Country Life's quirkiest features of 2019: The dog who summoned the armed police, the bus that jumped Tower Bridge and the likelihood of death by coconut
The best thing about being a magazine with such a wide readership is the truly eclectic mix of articles that we're able to deliver to your doorsteps. Here are our favourites from the past year.


Britain’s Naughtiest Dog 2019: All the winners, from the Jack Russell who summoned the armed police to the pointer who vomits glitter
How bad does a dog have to be to demolish the family Easter eggs, chew up a passport a day before a trip to Australia and summon the armed police while their owner was helplesly in the shower? The answer is clear; the dog must be the naughtiest dog in Britain. And that's just what Pici is.
Curious Questions: Did a double decker bus really jump over Tower Bridge?
You think you know the answer to this one. Let us assure you, you really don't. There's a reason why Albert Gunter went onto be the best men of one of the passengers on his bus.
How the Victorians wove beautiful jewellery from the hair of their deceased loved ones
That's right; it was once fashionable to wear jewellery made from human hair. Before you judge, remember two things. 1) Victorians used hair jewellery to imortalise dead loved ones and some of it is actually fairly intricate and beautiful. 2) Lady Gaga wore a dress made of meat. We're not so far removed as we might hope from our batty ancestors.
Curious Questions: How do you make the perfect slice of toast?
It was a question that needed an answer. Thanks to us, it now has one.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Why you shouldn’t fear eating offal — it’s food ‘to soothe, comfort and delight’
Okay okay, when you look at it initially, it looks a little murdery. But give this feature time – time to convince you that there's nothing awful about offal. In fact, one could argue that it's sustainable eating; cutting waste, using every part of the animal and so on.
What it’s like to live for five days on an uninhabited Scottish island
One only needs to meet the enigmatic Patrick Galbraith to stop asking the question: 'Who in their right mind would spend five days on an uninhabited Scottish island?'. The answer is, of course, Patrick Galbraith. The story of a man, a terrier and a fishing rod is well-worth the read.
26 miles of wine and cheese: The madness of the Marathon du Medoc, the world’s daftest (and booziest) running race
Here at Country Life we're blessed with not only Patrick Galbraith, but also the lovably bonkers Emma Hughes as a regular contributor. Whatever Pheidippides thought his legacy would be after trasversing the vast distance between Marathon and Athens, it was not this. Never this.
Curious Questions: Who invented the gin and tonic?
Discover who first opted to mix fire water with medicine to form the nation's favourite drink order.
Revealed: How to stop seagulls from stealing your chips
If you thought Country Life wasn't the place for hard-hitting research journalism, you're entirely wrong. As well as answering some of the most important, unasked questions out there, we also bring you handy tips to protect your lunch on the beach. You're welcome.
Curious Questions: How likely are you to be killed by a falling coconut?
Another question in desperate need of answering thankfully answered; Martin Fone explores the likelihood of death by coconut and gives some sound avice on how to avoid it. Namely, don't sit under coconut trees. Who would've thunk it?
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18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
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‘Going around that track, in that Ferrari, was ecstasy of the most legal kind’: How to embrace your inner race car driver
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.
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Listen up puffins, peregrines and seal pups — Big Brother is watching you
The Wildlife Trusts have installed more than 25 video cameras around the country that live stream activity from barn owl nests to popular puffin sites.
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The golden eagle: One of the Great British public's favourite birds of prey — but devilishly tricky to identify
We are often so keen to encounter this animal that ambition overrides the accuracy of our observations, writes Mark Cocker.
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From turtles to pink sea fans: Why Mediterranean marine life is drifting into British waters
Both leatherback sea turtles and the soft corrals’ presence near our shores coincides with our warming seas, Lotte Brundle writes.
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Whatever floats your moat: Tower of London's former waterway receives help to adapt to the pressures of climate change
It is one of five gardens across the globe that have been selected by the fund for aid in adapting to the growing pressures of climate change.
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It's a cruel summer to be a bee with up to 80% of swarms dying if they cannot find a safe place to settle — but here is how you can help
Currently, swarms of bees are taking flight to search for new homes and up to 80% of these swarms will perish if they cannot find a safe place to settle, but we can all help, says the BBKA.
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'It’s not ironic that I really like wasps and that they nearly killed me. It’s simply a coincidence': What to do if you're stung by a wasp
After a close encounter with some wasps put him in hospital, William Kendall sought an unlikely remedy...
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Hen harriers: The 'marvels of evolutionary adaptation' that are 'ballet and theatre and poetry inscribed on air'
The hen harrier is one of the most glorious birds of prey in Britain — yet it provokes fierce debate. Mark Cocker unpicks why this breed is among the most controversial of all British birds.
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Steve Backshall on sharks, quicksand, and getting his fingertips eaten by piranhas
The adventurer, broadcaster, scientist and writer Steve Backshall joins the Country Life podcast.