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50 Articles

A note from the editor

I’ve been doing a lot of walking recently. It has been a conscious decision. I realised towards the end of last year that I’d been sitting at my desk for way too long each day. It’s so easy to lose track of time when you are constantly juggling deadlines and it isn’t good for the mind or body. So, irrespective of weather or workload, I’ve forced myself to get outdoors for at least an hour every day. The benefits have been immediate and plentiful: I’m calmer, clearer-headed and feel more positive. What’s more, the longer I’m able to spend in the fresh air, the better my perspective on life. “Walking is one of the most underrated things that we can do for our wellbeing,” says renowned documentary-maker Simon Reeve (below right),…

A note from the editor

Ten BUCOLIC BOOKS

The Insect Crisis by Oliver Milman (Atlantic Books, £16.99) From The Guardian’s environmental reporter, this is part celebration of our insect population, part wake-up call to protect the species upon which our own survival depends. Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (Vintage, £14.99) This captivating novel charts one woman’s quest to reintroduce wolves to the Scottish Highlands as she attempts to rewild a ruined landscape. Going to Seed by Simon Fairlie (Chelsea Green, £14.99) Simon Fairlie was destined for Oxbridge but dropped out, becoming a vocal campaigner for sustainable living. His story charts a life driven by a deep connection to the land. Forest School for Grown Ups by Richard Irvine (Head of Zeus, £20) Forest Schools aren’t just for children – this guide will teach adults how to forage for fungi, build a fire and…

Ten BUCOLIC BOOKS

“March brings breezes loud and shrill, Stirs the dancing daffodil.” Bookworm THE BARN BY SALLY COULTHARD The latest book from our Living the Good Life columnist is both an intimate history of a family house and its hinterland and a wider investigation of shifting patterns of work, leisure and domestic life across two-and-a-half centuries. Above all, it is an affectionate celebration of the enduring charm of rural North Yorkshire and a lost agricultural way of life (Head of Zeus, £20). TAKE YOUR TIME TO… track garden moths Moth populations have decreased by over 28 per cent in the past 50 years, with more than 60 species disappearing from the UK completely. Become a citizen scientist and help monitor these winged insects by joining the annual Garden Moth Scheme. Put your moth trap (available at nhbs.com)…

5 OF THE BEST… spots to see the sun rise

Start the day in spectacular style as daylight savings moves the dawn closer NESS POINT, SUFFOLK The first part of the UK to see the sunrise, this peninsula near Lowestoft offers a front-row seat. GLASTONBURY TOR, SOMERSET Gold and pink streaks light up the mist rolling over 360° views of the Vale of Avalon. CROMER, NORFOLK Dark waves act as a metronome at the end of the pier, marking out time as day creeps over the North Sea. BAMBURGH, NORTHUMBERLAND (right) Walk along the beach under Bamburgh Castle, silhouetted against fiery orange skies reflected in the rockpools. DARTMOOR, DEVON Watch light spread like molten gold over the moorland from lofty viewpoints such as Haytor or Emsworthy Rocks.…

5 OF THE BEST… spots to see the sun rise

The Causeway Coast & Glens

NORTHERN IRELAND In this ancient Celtic kingdom, wooded glens give way to a craggy coastline interspersed with sweeping sandy beaches. Red squirrels scamper through the deep forests and seabirds assemble in vast cliffside colonies. At this time of year, the weather may be unpredictable, but spectacular scenery is a cert in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. WHAT TO SEE AND DO Embrace the elements on The Gobbins cliff-face walk at Islandmagee. Built by Berkeley Deane Wise, a pioneering Victorian railway engineer, this modernised coastal trail traverses tunnels, tubular bridges and subsea-level caves where waves boom beyond the walls. You’ll be rewarded with views of distant isles, including Ailsa Craig in Scotland (£20 for a guided tour; thegobbins cliffpath.com). For an otherworldly seascape, head for Giant’s Causeway (above right), north-east of Bushmills.…

The Causeway Coast & Glens

COUNTRY LOVES ARTISANS Editor’s choice “These stoneware nesting bowls are a useful kitchen accessory – for whisking up batter, mixing dressings, whipping cream or serving a salad. They’re so beautiful, I leave my set out on display even when I’m not using them.” Follow @CLArtisans on Instagram to see more unique products from talented makers FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy PHOTOGRAPH BY PICASA. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. *HANDLES ARE SOLD SEPERATELY AND WALLPAPER INSERT NOT AVAILABLE (SHOWN ONLY AS AN IDEA TO DO YOURSELF)…

Living the GOOD LIFE

THIS MONTH Pig keeping Author and seasoned smallholder Sally shares her Yorkshire plot with sheep, horses, chickens, ducks, an orchard, vegetable garden and pond I’ve got a plan brewing that involves Gloucestershire Old Spots and our gnarly apple orchard. I often find myself looking at the crooked trees and imagining a couple of porkers nosing around the roots. But if I’ve learnt anything from watching the efforts of friends and neighbours, it’s that pig keeping is not something to be entered into lightly. You need a plan before taking the leap, and not least plenty of decent electric fencing. Pigs have been part of our rural landscape for centuries. In medieval times, one of the most valuable common rights a villager had was the freedom to put his pigs out to forage in…

