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 Cover of 18 September 2024 issue | |
| Editor | Mark Hedges |
|---|---|
| Former editors | Seeeditors section below |
| Categories | Lifestyle (rural) |
| Frequency | Weekly |
| Circulation | 39,257 (ABC Jan – Dec 2015)[1] Print and digital editions |
| Publisher | Future plc |
| Founded | 1897; 128 years ago (1897) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Based in | London |
| Website | www |
Country Life (stylised inall caps) is a British weeklyperfect-bound glossymagazine, launched in 1897, that is published byFuture plc. It was based inLondon at 110Southwark Street until 2016, when moved toFarnborough,Hampshire. In 2022, the magazine moved back to London at 121–141 Westbourne Terrace, Paddington.[2]
Country Life was launched in 1897,[3][4] incorporatingRacing Illustrated. At this time it was owned byEdward Hudson, the owner ofLindisfarne Castle and variousLutyens-designed houses includingThe Deanery inSonning; in partnership withGeorge Newnes Ltd[5] (in 1905 Hudson bought out Newnes).[5]
At that timegolf andracing served as its main content, as well as the property coverage, initially of manorial estates, which is still such a large part of the magazine.Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the late Queen Mother, used to appear frequently on its front cover. Now the magazine covers a range of subjects, from gardens and gardening to country house architecture, art and books, and property to rural issues, luxury products and interiors.
In 1997, the centenary of the magazine was celebrated by a special issue, the publishing of a book byRoy Strong, the broadcast of a BBC2 TV programme on a year in the life of the magazine, and staging a gold medal-winning garden at theChelsea Flower Show. In 1999, the magazine launched a new website.
In 2007, the magazine celebrated its 110th anniversary with a special souvenir issue on 4 January.[6] Since May 2008 the magazine has been issued each Wednesday, having been on sale each Thursday for the past 111 years.
In 2012,Country Life marked QueenElizabeth II Diamond Jubilee by issuing a 370 pages special edition with a gold cover highlighting the unique photographs of the Queen and the 12 Prime Ministers during her reign. The special edition also included the usual coverage of British rural life, architecture, property and gardens.[7] Editor Mark Hedges said thats this is one of the biggest issues inCountry life's history[7]
In 2022,Country Life commemorated its 125th anniversary with a special issue published on 11 May 2022, which looked back over more than 6500 editions since its foundation, highlighting prominent houses, gardens, people and animals that defined its publication over the years.[8] In recognition of the magazine's 125th milestone, Country Life also hosted a celebratory event at Claridge's hotel attended by notable prominent figures, including the Duchess of Cornwall.[9][10]
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The first several dozen pages of each issue are devoted to colouradvertisements for upmarket residential property
The magazine covers various aspects ofrural life. It is primarily concerned with rural communities and their environments as well as the concerns of country dwellers andlandowners and has a diverse readership which, although mainly UK based is also international.[11]
The other rural pursuits and interests covered includehunting,shooting,farming,equestrian news andgardening and there are regular news and opinion pieces as well as rural politics. There are reviews ofbooks,food andwine,art andarchitecture andantiques andcrafts.[12] Illustrative material includes theTottering-by-Gentlycartoon byAnnie Tempest.
Recent feature articles have includedCharles, Prince of Wales guest-editing an issue ofCountry Life in 2013, a historic revelation which revealed the true face ofShakespeare for the first time in 2015, and in 2016 an exclusive on where theGreat Fire of London began in 1666. There was a special commemorative issue in June 2016 on the occasion of the Queen's 90th birthday.
In March 2016,Country Life was featured in a three-part documentary series produced by Spun Gold which aired on BBC2 calledLand of Hope and Glory, British Country Life.
Deputy editors:
Architectural editors [dates as architectural writer]:
Gardens editors:
(earlier versions cited Fred Whitsey as a gardens editor, but he was a distinguished contributor only,being in fact the Editor of sister publication Popular Gardening)
Staff architectural photographers:
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