Nature

Climbing the Sugar Loaf, the irresistibly perfect mountain in a ‘wild and lovely’ setting

The Sugar Loaf in Wales’s Black Mountains is a satisfying little peak to conquer, as Fiona Reynolds explains.

Nine spellbinding photographs celebrating the wonder and beauty of the British winter

With the chill of winter comes misty mornings and mountainous snowdrifts... a host of elements which combine to create the perfect landscape for beautiful nature photography.

Jason Goodwin: The quiet miracle of 'paths of will', where we shrug off authority and trust the people who have gone before

Jason Goodwin takes a moment to consider those little paths which spring up almost of their own accord, the muddy strips through the grass where common sense and expediency has triumphed over the planners and builders.

Curious Questions: One for sorrow, two for joy – but why are we so superstitious about magpies?

Superstitions swirl around all manner of different birds, but never more so than with magpies. We take a look at why.

Jason Goodwin: On 1930s gardeners, the tragedy of tree diseases and the sexual habits of earthworms

Our columnist Jason Goodwin is handed a gem of the past, only for it to lead him to a dismal realisation about his local woodland.

Country Life's best Instagram posts of 2018: Wondrous nature, spectacular architecture and men in red trousers

This year has been a stunning one for Country Life photography and we're lucky to have been able to share so many with you on our Instagram feed. From the queen and her gorgeous labradors to the rolling landscapes of this stunning country, we hope you enjoy the 20 best-loved posts of 2018. To see our entire gallery of photographs, follow @countrylifemagazine on Instagram.

Otmoor, the majestic Oxfordshire landscape that inspired Lewis Carroll, under threat once more

Curious Questions: Why on earth do we have Christmas trees?

In the middle of winter, we cut down fir trees, bring them inside and decorate them – then let them shed small, spiky needles throughout our homes. Why would we do such a thing? Toby Keel investigates.

The magical beauty of Britain, shown at its very best by the British Wildlife Photography Awards

Over the course of the last 10 years the British Wildlife Photography Awards have done a wonderful job of showcasing some of the most extraordinary natural wonders of this island.

11 superb photographs from the 2018 Wildlife Photographer of the Year people's choice award

The Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year award is one of the highlights of the calendar for those of us who love beautiful photographs of nature, and this year's shortlist for the LUMIX People's Choice Award shows exactly why.

The Duke of Cambridge on the countryside, wildlife and passing on his father's inspiring example to George, Charlotte and Louis

Jason Goodwin: 'Silence is like a tune you’ve heard before, but it’s played differently every time'

The flint knapper: ‘They used to make prisoners do it, but I do it for fun and manage to make a living'

John Lord is one of very few people in Britain who makes a full-time living out of only one stone, in addition to aiding universities and museums with lithic work.

Curious Questions: Why can't red and grey squirrels live together?

Championed by HRH The Prince of Wales himself, the red squirrel revival is gathering pace all over the UK. But why can they not live alongside their grey relatives? Kate Green explains.

Jason Goodwin: 'It would seem that dirt isn’t merely survivable: it’s indispensable.'

Our Spectator columnist lampoons the modern practice of filtering the dirt and germs out of our day-to-day lives, cautioning against the consequences this may have on our immune systems.

Woodland dedication: A very 21st century wedding present that'll last well into the 22nd century and beyond

Forget toasters and fondue sets – a dedication with the Woodland Trust makes the perfect present for newlyweds, a romantic and thoughtful gift that everyone can enjoy.

Curious Questions: What are unicorn horns made of? And why are we so fascinated by these mythical beasts?

Whether it be in a coat of arms, in a piece of art or emblazoned on the backpack of a child, barely a day goes by when we don’t encounter a unicorn. Ian Morton explores the power this mythical creature has held over us since the dawn of civilisation.

The best apples you've never heard of: From Winter Banana to Pommerscher Krummstiel

Charles Quest-Ritson takes us beyond the Granny Smith to explore other varieties of this quintessentially English fruit.

Celebrating 100 years since Cecil Chubb donated Stonehenge to the nation

Friday 26 October 2018 marks the centenary of Cecil Chubb's magnanimous gesture: turning Stonehenge over to the care of the nation. Annunciata Elwes explains how it came about.

11 breathtaking photographs from the 2018 Landscape Photographer of the Year competition

We've picked out eleven of our favourite landscapes from the 2018 Landscape Photographer of the Year award.