Country Life's best 10 articles of 2021
The Country Life website team takes its pick of some of our favourite articles of the year — some of which were big hits, some of which went under the radar, but all of which we think were fascinating slices of life.
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These are presented in no particular order. And if we had to pick just one? It'd probably be the brilliant interview with photographer Charlie Waite.
Charlie Mackesy on The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse: ‘It’s humbling… The reaction was beyond anything I ever imagined’
You've read the book — you've quite possibly been given multiple copies — so this interview with the man himself was wonderful and eye-opening.
Curious Questions: How did cats come to be man’s second-best friend? (Or best, depending on who you ask)
It’s a curious quirk of statistics that cats outnumber dogs in the UK, despite there being more dog owners. The reason? Cat owners seldom stop at one.
Seahenge, Norfolk: The ancient Bronze Age circle that lay hidden for 4,000 years
Our 'Secret Britain' at the start of the year was full of fascinating gems, but this was probably the pick of the bunch: an intriguing look at a little-known site which we can't help but thing ought to be more famous.
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How to win favour with a difficult dog, and other conundrums — solved by Mrs Hudson
Country Life's agony aunt is pithy and hilarious. If you've not worked your way through her collected columns, this is the time to start.
Curious Questions: Where do wedding anniversary traditions come from?
From paper and steel to lavender and gold, Martin Fone unwraps the history and meaning behind anniversary gifts.
Rosie and Jim: ‘They realise there’s no Uber, the postcode takes you into the middle of a muddy field and the local Waitrose is 600 miles away. Then they come straight back again.’
Country Life staffers Rosie Paterson and James Fisher originally started writing regular columns in lockdown, but they picked it up again later in 2021 — and produced a series of gems.
Jeremy Clarkson: ‘The countryside should be given to rockstars… they want it to look nice and they are prepared to invest in it’
‘I’m flabbergasted,’ declared Jeremy Clarkson when we asked him about the success of 'Clarkson's Farm'. ‘I honestly thought it would serve up gentle disappointment to fans of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, who have watched me for years, but it’s gone berserk.’
The Duke of Edinburgh, 1921-2021: Renaissance Man, Family Man and tireless pillar for Queen and country
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers looks at the life of the Duke of Edinburgh whose life 'was nothing if not an unusual one.'
Curious Questions: Why are four-leaf clovers lucky?
Ian Morton investigates the myths and legends linked to Ireland's favourite plant.
Charlie Waite: One of the world’s best landscape photographers on how to take pictures, the unknowable beauty of Britain and why an iPhone can be good enough
Annunciata Elwes spoke to Charlie Waite about his striking landscape images and how amateurs might follow suit — and good news: 'it's not about the equipment.'
The ultimate way to see The Lake District? By air, from the cockpit of an autogyro
In this article, Charles Harris experiences views that no man had from the dawn of time until the 20th century–and few do now, as he explores the Lake District in a 3ft wide and 15ft long autogyro.
A Great British holiday on wheels?
We’d been at the campsite for all of three minutes before we got stuck in the mud.... The kids were crying — one with laughter, one in fear — and I could feel my other half’s blood pressure climbing even beyond the closed door. The things I do for Country Life.'
10 superb pictures from Nature Photographer of the Year 2019
A cheeky duck and a majestic arch of the aurora borealis are among the magnificent photographs honoured by the 2019
Bringing the quintessential English rural idle to life via interiors, food and drink, property and more Country Life’s travel content offers a window into the stunning scenery, imposing stately homes and quaint villages which make the UK’s countryside some of the most visited in the world.
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Nature and nurture in the gardens of Bramham Park
Tim Richardson looks at the innovative and superbly maintained 18th-century landscape garden of Bramham Park in West Yorkshire, home of Nick and Rachel Lane Fox. Photographs by Paul Highnam.
By Tim Richardson Published
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If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future too
It's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
By James Fisher Published
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The world's hairiest animal, Saturday Night Fever and winning the lottery twice: Country Life Quiz of the Day 21 February 2025
Have a stab at our Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
By Toby Keel Published
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The real name of a 'ghost' rainbow, the first ever omnishambles, and golf on the moon: Country Life Quiz of the Day 20 February 2025
Some real brainteasers for you in our Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
By Toby Keel Published
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Guess the country house price, David Stirling and the King without a moustache: Country Life Quiz of the Day 19 February 2025
Have a go at Wednesday's Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
By Toby Keel Published
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Name that dog, England's highest mountain and eight more questions: Country Life Quiz of the Day 18 February 2025
Test your skills, knowledge, and ability to take wild guesses based on scant evidence in Tuesday's Quiz of the Day.
By Toby Keel Published
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Country Life 12 February 2025
Country Life 12 February 2025 looks at fine art, garden rooms and how animals fall in love.
By Country Life Published
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Churchill's birthplace, Monet's London home and more in the Country Life Quiz of the Day
Try your luck at Monday's quiz of the day.
By Toby Keel Published
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The assassin who shot the assassin, Japan's naked festival and all the money in the world: Country Life Quiz of the Day
By Toby Keel Published
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Life is a Cabaret, old chum — especially when you try the Country Life Quiz of the Day
Classic movies, compound interest and the Sacking of Rome take their places in Thursday's quiz.
By Toby Keel Published