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 UK

A note from the editor

December

Christmas GIFT GUIDE • A hand-picked selection of festive presents from our favourite artisans and small businesses

STEP INTO A HANDMADE CHRISTMAS • From bespoke crackers to playful crowns: discover easy and enchanting ways to craft your own festive trimmings

The VILLAGE VOICE • Country Living’s new columnist, lifestyle influencer Paula Sutton, charms her legions of fans with snapshots from her rural life in Norfolk. She shares the highs – and lows – with Sarah Bailey

PAULA’S TIPS FOR A VERY COUNTRY CHRISTMAS

HAVE YOURSELF A QUAINT & QUIRKY CHRISTMAS • From torchlit parades in Perthshire to carolling at dawn in Wales, here’s where to find Britain’s most charming community festivities

“CAROLS were the POP SONGS of their day” • Gareth Malone, the nation’s number one choirmaster, on the mysterious and transformative power of Christmas carols

Folk-inspired FESTIVITIES • A modern folksy scheme sets the seasonal mood with handcrafted touches, bold pattern play and nostalgic flourishes

A LIFE IN COLOUR • Talent-spotted by Cath Kidston, Petra Boase now sells her joyful cards, prints and tissue paper at everywhere from Liberty to the Tate

10 QUESTIONS WITH… FIONA SHAW • The stage and screen actor on wild child holidays, bracing Christmas sea swims and the surprising perks of starring in a new Jane Austen adaptation

WREATHED in WONDER • Once a police officer, now a florist, Ailsa Vigor crafts theatrical wreaths from foliage gathered in her garden and the local Warwickshire countryside

WHAT’S YOUR WINTER SPIRIT ANIMAL? • Some creatures spend the festive season partying the nights away, while others like to hunker down and hide. Do you recognise your animal alter ego here?

The DARTMOOR ARTIST • After a freak sneeze left Sarah Smith with a serious back injury, she picked up a paintbrush and discovered a passion that changed her life. Today, she channels that creativity into magical Christmas makes

“A FROSTY GARDEN BROUGHT ME BACK TO LIFE” • Just as her adult life was about to blossom, Pia Gupta’s world was suddenly turned upside down. She shares how Christmas in a remarkable garden became an unexpected lifeline

HOW TO SUPPORT HORATIO’S GARDEN THIS CHRISTMAS

SPRUCING UP SMALL SPACES • With its low ceilings and wonky beams, this tiny Norfolk cottage is a masterclass in creating cosy Christmas cheer with the simplest seasonal touches

“I grew up in the Surrey village from The Holiday – here’s what it’s really like”

INTRODUCING ARUNDEL FROM COUNTRY LIVING AT DFS

A VILLA built for CHRISTMAS • Filled with flickering candles, swags of foliage and playful bows, this restored house by the sea comes into its own in the festive season

HOME comforts • DECORATING NOTES

DOWN to EARTH • GARDENING NOTES

THIS WAY TO NARNIA • The literary locations that inspired ten of our favourite festive stories and wintry tales, plus where to stay to enjoy them for yourself

SLOW and SUSTAINABLE • NATURE NOTES

GIFT COUNTRY LIVING THIS Christmas

NATURE and NURTURE • WELLBEING NOTES

A few of our FAVOURITE THINGS • From a showstopping turkey to next-level roasties… we asked the experts at our sister title Good Housekeeping to share their best-loved recipes for a cracking Christmas dinner

TOP OF THEIR GAME • For three generations,...