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Since when did going for a dip in the river become ‘wild’ swimming?
What starts as a quick hack soon turns into obsessive sculpting of increasingly outlandish shapes
Europe is full of protected bike routes, unlike the UK where Brexit could impede access to such happy freewheeling
Water features are a familiar sight in show gardens, but they can prove problematic for designers — and tipsy gala guests
The celebration in the woods is over-the-top in its opulence — but a sobering reminder of nature’s brutality is not far away
Moving to the country uncovered many strange customs, from fertility dances and brawling Morris men to the curse of cannon balls
It is one of Capability Brown’s great 18th-century parkland landscapes — so why ruin it with a post-apocalyptic art installation?
Do you like canines? asks a visitor to the FT HQ. Four shaggy dog stories can answer that
If a bicycle ride in the countryside isn’t conducive to a meditative state, perhaps office life can help
They offer shelter from wind (and rams), their ever-changing stillness brings peace — and we need to plant more of them
It should be a satisfying, meditative pastime but, this year, fierce competition from male upstarts has me pipped
Why do people become overly polite and friendly the moment they leave the city?
Vintage tractors are pitted against modern behemoths until the mud looks like melted chocolate
While other animals are preparing to hibernate, the rest of us can find it more difficult to switch off
Their long-lashed attention is irresistible — but next year they will be bigger
A last swim of the year is interrupted by noisy newcomers — followed by news that more permanent invaders are on their way
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