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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Nigel Havers: Driving through France in a car like a panther, picking up delicious wine — and taking the dog, too
Eschewing a cheap flight in favour of a good old-fashioned driving holiday, Nigel Havers embarks on a wine trip to France, accompanied by his wife George and their poodle, Charley.
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My Favourite Painting: Robert Dalrymple
'Our West Highland terrier stood in for the cat; Anna put on a big hat, but, to my regret, I never got round to buying a spotty dressing gown.'
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Curious Questions: Have you been taking books off shelves the wrong way for your entire life?
The question of how to take a book off a shelf without damaging it may not be one you've ever given much thought to — but you owe it to your collection to do it the right way.
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Christmas gifts to buy for that eccentric man-child in your life
Whether it's your eccentric uncle, your half-sibling with an exotic lifestyle or the person you've been married to for 23 years, it's not always easy picking presents for overgrown schoolboys. Lucky for you that Hetty Lintell is here to help.
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Christmas gift ideas for children
A collection of adorable gifts, perfect for that special toddler or precocious young person.
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Gift ideas for those who love experiences
Experiences are the new kid on the block when it comes to Christmas presents, but their growing popularity is well-founded.
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In Focus: Photography's first-ever selfie, as taken by one of Yorkshire's greatest ever inventors
A Yorkshire scientist by the name of Washington Teasdale took a picture which is generally thought to be the first 'selfie' in the history of photography. Toby Keel takes a closer look.
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Christmas gift ideas for men
From fathers to brothers to lovers, we run through some smart ideas for Christmas presents for the men in your life.
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Christmas gift ideas for ladies
From mothers and sisters to wives and girlfriends, these 12 gifts are sure to bring a smile to the face of the special lady in your life.
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Country Life's very own White Van Man: 'It’s my fifth and, thus, I’ve called it Van Cinq'
Kit Hesketh-Harvey would be lost without his Ford Transit — but that doesn't mean there aren't a few metaphorical potholes to avoid.
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My Favourite Painting: Courtney Love
Courtney Love chooses the Chi Rho page from The Book of Kells.
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Curious Questions: Why do we have Advent calendars?
The first three-and-a-half weeks of December can mean only one thing: people anxiously opening small cardboard doors in order to behold the wonders within. But how did the Advent calendar phenomenon start? Martin Fone investigates.
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Beyond Pinterest: The best ways to ensure your lovely objects aren't exactly the same as everyone else's
Giles Kime asks whether the the ‘digital pop up’ the answer to the homogeneous home.
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In Focus: The Magritte painting that plays with fiction, reality... and unpredictable weather
Lilias Wigan takes a look at Le Temps Menaçant, a work created by René Magritte while he stayed with Salvador Dalí.
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The best of the Black Friday deals: From bags to coffee, and from scooters to holidays in the Maldives
The world seems to be going Black Friday barmy this week. We've picked out a few of the best deals.
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Volvo V90 Cross Country review: 'You have to be in something far more costly and exotic to find a rival experience'
The Volvo V90 Cross Country is a refreshingly different 4x4 estate–more comfortable and longer legged than its teutonic rivals, it’s just as foxy to look at, even if you can’t lower the suspension.
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My Favourite Painting: Fergus Henderson
'There should be one point of simple, enticing clarity – a pickled walnut, perhaps, which is what I most strongly associate with this image – that compels you to dive in. Come! Commune with the pickled walnut!'
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In Focus: How a painting discovered in a rural French kitchen came to sell for £20 million
The discovery — and subsequent auction — of a painting by Cimabue hit the headlines recently, but who is this little-known Italian painter? And why was this painting deemed quite so important? Country Life's art expert Huon Mallalieu explains.
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The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: The billionaire's advent calendar and a perfect barbecue for mid-winter al fresco
