have flocked together. John McEwen goes exploring.

Roll me over in the clover
Strictly a shamrock only on St Patrick’s Day, is the fourleafed clover really lucky? Ian Morton delves into the myths of Ireland’s favourite talisman.

Lost in the maze

THE world’s largest classical labyrinth is currently being constructed from traditional Cornish hedging in the heart of Bodmin Moor, a project that has unexpectedly led to the foundation of the Outdoor University of Cornish Hedging.

2 mins

Black (and white) beauty

March is the month in which female hares bat away unwanted suitors, but, sadly, the sight of boxing hares is becoming ever more rare. Over the past century, a loss of habitat and predation has resulted in an 80% decrease in brown-hare numbers. Cumbrian sculptor Andrew Kay has created this 5ft-high artwork in steel, priced at £4,700, 15% of which will go to the Hare Preservation Trust. A smaller work, Life Size Hare, costs £840 (www.andrewkaysculpture.co.uk)

1 min

Nice wheels

SIXTY years ago almost to the day, on March 15, when the Jaguar E-type first hit the tarmac, Frank Sinatra took one look and said ‘I want that car and I want it now’; shortly after, Enzo Ferrari dubbed it ‘the most beautiful car in the world’.

1 min

My favourite painting Neil Mendoza

The Painter and his Pug

2 mins

In pursuit of a social climber

Of wisteria, noble litter pickers, lockdown funerals and shaggy hounds

3 mins

Bright lights, empty city

For John McEwen, the enforced constraints of the pandemic have engendered a greater appreciation of our capital’s abundant parks and wildlife

6 mins

Roll me over in the clover

Finding a four-leafed example might be lucky, but, as we toast St Patrick’s Day, Ian Morton investigates why the clover (or shamrock) is so important to the Irish

6 mins

A right basket case

From wet woodland to a warm Welsh kitchen: Nick Hammond meets the resourceful craftswoman who has woven a new career from her love for wild places

3 mins

It takes a family to raise a village

A hangover from the days of landed gentry, there are still privately owned villages scattered throughout the UK. What is it really like to be at the helm of a community, asks Alec Marsh

6 mins

Myth and magic

Two homes in Devon offer unique insights into the county’s complex history, from witches and hounds to the village where time stood still

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.