Keeping the faith of our fathers

Reformation, repression, recession – just some of the obstacles faced by the owners of historic houses with private chapels

Picking up the perfect bottle

A decent beer is a wonderful thing but perhaps not a serious enough libation to salute every shoot day. So which are the best wines to uncork for lunch?

The enduring appeal of the side-by-side

Often considered a ‘traditional’ sporting weapon, a relic from a previous era, the side-by-side still has plenty to offer the modern gun – once you’ve busted the myths

Art in the field

Dee Taylor combines the pop-art of Lichtenstein with the colour of the racecourse to winning effect, as he explains to Janet Menzies

Subaru XV

It once occupied the gap between the Forester and the Impreza, but does it still? The key, finds Charlie Flindt, is in the suspension

Ring out the old, ring in the new

Deeply rooted in our culture and heritage, church bells are the sound that welcomes in the New Year

Guerini Forum 32in 20-bore

Michael Yardley compares the respective shooting qualities of 30in and 32in models. How would this deluxe Forum fare? And which barrel length does he prefer?

Callie Coles

Hunting may have skipped a generation but now this keen hunter is delighted to be passing on her love of the sport to the next generation

Angmering Park West Sussex

Sheila Flavell takes the first of the day, a sublime high partridge, and soon all the guns are in action, latching onto challenging birds that set their wings at distance.

Pony-Mad Moments Captured On Canvas

No artist understood the bond between young rider and pony better than Anne Bullen, as a new exhibition illustrates

The Proper Balance Of A Sporting Gun

An unusual item discovered in the Long Room at James Purdey & Sons demonstrates not only gun balance but the firm’s professionalism

It's Christmas, But Not As We Know It

From keeping carp in a Czech bathtub to shooting ptarmigan for the Icelandic table, we look at festive traditions and customs across the continent

The Percy: hunting as it should be

As Old English hounds cross this stunning country, community is as much a part of a day in Northumberland as the unceasing sport

THOMAS BECKET, THE MAKING OF A SAINT

Before becoming Archbishop of Canterbury he was the sidekick of the king. What changed?

Geese at first light or on a moon-flight

Morning flight is the surest source of spectacle for a wildfowler but a moonlit night can offer a touch of magic

Fly-fishing adventures in Chilean Patagonia

Wild places, pristine waters and plentiful trout are the hallmarks of a trip to this South American rainforest – with a touch of luxury to bookend the day

Calligraphy: pictures in words

The good news is neat handwriting isn’t a prerequisite of success with a calligraphy pen, as several leading artists in ink explain

Art in the field

As an en plein air artist, Wiltshire-based Oliver Akers Douglas has a deep connection with the landscape, as he explains to Janet Menzies

A break with tradition

We are creatures of habit, says David Tomlinson, often sticking with the same breed of canine companion throughout our lives. Would you dare to be different?

Laying Down The Law Is Barking

Should walking your dog every day be compulsory? At least one German politician thinks so but while he sympathises, David Tomlinson says it would be impractical and impossible to enforce

A Good Game Deal

The market for game meat, once profitable, is now dysfunctional – and that was before the pandemic struck. What lies behind this collapse?

In tune with the moon

For the ancients, life revolved around lunar phases, which measured time, heralded the changing seasons – and even caused madness

Strong coffee and steelhead

With feisty fish and striking scenery, British Columbia’s Nass River has much to offer fl y-fishers – after that early-morning espresso

Lord Ripon The greatest shot of all t ime

Some personal reminiscences of a giant of the shooting field who was chiefly proud of his billiards

Land Rover Defender 110S

The iconic Land Rover Defender is a tough act to follow but Charlie Flindt seeks the original’s soul in the brilliant, all-new, high-tech version

Looking for aliens on Orkney

In the decade since its arrival, the stoat has wreaked havoc on the islands. Huge expense is now being incurred to remove it

Le weekend present, but not correct

You have been invited to the country. Should you take a thank-you gift for your host? And, if so, what?

Cocking Shoot West Sussex

We clatter along the road in the back of the shoot trailer, chains clanking loudly. Ahead, lies a day of high birds and good humour.

Beagling about

Minimal kit and maximum fresh air and entertainment are the order of the day when you follow beagles – on foot

Hunting Boots To Last A Lifetime

Bespoke boots are a significant investment, however, they offer protection, comfort and unsurpassable style