In this issue

The show must go on
Catherine Austen talks to five denizens of the Cotswolds who cheered—and are cheering— local spirits during a testing year.

The fruits of royal service
Tucked away in Gloucestershire is Sudeley Castle, created by a soldier who won the favour of a king. John Goodall explains.

A little slow on the uptake
Our silvery-bronze legless lizards are worth cherishing. Simon Lester champions the slow worm..

The show must go on

Beef, beer and books–Catherine Austen talks to five people who have worked to bring local cheer, comfort and fun to the Cotswolds during testing times

10 mins

The fruits of royal service

In the first of two articles, John Goodall explains how a soldier–probably with the help of his mother–won the trust of a child king and created a great castle in the Cotswolds with the rewards

8 mins

There'll Always Be An England, Won't There?

What would we save if England caught fire? Clive Aslet set himself the near-impossible task of choosing 100 ‘crown jewels’. Here, he explains the rationale for some difficult choices

5 mins

A little slow on the uptake

More likely to give you a knowing blink than a death stare, the gentle slow worm is actually a lizard that has long been misunderstood and terrorised for its snake-like appearance, says Simon Lester

5 mins

The return of the juniper

Once prolific across the British Isles, the prickly juniper bush may have been in decline for decades, but it’s making a comeback on Surrey’s North Downs, finds Vicky Liddell

4 mins

Ripe for the picking

On a hazy September morning in Herefordshire, John Lewis-Stempel plucks haversacks full of Worcester Pearmains from the orchard and reverts to childhood by climbing up to sit in the top of an ancient tree

5 mins

Culinary capers

The latest looks in kitchens, chosen by Amelia Thorpe

3 mins

The cigar revolution

When Edward Sahakian opened his London Davidoff store 40 years ago, he transformed the industry–what better tribute than an anniversary cigar?

3 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.