Living the GOOD LIFE

BREEDS FOR SMALLHOLDERS GLOUCESTERSHIRE OLD SPOT A breed traditionally kept in orchards, where it could feast on windfall apples and fresh grass. Hardy with a great temperament, it produces excellent roasting joints and sausages. BERKSHIRE Often called the ‘Lady’s Pig’ because its medium size makes it easier to handle, this disease-resistant breed is a good option for novices. Meat is wonderfully marbled and perfect for slow cooking. TAMWORTH A hardy breed with particularly bristly skin, the Tamworth is thought to be the closest relative to the Old English forest pig. Traditionally reared for bacon but also produces lovely pork. Visit britishpigs.org.uk for more information on British breeds.…

Makes 8-10 Preparation 30 minutes 1 TBSP SAGE (DRIED OR FRESH)1 TSP GARLIC GRANULES SALT PEPPER1KG FREE RANGE HIGH-WELFARE PORK MINCE (NOT TOO LEAN)100G BREADCRUMBS1 ONION (FINELY SLICED AND FRIED UNTIL CRISPY)2M SAUSAGE SKINS (PRE-SOAKED) EQUIPMENT SAUSAGE STUFFER (WE USE THE MASTER FENG ONES WHICH YOU CAN BUY FOR ABOUT £20 ON AMAZON) 1 In a large mixing bowl, add the herbs and seasoning (to your taste) to the pork mince. Mix with your hands until bound well. 2 Sprinkle in the breadcrumbs with a splash of water. Add the fried onions, making sure they are fully cooled (pre-cooked crispy onions also work well). 3 Use your hands to knead and distribute the ingredients evenly. 4 Feed the sausage skin onto the nozzle of your sausage stuffer, ensuring it’s still wet from pre soaking. 5 Pipe the…

7 questions …with a rare-breed pig enthusiast

1 Have you always been passionate about pigs? I used to say that if we ever got a house with land, I wanted a red tractor and some pigs. In 2003, we bought our smallholding and a year later I got my wish. 2 Why Gloucestershire Old Spots? I didn’t want to keep just any old pigs. I liked the GOS because they belong to our heritage and, happily, seemed most suited to our climate up here in North Yorkshire. They’re very hardy and can cope with our winters. 3 Who’s in your pigsty now? We’ve got some real characters. There’s Mr Darcy Senior, an absolute gentleman; Chloe, who’s cantankerous and a bit of a drama queen; Lottie, a ten-month-old who likes a scratch; and the youngest, Poppy, who’s the noisiest girl…

7 questions …with a rare-breed pig enthusiast

ALL THE FUN OF The fair This month marks the 25th annual Fairtrade Fortnight, with hundreds of fundraising events planned. Money raised will support farmers in Ethiopia, Kenya and Honduras, where farms have been disastrously affected by climate change. Fairtrade aims to give producers in developing countries the opportunity to work in a more socially, economically and environmentally friendly way. You can also support the cause by buying Fair trade certified products: we love Karma Cola (karmadrinks.co.uk), Cocoa Loco chocolate (cocoaloco.com) and Ethletic trainers (ethletic.com). Find out more at fairtrade.org.uk. WATCH A WALRUS Aspiring ecologists can now track walruses from their sofas, thanks to a new citizen science project. The British Antarctic Survey and World Wide Fund for Nature are asking volunteers to help spot and log walruses from images captured by space…

Where would we be without books? They can enlighten us on any number of subjects. They can transport us to myriad other worlds created by masterly wordsmiths. They can engross us to the point where we forget the everyday. Often, we don’t know what to expect when we embark on them. We scan the blurb, check the reviews, flick through the pictures. It’s not until we are fully immersed, however, that we know if this particular writer will ‘speak’ to us in a way that matters. And when they do, a certain kind of alchemy takes place: we find ourselves entranced – laughing out loud, gripped with fear or with tears streaming down our faces. How wonderful to have the power to elicit this response. I am filled with awe…

SIMON’S AWFULLY BIG adventure

Simon Reeve is all aglow. He has just come in from the cold and is smoothing his boy-band fringe with both hands. “Woodland is so powerful for me,” he says, dreamy-eyed. “My ancestors must have been people of the trees because I feel such relief among them.” This relief has a particular pull for a man who spends five months a year on the road, on the ocean and in the air. The “telly traveller” has made more than 25 series in 20 years, spanning 120 countries from the Balkans to Burma, and escaping cheetahs, pirates and the KGB, who arrested him for spying. When he’s here, at home on Dartmoor, he’s pinballing between meetings for TV projects and campaigns, or throwing himself into country life. He spends an inordinate amount of…

