Coworth Park hotel review: Just another day in Paradise
From a heavenly spa to gleaming copper bathtubs and sculptures woven into Nature, Coworth Park gets everything (almost) perfect, finds Carla Passino.
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The most incredible drinks cabinet you'll ever see: 'Who wouldn't want to have a whisky out of a hippo?'
Not just a bronze sculpture by a modern French master, but a bronze sculpture which opens to reveal a whisky bar. Carla Passino found out more from the art dealer who fell so hopelessly in love with the piece that he was desperate to buy it himself.
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Marianne North: The intrepid Victorian who climbed mountains and paddled up rapids to create unforgettable natural art
Victorian artist Marianne North braved jungle rapids, forests and mountains to capture the blowsy beauty of tropical plants on canvas. Carla Passino paints the life of a woman who defied conventions to forge her own path.
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Why John Nash, London's greatest architect, was despised in his own lifetime and for decades afterwards
John Nash is the man responsible for London's most beautiful buildings — yet he was once as reviled as he is now revered. Carla Passino retraces his life to see how his star rose, fell and rose again.
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It shouldn't happen at a coronation: A brief history of crowning day disasters
Things don’t always go to plan at a coronation, from stumbling peers to muddled clergy, dripping candles and even earthquakes, reveals Carla Passino.
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To mow or not to mow? That is the question every May
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'Inside-out living' at this modern take on the Arts-and-Crafts house, with exotic curves, glass walls and spectacular country setting
Striking interiors meet delightful grounds and magnificent country views at Checkendon Hill House, near Streatley-on-Thames, in Berkshire.
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How Sir Giles Gilbert Scott left an indelible mark on London — and how that infuriated his critics
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s designs shaped London as we know it — but despite his famed ‘unruffled serenity’, not all of his creations were met with rapt enthusiasm. Carla Passino takes a look.
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Best country houses for sale in Kent, from townhouses and mansions to a home atop the White Cliffs of Dover
From a beautiful Tunbridge Wells townhouse to a clifftop home in a stunning location, here's our pic of some of great properties for sale in Kent.
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A ghost tour of London on foot
Many out there believe that the capital’s streets, pubs and even hospitals are home to myriad ghosts — a few friendly, some less so. On a walk through some of these supposedly haunted sites, Carla Passino tries to separate fact from fiction.
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Seven of the most beautiful barn conversions for sale in Britain right now
If you are looking for a country property that's eye-catching and a little different, a barn conversion could be for you and we have handpicked some of the best currently on the market.
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James Bond's London: Where to see 007's haunts around the British capital
Carla Passino treads in the footsteps of James Bond and his creator, author Ian Fleming.
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Battle over the green verges of Britain as many 'slashed while in full bloom'
When should a grass verge be cut? It might seem an innocuous question, but it's something of a battleground between residents and local councils, as Carla Passino reports.
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The strangest things named after Queen Elizabeth II, from flower markets to a Filipino teenage celebrity
A rose, a reservoir and a telescope are only some of the many quirky places and objects called Elizabeth II after The Queen, finds Carla Passino.
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Seven glorious French country houses for sale
Carla Passino picks out seven magnificent homes for sale across south-west France.
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A City of London walking tour: 10 centuries in one day
The City of London offers an extraordinary contrast to the visitor: it's simultaneously the oldest, most historic part of the city, while also being its newest and shiniest. Carla Passino is your guide for a walk around the famous sites and hidden gems.
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12 barn conversion ideas and expert tips to inspire your project
Leading architects, interior designers and estate agents share their best ideas to convert a barn into a great home.
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A picturesque Nottinghamshire cottage in the grounds of Lord Byron's family home
The Archway, in Newstead, Nottinghamshire, combines period details with magnificent views and an extraordinary setting on the estate that was once home to Lord Byron.
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Muswell Hill: The London spot whose views are 'unrivalled for beauty’, with 'a snapshot of the whole of London in front of you'
From Scottish kings to political protest, there’s more to Muswell Hill than its height, says Carla Passino.
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A striking four-bedroom house in Teddington with beautiful gardens and a rich history
As the gatehouse for the Teddington Film Studios, this former lockkeeper's home has seen film history in the making.
