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

March

SPOTTER’S GUIDE Seasonal beetles

discover… • Ardvreck Castle in north-west Scotland has withstood warring clans and lightning strikes. Built by the MacLeods in the late 15th century, the stone stronghold stands on an outcrop jutting out into Loch Assynt. It was here that James Graham, the first Marquess of Montrose and a Royalist, was handed over to his enemies after the Battle of Carbisdale in 1650 – and may haunt the castle to this day (undiscoveredscotland.co.uk).

WEEKENDERS

emporium • Our handpicked selection of favourite pieces from individual makers, the high street and small businesses

Editor’s choice

Going GREENER • Our quick and easy guide to sustainable living

ASK AN ECO EXPERT • This month Jyoti Fernandes, the farmer with big plans for smallholders

REFRESH YOUR SPACE WITH THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT SPLASHBACK

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

4 heritage • VARIETIES TO TRY

GET THE KIT • The flavours and colours of heritage potatoes add a new dimension to cooking

Focaccia with potatoes and rosemary • This bread dough not only looks and tastes fantastic, but it is easy to make, too. The most important thing to remember is that you must make it quite wet and sticky and knead it for a decent amount of time – about ten minutes. Once it’s out of the oven, you can brush the focaccia with even more olive oil. Use extra-virgin olive oil to dip it into, as this has a better flavour.

5 steps to growing in pots • If you don’t want to dedicate too much space to potatoes, or want to grow them on a balcony or patio, container gardening is ideal. First and second early varieties work better in pots, as you harvest them when they’re small.

View from here • As she prepares to face down an invasion of weeds in her garden, Susy Smith investigates whether they might actually be more friend than foe

FINDING FAME ON THE Farm • Kaleb Cooper was a farm worker who’d never left his hometown when the cameras started rolling on Clarkson’s Farm. As the second series hits our screens, its breakout star tells us why he’s proud to fly the flag for British agriculture and be a role model for young farmers

Kaleb’s

MAKE mother’s DAY • To mark Mothering Sunday this month, enjoy some celebration inspiration for a spring garden party

NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL RUGS COUNTRY LIVING AT CARPETRIGHT

10 QUESTIONS WITH… MO WILDE • The forager and herbalist on eating wild food – and nothing else – for a year

RURAL CHIC FOR EVERY HOME COUNTRY LIVING AT DFS • The Country Living Collection at DFS has been specially designed for anyone who feels their heart is in the country, no matter where they live.

Crepe EXPECTATIONS • Bee Watson taught herself to make the perfect paper flower by dissecting the real thing. Now, her blooming business can help us all create beautifully lifelike bouquets of our own

Bee’s CV

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT? • OUR ONLINE MARKETPLACE BRINGS TOGETHER THE BEST OF BRITISH ARTISANS AND MAKERS

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

FACT FILE

BEST TRAINING KIT

MEET THE KINGS & QUEENS OF CRUFTS • As the dog world...