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Bridesmaid's dress from Queen Elizabeth II's up for auction at Christie's
The dress, designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, was commissioned by the Queen Mother and was once worn by Kate Moss.
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Half a century ago, one of Britain's greatest ever gardeners planted roses at Mottisfont Abbey — and right now is the perfect time to go and see them
Planted by the legendary horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas, the 1,000 individual roses at this priory-turned-country house are considered his 'masterpiece' and bloom only once a year.
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The best places to commute from Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and even Yorkshire: 'Up here, you can have it all'
If you’re only in the office a few days a week, what does a little extra journey time matter? Annunciata Elwes begins a four-part series looking at how our new work patterns have redefined the concept of a commutable home.
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A venue where AC/DC played, a hospital where Vera Brittain wrote and the largest glassmaking company in the world are the newest additions to the Victorian Society Endangered List
Every building has a unique story and they are all in danger of being lost, the heritage society warns, unless we act now to save them.
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'Too often, succession can be a battleground': What to expect when you're expecting (to inherit a country estate)
New research by Historic Houses and Saffery sheds light on the politics and pitfalls of succession and how the attitudes of heirs and estate owners are shifting.
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For sale: apartments in Kensington with a concierge service linked to Harrods
Allen House off Kensington High Street also offers potential buyers the much coveted RBKC residents' parking permit.
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In a dimple-covered Norfolk landscape, Britain's only open Neolithic flint mine is still revealing its secrets
Originally in use at the same time the Stonehenge boulders were raised, the mines at Grime's Graves are the oldest manmade underground space in England.
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The secret life of one of England's greatest authors, lost behind bad handwriting
A recently acquired memoir by Jane Austen's brother might reveal more about the famous author, but there's a problem — his handwriting is very difficult to read
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Farmers warn of looming food crisis after 'wettest winter in 150 years'
'To still be underwater in spring is unheard of. Our whole arable operation is on hold.'
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'Where birds and a wild Englishman roamed': The world's first nature reserve granted listed status
Waterton Park in West Yorkshire was the 'prototype for the modern nature reserve', and has been rewarded by Historic England with protection. Annie Elwes tells the story of the man behind it.
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From organic pools to £100k huts, the seven trends defining the housing market today
From natural swimming pools to shepherd's huts with six-figure price tags, there are all sorts of things which are getting buyers excited at the moment. Country Life's property editor Annunciata Elwes asks the experts for the latest.
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Counting butterflies to calm the anxious mind
A new study suggests that taking the time to watch and count butterflies can reduce anxiety, as well as providing vital information in the fight for nature.
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Curious Questions: Why do we eat hot cross buns at Easter?
Annunciata Elwes traces the curious history of the hot cross bun in Britain.
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From smashed glass to smashing teas: The restoration of a 300-year-old glass-roofed teahouse full of historic camellias
The Georgian teahouse at Wentworth Woodhouse has undergone a multi-million pound restoration which has saved the centuries-old camellias which grow within.
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The inaugural topiary awards are open now
Britain's best topiary artists, both professional and amateur, are being sought out in a new topiary award.
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The RNLI's 200-year journey from being set up in a pub to saving tens of thousands of lives
The brave men and women of the RNLI have been working for two centuries to save the lives of those whose vessels have run in to trouble in the seas around Britain. In 2024 this national institution is celebrating its 200th anniversary in style.
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St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, Heysham: The mythical Lancashire ruins with a heavenly view
Annunciata Elwes takes a look at St Patrick’s Chapel ruins, a Morecambe Bay landmark.
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The art and life of Pattie Boyd, the woman in the centre of the love triangle between Eric Clapton and a Beatle, has come up for auction
Pattie Boyd was the girlfriend of two of the great figures in rock music in the 1960s and 1970s — and Christie's are holding a sale of her memorabilia.
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The buzz is back, says British Beekeepers Association, which celebrates its 150th anniversary
The number of beekeepers and hives has increased since the lows of the early 2000s, but there is still more to be done to protect our pollinators.
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Trafalgar Square celebrates 25 years of Fourth Plinth art — but is it time for a permanent piece?
Seven shortlisted ideas for the next stint on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square are currently on display — but some say it is now time for a more permanent fixture.
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Handbags, Ferraris and priceless paintings — these are a few of our favourite things (to invest in)
Knight Frank's Luxury Investment Index for 2023 reveals what the rich and famous have been buying and selling, and whether their investments are going up or down.
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The heart-stopping work of removing a 150-year-old stained glass masterpiece from one of Britain's greatest cathedrals
One of Salisbury Cathedral's most famous stained glass windows is being restored — and that means it must be removed in a painstaking process.
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North Yorkshire village is the latest to turn down the lights and become 'dark-skies friendly'
Hawnby is the first 'dark sky friendly' village in the North York Moors and residents are already starting to see positive results from dimming the lights
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'Stonehenge of the North' saved for the nation
The future of the Neolithic site at Thornborough Henges — which has been dubbed 'The Stonehenge of the North' — has been secured, and the site saved for the nation. Annunciata Elwes reports.
