Health & Beauty / Tips & Advice
Lost lanes of the Midlands: Five great cycle routes in the heart of England
Taking in backcountry from Leicestershire to Shropshire, these 30 to 50- mile routes, included in a new book, feature beautiful villages, countryside and places to stay. Stilton and pork pies, High Leicestershire Start / finish: Melton MowbrayDistance: 34 miles This...
Garden longevity: Could you extend your life and drop your stress by taking up the pursuit, too?
Dan Buettner has studied five places around the world where residents are famed for their longevity: Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, Icaria in Greece, and Loma Linda in California and Sardinia in Italy. People living in these so-called “blue zones” have...
The Great British ‘chippy’: Seaside fish and chip shops are a national treasure. Here are 20 of the best.
It’s one of the UK’s favourite dishes and it always tastes better with a big portion of sea air. It would be grossly unfair to the many fabulous chippies located inland in this country to say that all the best places for fish and chips in the UK are down by the sea....
Play some Kylie, keep it short and enlist your friends! The beginner’s guide to loving exercise
There are many reasons people struggle to get fit. Here’s how to build an effective fitness routine that you’ll stick to - and (mostly) enjoy. Looking around the streets and parks of the UK, or scrolling through #fitspo workout selfies on social media, it can...
Researchers found that music ‘can treat brain illness like Parkinson’s’
MUSIC therapy can have a life changing influence on Parkinson's sufferers and help them to regain functional skills, experts claim. The Express reports that one of the keys in treating the devastating brain condition can lie in rhythmical exercises. Rebecca Atkinson,...
Potty about pots? Here’s how to pick the best containers for your garden
Metal, terracotta, resin or plastic? Shape and size? We measure up the options. You want to perk up your patio with new pots, but which should you choose? Obviously the setting will be key - if you have a traditional cottage garden you might not want to be...
A right Royal knees up! 6 key tips for planning the perfect Platinum Jubilee party
Celebrate in style with fabulous food, decorations and entertainment. It’s not often we’re gifted an extra long weekend, but that’s what’s happening this year, with a Bank Holiday added on Friday June 3rd to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Plus, the usual late May...
One down, 39,136 to go: The explorers who walk every street in their city
You don’t really know an urban landscape until you’ve visited all of it on foot - from slums to beauty spots. Just ask the thousands of ‘every-single-streeters’. There’s no better way to soothe the soul - and get to know a town than striding through its streets. In my...
A moment that changed me: I went to a party – and spent all evening with the host’s puppy
After that fateful night, I bought McNulty, a King Charles spaniel who has been my constant companion for 13 years. I am a ridiculously early person. If possible, I tend to be at least 30 minutes early for everything. These days, this is an excuse to get some extra...
5 ways to treat hay fever without medication
As shortages of some hay fever medicines begin to hit the UK, allergy experts explain best to keep your pollen allergies at bay. Silver Surfers reports that some hay fever medicines are in short supply across the UK, owing to the lack of a key ingredient. Stocks of...
Strawberry fields forever: Six amazing health benefits of eating strawberries and their tops
It’s difficult to resist a perfectly ripe strawberry, isn’t it? In fact, they’re one of the most popular berry fruits in the world - but did you know it’s not just the sweet red part that’s good for us? Atop each juicy strawberry is a leafy top, called the calyx. Each...
‘Revolutionary in a quiet way’: The rise of community gardens in the UK
Royal Horticultural Society sets up first Community Awards as community gardens become more common. The first melon of the season always tastes amazing,” says Lucy Mitchell. “I don’t think anyone has ever taken one home - every year, we just cut them into as many...