Theatre, film & music

Gwennap Pit, Cornwall: 'The most magnificent spectacle this side of Heaven’

Annie Elwes kicks off our series on Britain's secret places with a look at Gwennap Pit.

With love from Father Christmas: J.R.R. Tolkien's enchanting Christmas letters to his children

For nearly a quarter of a century, J. R. R. Tolkien sent his children elaborate letters and pictures from the North Pole. Ben Lerwill explores the penmanship, kindness and magic that went into Letters From Father Christmas.

In Focus: The very best of Beethoven, 250 years on from his birth

Curious Questions: How did 'God Save The Queen' become Britain's National Anthem?

As patriotic songs come under the spotlight, Martin Fone takes a look at national anthems across the world.

In Focus: How the violin virtuoso Nicola Benedetti is changing the way we teach music

The violinist Nicola Benedetti speaks to Claire Jackson about virtual teaching, playing Elgar and lobbying the government.

In Focus: Music in a time of Covid-19, from drive-in operas to the 'Spotify of classical'

Classical music has been hit hard by coronavirus, but there are all manner of ways for musicians and music lovers to continue to enjoy it.

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.

The best characters created Charles Dickens, still utterly unforgettable even 150 years after his death

Charles Dickens died 150 years ago, on 9 June 1870. Since then, Mr Micawber has become a byword for optimism, Scrooge for meanness and Uriah Heep for obsequiousness, and we still quote Mr Bumble’s ‘the law is an ass’. Rupert Godsal explains why these characters are so exuberantly unforgettable.

Charles Dickens timeline: The best of times, the worst of times

In Focus: The greatest books ever written about theatre, as chosen by Michael Billington

Michael Billington has been the theatre critic for Country Life (and several other publications) for decades. With theatres closed, he's turned his hand to picking out his 10 favourite books about theatrical life.

Stirling Castle: Renaissance of a Royal Palace

It was within sight of Stirling Castle that two of the most famous Scottish victories over the English were won. John Goodall takes a look at this impressive building and its history; all photographs by Paul Barker for the Country Life Picture Library.

Rosie and Jim: On binge-watching Normal People, and discovering that 'running is pain'

This week, Rosie Paterson fails to tear herself off the sofa just as James Fisher finally stirs from his.

Rosie and Jim: The instruments your neighbours are learning, ranked from pleasant ditty to audible hatecrime

This week, Rosie gives an eyeful to the neighbours she'd assumed didn't exist, while James gets an earful from the ones he can't get away from.

The greatest children's books that hit the spot for young and old, as chosen by Alan Titchmarsh, Jilly Cooper, Ian Rankin and more

Children’s books offer an escape from reality that can last well into adulthood. Here's our pick of the very best.

The beautiful Edinburgh streets and buildings which are the stars of ITV's Belgravia — thanks to a sprinkling of production magic

If you've been wondering where ITV's Belgravia is filmed, the answer may surprise you: Edinburgh. Ali Wood paid a visit to the beautiful Scottish capital to find out more.

The history of the country house drawing room

Jeremy Musson delves into the history of the country house drawing room.

£3.5 million campaign launched to save Derek Jarman's iconic Prospect Cottage for the nation

Art Fund is running a campaign to save Prospect Cottage, the former home of film director Derek Jarman, which has become a place of pilgrimage in the years since his death. James Fisher reports.

Inside Haworth: The humble parsonage where the Brontë sisters changed literature

Some of our most enduring stories were conceived at Haworth – Jeremy Musson enjoys a literary pilgrimage.

Country Life's verdict on the Downton Abbey film: Patchy plots and sickly schmaltz, but 'a blissful two hours of escapism'

The new Downton Abbey film offers fans a final fix of life above and below stairs with the characters of a much-loved series. Kate Green went along to find out if it delivers on its promise.

Garsington's resurrection of an opera by Offenbach, the man who gave the world the can-can

Offenbach famously created the can-can music, but one of his lesser-known works, Fantasio, will be premiered in Garsington Opera’s 30th-anniversary season. Claire Jackson reports.