Countryside Checklist distributed with The Telegraph by Hurst Media

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SHOOT LIKE A PRO FORAGING THE FOREST CITY TO COUNTRY ATTIRE

THE GLORIOUS TWELFTH IS UPON US Get your guns, kit and country attire in order to stride out on the ﬁrst day’s shooting

EDITOR’SSECTION LETTER 13

Editor’s letter

Published by

There has never been a greater time to fall back in love with the British countryside t’s no surprise that so many of us are craving and embracing the great outdoors following 18 months of partial confi nement, in • We and out of enforced lockdown. long to escape the cycle of family Zoom quizzes, the claustrophobia • of bedroom offices, and the four walls of our homes. I’m currently counting down the days to a long weekend in the back-of-beyond • of Saint Briavels, Gloucestershire, where I intend to wander so far off the beaten track that you will need coordinates and a compass to fi nd me. The rustic bunkhouse we’re calling home for the weekend is a far cry from the rural luxury I

United House, North Road, Islington, London, N7 9DP

explored for this issue, but it does promise a wood-fi red hot tub in the Wye Valley, which is good enough for me. Despite being a born-and-bred country girl, writing this issue of Countryside Checklist has made me question my own rural credentials. Chatting with a forager, a self-styled huntress, and a revered shooting instructor made me feel woefully incapable of living off the land, fi ring a gun, or looking catwalkstylish while doing it. I’ve spoken to gamekeepers, ghillies, and shooters about the feverish excitement of the Glorious Twelfth and how to best prep for its arrival – from bespoke tweed togs to practicing

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• calm trigger-control – and have been fascinated while •researching the moorland management needed for our prized red grouse to thrive. It’s encouraged me to take a few lessons with clay targets before I • ever attempt a live shoot. If bloodsports aren’t your bag, our foraging feature invites you to take a rummage in Britain’s wild larder for some exciting homegrown ingredients. This summer I’ve already been treated to garden-grown gooseberry pie and elderflower cordial foraged from the wilds of Borgue, served up in a quaint, remote cottage. This perfect,

5 The Glorious Twelfth: getting shoot-ready for the season ahead

9 Cottagecore: turning rural

14 Into the wild: from forest to fork

6 British staycations: the isles of Skye and Scilly

12 From city to county: dress like

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fantasy into reality

a huntress

whimsical hideaway inspired research •for this issue’s interior decor feature on the longevity of the cottagecore trend, and I loved getting lost in the nostalgia and simplicity of a stripped-back lifestyle.•Perhaps the decor tips will encourage you to bring aspects of the outside inside, and celebrate the countryside within your own homes. Whatever your plans for the remainder of 2021, ensure to take time out in nature wherever possible. It needn’t be the rush of a hunt or a woodland culinary adventure, but could be as simple as walking to the top of a hill, taking in a breath of fresh air and a spectacular British view. If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it is that our simple freedoms and pleasures can be restricted suddenly and without warning, and that life in all forms is to be enjoyed and respected.

Head of Marketing Miguel Chalabardo Editor Rachael Fulton Editorial Team Laura Forsyth, Shannon Maher Production and Marketing Team Stefanie Ward, Sarah SomertonJones, Katherina Bradshaw, Nicola Charalambous, Nadeem Vadva Business Development Team James Taylor, Anthony Wynne, Luke Manning, Neil Bhullar, Jon Stone, Chris de la Prida, John Fox Accounts and Administration Team Onitha Antoine, Samantha Coventry, Michael Yabbey, Sharon Warne Countryside Checklist is published and wholly owned by Hurst Media Company Ltd. Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the publications but the publishers assume no responsibility in the effect arising therefrom. Readers are advised to seek professional advice before acting on any information which is contained in the publication. Hurst Media Company do not accept any liability for views expressed, pictures used or claims made by advertisers.

Rachael Fulton, editor

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4 COUNTRY SPORTS

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COUNTRYSECTION SPORTS 5 1

The Glorious Twelfth: getting shoot-ready for the season ahead Shooting instructor Mark Heath advises on respecting the quarry and perfecting your shot •as grouse season begins

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n August twelfth, thousands of shooters will descend on British moorland in their tweed • out jackets and plus fours, marching on the fi rst of 121 days of grouse season. Considered the king of game birds for its speed and mid-air skills of misdirection, the wild red grouse is unique to Britain and its moorland heather kingdom. After a year of thriving in the undergrowth, it’s now time for the birds to fly in front of the cocked guns of shooting enthusiasts from across the country. These majestic, low-flying targets can reach speeds of up to 70mph, a thrilling challenge for quickthinking sportspeople with lightning reflexes and a keen aim. “A good shooter stays calm under pressure,” says Mark Heath, instructor manager at West London Shooting Schools. “You need to be

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In the Spotlight William Evans

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able to make a rational decision on whether to pull that trigger or not. The blood does rise on occasion in the excitement of the shoot, but it’s always important to stay calm.” A well-fitted gun, appropriate weather-proof clothing, and excellent hand-to-eye coordination are crucial for a successful day’s shooting. Mark also recommends pre-season shooting practice for all those venturing out, regardless of how many shoots they have under their belts. “Experienced shooters

may not have shot since January. Every sportsperson, regardless of the sport, has a coach and trains regularly. They don’t just go out into their chosen fi eld and have a crack,” says Mark. “We advise everyone not to be complacent. Before the season begins, out of respect for the quarry, you would hope shooters will have got their practise in. Ideally with some coaching to ensure that, as far as possible, they shoot well and kill cleanly.”

