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The five golden rules of wearing a hat to a wedding
If you've a wedding or two (or three) coming up this year, Emma Hughes steps forward with advice for an essential of a lady's wardrobe: the hat.
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The butter connoisseurs who are spreading joy
If you're spending £3 on a top-notch loaf of bread, you don't want to spread any old stuff on it. Emma Hughes meets one of the new breed of butter entrepreneurs whose fine wares are earning recognition across the country.
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Designing your own engagement ring – the dos and the don'ts
Designing a bespoke engagement ring for the love of your life is a daunting prospect. Luckily, there’s expert help at hand, says Emma Hughes.
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Britain's best chocolate? Here are eight of the best hand-made, small-batch chocolate bars you can buy
Once a cottage industry, small-batch British chocolate is booming. Emma Hughes unwraps eight of the best small-batch bars.
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How the Suffragettes won the battle for the vote – and paved the way for universal suffrage in Britain
It's 100 years this week since women in Britain first won the right to vote. Emma Hughes picks out the key steps which led to the success of the Suffrage movement.
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The nine greatest cats in literature, from Macavity to the Cat Who Walked By Himself
Macavity, Macavity, there’s no one like Macavity – apart from the other eight on this list, as picked out by Emma Hughes.
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The life of a modern magician: Razor blades, ballet shoes and bumping into the Obamas
What does it take to be a modern-day magician? Emma Hughes finds out. Main photograph by Richard Cannon.
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The best hot chocolates for Christmas
Our favourite hot chocolates: delicious, rich and perfect for sipping by the fire.
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Special delivery: The finest mail-order food companies
Lobster through your letterbox? Cheese by courier? Emma Hughes goes behind the scenes with the firms keeping connoisseurs posted.
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How to make gingerbread vodka
Nutmeg is the taste of Christmas, but it’s always had a wild side. Emma Hughes delves into its past and reveals her favourite recipe that infuses this festive spice into vodka.
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Meet Britain's best hotel animals: The quack pack, the doggy doorman and the moggy maître d'
Emma Hughes gets to know the dogs, cats and ducks bringing animal magic to some of Britain’s best hotels.
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Country Life announces the Gentleman of the Year winner
The results are finally in. We reveal Country Life's Gentleman of the Year-and the names of the others you gave the thumbs-up to
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Strand and deliver: Simpson's is back
Saved from being swallowed up by a high-street chain, Simpson’s is back. Emma Hughes inspects the menu.
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Recipe: How to make perfect chocolate truffles
If you're off to stay with friends for the weekend, these delicious truffles make a perfect present for your host or hostess.
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Five ultimate clotted cream recipes
Cooking with clotted cream turns any summer meal into a special occasion.
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Come on in, the water’s lovely: Why we all love a lido
Britain’s historic outdoor swimming pools, long neglected, are back in business.
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The bakers who saved the Cornish pasty
Proper Cornish pasties were in danger of dying out, but, thanks to a dedicated band of bakers, all that’s changed. Emma Hughes finds out how the West won.
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Nine stories behind the great British sweets of your childhood
Pocket-money sweet treats have never looked more tempting, no matter how old you are.
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Richard E. Grant: 'Not a day goes by without somone quoting Withnail & I at me'
Emma Hughes talks to the actor about Withnail & I, singing for his supper – and sniffing trees.
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The appeal of peel: How to make your own Seville orange marmalade
Marmalade should always have a special place in our hearts. And stomachs, of course.
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Meet the real Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer
With sleigh bells ringing in her ears, Emma Hughes heads north to Scotland, where she discovers that reindeer aren’t just for Christmas.
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Create your own bespoke gin
A bespoke gin will take your G&Ts to a whole new level this summer. Emma Hughes spends an evening blending her own
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Britain’s favourite puddings
From Sticky toffee to Eton mess, Country Life tracks down the most glorious puddings that Britain gave the world
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Why we love buttons
What is it about buttons that makes us love them so?