SIMON’S AWFULLY BIG adventure

PASTELS that PACK A PUNCH

Sweet SITTING ROOMS Make a strong statement with soft shades in the living room. Plaster pinks are warm and cocooning, while powder blues add elegance and refinement. Sage greens are a mellow way to bring the hues of outside in and and pair especially well with the gentle tones of peach and pink. Cool KITCHENS Fresh tones such as powder pink, soft peach and citrus yellow will brighten up daytime areas such as kitchens and breakfast rooms. Painting kitchen units or furniture can also add a pretty, playful touch. Choose cooler greens and blues for more intimate dining areas. Calming BEDROOMS Softer pastel shades are especially restful and therefore ideal in a bedroom. Delicate florals on quilts and curtains, checks and smaller-scale geometric prints on linen can all introduce more of these hues and add…

PASTELS that PACK A PUNCH

10 QUESTIONS WITH… PAULA SUTTON

1 What made you leave the city? For years, I worked in fashion, arranging shoots for glossy magazines. I loved it, but work was taking over. I had three young children and longed to spend more time with them. I knew I would have to leave London to make myself stop working so much. So we started looking in Norfolk just over a decade ago, and stumbled across Hill House. 2 Was is it a ‘dream house’ back then? I’ve long been a Jane Austen fan and loved Georgian architecture – and Hill House fitted the bill. When my husband Duncan and I saw it, I knew it had potential but I was desperate to give it a makeover. Inside, it was austere, with this heavy green wallpaper. We’d blown most of our…

10 QUESTIONS WITH… PAULA SUTTON

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT DFS

MADE IN BRITAIN Every Country Living sofa is expertly crafted in Britain and comes with a 15-year guarantee See the full Country Living Collection at dfs.co.uk/country-living Handpicked by the style experts at Country Living magazine, this exclusive collection of quality sofas, inspired by the beautiful landscapes around the British Isles, will bring a touch of country charm to the heart of any home, whether it’s rural or urban. These stylish sofas are handmade to order in UK factories by skilled craftsmen, using quality fabrics from Lancashire mills to create a selection of timeless classics. This chic range comprises six country-inspired sofas including the Country Living Woodstock, featuring Chesterfield arms and subtle seam detailing. Other traditional choices include sumptuous Loch Leven, in velvet or plain fabric; Charlbury, with elegant curved arms and single-cushion seat; Warwick, which…

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT DFS

BEST OF BRITISH KENT Lamb

Zoë Colville isn’t interested in pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes: there’s more to lambing season than blossom and bottle feeds. It’s 5am and temperatures teeter around zero degrees, but she’s been up for hours. There’s placenta and the odd prolapse, but she doesn’t gloss over the gory bits for her 30,000-plus Instagram followers. The Chief Shepherdess (as she’s known online) makes it clear – farming is no fairy tale. It does make for some good stories, though… Zoë and her boyfriend, Chris Woodhead, are the founders of The Little Farm Fridge – a farm-to-fork meat-delivery business launched during the height of lockdown in 2020. In the fields of the Kentish North Downs, they keep Highland-Dexter cattle, Boer and Anglo Nubian goats, as well as 650 Shetland, Swaledale and Suffolk mule ewes.…

BEST OF BRITISH KENT Lamb

LAMB CUTLETS WITH BULGUR SALAD

Preparation 20 minutes Cooking 35 minutes Serves 4 12 COURGETTES, CUT INTO 5MM SLICES2 MIXED PEPPERS, DE-SEEDED AND CUT INTO WEDGES1 LARGE RED ONION, PEELED AND CUT INTO WEDGES250G CHERRY TOMATOES1 TSP DRIED THYME3 TBSP OLIVE OIL175G BULGUR WHEAT8 LAMB CUTLETS1 TSP ZA’ATAR SEASONING FOR THE DRESSING 2 TBSP OLIVE OIL2 TBSP TAHINI2 TSP ZA’ATAR SEASONING JUICE 1 LEMON 1 Preheat oven to 220°C (200°C fan) gas mark 7. In a large shallow roasting tin, toss the courgettes, peppers, onion, tomatoes and thyme in 2 tbsp of the olive oil. Season well. Roast for 25 minutes, tossing midway through, until the vegetables are tender and beginning to char. 2 Meanwhile, in a large pan, bring the bulgur wheat and 1.1 litres water to the boil, then cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain and leave to…

LAMB CUTLETS WITH BULGUR SALAD

INSIDER GUIDE Lamb

5 HOMEGROWN PRODUCERS NEVILLE FARM, SOMERSET On this family farm, lambs are reared on pasture, according to organic principles. Choose from a whole or half or bespoke cut. nevillefarm.co.uk MANOR FARM ORGANICS, WILTSHIRE The Jowetts use organic methods to maintain the biodiversity of the AONB where they farm native breeds. manorfarmorganics.co.uk MARLFIELD FARM, YORKSHIRE Close to the Dales, Marlfield is home to rare native sheep like the Boreray. They sell meat boxes, fleece, yarn and rugs. marlfieldfarm.co.uk GOWER SALT MARSH LAMB, GOWER Award-winning Welsh lamb with a distinctive flavour thanks to a diet of samphire, sorrel, sea lavender and thrift. gowersaltmarshlamb.co.uk THE DARTMOOR SHEPHERD, DEVON First-generation farmers Lewis and Flora graze 800 rare breeds across Dartmoor, selling hogget and sheepskins direct. thedartmoorshepherd.co.uk…