Established in 1883, William Evans is one of the last remaining • independent gun makers in the UK. Located in St. James’s, London and Bisley Camp, Surrey. Email info@ williamevans.com, call 020 7493 0415 for the London store or 01483 486500 for the Bisley store.

A fleet of beaters, pickers, gamekeepers, hospitality and kit-shop staff are poised to receive droves of visitors as the season begins. Grouse shooting is a booming industry which injects around £150 million into the economy every year and

supports 2,500 jobs across the UK. Popularised in the 1850s by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert when they began hunting at Balmoral, the sport developed into an exclusive past-time for the upper classes. Wealthy landowners capitalised on the demand for entertaining hunting trips, setting up lodges and hosting groups of visiting sportsmen. Although the sport has become more accessible in the succeeding generations, the more prestigious estates still attract billionaires and old-school aristocrats who can pay tens of thousands of pounds for a day’s shooting. “Nowadays, game shooting is a sport that brings people together from every background,” says Mark. “That includes the shooters, the staff, and everyone who ensures the smooth-running of the shoot. The atmosphere on a shoot day with a good team of guns is fantastic. In amongst the shooting, you hope for some good humour and a bit of banter where appropriate between drives. Then you want to round the day off nicely with some excellent hospitality.”

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The art of Falconry

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Falconry is the age-old art of hunting game with a bird of prey and is still practiced today wning a falcon, hawk or eagle back in the Middle Ages was a way of showing rank and stature. Most birds were held in very high regard and owning a particular bird reflected your position. A lady was allowed a Merlin, the most delicate falcon in the UK, reflecting her femininity; a king, a Gyr falcon, the largest and most powerful falcon, and a farmer or yeomen was allowed the most useful bird, the Goshawk, a fast hunter that could bring food to the table in many forms, thus it became known as the cook’s bird. Nowadays, Falconry is still practiced in the UK but for a lot of people the word

‘falconry’ has become synonymous with flying exhibitions and experience days, this is really not falconry in its truest form, but it is a great way for people to experience the wonderful world of birds of prey. To hold or have fly to you one of these exquisitely formed creatures is as much an honour as it is awe inspiring. At CJ’s Birds of Prey they offer a whole host of Experience Days for anyone to get up close and personal with their birds of prey, so why not join them on one of their days and have a go. They operate in Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire with prices from only £20.

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Grouse is considered the king of game birds for its speed and mid-air The Flurry Master is the powerful and versatile simulated clay skills ofmost misdirection trap on the market he Flurry Master is a multi-clay version of the Bowman Supermatch 8 trap, capable of throwing a clay over 150 metres. It incorporates the roller system which allows the carousel to be fitted with different sized inserts. Therefore, allowing the trap to throw a mixture of clays from the same carousel, replicating the different types of live game. The Flurry Master can be operated manually from the seat; moving the trap left and right as well as up and down, providing a varied spread of targets. It also has the advantage of enabling the trapper to focus on specific areas of the shooting line, if required. The fi re button is located on the handlebar. Alternatively,

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Find out more Visit the website bowmantraps.co.uk to ﬁnd out more. Contact the team by email at sales@ bowmantraps.co.uk or call 01777 870243.

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6 DAYS OUT AND TRAVEL

SECTION 1

British staycations: the isles of Skye and Scilly As more Brits choose to holiday closer to home, we look at two UK destinations which rival foreign shores rand country manors, • and rolling green hills, quaint English villages might be the epitome • of British rural charm, but the UK has far more to offer the discerning traveller. The farthest corners of the country boast sweeping white• sand beaches, subtropical climates, and breathtaking mountain ranges to rival the most sought-after international destinations. With Britain’s favourite holiday countries sliding on and off the government’s travel green list, many Brits have chosen to staycation this year in lieu of travelling the globe. Statistics by UK travel company Sykes Holiday Cottages show that 62% of Brits are planning to stay in the UK for their main summer holiday in 2021, rather than jetting off abroad. “Our research shows that in the last eighteen months, countryside locations have been consistently popular,” says director of VisitEngland Andrew Stokes.

St Mary’s, Isle of Scilly

“It’s no surprise with the exceptional choice on offer. From traditional seaside breaks to rural retreats, there’s something for everyone.”

62% of Brits are planning to stay in the UK for their main summer holiday in 2021

If interested in exploring the impressive landscapes of Britain’s extremities, the subtropical Scilly Isles offer turquoise waters and unspoiled sands reminiscent of Caribbean beaches. The familyowned Tresco island at the heart of the Scilly archipelago boasts isolated bays fringed with palm trees, relaxing spas, and beachfront dining. Visitors can relax with

Portree, Isle of Skye

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classes from the island’s resident yogis, check out local galleries and explore the glorious jungle of Tresco Gardens – a panoply of 20,000 plants and flowers from Mediterranean climates. Boat tours take visitors around the aquamarine waters to catch sight of the dolphins, seals, and puffi n colonies that call the Scilly isles home. Stay at Sea Garden Cottages for incredible views and a cosy spot from which to explore this amazing island. Set in slightly-less-tropical climes at the opposite end of the

