Rosie Paterson

3 days ago | countrylife.co.uk | Rosie Paterson

In today’s world, most new hotels blaze bright and are then relegated to the shadows — proving to be a flash in the plan — because, ever fickle, we turn our attention to the next new opening, and the next one, and so on… It therefore takes something — or someone — extra special to hold out attention and make a permanent mark. Enter stage right, Passalacqua, which opened in June 2022 and won Best Hotel in The World in September 2023.

5 days ago | countrylife.co.uk | Rosie Paterson

Bees are vital for life on Earth because of their invaluable contributions to biodiversity, the fact that they pollinate plants and the products that come from them, such as honey and beeswax. Imagine a world without wonderful honey, a sweetener, spread and salve. In Greek mythology, the Gods feasted on ambrosia, believed to bestow power and immortality on the consumer and regularly associated with honey. There are 276 species of bee in the UK — nearly all of which are found in London.

1 week ago | countrylife.co.uk | Rosie Paterson

On April 29, 1994, photographer Jon Nicholson was standing in the Williams’ Formula 1 (F1) garage at Imola Circuit, Italy, camera by his side, when he spotted Ayrton Senna, helmet in hand, looking up pensively at one of the video monitors hanging from the ceiling. It was the first practice session of the San Marino Grand Prix weekend — in which Ruben Barrichello, travelling at around 225km/h (140mph), clipped the kerb and was launched directly into a tyre barrier.

1 week ago | countrylife.co.uk | Hetty Lintell |Rosie Paterson

Isabel Ettedgui (below) is the owner of Connolly — the Mayfair-based leather and fashion brand, founded in 1878 by a family of saddle-makers and shoe-smiths — and an icon of the industry, having co-founded World of Interiors among other things. The brand’s initial rise to prominence coincided with the growing automobile industry and soon Connolly was the go-to supplier for high-quality automobile-appropriate leather.

3 weeks ago | countrylife.co.uk | Rosie Paterson

When Birley Bakery opened on London's Chelsea Green, about two years ago, it was an overnight sensation. ‘We are surprised and delighted with how many of our neighbours visit us for coffee every day,’ Vincent Zanardi told us at the time, estimating that he was selling more than 1,000 croissants a week. The Bakery — which has since expanded to include a chocolate shop — is the brainchild of Zanardi and Robin Birley of 5 Hertford Street and Oswald's member club fame.