Country Living UK

Whether you live in the town or countryside, in Country Living you’ll find a wealth of ideas for your home and garden, learn about traditional crafts, keep informed of rural issues, enjoy irresistible dishes using seasonal produce and, above all, escape the stress and strain of modern-day life.

Country Living

A note from the editor

December

Christmas GIFT GUIDE • Our hand-picked selection of presents from some of our favourite artisans

View from here • Susy Smith doesn’t want to sound ungrateful, but if you’re thinking of buying her a present this Christmas, please press pause on Santa Claus

Living the GOOD LIFE • There’s never been a better time to go self-sufficient. In our ongoing series, Sally Coulthard shares tried-and-tested tips from her Yorkshire smallholding

HOW TO MAKE the perfect roast goose • A memorable festive meal from Riverford chef Bob Andrew

7 questions …with a goose farmer • Ross Gardner owns Otter Valley Poultry, a family-run organic poultry business in East Devon

this CHARMING MAN • When he’s not delighting us on screen in Downton Abbey and Paddington, Hugh Bonneville spends his time in the Sussex countryside. Here, he talks dogs, drama and how his dad inspired his witty and moving new memoir

A life IN STAGES

A COUNTRY Christmas • Reinvent a classic yuletide palette, mixing checks, stripes, bows and frills in natural textures, for a style that blends nostalgia with a modern feel

One DAME AND HER DOG • Following the release of her new children’s book, Dame Emma Thompson reveals how a scruffy dog named Jim became her latest muse…

We TREE KINGS • Can you grow Christmas trees that are kind to the environment? The family behind Hole Farm Trees near Dartmoor are on a spirited mission to prove it can be done

TREES THAT please • Keen to source a ‘green’ tree of your own this year? Try one of these committed eco-growers

On a WING AND A PRAYER • Turtle dove numbers might have dropped to a new low, but the organisers behind a campaign to save the species say hope is finally on the horizon. Stephen Moss champions a rare and treasured symbol of Christmas

FIVE MORE FESTIVE FOWL

the RUFF GUIDE TO… dachshunds • In our ongoing series for dog-lovers, we celebrate another of Britain’s best-loved breeds

BEST GIFTS FOR DACHSHUND-LOVERS • Next to the real thing, themed homeware and furnishings make popular presents for sausage dog fans

BONE BISCUITS

Hockney’s hounds

DOG DAYS & EVENTS

Little dogs, BIG PERSONALITIES

THE COUNTRY LIVING HOMEWARE COLLECTION AT HOMEBASE • A stunning collection of classic homeware and furniture, created exclusively by Homebase with inspiration from the Country Living style experts

JOYFUL and TRIUMPHANT • Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the fun of outwitting one’s house guests. Louis Platman, curator at the Museum of the Home, joins the CL team to celebrate the traditional parlour games we still enjoy today

CHRISTMAS GAMES you love •  Favourite festive high jinks from the Country Living team

Party like A VICTORIAN

BECOME A COUNTRY LIVING SELLER ON COUNTRY LIVING’S • NEW ONLINE MARKETPLACE, LAUNCHING SOON

10 QUESTIONS WITH… MAGGIE O’FARRELL • The bestselling novelist on meeting mythical creatures, celebrating Celtic traditions and the wonder of walking

Perfect PATTERNS • For 50 years, Compton Marbling has been creating marbled stationery. Now, friends Alex Lewis and Clem Stone are putting their own twist on tradition

Shop from OUR ARTISANS • For unique, handcrafted gifts created with sustainability in mind, look no further than our family of handpicked British...