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A dramatic age quake is shaking Britain as the country grows older - for the first time ever, the number of people over 65 exceeds those under 16. Here, we look at the profound financial, emotional and practical issues faced by a rising number of Britons, and we...

Having a large tree casting its shadow across your garden isn’t the end of the world. In fact it can be very dramatic.   When we first moved to this cottage, I despaired of the neighbour’s huge ash tree that cast shadows over so much of our garden. Yet now, I’d...

Britain is home to some of the most impressive Castles and Palaces in the world. So why not be the King of your very own castle for the day, and go to our top ten favourites to visit.   1. Bodiam Castle, East Sussex. (Left) When you think of a classic Castle...

The hidden ones, down miniature country lanes, to the big boys that they pop into whenever they have the opportunity. Here are the best garden centres and nurseries in the UK.   Madrona Nursery This is a charming nursery specialising in trees and shrubs, but with...

Raised beds are also known as deep beds, and though organic gardeners didn’t invent them they know the true value of them. For large or small gardens, for vegetables, flowers or a mixture of both, 'raised' deep beds are ideal. You’ll be surprised what you can grow....

Each year, many people enjoy the tranquil, unhurried life of the inland waterways of the UK, spending their holidays on rented narrow boats or on their own narrow boat.   But a growing number of people are electing to live on a narrow boat on a rather more...

For many of us, spring cleaning doesn't have much to do with culture, religion or spirituality. We've been cooped up in our stuffy dwellings all winter, which can be such a downer that we sometimes let the clutter and dust pile up.   Now that the weather is warm,...

February already! Wonder what the weather will bring this month? It can prove a busy time of the year for gardeners and all of a sudden there are a thousand and one things that can be done now, such as early sowings of flower and vegetable varieties being started so...

‘Mindful gardening’ promises to continue to grow, as more and more Brits turn to tending their allotments, herbaceous borders and houseplants as a way of boosting mental health and wellbeing, while cacti and succulents look set to adorn all the coolest shelves and...

It’s that time of year again when we scramble around in the loft, trying to find the Christmas tree, lights and boxes of decorations. But why do we do it and what does it all mean?   Very few homes in the 21st Century escape from the phenomenon of having...

Versatile. If you could use only one word to describe the mighty pumpkin, versatile would surely be it: in colour, in taste, in use, in shape, in myth and in goodness. Pumpkins may well be the ultimate food and, the best thing is - it’s not a trick, it’s a treat! ...

Glorious gardening: The benefits of having ‘green fingers’ over 50   For older adults, staying active and finding fulfilling hobbies to pass the time are important and beneficial to their physical and mental health.    After all, no one wants to spend their...