Country Life's top 10 architecture stories of 2024, from the palace that's 'the stuff of dreams' to a Palladian masterpiece you can rent by the weekend
We take a look back at our most popular architecture articles of the last 12 months.
Apethorpe Palace, ‘the stuff of dreams’
Jeremy Musson took a look at the spectacular renewal of one of England’s great Jacobean houses — there was also an accompanying piece in which John Goodall looked more closely at the links between the house and James I of England. https://www.countrylife.co.uk/architecture/james-is-love-affair-with-apethorpe-the-great-country-house-that-surpasses-all-belief-276453
Knowsley Hall: How Liverpool’s grandest country house — and one of the largest homes in England — was brought back to life
'One of the most ambitious restorations of an English country house' began a quarter of a century ago, and we took a look back at how it's been going.
Curious Questions: Why was the original Euston Station destroyed in one of the greatest acts of cultural vandalism Britain has ever seen?
One of the great masterpieces of 19th century, the original Euston Station, was built in the years after Queen Victoria came to the throne. Less than 125 years later it was razed to the ground; Martin Fone took a look at the reasons why.
Inside Windsor Castle
Our piece on perhaps the greatest castle of them all, printed by kind permission of the Sovereign, was actually published in 2023, but has remained enormously popular.
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‘Wrecking balls swung from the ceiling, pillars were shown toppling, cornices crumbled… it was sensational’
Simon Jenkins reminisced about the 1974 exhibition at the V&A which helped save the country house.
The best country house architects in Britain
Our definitive list of the best in the business, updated and expanded for 2024.
St James’s Palace: An exclusive look inside
Published originally right at the end of 2023, this was a fascinating look at the British monarchy’s oldest, quirkiest and most mysterious palace.
‘One of the great landmarks of the Sussex coast’, finally finished some 156 years after work was started
John Goodall looeds at the recent completion of the chapel of Lancing College.
900 years old, one careful owner
How Madresfield Court has come down the centuries in the hands of one family.
The Palladian masterpiece you can rent by the weekend
Wolterton Hall's unmatched Georgian splendour.
Photography: Getty / Alamy / Paul Highnam / Will Pryce / Country Life
Wembley isn't just a stadium — it was a vision abd a pioneering adventure in the history of architecture
The 1924 Wembley Empire Exhibition was conceived on a vast scale, with a bewildering variety of displays that united such
The architecture of Henry James: How real-life country houses found their way into the work of one of our greatest writers
The stories of Henry James are full of descriptions of country houses. Jeremy Musson explores the messages these houses convey,
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
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Barbour’s heritage jackets get a floral makeover courtesy of Erdem
Utilitarian outwear has taken the fashion world by storm and now Britain's world-famous wax jackets are getting in on the act, inspired by some of our greatest countryside icons.
By Amy de la Haye Published
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Brockfield Hall, the great Yorkshire house that's gone from Regency mansion to modern family home
Brockfield Hall in North Yorkshire is the family home of Charlie Wood and Hatta Byng, editor of House & Garden, who have transformed it since they came here in 2020, winning multiple awards in the process. John Martin Robinson reports on the restoration project that revived this compact Regency house as a modern family home. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Martin Robinson Published
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Holyrood: Inside The King's official residence in Scotland, from throne room to the bed chamber of Mary, Queen of Scots
Holyrood — or, to give it its full title, The Palace of Holyroodhouse — is the official residence in Scotland of His Majesty King Charles III. To coincide with the publication of a new history of the palace, John Goodall offers an overview of the creation, abandonment and rebirth of this working royal residence over the past 900 years. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Goodall Published
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From Windsor Castle and the Reform Club to the house where Ghosts is filmed: Country Life's best architecture stories of 2023
We take a look back at a wonderful year of architecture articles in Country Life, including an astonishing look inside Windsor Castle with pictures taken just days before the death of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
By Toby Keel Published
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Hellifield Peel Tower: The miraculous revival of a medieval tower in Yorkshire
Hellifield Peel Tower in North Yorkshire was not so long ago a decaying shell. Now, this medieval peel tower has undergone a near miraculous restoration and revival as a family home. Jeremy Musson reports. Photographs by Christopher John for Country Life.
By Jeremy Musson Published
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Inside Windsor Castle, by kind permission of the Sovereign
As the new reign begins, John Martin Robinson takes an exclusive look at Windsor Castle, Berkshire — an official residence of His Majesty King Charles III — and in particular the recently completed representation of the State Apartments. Photographs taken in the last few days of the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
By John Martin Robinson Published
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Country Life's 10 best architecture stories of 2022
A 'heaven on earth in the Cotswolds' and the library of your dreams are among the best this year.
By Toby Keel Published
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Balmoral: A Highland paradise, and the much-loved royal family summer escape since 1848
Mary Miers takes a look at a much-loved home of the Royal Family, Balmoral.
By Mary Miers Published
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Sandringham House: The Norfolk home of The Queen
John Martin Robinson takes a tour of Sandringham House, the country house beloved and developed by generations of the royal family, including rooms not seen by the public. Photographs by Will Pryce for Country Life.
By John Martin Robinson Published
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Hall Place, Hampshire: The fabulous house where the Duchess of Cornwall spent her idyllic childhood summers
Hall Place in West Meon, Hampshire, is currently the home of Michael and Claudia Langdon. Yet for many years it was owned by the grandparents of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. The house, so well known to The Duchess in her childhood, was specially chosen by her for coverage in her guest-edited issue of Country Life. It is revealed in a new light by fresh documentary research, as John Goodall reports. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Goodall Published