6 Best Affordable UK Country House Hotels for January
Beat the January blues at these six stunning UK country house hotels, each offering spa facilities and rooms for under £160 per night. Perfect for a post-festive reset.
Beat the January blues at these six stunning UK country house hotels, each offering spa facilities and rooms for under £160 per night. Perfect for a post-festive reset.
Labour-run Lambeth Council cancels the 2026 Lambeth Country Show, citing a £1.1m cost. Lib Dems brand the decision 'shocking', arguing it could run for £400k. Read the full story.
The Guardian invites UK children aged 8-14 to submit their winter nature observations for the Young Country Diary series. Selected writers will be published and paid. Deadline: 2 February.
A heartfelt account from Inkpen, Berkshire, on the emotional ritual of taking down Christmas decorations, blending personal memories with sustainable practices and folklore. Discover the stories behind each ornament.
A look back at Harry Griffin's first Guardian Country Diary from 1951, detailing how Rough Fell ewes in Westmorland dug snow holes for shelter during harsh winter weather. Discover timeless farming resilience.
A walk through Comins Coch, Ceredigion, reveals the frozen beauty and resilient wildlife in the quiet aftermath of a fierce gale. Discover the turning year among frost, catkins, and quarries.
American cross-country star Jessie Diggins clinches her third Tour de Ski title, cementing her Olympic medal favourite status ahead of her planned retirement after next season.
Aerial skier Reilly Flanagan and cross-country skier Hannah Price represent Australia's underdog spirit in a last-ditch effort to qualify for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games.
American cross-country skiing made history in Italy as Jessie Diggins and Gus Schumacher both won World Cup races on the same day. Read about this landmark achievement for Team USA.
The historic Dargo Hotel, a beloved pub in Victoria's remote High Country, is on the market. Owner reflects on two decades of running the iconic outpost. Discover its legacy and future.
The Pacific nation of Palau agrees to host up to 75 migrants from the US in a deal securing millions in American aid. Read the full details of the controversial agreement.
A Country Diary entry from Teesdale reveals the deep, clinging mud of a winter walk, a testament to the season's raw, elemental beauty in the UK countryside. Discover the sights and sounds.
A roundup of December's key City events, from economic debates at The Ned to a vandalised chophouse and festive networking. Discover the month's pivotal moments.
Joe Ely, the legendary Texas singer-songwriter and a key figure in the Outlaw Country movement, has died at 78. Explore the life and legacy of the musician who blended rock, country, and Tex-Mex.
A century-old nature diary entry from December 1925 captures the remarkable sight of a pied wagtail overwintering in Britain, defying its usual migratory instincts. Discover this snapshot of historical wildlife observation.
Irish singer-songwriter CMAT's album 'Euro-Country' perfectly captures the anxiety and absurdity of modern life. Discover how her music crystallises the era's crises while offering defiant hope.
Discover the surprising ecological importance of mistletoe beyond festive tradition. A Country Diary entry reveals its vital role for wildlife in the UK's winter landscape.
Irish singer CMAT's third album 'Euro-Country' hits No. 2 in 2025's best albums. Born from a New York breakdown, it sparked a TikTok craze and a Glastonbury triumph. Discover the story.
The Guggenheim Foundation has abandoned plans to build a satellite museum in a protected Basque nature reserve following major environmental protests. Campaigners celebrate a victory for local wildlife.
A historic country estate in the Surrey Hills, just an hour from London, has been selected for Conde Nast's prestigious Gold List 2026. Discover the perfect weekend escape.
A visit to the derelict ironworks in Frome, Somerset, reveals nature reclaiming industry. Discover the poignant history of the workers and the 'greening by stealth' transforming this site.
South London residents can now comment on Brockwell Park festival plans after a legal ruling. The 2026 programme seeks permission for 32 event days, but the Lambeth Country Show is cancelled.
From Renaissance art believed to cure plague to a modern £380m bird food industry, the goldfinch's red face has captivated us for centuries. Discover the folklore and magic in your Derbyshire garden.
Lambeth Council has cancelled the free Lambeth Country Show to allow Mighty Hoopla and other festivals to proceed in Brockwell Park, following a High Court ruling on event days. Read the full story.
A 28-year-old tenant shares his experience of renting a room in a converted council flat in Clapham for £1,000 per month, living with his landlord who is also a friend. Discover the pros and cons of this London living arrangement.
Explore the haunting beauty of St Mary's Chapel in the Peak District, where nature's whispers and roars tell a story of solitude and resilience. Discover this hidden gem's history and atmosphere.
A naturalist's woodland walk with a broken leg becomes a surreal encounter with a flock of rare common crossbills. Discover the magic of British wildlife in this unique diary entry.
The Met Office issues an amber warning for south Wales, with up to 120mm of rain threatening severe flooding, travel disruption, and power cuts. Residents urged to prepare.
Discover Burnham, a beautiful Buckinghamshire village with scenic walks, cosy pubs and the Elizabeth Line. Plan your perfect countryside getaway just a short journey from London.
Revisiting a 1975 country diary entry exploring the Seven Sisters cliffs and Cuckmere Haven. Discover the timeless beauty of this protected Sussex coastline and its wildlife. Read the full account.