INSIDER GUIDE Lamb

3 PERFECT PAIRINGS…

MINT Flavoursome lamb with fresh mint is a classic for a reason. Zoë likes to make zingy burgers, using minced lamb and chopped (preferably her mum’s homegrown) mint. RHUBARB Nadiya Hussain pairs her lamb with a rhubarb glaze, while Jamie Oliver roasts the sweet seasonal vegetable around a leg of lamb for an unexpected springtime twist. FETA For a Grecian take on a British classic, roast a leg of lamb with Mediterranean veg like red onions, tomatoes and olives, before crumbling the salty cheese on top. 2…

3 PERFECT PAIRINGS…

3 handy helpers

1 Lamb ’N Season This mix of spices, herbs and seasoning – including rosemary, garlic, sweet paprika and lemon powder – is delicious sprinkled over lamb. £3.35, bohnsrubs.co.uk 2 Stoneware tagine Slow-cook lamb to perfection in this handmade tagine. At just over 20cm, it’s ideal for a two-person serving. £49.99, souschef.co.uk 3 British Sheep Breeds tea towel Illustrator Katie Green has drawn 72 breeds of sheep to create this detailed design. £10, Katie Green on etsy.com FOOD PHOTOGRAPH BY STOCKFOOD/MARICRUZ AVALOS FLORES. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY GEMMA BRUNTON; CHRIS TERRY…

3 handy helpers

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT CARPETRIGHT

THE RIGHT CHOICE Choose four free carpet samples and have them delivered to your door Handpicked by the style experts at Country Living magazine, this exclusive collection of carpets brings a touch of country charm to the heart of any home. The extensive range features quality carpets crafted from durable, natural materials. Pure wool, renowned for its dense pile, not only feels luxurious underfoot but is also incredibly hard-wearing, making it the perfect choice for all rooms, including high-use areas such as the hallway and stairs. Wool-blend carpets combine natural fibres with man-made for longevity and stain resistance, while sustainable sisal adds earthy rustic tones and fabulous texture to every space. Each carpet in the Country Living Collection is available in a wide range of colours, including environmentally friendly undyed wool, and many offer…

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT CARPETRIGHT

A SERENADE TO SPRING

Dawn CHORUS (Previous page) British birds have always inspired Angela’s work. Indeed, when she got her first job, the first thing she bought was a pair of binoculars. She adores garden birds most of all, like the beloved house sparrows that chitterchatter outside her bedroom window at this time of year. This print is a homage to the dawn chorus, announcing that spring has arrived at last. Gardener’s COTTAGE This cottage belongs to Andrew Jones, a friend of Angela’s and head gardener at Deene Park in Northamptonshire. Andrew has dedicated much of his career to developing the snowdrop collection there, so this piece celebrates the delicate spring blooms, interspersed with white hellebores (one of Angela’s all-time favourite flowers). In the foreground, Mildred, Andrew’s exuberant miniature Dachshund, scampers about on the lawn. Visitors FOR TEA Look…

A SERENADE TO SPRING

Family firm FAVOURITES

From the Oak Tree Leicestershire-based husband-and-wife team Charlotte and Sam Clemons sell solid-oak products for the home and garden. Each one is handmade by skilled craftsmen using age old techniques and many can be engraved for a personal touch. fromtheoaktree.co.uk Little Olive Set up by mum and daughter Kim Burton-Race and Liv Dendle (while Liv was on maternity leave), Little Olive provides beautifully designed and responsibly sourced babywear, toys and blankets for eco-conscious parents. littleolivecompany.co.uk That Girl in Green Mother-and-daughter duo Gill and Rosie Connolly have turned their passion for sustainability into a business. Through their website, they sell high-quality, handmade, eco-friendly gifts, from ceramics to cards. thatgirlingreen.com Sloemotion Distillery A glut of sloes inspired Joff Curtoys to make his first batch of gin. Now, with the help of his wife Claire and brother Julian, that idea…

Family firm FAVOURITES

Material GAINS From pincushions to placemats,

STENCILLED NAPKINS Use simple patterns of leaves and flowers to add beautiful and original decoration to plain napkins and table linen. Draw out a pattern and decide how many stencils you will make – you’ll need one for each colour. For a two-colour print, transfer the final design (right way facing) onto two pieces of card using tracing paper and a pencil. You could also use stencil or acetate sheets instead of card. With a craft knife and cutting mat, cut out the designs – here, we cut the leaves and stem from one and the petals and buds from the other. With the ironed napkin flat, stipple thin layers of fabric paint in one colour using a stencil brush over the first stencil and repeat in several places. Leave the napkin…

