Almost a year on from his final day hunting the Duke of Beaufort’s hounds, Matt Ramsden reflects on how his attitude to the winter, weather and hunting itself has changed

A sense of optimism fills the dank February air as springtime beckons and Tessa Waugh finds herself enjoying a hunting day considerably more than its bitter beginnings suggested she would

SVEN-ERIK ARNDT/ARTERRA/UNIVERSAL/GETTY ● There was a mallard duck ...

Fog, inactivity and invisible hounds might not fly on social media, admits Tessa Waugh , but who cares when there’s convivial shelter from the elements and some local raspberry nectar

If you’re feeling creaky as the end of the season approaches, take heart from these tales of the more mature thruster, says Tessa Waugh

“ Parked up at The Little Roadway Farm Campsite at the top of Challacombe Hill, we excitedly made our way across the National Trust car park and then carefully down the old Smugglers Path towards town