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

Welcome to MAY • This month: celebrate the HEDGEROWS • Stir up ELDERFLOWER cordial • Shop for the perfect PICNIC pieces • Travel to a REWILDING RETREAT on the River Severn • Plus, meet the Duke of Richmond as he prepares to host his annual CELEBRATION of dogs

ALL HAIL THE HEDGEROW • The frothy blooms of this month are an annual joy. Here’s how to GATHER and enjoy nature’s spring SHOW

A SPOTTER’S GUIDE to seasonal FLORA AND FAUNA

Look out for green drake mayflies

Elmore Court GLOUCESTERSHIRE • Cara Laskaris stayed at this rewilding retreat on the River Severn where RARE BLOOMS, birds and butterflies thrive, and LUXURY touches ensure a first-class stay

LIVE LIKE A LOCAL • Anselm Guise’s Gloucestershire highlights

PERFECT PICNICWARE for those JOYOUS springtime JAUNTS

SLOW ADVENTURES IN THE SADDLE • Everything YOU NEED for a leisurely cycle along country lanes

The Duke of Richmond • There’s nothing quite like Goodwoof, the ultimate FESTIVAL for DOGS and their devoted OWNERS. Its founder, Charles Gordon-Lennox, Duke of Richmond, reveals this year’s HIGHLIGHTS

7 weird and wonderful MAY TRADITIONS • Make a song and DANCE for the first signs of summer

STEP OUTDOORS • Make the MOST of the month

5 places to see spectacular seabird cities

CHECKLIST May

FIELD NOTES

Paula Sutton The Village Noticeboard • With a maypole and a troupe of overexcited dancers, the arrival of May is a big deal in Paula’s Norfolk village and she couldn’t be happier

MAXIMUM HORSEPOWER • Fashion entrepreneur Jade Holland Cooper has built her eponymous brand from a stall in a field to a luxury label worn by royalty. At its core is her enduring love of the British countryside and all things equestrian

A Bluffer’s Guide to EVENTING SEASON • Everything you need to know for the upcoming equestrian season. See you at Badminton…

MORRIS DANCING but not as you know it • Meet the all-female dance troupe smashing stereotypes around one of Britain’s most eccentric folk traditions

Sleep beautifully with COUNTRY LIVING AT DFS

The PILGRIMAGE PATSY KENSIT NEEDED to TAKE • One of seven celebrity walkers in this year’s Pilgrimage, Patsy Kensit reveals how the (very rainy) British route brought challenge, kindness and, ultimately, peace of mind

THE POWER OF A PILGRIMAGE • Series producer Toni Williamson explains the show’s ENDURING APPEAL, why she chose a British route and how she ensured her PILGRIMS DIDN’T FREEZE

ARTISANS+CRAFT

WILD by DESIGN • Rooted in the Rutland countryside, textile artist Charlotte Krone revives forgotten craft techniques to create richly tactile wallpapers and fabrics alive with flowers, fauna and foliage

Shop small for A SPRING REFRESH • Beautiful pieces from our favourite makers

Working to PLAN BEE • Meet the Sussex social care worker with a side hustle that employs one million workers, some of whom she even takes on holiday

How to HAND-PAINT A TRAY • Keen to try decorative painting? Artist Heidi Roper shows you how to create simple patterns with this entry-level project

HOMES+ DECORATING

The little mill with a BIG HEART • A dilapidated 17th-century Welsh watermill is now a welcoming home and holiday let, transformed by a creative couple with vision, imagination and lots of determination

Russell Loughlan The...