Theatre, film & music

14 of the greatest movie posters in cinema

The right poster can evoke a film without words, stir nostalgia and entice viewers into cinemas.

The cathedral choirmaster: 'The thing I love about the Christmas repertoire is the mix of modern and ancient'

Today's piece in our series on the people who make Christmas in the country sees Kate Green meet Tim Parsons at Wells Cathedral.

The Christmas Carol songbook that changed the sound of Christmas

The First World War, as seen through the unique Country Life Picture Archive

Country Life looks back at the First World War through the lens of the Country Life Archive. View images, read a selection of wartime articles, and also download war artist Muirhead Bone’s first catalogue of drawings, originally published in 1917.

Curious Questions: Which person has spent the most time on TV?

Is it Elvis? Is it Queen Elizabeth II? Is it Gary Lineker? No, it's an eight-year-old girl called Carole and a terrifying clown. Here is the history of the BBC's Test Card F.

'Without fever there is no creation': the tumultuous talent of Giacomo Puccini

Three of the top 10 operas performed worldwide are by the emotionally volatile Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, who died a century ago. Henrietta Bredin explains how his colourful life influenced his melodramatic plot lines.

Henry Wood: The man who made The Proms

As the 2024 Prroms get under way, we take a look at the man who began this great British summer institution: Henry Wood.

Live and let live in the gorgeous former monastery that's been home to everyone from iconic Bond girls to legends of music

Jane Seymour bought this stunning house a few years after becoming one of the most celebrated Bond girls in the entire 007 series; now, it's seeking a new owner.

14 things to book today to make the most of the 2024 Summer Season

Music, sport, gardens and more — here are some of the best events to attend this summer.

Jonathan Self: These are a few of my favourite things (audio version)

Forget bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens — Jonathan Self loves the sound of a burning log shifting in the stove and a tractor misfiring on its way up the lane.

Curious Questions: Was music's famous 'Lady of the Nightingales' nothing more than a hoaxer?

Beatrice Harrison, aka ‘The Lady of the Nightingales’, charmed King and country with her garden duets alongside the nightingales singing in a Surrey garden. One hundred years later, Julian Lloyd Webber examines whether her performances were fact or fiction.

Curious Questions: Who wrote the Happy Birthday song?

There are few things less pleasurable than a tuneless public rendition of Happy Birthday To You, says Rob Crossan, a century after the little ditty came into being

The 10 most romantic declarations of love in film and literature

Burns Night: What it is, where to go, what to do if you want to play host

Burns Night has been celebrated for well over 200 years – here's everything you need to know about celebrating Scotland's national poet.

Twelfth Night: What it is, when it falls and why it's the biggest celebration we no longer enjoy

Once a time of merriment when rules were subverted, Twelfth Night has long since lost its sparkle, says Vicky Liddell, as she digs into the colourful past of the Feast of Fools and finds that some traditions live on.

The real Ebeneezer Scrooge who inspired Charles Dickens was actually 'noted for his generosity, jovial disposition and appetite'

Ian Morton explores the runaway success of the Dickens Christmas classic and reveals the 'real' Ebenezer Scrooge, who was far from a mean man.

Aled Jones on his favourite Christmas carol

Aled Jones speaks to Country Life about his favourite Christmas carols and Christmas traditions.

The Country Life columnist who ended up at an illegal rave in the Brecon Beacons

Patrick Galbraith has a night to remember.

Are these the seven best independent bookshops in Britain? A writer makes her case

Indices to Country Life articles

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