Big boys’ toys, trips & tips

Alfa Romeo Stelvio review: 'When you want the Stelvio to lift its skirts and fly, it really can'

The Utterly Inessential Beach Shopping List: From ocean-inspired drinks to a Dragon paddleboard for the entire family to enjoy

Bored of being in the office? Well, this weekend is your chance to drop everything and jump on a train down to our gleaming coastline. Alexandra Fraser rounds up a few of the utterly inessential things that you should probably, potentially, but definitely not absolutely, bring with you.

26 miles of wine and cheese: The madness of the Marathon du Medoc

It’s been dubbed ‘the world’s most idiotic marathon’: a 26-mile run through vineyards, fuelled by wine and cheese. Emma Hughes finds out if she has the stomach for the legendary Marathon du Médoc.

The Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court, a world-famous weekend of luxury

The world-famous Concours of Elegance is coming to Hampton Court Palace in September – and we've a ticket offer for Country Life readers.

A day aboard the Dartmouth Express: 'You half expect Hercule Poirot to hurry along the corridor with Captain Hastings in tow'

Heritage railway trips offer a slice of 1930s glamour in an era, as Toby Keel found out on a trip on the Dartmouth Express.

Curious Questions: Were the Wright Brothers actually beaten to it by a farmer from New Zealand?

The Utterly Inessential Ascot Shopping List: How to safely navigate one of British society's most draconian dress codes

We've rounded up all the utterly inessential products that you absolutely do not need (top hats for Ascot aside) to enjoy this summers season of festivals, shows and races. This week: Ascot.

The Utterly Inessential Father's Day Shopping List: Swim shorts made from plastic fished out of the ocean, old fashioned tumblers and the monogrammed socks you never knew he needed

There are many ways to show your Dad that you love and appreciate him. There's breakfast in bed, an offer to mow the lawn, a big hug and the offer of the last biscuit. On the other hand, there's a bunch of things that he probably doesn't want, definitely doesn't need, but we're sure he'll appreciate nonetheless. Happy Father's Day.

The Utterly Inessential Hay Shopping List: All you'll need to thoroughly enjoy 'the Woodstock of the mind'

The newest addition to the Rolls-Royce fleet? Not a car, but a rather incredible Champagne chest

For the places that their famous cars cannot go, Rolls Royce have created the perfect dining companion, perfectly paired with the offerings of Jay-Z's own Champagne house.

Toyota Hilux review: Forget three men in a boat — three men in a double-cab 4x4 pick-up truck is the true test

Our correspondent and two fishing friends find the refreshed Toyota Hi-Lux is more than a match for New Zealand’s rocky terrain and a mountain of gear.

Abarth Rivale review: 'With the exhaust on full Tom Jones-singing-Burning Hell mode, you’d have to be dead not to be having fun'

It might look like something from the ‘Looney Tunes’ cartoon series, but the new, smartened-up version of the pint-sized Fiat 500, the Abarth Rivale, is a hot hatchback.

Wooden loo seats: Why they're more desirable than their plastic counterparts and how to get your hands on one

No downstairs cloakroom is complete without a wooden loo seat. Jane Wheatley investigates why burr walnut is always preferable to plastic when it comes to sitting pretty.

Is English whisky becoming a worthy opponent for its Scottish rival?

We’ve all heard the hype about English gin and sparkling wine, but those with an eye on the future should look to whisky, says Rupert Ponsonby.

The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: A bag to save lives, your house as a map and why the time might have come for fizzy red wine. Really.

This week on Utterly Inessential we bring you a selection of products to browse while you consider what happens when people need neither a house nor alcohol they can actually, reasonably drink, and thus decide to sink enough money to buy the house which owns the estate on which my dream house sits on into a breakable bottle of whisky.

The lost wonder of Concorde: A marvel, an inspiration and a 23 miles-a-minute gentleman’s club

Fifty years ago, Concorde first took flight and became a British icon. It was ahead of its time then – and still would be today, reflects James Fisher.

The Supercar Event where you can have a ride, instead of just peering through the window

The Utterly Inessential Shopping List: The Ministry of Defence's watch of choice, the perfect gift for the perfect puppy and our weekly wine blast

Another week has gone by in which producers and purveyors of goods have asked themselves not 'what does the world need?' but a far greater question: 'What does the world absolutely not need, but still whimsically wish for?'

Jaguar's ice driving academy: Thrills, spills and (almost) taking out photographers under the Northern Lights

Learning how to drive on snow and ice could save your life. It's also bloody good fun, as Adam Hay-Nicholls discovered driving Jaguars in sub-zero conditions through the Swedish wilderness.

Curious Questions: Did a double decker bus really jump over Tower Bridge?

London's most famous bridge is 125 years old in 2019, but for all the marvellous facts there's only really one story anybody wants to hear. Is it true that a double decker bus once cleared the gap as the bridge was opening?