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. The Field Guide To The…
Over the past 10 years I have become increasingly beset by magpies. Do you know of any solutions to deter magpies rather than a hands-on method to trap them? DB, by email
With the arrival of spring and sunnier days our minds turn to picnics, sports days, cricket matches – a decent blanket for sitting on is a must. In any case, a rug in the car is always handy. Here is The Field‘s guide to the very best picnic blankets. We’ve…
Do working dogs have to wear a collar? Yes, it is a legal requirement for dogs in public places to wear a collar, with details of their owner. In that case, you’d best be aware of the smartest gundog collars around. Like all good laws, there are exceptions. Emergency rescue…
Dabton House, Dumfries and Galloway Good for Year-round fishing Garden lovers Active types Built in 1820 in the classical villa style, Dabton House originally served as the home of the Queensberry estate’s factor and is only 10 minutes from Drumlanrig Castle. In the 1980s the house was refurbished by the…
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. LOCKWOOD WAISTCOAT Fully lined yet…
Hip flasks have been reviving those in the field for centuries. Nothing seals the sporting bond better than the hand proffering a full flask, preferably with something homemade inside. Flasks fell into the shape we recognise in the 18th century, when they started to be made from silver (it was…
Simnel cake is simply delicious. Furthermore, what could be cleverer than a fruit cake with not just one but two layers of marzipan, one baked in the middle of the cake, one on the top, and then topped with 11 marzipan balls, one for each of the apostles, minus traitorous…
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…
The Defender Burghley Horse Trials are a high spot in the calendar of many Field readers. Not only is the horsepower on offer second to none but the Burghley shopping experience is hard to beat. It provides the ideal opportunity to buy essential bits of country kit for the months…
