In this issue

Oodles for poodles
We say potato: how the Maris Piper got its name.
Buchan’s masterpiece: The 39 Steps.
Lust for lilacs: every garden needs one.

There's gold in them there hills

From Scottish kings to political protest, there’s more to Muswell Hill than its height, finds Carla Passino

6 mins

HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT

Many will have wondered what lies behind the huge windows of the Victorian-era studios on one of London’s busiest roads. Rosie Paterson takes a peek

5 mins

The Thirty-Nine Steps

Britain’s greatest masterpieces

4 mins

Creating the Cambridge college

In the first of two articles, John Goodall looks at the early history of the college that helped defined the tradition of academic architecture in Cambridge

9 mins

Fancy is as fancy does

Originally known as ‘pudels’ or ‘puddles’, curly-coated standard poodles were first bred in Germany to retrieve game from water and, as Matthew Dennison discovers, some still cut a typically stylish dash in the field

7 mins

Who is Maris Piper?

If you ever wondered exactly why those potatoes are called Maris Piper and how Aston Martin came by its ‘DB’ model prefix, Eleanor Doughty has all the answers

5 mins

Take the inside out

Outdoor fireplaces are an increasingly popular way to cosy up your garden. Eleanor Doughty gets to the hearth of the matter

2 mins

Pride of place

Two country houses with a fascinating history and beautiful surroundings have flourished after careful restoration by their current owners

4 mins

Blooming lovely

Seize the moment to plant a lilac–the scent of their generous flowers is more than enough reason why every garden should have one or, ideally, several, believes Charles Quest-Ritson

7 mins

The little master

One-hundred-and-fifty years after the painter’s birth, Jack Watkins considers the artistic endeavours of Sir William Nicholson, best known as the father of abstract artist Ben Nicholson, but whose work displays a satisfying warmth, mastery of technique and an old-school, painterly finish

6 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.