11 magical snow days across Britain which really delivered the goods
The national obsession with weather kicked into overdrive on Thursday as people across the nation were gripped by Thundersnow fever.
![A woman walks her dog through snow in Sydenham Woods on February 28, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. Freezing weather conditions dubbed the 'Beast from the East' has continued to bring distruption to many parts of the country, with snow and sub-zero temperatures reaching much of the UK. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/joexgRXbGnbvaFzzKqdrCn-674-80.jpg)
Across vast swathes of Britain the roads are deserted save for a few people trundling along at 5mph, schools are closed and supermarkets are full of people shopping for Armageddon.
But there's always an upside to snow: fun, beauty and grandeur. Here's our pick of some wonderful snowy moments across the nation.
These images of wonderful winters of the past come from the Science & Society Picture Library.
Nuns on the (toboggan) run
The brewery delivery man shows the true meaning of ice-cold beer
It's always the right time to do the conga
Shadow dancer
Steam trains and snowy winters? The old days really were just like your grandfather always told you...
Frozen lakes of yesteryear – without a health and safety official in sight
Definitely the wrong type of snow
These sheep were only too happy to be told to huddle up – just to keep warm
"What do you mean, 'I still have to go to school'? You can't be serious!"
Let's just hope the driver doesn't brake too suddenly...
If you hadn't seen the skier, what would you think had made these patterns...?
From mizzle to drizzle and dreich to dibble: 17 fascinating British words for wet weather
Mizzle, drizzle, dreich and dibble are just some of the many ways we describe rain. Antony Woodward considers our obsession
Credit: Tresco
Tresco: Like Britain, but with better weather, beaches, gardens... and no cars
Michael Sissons visits Tresco, a beautiful, tranquil, family-owned island off the coast of Cornwall.
Credit: Alamy
Sign up for the Country Life Newsletter
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
10 fascinating things you should know about the Shipping Forecast
From the tragedy which sparked its inception to the modern tweaks which have had listeners up in arms.
150 years of the Shipping Forecast: The magic and poetry of Dogger, Fisher and German Bight
Credit: Fish and chips (Alamy)
The best fish and chip shop in Britain for 2018 has been officially crowned
The best fish and chip shop in Britain has been named as Millers of Haxby.
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.
-
Which of Henry VIII's wives was just 19 when she died? And nine more brainteasers in the Quiz of the Day
How much is that house? What's that crazy picture? And which of Henry VIII's wives was youngest when she died? It's all here in Tuesday's Country Life Quiz of the Day.
By Toby Keel Published
-
How the high street can change for the better
The high street might not be dying, but it's definitely changing and in some places, it's changing for the better. So, what can the centre of town in the 21st century look like?
By Lucy Denton Published
-
Dawn Chorus: Gangster badgers, at home with Sienna Miller, and a fresh slap in the face for first-time buyers
Friday's Dawn Chorus looks at a badger gan
By Toby Keel Published
-
The truth about rewilding, by seven of Britain's most influential farmers, landowners and conservationists
Although the term 'rewilding' is contentious, most agree that our countryside could be better managed for wildlife. Yet what should we actually be doing to improve it?
By Julie Harding Published
-
10 truly breathtaking images from Country Life to celebrate the landscapes and seasons of Britain
Take a look at some of the great depictions of the seasons and landscapes of Britain, as celebrated in the new book 'Country Life: 125 Years of Countryside Living in Great Britain'.
By John Goodall Published
-
15 of the most incredible pictures from the 2023 British Wildlife Photography Awards
Nature’s fierce beauty emerges forcefully from the 2023 British Wildlife Photography Awards. Our Picture Editor Lucy Ford has the pick of the best shots, from a somnolent fox to a hungry buzzard.
By Lucy Ford Published
-
Country Life's best Instagram posts of 2022
Our Instagram feed @countrylifemagazine has proven enormously popular over the years, and it's a real joy finding the best images to share with you.
By Toby Keel Published
-
Country Life's 10 best nature stories of 2021
We look back at our most popular nature stories of the last 12 months.
By Toby Keel Published
-
HRH The Prince of Wales: 'The UK is one of the most Nature-depleted places on the planet... we have to respond now before the capacity of Nature’s systems is ruptured for good'
Wednesday's edition of Country Life sees HRH The Prince of Wales write his traditional birthday leader article, focusing this year on the huge importance of hedgerows to the nature of Britain — and what we can do to protect and nourish them.
By Country Life Published
-
Farming for our futures: The full story of How The Prince of Wales turned Sandringham organic
Over the past year, we have documented the Sandringham estate’s move to a fully organic enterprise. Here, The Prince of Wales tells Paula Lester why farming naturally and sustainably is so vital for the soil, wildlife and our own health.
By Paula Lester Published