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country, the Sligachan Hotel on the Isle of Skye sits between the spectacular Red and Black Cuillin mountains. Once the stoppingoff point for gentleman climbers in the 1800s, The Sligachan now welcomes thousands of international customers every year to enjoy world-class dining, rare malts, and incomparable mountain vistas. Visitors to the island can marvel at rock formations such as The Storr and the Quiraing and go wild swimming in the famous Fairy Pools. It’s worth travelling overland through Scotland for part of the

journey, as the Glasgow to Mallaig train is regularly voted the best train journey in the world for its spectacular Scottish views. “From the fantastic range of coasts, islands, mountains and countryside to explore, to the wide-open green spaces and country parks in and around our towns and cities, there is something for everyone on a Scottish staycation,” says Anna Gault of Visit Scotland. “We encourage visitors to take their time and plan ahead to fi nd a destination that’s right for them.”

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Find your wild Discover and book tent camping, motorhome pitches, cabins, treehouses and glamping with Wildpoint and ﬁnd your wild

Taste the magic of tipis and yurts this summer It is the year of the staycation, and all around the country, beautiful campsites are opening up, and small, intimate festivals are happening he award-winning Hearthworks, official suppliers of tipis and yurts to Glastonbury Festival, have teamed up with a number of sites to provide unique and luxurious camping experiences. Whether it’s a family holiday, romantic break, or getaway with friends, Hearthworks have something for everyone. Choose from the Be Wilder Camps near Bruton in Somerset, where bushcraft skills, wellbeing, and cookery

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workshops are on offer, to the magical Pilton Yurt Camps, just a stone’s throw away from the famous Glastonbury Festival site. There is also Seaview Tipis on the north Cornwall coast, the perfect spot for surfi ng and sunbathing, and Forge Farm in Oxfordshire, a delightful organic farm situated on a canal. Hearthworks Tipis and Yurts are handmade in Somerset and are the next level in canvas dwellings, fully furnished and offering all the comforts of home – sleeping

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under the stars has never been easier. So, if you fancy a memorable holiday without going abroad, visit their website and fi nd your perfect holiday at home.

he positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing of connecting with nature has never been clearer. Finding a trip that helps people to ‘fi nd their wild’ and disconnect from their busy lives for some much-needed downtime, though, is so much harder than it needs to be. Wildpoint, a new outdoor

experience platform, is addressing this head on. Camping and glamping offer the most immersive experience when trying to reconnect with nature and now even more so with Wildpoint. Private meadows, fields, forests, and more beautiful locations previously unreachable by campers and guests are now

unlocked, courtesy of hosts on Wildpoint. Whether you’re looking for a stay in a private ancient woodland, a tent pitch on the side of a Scottish Loch, or a Yurt surrounded by acres of rolling hills and woodland, you can fi nd it on Wildpoint. Search for campsite stays, glamping stays and private and unique camping spots whilst fi ltering these based on site characteristics such as waterfalls, lakes and forests, as well as by nearby activities, such as wild swimming, surfi ng or mountain biking.

Find out more Head to wildpoint.com to ﬁnd out more. Interested in hosting your private land for outdoor lovers all over the UK? Head to the website to ﬁnd out more at wildpoint.com/ become-a-host

Find out more Visit the website at hearthworks.co.uk/ festivals

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DAYS OUT ANDSECTION TRAVEL 17 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Get into glamping

Rustic barns in Suffolk

Now is the time to embrace glamping, the lucrative industry where luxury accommodation meets the great outdoors, offering a sustainable and future proofed investment for your land

Whether soul-replenishing recuperation or rural revelry dominate your weekend agenda, authentic farming estate Wild & West is a dream getaway destination

t’s impossible to escape the fact that this burgeoning industry offers one • of the most valuable solutions to land management in the • past decade, enhancing the viability of woodland and land management to a new level. Crown and Canopy are the leading UK glamping • industry specialists, providing a comprehensive range of glamping consultancy, design, and planning services. They help landowners, estate

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prinkled over a sprawling Suffolk estate, near the idyllic market town of Eye, the Wild & West estate makes a cosy rural • bolthole for families, friends or wedding parties. Farming, in the storied realms of East Anglia, is infused in the air – and • nowhere will the visitor feel more attuned to nature’s rhythms than in the five rustic barns, each lovingly restored, luxuriously appointed, unique in character and named after someone who tended the surrounding land at some point over the last century. Still run by the family which has farmed there since 1908, the estate brims with bucolic charm and is replete with eclectic wildlife, including red deer, roe deer, Chinese water deer, muntjac, hares and hedgehogs. It is also walking or cycling distance from attractive local pubs, while day-trip

possibilities with a car include a multitude of stunning beaches, or historical sites (such as Southwold, Aldeburgh or Holkham Hall and Estate in Norfolk), towns including Harleston, Framlingham, Woodbridge and Norwich and activities from clay pigeon shooting to fishing as well as golf, winetasting and breweries.

Find out more For more information and to book, please visit the website at wildandwest.co.uk or call Jo West on 07775 740518.