Material GAINS From pincushions to placemats,

Labours OF LOVE

Wedding florists MARION PARISH (BOTTOM LEFT), BECCA STUART AND BECCA’S MUM PENNY DUNN LAUNCHED THE GARDEN GATE FLOWER COMPANY IN CORNWALL Becca was juggling motherhood with a curtain-making business when her friend Marion suggested they set up their own cut-flower garden. “We both loved horticulture and felt ready for a change,” Becca says. “It seemed like the perfect opportunity to collaborate.” The challenge was finding a plot on which to put their plan into action. Enter Becca’s mum Penny, who owned an organic family farm outside Fowey and had a field to spare. All three women pitched in, planting up the space with everything from roses to ranunculus. Eleven years later and The Garden Gate Flower Company provides blooms for weddings and events, as well as offering floristry courses. Although Marion has…

Labours OF LOVE

Henrietta Holder and her family are based in Shropshire. This is her homage to the terriers she has loved and lost I grew up with terriers. There was the shy grey Cairn from Lindisfarne, the bumptious Norfolk and two big-hearted little cross-breeds in between. But the first dog I bought myself was Skippet. Like all Jack Russell terriers, she was largely white, and had a rough brown splodge above her tail with a patchwork of tan across her face. She was the last left in her litter, rejected for her timidity. But as soon as I saw her, I knew she was meant to be mine. Jack Russells aren’t usually apprehensive. They are more likely to be independent, confident with friends or strangers, lively and vocal. Descendants of baying terriers bred by…

ASK THE DOG EXPERT

Q How can I stop my terrier chasing squirrels and rabbits? A Dogs of any breed can become so focused on ‘prey’ that they put themselves in dangerous situations. Try to identify potential prey triggers before your dog does, and redirect their attention elsewhere. Reward them with nutritious treats or a favourite toy if they resist the temptation to run off. This is one reason why it’s important to feel confident your dog will come when called. Until they’ve mastered that skill, stick to walks in enclosed areas or on a long lead. Q My dog is easily spooked. Is there anything I can do? A Socialisation and desensitisation are essential to reduce anxious behaviour long term. Assess which triggers – such as noises or environments – make them fearful. Once you’ve identified…

ASK THE DOG EXPERT

DOG DAYS & EVENTS

CRUFTS NEC Birmingham 10-13 March When Crufts launched in 1886, it was described as the ‘First Great Terrier Show’. It’s now the largest dog show in the world, with an average of 28,000 four-legged participants and 160,000 two-legged visitors. crufts.org.uk NATIONAL TERRIER DAY 27 March Set up by Michelle Burgess, founder of scruffylittleterrier.com, this online event invites owners to come together to celebrate their terriers. Find out how to get involved at nationalterrierday.com. ALL ABOUT DOGS Various dates and locations April-August In scenic spots around the British countryside, this series of fun dog shows include have-a-go activities such as flyball and agility courses, expert talks and a range of stalls with top-notch canine merchandise. allaboutdogsshow.co.uk…

Rare Terrier BREEDS

GLEN OF IMAAL TERRIER An Irish native, this fearless and tenacious dog was originally bred for badger hunting in the glen in County Wicklow – the area from which it takes its name. First records of the Glen terrier date back to the 17th century but today there are only 36 left in the country. NORWICH TERRIER Standing just ten inches tall and weighing approximately 5.4kg, the Norwich is one of the smallest terrier breeds (although their tails can grow to eight inches). Originally bred to hunt rodents, they are now rare due to their small litter sizes and need for Caesarean sections. SKYE TERRIER One of the original dogs of the Hebrides, the Skye was even said to be hiding under the petticoat of Mary Queen of Scots at her execution. There are now…

Rare Terrier BREEDS

Starting from SCRAP

In Herefordshire, near the Welsh border, the river levels are rising and floodwaters stretch across the fields. The Malvern Hills loom in the distance. This is the domain of sculptor and silversmith Claire Malet, whose house, tucked away down a narrow lane surrounded by farmland, is safe and dry. An evergreen hydrangea climbs up the front wall, but otherwise all is still, the limbs of the trees silhouetted against the sky on the hinterland between winter and spring. Claire finds this time of year most visually exciting. “I love it around this month,” she says, as we make our way past chickens and bare vegetable beds to her garden workshop where she has already lit the stove. It is a practical and highly organised space with shelves of tools and boxes…

