The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: A new take on a 1980s classic, an answer to bad hair days and a foolproof present for an overgrown boy
What not to buy this week. (Unless you really like it.)
The Finer Things
When it comes to treating yourself to a new party dress or a pair of cufflinks, or if you want to buy a brilliant present for a loved one, look no further than our High Life section. From the most inspiring travel trips to the latest news in luxury watches, and beautiful jewellery, let Country Life guide you to the very best in beautiful things.
Plus, read articles from our brilliant Gentleman’s Life magazine, including the 39 steps to being a gentleman.
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Hannah Sophia England: Meet the luxury brand putting ethics back into fashion
The founder of fashion house Hannah Sophia England, the new go-to-brand for British society, explains how sophisticated style and sustainability can go hand in hand.
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My Favourite Painting: Rebecca Stott
The writer chooses an unusual image by the iconic Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
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In Focus — Poet Laureate Simon Armitage: 'Someone once told me I have a child's eye, probably as an insult, but I took it as an enormous compliment'
Jack Watkins spoke to the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, about writing, the environment and refusing to write about Brexit.
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The Utterly Inessential Garden Party Shopping List, from summery clothes and barbecues to the £1,000+ ice bucket
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'It took my son and daughter-in-law a weekend to set up an online shop... In a week, we sold £10,000 of wine that was languishing in the bonded warehouse'
Carla Carlisle's lockdown has taken her farm shop to places she'd never imagined — but now she's there, she's not sure whether it's for better or for worse.
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My Favourite Painting: Andrew Ellis
Andrew Ellis, director of Art UK, chooses a painting by a young war artist who was killed in pursuit of his craft.
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In Focus: How Spode went from local ceramics manufacturer to global fame and household name
This year, Spode celebrates its 250th anniversary. Matthew Dennison tells the story of how this English ceramics manufacturer, still based in the Potteries.
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Not just jewellery — future heirlooms to be treasured for generations to come
It’ll be game, set and match to the lucky owners of these classic pieces of fine jewellery. The heirlooms of the future, they are to be treasured now and for generations to come.
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The Utterly Inessential Father's Day Shopping List, from super-luxury to a big old box of beer
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My Favourite Painting: Alice Strang
Alice Strang of the National Galleries of Scotland chooses a 1920s work by Agnes Miller Parker.
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In Focus: The art of Andy Warhol, the 'the anti-William Morris', whose vision shaped the world as we know it
With his focus on consumerism, celebrity and counter-culture, Andy Warhol (1928–87) helped to create today’s world. Michael Murray-Fennell considers the influential Pop artist.
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My Favourite Painting: Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry chooses his favourite painting for Country Life.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Pictish gin, Cotswolds veg, and the mice you want in your kitchen
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My Favourite Painting: Nick Hewer
Countdown presenter Nick Hewer is inspired by a recent trip to Japan to choose this iconic painting.
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In Focus: Francis Wheatley, the Londoner who immortalised everyday Georgian life across the strata of society
Francis Wheatley RA (1747–1801) is best known today for his ‘Cries of London’, but, as Matthew Dennison explains, he was also a painter of delightful and accomplished portraits and landscapes.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: Dressing for dinner, lockdown-style
Let's be honest: we've all let standards slip a bit (well, a lot) since lockdown began. That ends here.
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My Favourite Painting: Jenni Murray
The journalist and broadcaster Jenni Murray talks about a painting that is 'the first illustration of #MeToo'.
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Curious Questions: When did we first start playing cards?
Played with friends, family or in solitude, there are few things as familiar as a pack of cards. Yasha Beresiner takes a look at how we came to enjoy this form of entertainment — and how it's been spun out into everything from art to propaganda tool.
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In Focus: The village and cottage featured in Constable's The Hay Wain, the the ultimate image of English country life
Kate Green takes a look at the village of Flatford, in the Dedham Vale AONB, and in particular the cottage that inspired John Constable's most famous painting: The Hay Wain.