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Escape to the country, the Italian way Manicured hills, vineyards, medieval villages, and a great quality of life – escaping to the Italian countryside is a lifechanging experience ell beyond a travel destination, the Italian hills can be both a good property and business investment. The Italian countryside has attracted visitors and expats from all over the world for decades. Yet, in the past, for many people, this was most probably just an expensive dream. Now, moving to Italy, buying a property, and

Montieri, Tuscany

investing in local businesses or wineries is rapidly becoming a concrete and much more affordable opportunity. In Tuscany, and other ‘counties’ such as Apulia and Sicily, several, possibly less known, but still impressive ancient country villages are increasingly becoming attractive for new residents and investors in the local companies. A London company, ITS ITALY, have made this lifestyle dream their target market, and are leading the regeneration of many of these villages. At the moment, this involves more than 50 municipalities all over Italy, including the Maremma area, the region well known for providing some of the best Castiglione della Pescaia, Tuscany

Tuscan wines of the last few decades. Opportunities are already available in adorable villages like Montieri, Castiglione della Pescaia, and Roccastrada. Many others are to follow from the area of the wellness haven of Saturnia to the cypresses surrounding Bolgheri. ITS ITALY have designed a process to make the once daunting process of buying and managing properties in Italy simple and virtually stress-free for foreigners. This way, ITS ITALY have also widened the opportunity to invest in local micro-companies triggering a virtuous circle between urban regeneration, social impact and sustainable investments. Not surprisingly, among the most desirable options, you can fi nd family-run wineries, olive oil producers and hospitality businesses. At the heart of the plan, is an aim to help local municipalities in regenerating the social fabric, led by sustainable rebuilding preservation of the property portfolio’s heritage. While at the same time supporting the local economy and triggering a virtuous circle. Upgrading connectivity has also enabled

Maremma fields as seen from Roccastrada, Tuscany

remote working, widening the opportunities of villages that used to be confi ned to agriculture and artisanal productions, which are preserved as the backbone of the authentic Italian heritage and experience. Living in the Italian countryside is no more just a savvy investment in affordable bricks and mortar, in some amazing locations. Instead, it is an investment in the people, local businesses, the culture, and heritage of uniquely diverse Italian localities. The scope is to create opportunities for everyone, not just for hit-and-run travellers. As the company’s motto says: don’t just visit, belong! After ending its test period with tens of completed deals, ITS ITALY’s platform is getting ready to scale up, widening its operations

to a completely new level of experience. Upon registration, prospective customers will be able to option vetted properties and configure them. Members will also be able to invest alongside local businesses or create new ones at the community level. In addition, all administrative procedures have been simplified to the extreme and will be virtually completed with a click.

Find out more ITS ITALY are now accepting new subscriptions and you can join the revolutionary programme on the website at itsfor.it

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8 LIFE IN THE COUNTRY ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

The planning system: a midsummer’s nightmare You have fallen in love with a listed house in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty... t is almost perfect, and in your head you have moved in, but a bit more• space and more garden is needed. There is a paddock • but no stables or sand school and nowhere for the classic cars, plus you fancy earning some income from glamping. • You would like to know whether an off lying paddock has long term hope value. Your dreams become an unpleasant nightmare when you fi nd the planning system is not programmed to be helpful and is a mass of technical requirements and policy restrictions. You cannot even ring the planning office for a chat without submitting a pre-app and even if you do that the response will be slow. Part of the planning process is dealing with constraints such as protected species, ancient woodland, flood risk, and

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• contamination to name but a few. Finding your way around this is a further hurdle. Alas, a glass of chilled white wine does not reveal the answers. The Rural Planning Practice are a long established business with offices in Cranbrook and Cirencester providing planning advice across England and Wales. They are fully conversant with rural planning matters including listed buildings, residential development, equestrian, tourism, farm diversification, agriculture,

enforcement, and permitted development. They can also assist with pre-purchase advice.

Find out more Visit therpp.co.uk for more. They have a stand at the NAF Five Star International Horse Trials at Hartpury between 12 and 15 August, come and ﬁnd them there.

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azy Susan was founded in 2007 by business owner, Michael Scott, literally from his garden shed. After many years of trying, in vain, to maintain various teak and wood garden furniture sets it became clear to Michael that the long-term solution was in fact aluminium garden furniture. This was maintenance-free and totally rust-proof garden furniture, almost too good to be true, with no rust and no rot. After much searching, product testing and deliberation, Michael found a range that

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They have over 2,000 tables and 10,000 chairs in stock, available in a range of sizes, colours and shapes.

LIFE IN THE COUNTRY SECTION 19 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Cottagecore: turning rural fantasy into reality The cottagecore craze swept social media in 2020, but its impact is felt in 2021 interior design trends hatched-roof homes • adorned with ivybraided trellises, • woodland walks in dappled sunshine, picnics with girls in puff y-sleeved, colourful frocks: cottagecore is the whimsical countryside aesthetic that • flourished online while the world was locked down. In a social media rush of soft-focus lenses and florals, the #cottagecore trend provided escapism for city folk longing for green spaces and the great outdoors. A year on, the modern rural fantasy is still thriving, with bucolic themes trickling through 2021 interior design trends and lifestyle choices. “Cottagecore is a movement which idolises a lifestyle more commonly associated with an agricultural way of life – embracing craft, sustainability and sourcing local,” says founder of interior design studio Frank & Faber, Sarah Ellison, “From an aesthetic perspective, it’s about natural,

