playing backgammon by fire

There is something timeless about backgammon; it must rank as the most elegant of boardgames while its ability to entertain everyone from teenagers onwards remains legendary. Beautifully made examples make wonderful gifts and have an heirloom-like quality. Here,  The Field explores the best backgammon sets. Be sure to take a…

Dark nights and the star of frosty mornings is something welcomed by country sports lovers: it means the season is in full swing. So, settle down and take a peak at ‘kit to covert’ for November. You might also be interested in The Field’s other invaluable guides to must-have sporting…

A tweed travel bag is essential sporting kit

In the nights are drawing in and the warmth of summer is most likely a long-off memory. However, there is much to cheer: the sporting season in full swing. Here The Field round-ups the best kit to get you through the month in style. MAYNARD QUILTED JACKET JOULES A super-versatile,…

Gumboots in use in the field

Quintessentially British and remarkably useful, gumboots are essential kit in the field. Every foray into the field requires appropriate footwear. There’s nothing like squelching to the peg to ruin a day. Some say that you can judge a man by his footwear but we say you can judge the credentials…

A super-realistic bit of sporting kit: a rabbit dummy for training gundogs

Kit to covert at July’s Game Fair RANNOCK HSP SHOOTING WAISTCOAT HARKILA A shooting waistcoat that looks good and does the job. Harkila’s example will be available on stand with J Hogan & Son. It features micro suede reinforcement panels and windproof lining while side slits ensure comfort and protection.…

Guns wearing shooting gilets relaxing between drives

A gilet is essential kit and has become the staple of all countrymen’s wardrobe. The best shooting gilets are loved not just for their versatility and cosiness but also their technical features.  Furthermore, gilets are smart over a shirt in the summer and an invaluable mid-layer for chilly days in…

recipe for simnel cake

Forget for a moment the Resurrection and the prospect of eternal salvation. The most exciting thing about Easter is the simnel cake. (Read our article on Easter and Eostre, the origins of this Spring festival.) Of course, there are many other traditional Easter foods. People still get agitated about Easter…

Edwardian couple picknicking

Now spring is here our minds turn to picnics, sports days, cricket matches  – and having picnic blankets to hand is a must. In any case, a rug in the car is always handy. We’ve chosen a selection of picnic blankets here that you can spread out on the ground…

Why We Garden by Claire Masset My immediate reaction to the title was to respond “but I don’t”. However, this is true only insofar as I outsource it because others are better at generating the horticultural joy I crave in the extremely restricted space that passes for a London garden.…