Sporting & Country Pursuits
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Skate at Somerset House is the friendliest thing you'll ever do in London
Relying on the kindness of strangers is alive, well, and found in Skate at Somerset House on the Strand.
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The seven greatest winners in the history of the Badminton Horse Trials
The Badminton Horse Trials, the oldest competition of its kind in the world, celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024. Kate Green chooses seven heroic winners in its history.
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How Country Life launched the career of Alistair Mackenzie, the architect who created Augusta National's iconic golf course
Alister Mackenzie, the golf course architect who created Augusta National Golf Club, was a GP with an enthusiastic sideline in golf until he won a competition in Country Life. Roderick Easdale tells the extraordinary tale.
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The Ship Inn Cricket Club: The tale of the world's only cricket club to play its matches on the beach
A game of beach cricket with captains and kings leaves Steve King with hazy memories, but the all-encompassing glow of a perfect game (despite losing by three wickets).
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How a British team of mountaineers conquered Everest, the 'goddess of the sky'
Seventy years ago, on the eve of the Queen’s coronation, Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest. Octavia Pollock considers the legacy of their achievement and what it meant for British mountaineering.
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The A to Z of the Cheltenham Festival, from Arkle to Zarkander
Here is all you need to know about the 2023 Cheltenham National Hunt Festival, one of the greatest sporting occasions on the calendar.
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The Royal Company of Archers: The tale of the The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland
Sir Walter Scott’s legacy lives on as The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland, The Royal Company of Archers, celebrates its bicentenary on a joyful royal occasion. Jamie Blackett brushes off his uniform.
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Country house eventing: Where houses meet horses
Some of Britain’s greatest country houses become equine sporting amphitheatres once a year. Kate Green reports on how cultures collide with spectacular results. Photographs by Mark Williamson and Christopher Doyle.
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Curious Questions: What is the world's oldest extant rowing race?
The annual Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race has been a fixture on the sporting calendar of Britain for almost two centuries — but there is a far older example still going, Doggett's Coat and Badge, which boasts an unbroken record of winners for more than three centuries examples. Martin Fone explains.
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'Ever since Christ stilled the waters of Galilee, fishing and mortality have been entwined'
Joe Gibbs recounts his latest exploits on the water after a visit to the River Ewe.
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The Cheltenham Gold Cup: Everything you need to know about the week's big race
It is 90 years since Golden Miller won the first of a record-breaking five victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Jack Watkins looks back at other equine heroes of the race and assesses the Irish raider Al Boum Photo’s chances of making history at this year’s Festival.
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Wimbledon's 'critical' expansion plans spark controversy in SW19: 'The locals feel that Wimbledon used to hold a special place in their hearts. Now, it’s just a big, money-driven machine'
The All England Lawn Tennis Club's ambitious plans to expand into Wimbledon Park have caused consternation among local residents. Annunciata Elwes reports.
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Ted Dexter: The Italian-born icon who brought dash and glamour to English cricket
Ted Dexter, the former England cricket captain and chairman of selectors, is still bursting with wit, wisdom and insight about the game he loves. He spoke to Jack Watkins.
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Meet the intrepid explorer who ran the entire 630 miles of the South West Coast Path
This summer, explorer George Bullard and paragliding coach Alex Ledger ran the entire length of the South West Coast Path to raise money for brainstrust.org.uk. He spoke to Rosie Paterson.
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The Glorious 12th: 12 facts about the first day of the grouse shooting season
The start of the shooting season - the Glorious 12th August - is nearly here. Charlotte Peters of Shooting UK explains everything you need to know.
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Chalkstream fishing on the River Test and River Dever: 'You have to be as surreptitious and precise as a sniper'
Our fishing correspondent David Profumo ventures to England for a series of forays on venerable chalkstreams, where he bags a few brown trout and a lot of nostalgia.
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Riding in the Magnolia Cup: 6am starts, a total ban on chocolate, and the chance to go on board 'the ultimate equine athlete'
Country Life's Octavia Pollock rode in the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood, the charity race for female amateur jockeys which is one of the highlights of the meeting. She tells the tale of what it's been like to take on this gruelling but hugely-rewarding physical and mental challenge.