sustainable heritage taking inspiration from the outside world, with a healthy dose of romanticism and chintz.” Different homes lend themselves to the trend in different ways. Sarah notes that for older properties, embracing cottagecore could mean exposing ancient beams, panelling or stone on the walls. In more urban homes, reinstating the existing floorboards in a raw, pared back fi nish, applying reclaimed timber, tongueand-groove cladding, or exposed plaster on walls could give your city home that rural, rustic touch. Frank & Faber are responsible for the design of Somerset boutique hotel Number One Bruton, which boasts cottagecore flourishes in its exposed beams and chintzes. “Texture, texture and more texture – it’s a long-held mantra at Frank & Faber towers,” says Sarah. “Layering is key, with textures bringing a feeling of cosy ‘fi reside’ warmth. Think soft furnishings in wools, linens, and velvets,

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and adding artisanal woven wall hangings and rugs on walls”. When it comes to cottagecore accessories, craft is king. Sarah recommends handcrafted ceramics, rough plaster sculptures, and statement hand-painted pieces sourced from local artisans to get the 2021 cottagecore look. Idolisation of rural life during the pandemic also had an impact on the housing market, as thousands of Brits craved to leave

the hustle and bustle of cities and set up home in quaint countryside dwellings. Housing experts Rightmove reported a 126% surge of enquiries about village property for sale, with house-hunters from Liverpool, Edinburgh, Birmingham and London most keen to escape their cities. The most soughtafter hideaway was Chacewater, Cornwall – a quintessential English village perfectly suited to pastoral cottagecore trends.

“We remaining city-dwellers have tried to bring some rural qualities into our own home,” says Sarah. “It’s about acknowledging the importance of interacting with the natural world and bringing those materials indoors. Cottagecore is not seeking perfection, instead it’s using materials that age beautifully as they settle into a home, their imperfections adding to the characterful warmth.”

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Soak up the scenery Warm up your outdoor living space or luxurious rural retreat with this fabulous range of leading wood-ﬁred hot tubs irami UK supply the nation with leading, wood-fi red hot tubs. Finland-based Kirami have created and distributed their innovative ranges of wood-fi red hot tubs for more than 20 years – offering bathers a unique, luxurious wood-fi red hot tub experience. So, if you are looking to add a wood-fi red hot tub to your outdoor space or staycation diversification project, from luxury glamping sites to retreats and hotels, speak to the expert team. Kirami UK are part of The Log Company, who offer a range of exclusive wood-fi red outdoor living products for shoppers, alongside a specific department allocated to Kirami wood-fi red hot tubs and accessories. Kirami’s wood-fi red hot tubs are available in the Original, Comfort and Premium ranges and each have individual attributes, with the overall focus being to create sustainable products for a unique

outdoor bathing experience. Having established the number of bathers expected, style, wood type and budget, along with the planned location of the hot tub, the team will advise on the most suitable product for each client. Those working to a tight timeline also have the option to purchase from over 50 hot tubs, which The Log Company have available from stock throughout the year. The opportunity to create a tailored hot tub, with colour choices and specific wood types is also possible. Those looking to

choose the internal and external colours and materials of the tub can make an appointment to view the colour charts and wood type options available. This process can also be completed remotely via the Kirami app, available on the website. When it comes to delivery, The Log Company cover the whole of the UK, with an optional installation service. The wood-fi red heating mechanism allows each tub to be installed ‘off-grid’ as no electricity is required for heating. Not only does this provide bathers

with the option to install the hot tub away from any form of hustle and bustle, should they wish – but the running costs are significantly reduced as no electricity is required. Kirami UK also work with rural businesses who offer accommodation in the countryside – offering a unique experience for their guests to enjoy, encouraging nourishment in natural surroundings in the great outdoors.

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10 LIFE IN THE COUNTRY ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Outdoor lounge space with Hunter Outdoors Don’t you just love the wild outdoors? Sitting down to a roast dinner, with candles burning brightly in the candelabra… unter Outdoors can bring the luxury while you enjoy time outside. This is a company conceived in the British countryside – a brand that was created by a group of fun-loving, innovative friends. Hunter Outdoors has grown from a shared love of camping.

UNIQUE PRODUCTS Hunter Outdoors is fuelled by a passion for good times outside, and this is reflected in their product range. From a simple fi repit with swing-over grills, to a roasting oven (which doubles up as a smoke box) suspended by a tripod cooking rack. From a comfortable, heavyduty hammock slung from a robust timber frame, to the luxurious Bloomsbury Lounge Chair. From lanterns to candelabras, coffee sets to flatware, chopping boards to cheese platters… Hunter Outdoors does it with a splash of panache. “We want to help create those

magical moments with family and friends. People might not remember the hammock they were in when they saw the shooting stars. But they’ll remember that night sky, and if the hammock hadn’t been so comfy, they might not have seen the shooting stars at all! I suppose you could say, we don’t make hammocks; we make memories,” says Alex Hill,

managing director and co-founder of Hunter Outdoors. SHADY SPOT The Shady Spot is a unique and easy-to-assemble modular canopy, comprising multiple mixed-textile sails that can be reconfigured to suit your needs. Providing shelter from sunlight, wind, and light rain, the Shady Spot is the perfect

outdoor lounge, classroom, party venue, or art studio. In fact, it can be whatever you want it to be. The Shady Spot brings a touch of luxury to the outdoors. It allows you to create a flexible outdoor space to relax in, without blocking out the scenery. One of the most innovative inventions to make an appearance on the modern glamping scene, the Shady Spot will, no doubt, be emulated. But remember where you saw it fi rst!