Starting from SCRAP

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT HOMEBASE

ECO FRIENDLY Country Living kitchens are FSC certified and built from sustainably sourced materials The new Country Living kitchens are the perfect choice for those dreaming of a welcoming farmhouse kitchen. The beautiful Whitstable blends practicality with style and warmth. A classic Shaker style, it comes in ten nature-inspired colours, including Deep Blue (shown), Dove Grey, Buttermilk and Emerald Green, all with a premium satin finish. Mixing and matching handles and cabinet colours creates a bespoke look, while the deep-pan drawers are the perfect place to store cooking and baking equipment. Today’s kitchens are for entertaining as well as cooking, and the drinks cabinet (above) is the ideal addition to such a multifunctional space, with glass storage, a bar prep shelf and an integrated wine rack. Supplied pre-assembled for ease of installation, all Country Living kitchens…

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT HOMEBASE

the MOST RESILIENT PLANT ON THE PLANET

In winter, clumps of springy turf moss started appearing on the footbridge between the park and the marshes, nosed up from the kerbsides by the boots of walkers. I couldn’t just abandon it there on the concrete, high above the thoroughfare and its traffic of white vans. I lifted a clump and pressed it into my pocket, warm and safe. I’m not entirely sure when my obsession with mosses began. But I remember a day in the early 2000s, when my mother and I stood in front of a brick wall simply noticing the green that grew upon it. My mother is a keen gardener, and a lover of flamboyant plants, so to me her love for mosses seemed odd. I expected her to notice orchids or azaleas, not the smear…

the MOST RESILIENT PLANT ON THE PLANET

For when your heart is in the country

SUBSCRIBE NOW ON THE APPLE NEWSSTAND GREAT REASONS TO GET DIGITAL! Now you can enjoy your favourite magazine wherever and whenever you want. With our digital editions, you can stay up to date even when you are on the move! Go digital today and benefit from: ● Searchable content across all your downloaded issues● Choice of viewing mode to make reading as easy as possible● Instant access to the latest issue even when you’re away from home● Interactive content with live links to websites, emails and phone numbers Now on EVEN MORE devices!…

For when your heart is in the country

Riverside RETREAT

Returning from a year-long sabbatical travelling around Australia and New Zealand, Miranda Gardiner was determined to bring something of the rustic Antipodean architecture to her little corner of Devon. Specifically, she wanted to replicate the welcoming feel of the heritage fisherman shacks on Waiheke Island, where she’d stayed with her husband and three children. “These humble and relaxed spaces felt so life-enhancing in their simplicity and connection to the landscape, and I wanted to capture this spirit and combine it with the airy aesthetic of Finnish summerhouses I had so enjoyed visiting as a child. I had a very clear vision of what I wanted!” she says. Back in 2011, Miranda and her husband Diggory had sold their home in Bigbury-on-Sea to move to a Devon longhouse, complete with a large…

Riverside RETREAT

THE DETAILS STYLE Eclectic plant lovers’ garden, creating cameos SEASONS OF INTEREST Peaking in spring, and from August to October SIZE 1½ acres SOIL Variable across the site but mostly improved clay, fairly neutral Old Court Nurseries and The Picton Garden, on the lower slopes of the Malvern Hills, is best known for its Plant Heritage National Collection of Michaelmas daisies, but in spring there is a different story to be told. Over the past few years, Helen Picton and her husband Ross Barbour have been quietly beavering away in this woodland setting to inject the garden with choice plants for early season interest. “It’s all about the detail,” Ross says. “This is when little treasures really shine. If you had a cyclamen blooming in July, you’d never see it, but in early spring you can spot it at a…

Flower & THE GLORY

In a small sandstone valley in the Surrey Hills, the village of Chiddingfold offers visitors a charming little surprise: a cluster of ironstone cottages that were built following the unexpected discovery of a small seam of iron here in the 17th century. With its chequerboard stonework, redbrick window detail and red pantiled roof, Cherfold Cottage is one of these. It immediately appealed to Caroline Oleron when she first saw it, despite its run-down state. “I love historic houses and the stories of their past,” she says. “I’m drawn to places that tell a tale of their locality. “ She put in an offer immediately and moved in with her husband and three sons in 2009. It would take 16 months of major building work to bring to life Caroline’s vision for…

Flower & THE GLORY

Crescendo OF COLOUR

THE DETAILS STYLE Naturalistic old English country garden with woodland SEASONS OF INTEREST Most of the year but peaks in spring SIZE Just over an acre SOIL Neutral to acid river gravel but much improved with compost over the past 70 years Planting a tree creates a legacy for the generations to come, and this is very much the case for Jennifer and Edward Raikes and their family. Edward’s grandmother Gladys planted a Chinese magnolia (Magnolia x soulangeana) in the riverside garden at Parsonage Oasts in Yalding, Kent, in 1957 and now, 65 springs later, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to revel in its glorious annual crescendo of waxy, tulip-shaped, pink blossom. The tree is clearly happy here in a moist, semi-woodland setting beside the River Medway, and so are Jennifer and Edward. They and their young family moved in…

