Filming for Land of Hope and Glory: British Country Life

Friday nights are taken care of for the next three weeks, with an engaging three-part documentary on BBC2 (March 4, 11 and 18 at 9pm and BBC Two Scotland at 9pm on Weds 9, 16, 23 March) that goes behind the scenes of Country Life, a national institution since 1897. Land of Hope and Glory: British Country Life, directed by Jane Treays for Spun Gold, reflects the magazine’s vast reach and influence as a tastemaker on architecture, gardens, landscape, farming, conservation, rural tradition and the Arts.

** Subscribe to Country Life and get 50% off with our special offer

Breathtaking cinematography shows off the glorious British landscape and viewers will meet the nation’s naughtiest dog, go backstage for a Frontispiece shoot and the judging of Gentleman of the Year and follow Fine Arts Editor Mary Miers’s epic commute from Scotland. Also revealed are the true cost of running a country house, the reality of cattle farming and what goes into opening a garden to the public— all part of a week’s work in the eclectic world of Country Life.

Above: Lights, camera, action: director Jane Treays and her crew follow the Editor and David Profumo on a fishing trip in North Uist.

D-day for an NGS opening at The Old Rectory in Manston, Dorset

The crew discovers that the kitchen—and baking—are an integral element of any NGS day.

Partners in crime Violet Irwin and Rabbit, voted the naughtiest dog in Britain.

Clive Aslet spends a day swan upping

In the dining room at Georgian Smedmore House in Dorset

Sage Thompson, huntsman of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray hounds, explains why he has the best job in the countryside

** Read more on Land of Hope and Glory: British Country Life