Go glamping in true style Visit hunteroutdoors.co.uk to explore the entire range of Hunter Outdoors products.

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LIFE IN THE COUNTRY 11 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Peace of mind for chicken keepers Looking to buy a home in the countryside? Here’s why writing a Will is so important f you are looking to invest in rural property, it is important to plan exactly what will happen to your estate following your demise. The average price of a rural property has risen by 20.8% over the last five years, which is 3.3% higher than in urban areas1. But did you know there are some two thirds of the UK adult population without a valid Will 2 to protect their estate? There are many reasons that people do not make Wills, not the least of which being that death is still considered a bit of a ‘taboo’ subject.

There are also some common misconceptions about writing a Will that put people off too. If you do not have a Will, you might be thinking: “Everything will pass to my partner anyway.” But sometimes this is not the case. Whether it’s an estate, farm, country house, or land, rules of intestacy will decide what happens to your property, and this may not be what you would have wanted. Even if you already have a Will and are currently thinking: “I don’t need to worry because I’m already sorted” – when was the last time you had this reviewed to check it still matches your personal circumstances? Whether you need to write a Will, or need to review and

update an existing Will, you should speak to a trained and insured Member of The Society of Will Writers to receive friendly, professional, and up-to-date advice. 1 2021 Rural Property Report by Coulters Property 2 Macmillan/Opinion Matters, Fieldwork 2017

Find out more Call the team today on 01522 687888 or visit willwriters.com to ﬁnd a member in your area.

Win a Brinsea ChickSafe Advance Hen House Automatic Door Opener and Door, worth £149.95! Enter online at checklists.co.uk/brinsea rinsea’s ChickSafe hen house door openers are the rugged, reliable, fuss-free solution to the problem of being away from home when your chickens need their hen house door closing at night or opening in the morning. Chicken keepers need complete confidence in any hen house door opener – otherwise the birds are at serious risk from predators – so Brinsea’s ChickSafe models feature a unique patented mechanism that means there is only one moving part and no mechanical switches for ultimate reliability. The ChickSafe Eco and Advance units both feature ‘auto-stop’ if a chicken is obstructing the door. The ChickSafe models are easily fi xed to most hen houses

with two screws and require no setup or calibration. Just attach the cord to the sliding door and the ChickSafe goes through an automatic procedure to detect the door position and it’s ready to go! Every part of the ChickSafe hen house door openers is designed with long life and weather resistance which means Brinsea is confident in providing a free threeyear guarantee. All Brinsea products are proudly made in UK. Prices start from £79.95.

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Find out more Visit brinsea.co.uk/ chicksafe and follow @brinseaproductsltd

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12 ATTIRE AND ACCESSORIES

From city to county: dress like a huntress Stylist Bryony Daniels gives her expert tips on an all-weathers country wardrobe to get ladies through shooting season hooting season is upon us. Time to leave your inner-city clothes on the hanger and retreat to the wilds of the country in suitable attire. Whether you’re indulging in a shoot or wish to look the part when out walking, there are long-lasting wardrobe staples which guarantee a classic country look. Once a style that catered predominantly to men, the increasing popularity of the sport across all genders has allowed women’s shooting fashion to flourish. “The most stylish shooting outfits take their elegance from past silhouettes,” says stylist Bryony Daniels. “Nowadays there is so much choice, allowing everyone to express their own identity in the fi eld. There are great options for shooting outfits on the market, available from small artisans as well as preloved boutiques. My father is grateful for these, because it means he doesn’t lose all of his kit to me!” Bryony splits her time between London, where she rides out for the Household Cavalry in Hyde Park, and her lodge in the Scottish Highlands. Her wardrobe must therefore span all weathers and eventualities, as well as suitably embrace her sporting hobbies of fishing and shooting. As a self-branded huntress, her clothing and accessories must lend themselves to the demands of a long day’s shooting. “My Farlows Kirkbeck Bag is my constant

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companion,” Bryony says. “It’s great for fi shing kit, picnics, and it also doubles as a drink basket. It’s also ready for when I eventually catch a fi sh or shoot a grouse, with an insert that you can un-pop and wash out once you have taken them home.”

The active outdoorswoman keeps her accessories simple

Both layering and comfort are crucially important for temperature control in challenging terrain. When riding or walking, Bryony relies on her trusty hardwearing alpaca boot socks and favourite Holland & Holland black boots even in the warm months of summer. She recommends a smart set of tweeds, as hers have lasted four seasons and show no signs of stopping. She matches these with a voluminous cape to protect her from the snow in the winter and spring. Her much-loved timeless wardrobe pieces include woollen jumpers, leather belts and boots, and vintage frilled-neck shirts that once belonged to her mother. “Dressing well for the country means knowing your staples and sticking to them,”

Bryony says. “For me, clothing is all about natural fibres like British wool, brushed cotton shirts, and of course tweed. Reliable staples include bespoke plus fours, billowing dresses in colourful tartans and light cottons, and a tracker jacket for riding in warmer months.” The active outdoorswoman keeps her accessories simple. She adds a touch of colour and glamour by tying silk scarves around her hair, neck and waist. While riding, she plaits her hair out of the wind with velvet ribbons. You can follow Bryony’s style and lifestyle tips on @ bryonydaniels.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT Regular waxing and polishing will ensure the longevity of your favourite leather accessories. If exposed to water or moisture, make sure to blot your leather boots and belts as soon as possible. Invest in a highquality boot cleaning kit with a selection of waxes and brushes that will allow you to care for your leather items.

