Victoria Beckham does country living in new cover shoot

The accompanying feature will discuss her life and career after celebrating her 40th birthday and opening her first standalone store for her fashion brand, on London's Dover Street.

She told the magazine ""I looked at it [turning 40] and said to myself, I have four incredible children, an incredible husband, a business that's doing very well. I've worked hard and achieved a lot. I don't think I could have achieved much more."

And her relaxed look in the photoshoot certainly reflects that, as Victoria rests on a garden wall, wearing a pair of wellies and a checked hat.

Victoria Beckham, photographed for Vogue by Patrick Demarchelier

Victoria has tweeted her delight at starring on the cover, thanking the editor Alexandra Shulman and Patrick Demarchelier for the shoot.

She has starred on two British Vogue covers in the past - once with the Spice Girls and once solo. This time, however, she has been shot for a double cover - once with a more familiar cover pose, and once holding a dog, wearing a neckscarf.

The countryside shots have raked in praise across the board, reaching as far as Homebase, who tweeted "See @victoriabeckham's horti haute couture in @BritishVogue - Wellies are the new black!"

Victoria Beckham's tweets this morning, thanking Vogue for the shoot

She told Vogue that she relies on her famous husband David: "I wouldn't be where I am without David. He gives me the security and encouragement to do what I do. I do the same for him."

Despite her fashion career going from strength to strength, Victoria is rumoured to be involved with the upcoming series of the X Factor, having recently tweeted a picture with fellow Spice Girl Mel B, captioned "watch out - we mean business".

It seems there's no stopping team VB.

See the full shoot in the August issue of Vogue, on sale Monday 7th July

Words: Victoria Gray Images: Vogue/Patrick Demarchelier