Challenge yourself with COUNTRY LIFE’s end-of-year general-knowledge test and discover who is the seasonal Noel it all. Answers on page 240

From dazzling golds to a new dressage star and a father-and-son racing combo, here are the images that sum up the year

From unmissable novels to standout adaptations and immersive literary experiences, this is your essential book guide for 2026

1. Which 20th-century English barrister and judge was also a well-known Buddhist? 2. Which star of Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’ was born Ninnian Joseph Yule Jr in 1920? 3. What was notable about the Engli

Swerve the big-name gardens and put these dynamic alternatives on your must-visit list this year. Chosen by our garden writer Camilla Phelps, they offer plenty of fresh inspiration to bring back to your own plot

We can’t predict exactly how you’ll be feeling as the year comes to a close, but our best guess is that you’ll be in need of a breather. Because for many of us, 2025 has not been painless. Political t