Health & Beauty / Tips & Advice
One night I’m a murderer, the next my husband’s having an affair. Why do we have the dreams that we do?
We’ve stopped believing they’re messages from the gods. So what are dreams - and what purpose do they serve? Here’s what the science says: When my husband brought me a cup of tea in bed the other morning, I could barely muster a “thank you”. I was furious that he’d...
‘A nearby farmer took the whole herd’: How a couple turned a cowshed into a dream home for artists
A former dairy business now hosts a thriving artistic community - and a spectacular converted barn. Suzanne Blank Redstone and her husband, Peter Redstone, have lived on the same Devon farm, nestled in a tree-fringed valley a mile from the sea, for 50 years. The...
Where the wild things are: The untapped potential of our gardens, parks and balconies
Gardens could be part of the solution to the climate and biodiversity crisis. But what are we doing? Disappearing them beneath plastic and paving. In my 20s I lived in Manchester, on the sixth floor of a block of council flats just off the A57, or Mancunian (Mancy)...
Brain gain: Top tips for keeping your mind sharp after 60
As we age, maintaining mental sharpness becomes crucial for enjoying a high quality of life. Engaging in activities that challenge the brain, staying physically active, and fostering social connections are key strategies to keep the mind agile. Here are some top tips...
Salt & vinegar? The top 20 fish and chip shops in the UK
Fish and chips fans are spoiled for choice in the UK, as we have a whopping 10,500 ‘chippies’ scattered across the country. Here are 20 of the best! MarlboroLocal mackerel in a bap or tempura is the draw at this third-generation family restaurant, perhaps with a pea...
‘All the elements of the classic British seaside holiday’: Three unsung beach towns
Travel writers take a salty, summer saunter through old-fashioned seaside towns that have ‘not yet been Airbnb-brushed out of existence’. Weymouth, DorsetPhotographer Martin Parr’s 1999 film Think of England captures the nostalgic appeal of Weymouth: roast dinners at...
The life sabbatical: Is doing absolutely nothing the secret of happiness?
Few of us have the money to take a long pause from work or caring responsibilities. But, as I found, even a day can make a difference. You might imagine that escaping from your everyday life would involve relocating to a Hebridean croft or attending a series of...
UK’s most iconic landmarks lit up in glowing orange to raise awareness for rare genetic condition
The move marked the end of Prader-Willi Awareness month The Sun reports that Some of the UK’s most iconic landmarks were glowing orange in May - to raise awareness for a rare genetic condition, Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). Battersea Power Station in London, Cardiff...
As British tourists warned about ‘monster ticks’ at holiday hotspots, what you need to look out for
A dangerous tick bite will often go unrecognised as most people won’t even feel it. Silver Surfers reports that British people have been warned about “monster ticks” that have spread across Europe. Hyalomma lusitanicum, the blood-sucking large ticks from Africa and...
Go wild in the kitchen! Uses and recipes for Wild Garlic
Wild garlic, also known as Ramsons, is a popular springtime ingredient in the UK. It can be found in woodlands, meadows and hedgerows from March to May. In this feature, we will explore some facts about wild garlic, and its uses, and we share a delicious recipe for...
‘You can walk virtually everywhere in England by using the train’: The man connecting rail-based walks
A new website aims to offer a wide network of walking routes from British train stations, and is calling on hikers to add their favourites. Our writer accompanies the founder on a ramble to Bath Spa station. A British railway station can be many things. A place of...
A new start after 60: meditation cured my insomnia. Now I help others cope
Ken Lunn was having a ‘hellish’ time juggling work and childcare after his wife died. Then he found a way to catch his breath. The Guardian reports that throughout his 30-year career as a tech professional, Ken Lunn regularly gave talks to rooms packed with experts...