Here at the Country Life Podcast, we like to think we deliver a useful and necessary service. We want to discuss the important issues. We want to talk to Norman Foster about why architecture matters. We want to speak to farmers about how they can help tackle the climate crisis. We strive to compress the beauty of nature into an audio format so we can learn to cherish and appreciate the world around us.
Sometimes, however, we have to ask important questions such as: ‘How can you sneak onto a yacht party at the Monaco Grand Prix?’. Thankfully, we know just such an expert.
Adam Hay-Nicholls has spent decades travelling the world, driving fast cars, reviewing fancy hotels and writing about Formula One. His answer? Confidence, good socks, and knowing the name of the owner of said yacht. Either that, or pretend you’re from pest control. Even fancy yachts have rats, apparently.
To complement this week’s Horsepower Issue, Adam joined me for a chat about all things cars, travel and F1. What are some of his favourite cars that he’s driven? What’s it like owning a vintage Bentley? Why was he at the opening of a hotel in Dubai with Beyonce? Why is he currently trapped in a log cabin in Northumberland? All very important questions as I’m sure you’d agree.
We also spoke at length about his trip around England, Scotland and Wales to complete the Three Peaks challenge. If that doesn’t sound very luxurious, don’t worry, we sent him off to do it in an Aston Martin.
We’re not yet sure whether countrylife.co.uk will be able to hire an ‘Editor of having a jolly good time’, but if we do, Adam certainly has the resumé for the role. We think you’ll enjoy listening to what he’s been up to.
Episode credits
- Host: James Fisher
- Guest: Adam Hay-Nicholls
- Producer and Editor: Toby Keel
- Music: JuliusH via Pixabay
Norman Foster on the Country Life podcast: 'The Green Belt is one of our greatest inventions'
Lord Norman Foster, one of Britain's great architects, joins the Country Life podcast.
-
How to make a gloomy city garden into a haven of colour and natureTiffany Daneff discovers how to transform a typically dark London back garden into a light-filled green haven that is always in use. Photographs by Clive Nichols.
-
The world's hairiest animal, Saturday Night Fever and winning the lottery twice: Country Life Quiz of the Day 21 February 2025Have a stab at our Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
-
'We talk about life's big questions with people who probably thought they were just coming in to discuss the redecoration of their house': Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham on the Country Life PodcastNicole Salvesen and Mary Graham of Salvesen Graham join James Fisher on the Country Life Podcast.
-
Literature, landscape and re-wiggling rivers, with Vicky and Charles Rangeley-WilsonVicky and Charles Rangeley-Wilson join James Fisher to talk about their upcoming literary festival in Norfolk and why the Arts and the landscape are so intertwined.
-
Lucy Shepherd: Britain's most intrepid young explorer on how she went from rural Suffolk to trekking the AmazonLucy Shepherd has spent the last 10 years adventuring through some of the most extraordinary landscapes in the world. She spoke to James Fisher about her life, her inspirations, her career to date and her latest expedition, through some of the most remote jungle in the Amazon.
-
The Spice Girls, The Stage and the state of the Arts, with Alistair SmithThe Stage editor Alistair Smith joins James Fisher on the Country Life podcast this week to talk about the performing arts.
-
David Messum: Whimsical tales from the life of one of Britain's greatest art dealersDavid Messum joins Country Life to discuss his 60-year career in the art world.
-
From Tudors and Georgians to pet monkeys in Roman Britain: Matt Thompson of English Heritage on telling the stories of the pastMatt Thompson of English Heritage joins the Country Life Podcast.
-
Have you been doing holidays all wrong for years?Author and journalist Liz Schaffer joins the Country Life Podcast to talk about how 'Slow Travel' can help you make the most of your time off — and what she discovered while touring 22 of Britain's most beautiful off-the-track places.
-
When the King and Queen edited Country Life, by the editor who guided them every step of the wayPaula Lester, Country Life's Managing Editor, joins the Country Life podcast.
