From the cheery cosiness of Badger's home in 'Wind in the Willows' to the magic of 'Tom's Midnight Garden', the houses in children's literature have made an impact on architecture as we know it today.
The restoration of a Lincolnshire estate building by Vanbrugh has created a delightful cottage, where ingeniously conceived modern decoration records the lives and interests of the couple who undertook the work. Roger White tells the tale of The Summerhouse, Swinstead; photographs by Robin Foster.
We delve into the archives to take a look at St Peter's Church in Lowick, Northamptonshire.
Country Life played a pivotal role in the development of Edwardian architectural taste, championing eclecticism and engaging with history. Timothy Brittain-Catlin explains more.
The Scottish revival architecture of Patrick Allan-Fraser in Arbroath includes the Fraser Mortuary Chapel, an extravagant creation he designed for the town cemetery. John Goodall takes a closer look; all photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
Craigie Castle in Aberdeenshire has a rich history which we revisit here in an article from almost 115 years ago.
Replete with late-Victorian collections and furnishings, Hospitalfield, Angus — the property of the Patrick Allan-Fraser of Hospitalfield Trust — is today home to a cultural organisation for artists and education in the Arts. John Goodall looks at the driving personality behind a remarkable survival. Photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
By the 1880s, the smoking room had become an essential feature of the country house - Michael Hall examines the rise and fall of this masculine space
Exiled from France in 1870, Napoleon III and his son lie buried in England — at St Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough, Hampshire. Anthony Geraghty explains how their Mausoleum, which remains a flourishing monastery, is inspired by French and Spanish precedent. Photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library.
In 1997, 12-year-old boy took it upon himself to do something about a stunning local landmark, which was disintegrating day-by-day before his very eyes. Over two decades later, the boy — now Dr Mark Baker — is still going strong, and the end of his modern-day knight's quest looks closer than ever.
The Empress Eugénie of France died in exile 100 years ago in July 1920 at a house in Hampshire: Farnborough Hill, now owned by the Farnborough Hill Property Trust. Anthony Geraghty looks at the house she adapted as the final seat of the French Second Empire. Photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library.
Nithurst Farm in West Sussex is a striking new house designed by architect Adam Richards for himself and his family draws on remarkably eclectic sources, from Vanbrugh to Art House cinema. Jeremy Musson reports, with photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library.
Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, chairman of the English Heritage Trust, considers how best to manage our ruined country houses, ensuring that visiting them is both worthwhile and enjoyable.
The new garden folly at Wolverton Hall in Worcestershire — owned by Nicholas and Georgia Coleridge — is inspired by Tudor and Georgian design, and provides the perfect retreat for study, entertainment and contemplation. Clive Aslet reports; all photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
Between 1863 and 1865, Sir George Gilbert Scott created a new lodge for the Master of St John’s College, Cambridge. Following its recent restoration, Jeremy Musson tells the story of this remarkable project.
The architecture of the Cotswolds is almost intrinsically linked to popular conceptions of the English country village. Clive Aslet considers the people and places that contributed to bringing that about.
Sir Edward Heath's house in Salisbury, Arundells, is at the heart of this wonderful small city. John Goodall pays a visit to tell its story; photography by Justin Paget for the Country Life Picture Library.
'If the present popularity of the long-despised station would have struck our fathers and grandfathers as surprising, more surprises should be expected in the future.'
Burghley House in Lincolnshire — the home of Miranda and Orlando Rock — is one of the very greatest houses in Britain. This year marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of William Cecil, a statesman of defining importance in the nation’s history. John Goodall considers the Tudor development of the great baronial seat he created for himself, while Jeremy Musson looks at the 20th and 21st century story of the house. All photographs by Paul Highnam for the Country Life Picture Library.
Ightham Mote is one of the most beautiful medieval houses in Britain. The tale of its murky origins and recent restoration is a fascinating one.
