Country Life's 10 best nature stories of 2021
We look back at our most popular nature stories of the last 12 months.
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The 10 spiders you’ll find in the houses and gardens of Britain
Creepy. But cool.
The true meaning of Dumbledore, Chiggypig, Hornywink and Lang lugs, and the other old English animal names all but lost to us
If you think Dumbledore is just a fictional Wizard, then this article from the summer is for you.
Curious Questions: Are cows actually super-intelligent?
Cows possess secrets of which we poor Sapiens are unaware,' writes John Lewis-Stempel. 'Except that, after 20 years of cow-keeping, a few mysteries of the bovine brain have been unveiled to me. And I have moos for you.'
Curious Questions: How do starlings murmurate?
As the light dims on an autumnal or winter’s evening, starlings will rise from their communal roosting site and wheel and swoop as if one body,' writes Martin Fone, in this mesmerising article. It's as if they are 'under the command of a great choreographer in the sky.'
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13 truly staggering images from Close-up Photographer of the Year 2021
An astonishing image of butterflies underwater, other-worldly images of funghi and a candid snap of a cheeky rodent were among the winners and runners-up for the 2021 Close-up Photographer of the Year awards.
The terrible truth about the cuckoo, and the ‘monstrous outrages’ it perpetrates on its foster parents and siblings
This was first published in 2020, but has proven enduringly popular — and it's not hard to see why. This piece was eye-opening and grim, but utterly gripping from start to finish.
10 majestic pictures of the beautiful nature of Britain, in honour of World Wildlife Day
In this article from World Wildlife Day on March 3rd, we looked at a series of simply stunning photographs that will leave you in awe of our natural world.
The 10 things you can do to help save hedgehogs
From creating a wild corner in gardens to safeguarding ponds, Hedgehog Street shared their top 10 tips with us in this post on how we can look after these prickly creatures — and it’s still as relevant now as ever.
The 8 best birdsongs you’ll hear in Britain
Back in February we challenged David Tomlinson to pick his ‘Desert Island Discs’ of birdsong, and it’s in every way as peaceful and soothing as you’d expect.
Curious Questions: Why does the air smell so good after it’s been raining?
That wonderful scent in the air when the rain stops falling has entranced people since the dawn of time — but what causes it? Martin Fone investigates.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Credit: OPOTY/Anya Burnell
Eight breathtaking photographs from the Outdoor Photographer of the Year award
12 breathtaking images to inspire you to enter the International Garden Photographer of the Year
The fascinating — and slightly creepy — winners of the first-ever Bug Photographer of the Year awards
James Fisher celebrates some of the finest images hailed by judges at the Luminar Bug Photography Awards.
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.
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Dawn Chorus: A Blue Plaque for Marc Bolan, holidaying in the Caribbean with Francis Ford Coppola and a history of the National Gallery in 25 pictures
Plus the best of the property pages, and how the railways will save the countryside.
By James Fisher Published
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Game, set, match: 12 of the world’s most beautiful tennis courts
From Italy to Indonesia, when it comes to hotel amenities, a picturesque tennis court will always trump a 24-hour gym. So, before you book your next holiday, take a look at our pick of the 12 best.
By Rosie Paterson Last updated
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Why don't we know how long the UK coastline is?
Welcome to the Coastline Paradox, where trying to find an accurate answer is more of a hindrance than a help.
By Martin Fone Published
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Why are humpback whales flocking to the UK?
Humpback whales are typically infrequent visitors to the Cornish coast, but this year they've been spotted in increasing numbers in the South-West, the Isles of Scilly and as far up the Channel as Sussex.
By Rosie Paterson Published
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Dawn Chorus: The beavers who built a £1 million project for free, and Alexa Chung's new Barbour collection
By Toby Keel Published
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'The ultimate one-billion star hotel' — and it doesn't cost a penny to stay
Lewis Winks makes the case as to why the right to wild camp on Dartmoor is vital for us all.
By Lewis Winks Published
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Dawn Chorus: The birds, the bees, the jaguars, and the orb-weaver spiders –everything you need to know about love in the animal kingdom
Plus a look at one of London's best pubs, counting birds in the countryside, and the urban foxes of London.
By James Fisher Published
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'The whiff of a McDonald’s Happy Meal has them pouring in': London, where the foxes are streets ahead
The urban fox is as much a part of the city as the red bus or St Paul's. Will this elusive animal outlast us all?
By Patrick Galbraith Published
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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
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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