Out & About

Indices to Country Life articles

The Country Life Index of articles is all articles published by Country Life, since 1897, in one place.

How to stop your new puppy barking at the door by top trainer Ben Randall

Trying to prevent or discourage a fully grown dog from barking manically at the door every time the postman calls is one thing, but what about if you have a lovely, new young pup that you want to stop getting into this frenzied and annoying habit? As usual, Ben Randall knows exactly what to do.

Jonathan Self: The simple key to a life full of joy and happiness and free of care

An encounter with a 21st century goatherd makes Jonathan Self wonder if things might one day again be simpler.

What to do if your dogs wind each other up and cause trouble, by expert trainer Ben Randall

Having a pair of dogs can be great fun — but it can also cause problems if they prompt bad behaviour in each other. Ben Randall explains how to handle this situation.

How to train a dog who isn't interested in food, by expert trainer Ben Randall

The prospect of a hearty meal is enough to motivate almost any dog — but there are some who appear to resist. Ben Randall takes a look at why.

How to win at conkers

Few games rival conkers for sheer excitement. Simon Lester ponders the merits of round-topped nuts versus flat-sided cheesers and exposes the nefarious tricks some use to win at all costs.

What price culture? £380 to see Taylor Swift — or £12 for a night at the Royal Opera

Country Life's cultural crusader Athena takes a look at the thorny issue of live music ticket prices  — and how the habits of concert-goers today show that the struggles of classical music and opera to find an audience run far deeper than mere cost.

'Owning a boat is like standing in a cold shower, ripping up tenners — but it's everything I dreamed it would be'

Joe Gibbs ignored the warnings and bought himself a boat. One year one, are the joys greater than the regrets?

How to look after a dog who's scared of you, by expert trainer Ben Randall

Looking after other people’s dogs can be a lovely thing to do — but what happens when the dog is unaccountably terrified of you? Ben Randall explains.

Jonathan Self: The lost art of hitch-hiking

A first encounter in decades with somebody hitching a ride prompts our columnist to look back on the days when hitch-hiking was entirely normal — and an incomparable way to get from A to Wherever.

How to stop your dog pulling on the lead, by A-list trainer Ben Randall

Top trainer Ben Randall talks through one of the most common problems dog owners face: a pooch who pulls on the lead as if they're trying to haul a locomotive.

The idyllic Costwolds home of the thriller writer Felix Francis is up for sale

The dreamily beautiful Manor House in Hornton has been home to Felix Francis, the best-selling writer and son of Dick Francis, for 16 years, but now they are moving on.

Jason Goodwin: A somewhat comprehensive agenda for fixing Britain, from turning off the internet to compulsory Natural Service for 18-year-olds

'I know they will thank me in the end,' says our columnist, with tongue in cheek — though who knows how firmly?

'My dog doesn't like my husband. What can I do?' — Expert trainer Ben Randall has the answer

For many of us, our dogs are like members of our family, but what do you do when your canine companion does not feel the same way about your husband as you do? Ben Randall has all the answers.

Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers turns 30

Not all heroes wear capes, some are more likely to put on the wrong trousers and ask their dog if he wants ‘more cheese’. Harry Pearson meets Wallace and Gromit, two of our best-loved Plasticine characters.

Hadrian's Wall in an English summer: Wind, rain, and unforgettable beauty

Solitary daily pacing of Hadrian’s Wall, in the footsteps of Roman soldiers, brings back family memories for Fiona Reynolds.

How to stop your dog having a go at other dogs, by leading trainer Ben Randall

Some dogs are absolute angels around people of all ages — but for some reason can turn into little devils when around other dogs. Ben Randall takes a look at what's happening, and how to fix the problem.

How to stop your dog barking while you're trying to talk to people, by award-winning trainer Ben Randall

Having a dog who barks or jumps up while you're chatting to someone can be infuriating. Ben Randall explains what's going on and how to solve the problem.

What is the Stone of Scone?

Shrouded in myth and mystery, the unremarkable-looking Stone of Scone — the ancient symbol of Scottish sovereigns — still plays a significant role in the coronations of British monarchs, says Matthew Dennison.

In the swim: Britain's best private swimming pools

As Britain goes through a blazing hot tail-end of summer, Christopher Woodward dives into the history of the swimming pool and relishes some lengths in the best private pools in the country. Photographs by Simon Buck and Millie Pilkington.