Crescendo OF COLOUR

Gardener’s notebook

Flowering currants are usually pink, so the dainty pendant white flowers of Ribes sanguineum ‘Elkington’s White’ make it an extra special cultivar. Its fresh green corrugated leaves are slightly fragrant. £24.99 for a three-litre pot, Crocus (crocus.co.uk). It grows approximately 2m high by 2m wide. March means one thing to me and that is daffodils. Every year, I add to my collection but some of my favourites are the miniatures, grown in pots or in little clumps to follow on after snowdrops, underneath spring-flowering shrubs. There’s something so cheering about these little beauties: they seem so delicate yet every year they push up through the ground, even if it’s rock hard. Some, such as ‘Odoratus’ and ‘Canaliculatus’, are multi-headed, packing a punch with tiny flowers all bunched together. Both are sweetly…

Gardener’s notebook

GrowYOUR OWN SUPERFOODS

Move over, acai, goji berries and chia seeds – you don’t need expensive fruit and vegetables flown in from all over the world to bolster your health. In fact, many of our humble allotment favourites are just as worthy of ‘superfood’ status. Best of all, you can easily grow these unsung food heroes yourself. By doing so, you’ll not only reap the mental health benefits of tending your own crop, but you can select to sow the most nutritious varieties. While supermarkets often pick under-ripe fruit and veg to increase shelf life, growing yours by your back door means that you can harvest them when both flavour and vitamins are at their peak. Heart-healthy TOMATOES Tomatoes contain large amounts of vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, which all support heart health. But…

GrowYOUR OWN SUPERFOODS

Wellbeing FOR MIND & BODY

Get greener fingers Nail Kind natural nail polishes (£8.95, nailkind.com) are formulated with plant- and mineral-based ingredients, such as sugarcane and corn, to give an eco-friendly pop of colour. The vegan formulations provide a smooth, glossy finish and are gentle on nails. The latest collection includes Purple Rain, inspired by the colour of the sky after a thunderstorm. GROUP WHOOP Hands-on group activities can maximise the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors, according to a study by the University of York. The research showed that joining groups such as gardening clubs or doing craft courses provided even greater boosts to mood and reduction in anxiety levels than solo alfresco activities such as forest bathing. Activities don’t need to be long, but regular attendance over eight to 12 weeks provides the most positive…

Wellbeing FOR MIND & BODY

Humble HOME COOKING

A confession: I’m not a “cook”. I’m not trained, I don’t have lots of kit or the patience to spend hours fiddling about with ingredients to create foams or gels. But I do like cooking – albeit in what some may describe as a rather slapdash way. To my mind, cooking manages to be both calming and creative. At the end of a long, tiring day, pottering about making something simple – but, hopefully, satisfying – feels like a small but significant achievement. Living on a small farm just outside Monmouth in south Wales, I’m too off the beaten track for takeaways or delivery services. But I do have access to fresh eggs, free-range meat from native breeds and home-grown veg. I’m not remotely self-sufficient, but I can make a meaningful…

Humble HOME COOKING

APPLE TART A fresh take on a British classic, this recipe includes a layer of vanilla-scented apple purée. Preparation 1 hour, plus standing and chilling Cooking 1 hour 10 minutes Serves 6-8 3 MILD EATING APPLES, SUCH AS GOLDENDELICIOUS, PEELED, CORED AND SLICED1 TBSP UNSALTED BUTTER, MELTED1 TBSP SUGAR CHILLED SINGLE CREAM, TO SERVE FOR THE SWEET PASTRY DOUGH 200G PLAIN FLOUR2 TSP CASTER SUGAR100G UNSALTED BUTTER, CHILLED AND CUBED FOR THE APPLE AND VANILLA PUREE 3 APPLES (ANY VARIETY), PEELED, CORED AND DICED1 VANILLA POD, SPLIT LENGTHWAYS2-4 TBSP CASTER SUGAR, TO TASTE2 TSP UNSALTED BUTTER 1 For the pastry, put the flour, sugar, butter and a pinch of salt in a food processor and pulse until the mixture is combined (5-10 pulses). Add 3-4 tbsp water and pulse until the dough holds together. Wrap the dough in…

Explore SCOTLAND’S ISLANDS BY LUXURY YACHT with Carol Kirkwood

COUNTRY LIVING HOLIDAYS CRUISES | TOURS | HOTELS Whether the cold weather suits you or not, winter is one of the gloomiest times of year in the UK, so what better time to book a holiday? The world is opening up with destinations galore, but what will you choose? In this issue, cruise Scotland’s islands by yacht with a proud Scotswoman, explore Slovenia’s mountains and lakes or take the nature trip of a lifetime with a TV wildlife presenter. All our cruise and tour packages come with added protection, offering peace of mind. View the full collection and latest availability at countrylivingholidays.com. Country Living editor-in-chief THE COUNTRY LIVING HOLIDAYS GUARANTEE • Low deposits – many of our trips can be booked with low deposits starting at just £100pp.• Your money is safe because your trips…

Explore SCOTLAND’S ISLANDS BY LUXURY YACHT with Carol Kirkwood

Learn how to make AROMATHERAPY CANDLES or take WATERCOLOUR CLASSES in the BEAUTIFUL TROSSACHS

