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.

A note from the editor

Welcome to DECEMBER • This month: celebrate the WINTER SOLSTICE at Stonehenge • Make DECORATIONS, crackers and giftwrap • Stay in a MAGICAL HOTEL in Ireland • Get ready for FESTIVE HOSTING • Visit iconic LOCATIONS seen on the SCREEN... and much more

MAKE IT HANDCRAFTED • Add a PERSONAL touch to the festivities with HANDMADE decorations, crackers and giftwrap

Ballyfin • Christmas at this magical Irish hotel is the ultimate seasonal treat. Steeped in HISTORY, oozing with CHARM, it's the stay of a lifetime.

WHISPER SWEET NOTHINGS • Stir up a little NOSTALGIA with edible decorations and homemade treats to share

4 festive boltholes for a Twixmas break • DECEMBER things to do

LUXE STOCKING FILLERS • A selection of small and BIG INDULGENCES to GIVE or keep for yourself

Keith Brymer Jones • The presenter of The Great Pottery Throw Down reveals how the humble pot has shaped life as we know it and why ceramics are the stars of his Christmas celebrations

7 ARTISAN BAKERIES • Rising STARS to visit this Christmas

ADD A LITTLE MAGIC • Serve CHRISTMAS drinks among ambient LIGHTING and seasonal SCENTS

5 screen-to-scene locations • DECEMBER days out

FIELD NOTES ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW, EDINBURGH • 18-21 June 2026

Paula Sutton • Christmas is a big deal in Paula’s Norfolk village and she loves the local festive traditions. If only the church organ was a little more in tune for the carols

"Stuff the BAFTA. My proudest achievement is a prize-winning RADISH" • The creator, with sister Daisy, of the brilliant This Country, Charlie Cooper has thrown himself into West Country village life. He shares his love of local folklore, cheese rolling and why his new vampire drama is his dream role

Hark! The Hawkstone Farmers sing • They came together to sell Jeremy Clarkson’s beer. Now, The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir are Britain’s Got Talent winners and a powerful voice for rural Britain. But farming will always come first

Victorian Christmas capers • Give Christmas a Dickensian twist with the curious customs time forgot. Think fireside ghost stories, turkeys in tiny boots and creepy carols

Championing our forgotten churches • Luke Sherlock is on a mission to shine a light on England’s hidden places of worship

MAKING MERRY • Meet the coastal collage artist turning salvaged scraps into a joyful cast of Christmas characters

ARTISANS+CRAFT

PAPER trails • Fold, cut and shape simple pieces of paper into enchanting Christmas decorations

HOME SWEET HOME • Castles, palaces, moving trains... Emily Garland creates spectacular structures from gingerbread, and every intricate, spice-scented detail is made to be eaten

ARTISAN Collective • Beautiful products created with craftsmanship and care by Country Living-approved artisan makers

AN EXCLUSIVE SHOPPING EVENING AT SOHO HOME • Get your Christmas shopping done early at this special event, with fantastic discounts on gorgeous homeware for a limited time only

Highland fling

Russell Loughlan • Our expert reveals the Christmas decorating rules he swears by and the ones he’s happy to break

All is calm • Interior designer Bee Osborn shares the natural decorating ideas, family traditions and understated style that define her Christmas in the Cotswolds

Step into a VINTAGE Christmas • Layer jewel-bright colour, joyful pattern and lush evergreens...