ATTIRE AND ACCESSORIES 13 ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

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Bespoke tailoring Bookster Tailoring offer custom made-to-measure clothing of the ﬁnest quality with a full online tailoring service espoke is the traditional way of tailoring, which in historical times was the norm; when tailored • clothes were made specifically to your liking, for every day and formal occasions. In this• day and age, people enjoy the opportunity to express themselves more individually. Custom ‘bespoke’ tailoring • does just that, and is becoming more popular as people demand more as consumers. Standards are set high, and image is important, as are well-fitting garments. This can’t always be achieved off the peg. A British company, Bookster Tailoring, were early innovators of the fi nest quality affordable online tailoring, where the customer can design for themselves following a sizing guide and simple ordering process. Starting in 2007, the company have developed from offering jackets made to order with a limited choice of British

Seeing is believing •

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KomodoPro sunglasses are designed to react to prevailing light conditions and adjust• to reduce glare instantly •

Tweeds, to a full tailoring service offering custom madeto-measure clothing from a choice of over 400 cloths and what seems like an endless combination of bespoke options. Country Tweed and Shooting Wear are a speciality of Bookster, but they also offer fi ne British cloths for all your tailoring needs. Their experience, skills and friendly service mean that you can be confident in ordering online, either independently or with personal assistance.

Find out more Readers can avail of an introductory 10% discount with code TE102. Visit bookster.co.uk or call 01452 767003 to ﬁnd out more.

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riginally developed for shooting, these sunglasses are excellent for a number of sporting activities like skiing, golf, tennis, and cricket to name but a few. The sunglasses are solar powered and are polarised to UV400. The unique sensor on the front of Komodo sunglasses detects the level of UV penetration and adjusts the lenses within a tenth of a second to allow clear vision. As an example, if you were shooting, this means that

you can track a bird into the sun, across the sun and around the sun and take a clear shot! Each pair of KomodoPro glasses is supplied with a polycarbonate inset frame. Should you need prescription lenses simply take the inset to your optician, have them fitted, then clip them back into the fitting mounted inside the frame. This inset frame clips in and out easily, so there’s no problem removing again later, should you need to change to a new prescription lens.

Try a pair once and you will never look back!

Find out more Visit the website at komodopro.com or contact KomodoPro direct on 01750 725770 or 07764 359473.

KOMODOPRO

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Love British food and the countryside? Wonderfully wearable, Almost Unwearoutable Almost Unwearoutable began nearly 80 years ago as a shop selling hand-knitted socks and stockings in Corbridge, Northumberland iscover fabulous, bespoke wool shooting socks, kilt hose, beagling stockings, jumpers, slipovers and much more. Available either off the peg or made to your specifications, they come in a huge range of colours, patterns, and styles, and all are hand-knitted by a small team of knitters in the northeast of England. For the shooting socks alone, you can specify the length, calf width, sock thickness and shoe size in a choice of over 40 colours and 30 patterns. They can be personalised with writing,

or made to match your regimental, racing, school, club, tartan, or tweed colours. There is a reinforcing thread added to the toes and heels for durability, and that along with the fact that they will fit you perfectly, makes them, as the name implies, Almost Unwearoutable! Jumpers, waistcoats, slipovers, cardigans and tank tops for men, women and children are also available in a large range of colourful patterns, stripes, Fair Isle, and plain colours, either off the peg, or made to measure. You can choose every bit, including the colours, the

neck shape, and the ribbing style, for a piece that will be completely unique. Old favourites can also be copied; if it can be knitted, Almost Unwearoutable can make it!

Find out more Go to the website at almostunwearoutable. com or call 08445 044054 to ﬁnd out more.

NFU Countryside membership may be for you ural Britain is an amazing place and whether you love to visit the countryside, live or work in it, NFU Countryside celebrate all that it offers. NFU Countryside aim to inspire everyone when it comes to rural life and to show you how you can support British food and farming. As a member you’ll receive Countryside magazine every month, and at 132 pages, it’s a rich mix of news, features, columns and competitions. Regular contributors include gardening expert Pippa Greenwood, farmer Joe Stanley and Graeme Hall of

Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly. There are also articles by vet Rachel Caplan, poultry guru Andy Cawthray and Great British Bake Off fi nalist Miranda Gore Browne, with her seriously mouth-watering recipes. Plus, you’ll enjoy a host of quality benefits and services to help you make the

most of the countryside, and to save money. It’s easy to join or to treat someone to a fabulous gift membership. 12 months for just £41.50 or three years for just £99, saving you more than £25! If you set up a gift membership both you and the gift recipient will receive a free recipe book.

Receive a free copy of the Countryside Kitchen recipe book (worth £15.95) Quote code CHECKLIST21 and set up a direct debit payment to receive this fabulous recipe book with your subscription. Visit countrysideonline.co.uk/what-we-oﬀer/joining-options or call the Countryside Helpline on 0370 840 2030. Offer ends 12 September.