FREE HAMPER OF LOCAL PRODUCE EXCLUSIVELY FOR CL READERS* THE HIGHLIGHTS CHOICE OF RETREATS Opt for candle-making or watercolour classes, have fun and learn from experts. EXPERT TUITION You’ll get one-to-one feedback and expert guidance in a group of no more than ten Country Living readers, so there will be plenty of time with your tutor and to get to know your fellow guests. FULL-BOARD AT GARTMORE HOUSE You will stay in one of the 23 ensuite bedrooms in a beautiful 18th-century mansion with three home-cooked meals a day, made by chefs using local produce. All the rooms boast traditional Scottish styling with warm, contemporary tones and thoughtful touches. INCREDIBLE LOCATION Allow yourself to be inspired by the flora and fauna of nearby Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park as you learn. OUR TRAVEL PARTNER Gartmore House is a…

Learn how to make AROMATHERAPY CANDLES or take WATERCOLOUR CLASSES in the BEAUTIFUL TROSSACHS

See the SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS by STEAM

THE STEAM ADVENTURE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET For centuries, the hills, glens and lochs of the Trossachs have inspired visitors. You will travel over land, sea and loch, powered by steam, on this exclusive trip. Travelling on the Jacobite and the paddle steamer Waverley†, you will see Ben Nevis, experience the Falkirk Wheel boat lift and pass over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct. REASONS TO BOOK CRUISE ON LOCH KATRINE Named after Sir Walter Scott’s poem, Lady of the Lake will take you past breathtaking scenery. It has a heated saloon in case of inclement British summer weather. JOURNEY BY STEAM TRAIN Your Fort William to Mallaig steam train round-trip begins at the southern end of the Great Glen, in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Hopping aboard the Jacobite, you will puff past stunning scenery, craggy coastlines and…

See the SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS by STEAM

Relax at LAKE BLED & discover the mountains of SLOVENIA

Nestled in the foothills of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled, with its little white church and surrounding crystal-clear glacial waters and emerald-green forests, is an enchanting scene. On this trip, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the stunning scenery of Lake Bled. You’ll also get to explore the romantic Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and join an excursion into the heart of Slovenia’s only national park, Triglav, crossing the highest mountain pass, Vršic, and passing through the beautiful Soca river valley to reach the shores of Lake Predil in Italy. In coastal Portoroz, you can enjoy a resort stay on the glistening Adriatic and visit the Karst cave at Postojna, which is one of the largest in the world. The scenery throughout your holiday will be unforgettable, and you’ll have all the more…

Relax at LAKE BLED & discover the mountains of SLOVENIA

Discover SOUTH AFRICA’S WILDLIFE with Michaela Strachan

Home to hundreds of species of mammals and birds, as well as more than 20,000 varieties of plants, South Africa is a wildlife lover’s paradise. Joining you for this incredible 11-day tour will be one of the hosts of Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, Michaela Strachan, who moved to South Africa 20 years ago. Michaela made a documentary on the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) to raise money and awareness for the cause. She will be with you for a visit to the SANCCOB penguin hospital to meet some of these endangered seabirds. The presenter will also join you on an excursion to the Duiker Island seal colony and on a cable-car trip up the iconic Table Mountain. Other wildlife experiences will include a visit to Stony…

Discover SOUTH AFRICA’S WILDLIFE with Michaela Strachan

Cruise the incredible GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS with KATE HUMBLE

SAVE UP TO £1,000 PER COUPLE* Turn to page 148 to see some of Kate’s recipes The Galápagos Islands have long been considered one of the world’s most diverse landscapes: idyllic bays, distinctive lava formations, green highlands, alluring beaches and, of course, wildlife almost everywhere you look. They form a stunning, yet complex, ecosystem, which is still revealing itself today. On our exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime voyage, you’ll be joined by wildlife presenter Kate Humble, who will be on hand to give a talk and Q&A about the islands and their sea- and birdlife. Sealed off for millions of years, the islands are home to plant and animal species that are found nowhere else on the globe, including sea lions, turtles, iguanas and cormorants. With our partner Celebrity Cruises and their 17 years of experience…

Cruise the incredible GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS with KATE HUMBLE

A month in the life of… THE BLOSSOM BOSS

The British blossom season is underrated. I grew up on the east coast of the United States, where the autumns are stunning, but the UK has the most spectacular blossom I’ve ever seen. Trees and hedgerows bursting into life are symbols of hope. They also remind us that nature is precious. In spring 2020, the National Trust held a pilot #BlossomWatch project, encouraging people to share blossom pictures on social media. They were seen by more than four million people! The country had shut down in response to the pandemic and everyone seemed to be taking solace in nature. We wanted to celebrate blossom – and hoped to do so in person on our estates as soon as possible. The tradition of hanami, when people travel in Japan to enjoy trees in…

A month in the life of… THE BLOSSOM BOSS

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