As one gratefully breaks away from the M1 and sets sail west past Chesterfield’s crooked spire, it is when the hedges give way to stone walls that the transition to…
Alexandra Henton
The Victoria – a perfect coastal escape
On the North Norfolk coast the night sky is vast, devoid of light pollution and rather wonderful. This quiet stretch of coastline has been a familiar destination, even before the…
The Pig at Combe: a welcome escape
I’M PRETTY sure the Elizabethans would have experienced the same bonhomie on welcome when The Pig at Combe was first built, in 1580, as we did on arrival. Walking through…
The best fountain pens, write away
The best fountain pens are a hand held luxury and are a gift for life. When the post arrives it’s always the hand-written envelopes we reach for first. (Read our…
The Goring: an excellent London stay
IT can be trying to find the right place to stay in London; too corporate, too poky, too faceless. But there is one place that seems to encourage a head…
The Duncombe Arms: a proper sporting pit stop
ON a dreich evening, what better than the lights of a decent pub, and even more so when that pub offers everything required of a proper sporting pit stop. Charming…
Backgammon: a game for pharaohs, kings and spies
To win at backgammon you need luck and a grasp of probability theory. Backgammon has an ancient pedigree, and the game is still thriving today
Kirnan Estate: a bespoke sporting bolthole
THERE are some reasons to turn left when you get to Glasgow, and eschew the well-trodden A9 north. Keep driving west, skirt Loch Fyne and keep the coast in sight,…
Hambleton Hall: a country house hotel that feels like home
The Editor spends the night at Hambleton Hall in Rutland, and finds an elegant country house hotel where chef director Aaron Patterson has a passion for game, which is reflected…
6 best Christmas puddings for 2022. No stirring required
Preparing the festive feast can be stressful for even the most experienced country cook. So it’s best to know when to opt for shop-bought. If you missed Stir-Up Sunday this…