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14 FOOD AND DRINK

SECTION 1

Into the wild: from forest to fork Foraging allows you to explore the countryside, reconnect with nature, and sample food from Britain’s wild larder ritain’s lush hillside, dense forest and rocky coastline are a treasure trove of natural ingredients. Knowledgeable foragers • can harvest berries from hedgerows, scour samphire from sandy shores, and unearth warty truffles from • British woodland. Comfrey leaves can be deep-fried in batter for fritters, crab apples collected for jams, and sweet, wild chestnuts blitzed into velvety desserts.• “Foraging turns all your walks into treasure hunts and makes your food bills cheaper. There are also loads of fl avours and gourmet things to fi nd, like porcini and chanterelles that people don’t know about,” says Marlow Renton, founder of educational foraging company WildFoodUK. “When you have that connection with nature you never stop being inquisitive. Trees have a science to themselves, you can explore botany and mycology as well as fringe things like herbal medicine and folklore. Old wives tales are sometimes proven true!” Pockets of the UK have transformed into foraging hotspots in recent years, causing a rise

in sustainable foraging courses. Whether collecting Kentish cobnuts, West Coast laver, or truffle hunting in Dorset, there are experienced guides on hand to train visitors in harvesting responsibly. Wild Food UK have thus far taught 10,000 visitors how to identify plants and berries all over the British countryside, indulging their culinary curiosities while

Foraging turns all your walks into treasure hunts and makes your food bills cheaper

reconnecting with nature. Aspiring foragers will note that ingredients such as nettles, dandelions, wild mint and garlic flourish in abundance in the UK – ripe for plundering – but sustainability is crucial to responsible foraging. Over-zealous harvesters may accidentally deplete

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habitats or pluck vegetation beyond its capacity to reproduce, upsetting various countryside ecosystems. “There was always a loose forager’s code,” says Marlow. “We’ve written our own guidance and rules on how to forage safely, sustainably and respectfully. There are a few laws that relate to digging things from the wild, too. Unless you are 100% sure of what something is, you shouldn’t pick or eat it.” Advice stipulates that cuttings should be taken rather than whole plants, harvesting should be spread over a large area rather than concentrated to one, and the area should be left behind wild and natural, as if untouched. The ill-educated forager also runs the risk of poisoning themselves accidentally by mis-identifying plants, such as deadly hemlock, often confused with parsley, or wild arum berries which cause burning in the lips and throat. “The greatest benefit to a guided foraging trip is that you will be given the confi dence and caution required to forage safely,” says Marlow. “Just by being taught the real basics by someone who knows what they’re talking about, you can open yourself up to over 200 different species of mushrooms and hundreds of plants.”

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From ﬁeld to fork game

Discover Dampney’s Remarkable Drinks

Shardale’s passion for quality and conservation brings the taste of the great British countryside to homes and businesses across the UK hardale Wild British Game provide healthy, natural, and sustainable game meat that is lean, healthy, and tastes phenomenal. Discover the benefits of eating wild British game meats with Shardale. Shardale are suppliers of game meat that is suitable for the catering industry throughout the year. They provide pure, fi lleted pheasant and partridge game meat in packs ranging in size from 1kg to 10kg. They also offer whole, oven-ready birds, available individually packed or in boxes of 10, suitable for restaurants, pie makers and food manufacturers, or quite simply for home use. They also offer, ovenready, large, free range Aylesbury duck available all year round, and customers have the option to buy one or a hundred, depending on their needs. The team at Shardale

A superb range of handcrafted, smallbatch liqueurs, created in the heart of the South Downs National Park

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he Dampney family have been making sloe gin and sharing hip flasks for generations. One of those times where the old traditional methods are unbeatable. British gin and sugar are combined with locally foraged sloes and macerated for at least nine months. Then pressed and fi ltered in small batches, creating the perfect bottle every year. Best served neat as a real winter warmer or topped up with fi zz, their sloe is true to the fruit, not too sweet with a long fi nish leaving you wanting just one more. Simple yet utterly delicious, they continue to experiment with a variety of fruits and spirits to develop over 14 different flavours. Glorious Green Gooseberry Gin, Remarkable Raspberry

are as passionate about conservation as they are about game. They’re a truly ‘field to fork’ business, and they pride themselves on the fact that they breed and raise their birds themselves in their beautiful, natural Yorkshire environment. They take the upkeep of that environment very seriously and making that upkeep and conservation a part of what they do is one of their main priorities.

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Bring the great taste of the British countryside direct to you.

Order now Order now at shardalegame.co.uk or call 01751 205099.

Rum and Marvellous Marmalade Vodka to name a few, there’s a tipple for every taste bud. Dampney’s full range of flavours are now available in glorious 175cl magnum bottles. These can be engraved with wording of your choice, such as newlywed names for a unique wedding gift. Add an engraving of an image as a stunning centrepiece, a silhouette, animal, or crest. The bespoke designs create a truly remarkable gift, perfect for any celebration.

Find out more Visit the website at remarkabledrinks.co.uk for more. Choose your tipple and email remarkabledrinks@gmail.com with any requests of images and wording you would like engraved on your bottle.

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