The Finer Things
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Maybach SL680: A modern motoring marvel from the marque that once catered for Maharajas and movie stars
The Maybach name has been attached to many of Germany's most luxurious cars over the last century — so does the latest iteration live up to the reputation? Simon de Burton got behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Maybach SL 680 — but only after a quick pronunciation lesson.
By Simon De Burton Published
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‘What a shame when a dinosaur disappears into the mansion of an oligarch rather than being displayed for all to enjoy’: The ethics of the dinosaur auction
Fancy a stegosaurus in your living room? You can buy one at auction. But the latest luxury good is a paleontologist's worst nightmare.
By Lotte Brundle Published
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‘There is probably no sport in the world which is so misunderstood’: 75 years of Formula 1 according to the Country Life archive
On the 75th anniversary of the first ever Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix, held at Silverstone Circuit, Rosie Paterson delves into the Country Life archives to look at how the magazine once spoke about motorsport.
By Rosie Paterson Last updated
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‘Reactions to the French in the 1870s varied from outrage to curious interest’: Impressionism's painstaking ten year journey to be taken seriously by the Brits
Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro spent time in London, but it took James McNeill Whistler to act as artistic bridge with Britain and the ‘sweetened’ Impressionism of Jules Bastien-Lepage to inspire most homegrown painters.
By Caroline Bulger Published
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What do 19th century rowers, Queen Victoria and Giorgio Armani all have in common? They helped to popularise the world's most versatile jacket — the blazer
Everyone from royalty to rappers seems to have one in their wardrobe. Harry Pearson lists the merits of the blazer, a true sartorial team player.
By Harry Pearson Published
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'"This things is a beast," he said. "When I say brake, brake." He didn't need to tell me twice': What happened when we sent a Country Life writer to tear round Goodwood in a 200mph Ferrari
James Fisher Goodwood’s ProDriver Experience is a chance for you to pull on a race suit and live out your childhood fantasies — no matter how tall you are.
By James Fisher Last updated
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‘I get all twitchy when I see people wearing something that really doesn’t belong’: A watch for every summer occasion
There’s a watch for every social summer occasion, from the Mediterranean to muddy festivals. Chris Hall selects some of his favourites.
By Chris Hall Published
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Coco's crush: Chanel's century-long love affair with Britain and its men
For the past 100 years, Chanel — the person and the brand — has left an indelible mark on the UK and its cultural institutions. Amie Elizabeth White takes a look at how the relationship came to be.
By Amie Elizabeth White Last updated
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The successor to the 'most beautiful car of the 20th century' is smooth, comfortable... and ends up highlighting everything that's wrong in car design today
The DS No. 4 traces its lineage back to the Citroën DS, a car so extraordinary that people described it as looking 'as if it had dropped from the sky'. And while the modern version is more friendly to the earth, says Toby Keel, it's also worryingly earthbound.
By Toby Keel Published
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Richard Rogers: 'Talking Buildings' is a fitting testament to the elegance of utility
A new exhibition at Sir John Soane's museum dissects the seminal works of Richard Rogers, one of Britain's greatest architects.
By James Fisher Published
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‘The perfect hostess, he called her’: A five minute guide to Virgina Woolf’s ‘Mrs Dalloway’
To mark its centenary, Lotte Brundle delves into the lauded writer’s strange and poignant classic, set across a single summer’s day in 1920’s London.
By Lotte Brundle Published
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300 laps, thousands of tires, 24 hours of non-stop racing: Up close and personal at Le Mans 2025
At this year's iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans, British car manufacturer Aston Martin returned to the race's top category — and they invited writer Charlie Thomas along for the ride.
By Charlie Thomas Published
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Richard Mille: The man who went from carving watches out of soap to making timepieces for Rafael Nadal and Lando Norris — and built a £1bn business in the process
A new coffee table book by Assouline celebrates one of today’s most daring and innovative watch brands.
By Chris Hall Published
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How to stand out from the crowd in the most British of outfits — morning dress
Morning dress has remained largely unchanged since the 19th century, but breaking with convention can be chic.
By Will Hosie Published
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Society sparkle: Nancy Astor and Ann Fleming’s diamond jewellery makes a splash at auction
Astor’s Cartier tiara was sold by Bonhams, while the accessories of the wife of the James Bond author went up for auction with Dreweatts.
By Lotte Brundle Last updated
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Homespun wisdom, incontrovertible truths or hackneyed, tired thoughts? A penny for your thoughts on proverbs
Wise, world-weary and occasionally cynical, proverbs mirror the human experience and remain remarkably insightful today, discovers Matthew Dennison.
By Matthew Dennison Published
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Ineos Grenadier: What price nostalgia?
Ineos's Grenadier is a rugged off-roader with a simple job — to go anywhere. Its simplicity and singular purpose is the foundation of its success.
By James Fisher Published
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Express yourself with colour
Sponsored by Code8
Code8, based in the heart of Mayfair, offers clients the chance to craft the perfect shade of lipstick. Hetty Lintell, Country Life's Luxury Editor, finds out more.
By Hetty Lintell Published
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This obscure and unloved picture that turned out to be Turner's first oil painting — and it's about to sell for 500 times what it last cost
JMW Turner's 'The Rising Squall, Hot Wells, from St Vincent’s Rock, Bristol' was lost and forgotten for years — but now it's been rediscovered, and is going under the hammer in July.
By Toby Keel Published
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Fields and fashion: Why luxury loves the British countryside
From Perthshire to Paris, 'Anglomania' is taking over high fashion. Amie Elizabeth White tells us why.
By Amie Elizabeth White Published
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Father's Day gifts: What to buy that extra-special dad
Sunday June 15, 2025 is Father's Day: the occasion to honour the father figure who taught you how to cast a fly, decant a bottle of red, carve a joint of beef, or reverse park a Land Rover with one hand.
By Hetty Lintell Last updated