Money & Work / Tips & Advice
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...
‘It hugs your soul!’ 9 dishes to get you fighting fit after an illness, from ramen noodles to spicy tom yum soup
Whether you’re getting over Covid, or just a nasty cold, these comforting recipes from top chefs will lift your spirits. When you are feeling under the weather, eating good, nutritious food can make all the difference. Simple, comforting dishes, such as soup, are a...
Is it cheaper to have a bath or a shower? Your energy questions answered
From boiling pasta to vampire devices, experts explain how you can reduce your bills. With energy bills on everyone’s mind, those little questions about how to cut your use have come to the fore. We asked experts to answer some FAQs. Is it cheaper to boil water for...
Drinking two coffees a day may cut the risk of heart disease and an early death by up to 15%,studies claim
Drinking two to three cups of coffee per day may slash the risk of developing heart problems and prolong your life, studies suggests. The Daily Mail reports that researchers analysed data from nearly 400,000 people in their 50s who did not have heart disease and...
A new start after 60: I worked in a tiny office for 30 years – then I took up falconry and am out in rain, shine and cold’
After decades working in IT, with a window overlooking a car park, Mitch Law took redundancy and now watches his Harris hawk soaring in the wind. The Guardian reports that for nearly 30 years, Mitch Law went to work in the same office - four metres square, with a...
Railway routes: 10 of the best train journeys in Europe – fast or slow
A new book on rail travel across the continent showcases gorgeous scenery, historic routes and adventures at a slower pace. Railways in Europe are many things. With their grand stations, history and evocative destinations, they evoke a timelessness that is absent from...
Rich pickings: Choose a wealthy area and carry a measuring tape. Lessons in furnishing your house for free
After outfitting his home with free finds from the kerb and beyond, Marty Smiley shares his hard rubbish tips and regrets. When our landlord booted us out of our share house last year, a group field trip to Ikea was out of the question. Like many Australians,...
The inn crowd: 9 of the UK’s best renovated foodie pubs with rooms
With spruced-up interiors and innovative menus, these revamped country inns tick all the boxes for cosiness and culinary class. St Tudy Inn, Cornwall The 17th-century St Tudy Inn, in the village of the same name west of Bodmin moor, is under new management and has...
Extraordinary Escapes with Sandi Toksvig: New Channel 4 series visits remarkable holiday homes
A new book, accompanying the TV series, details the magnificent properties featured alongside many more that will inspire a dream UK getaway. The Chalet, Herefordshire Set 500ft above the River Wye on the steep slope rising to Symonds Yat Rock, this red timber Nordic...
Dementia sufferers like me deserve to enjoy life – that’s why I went skydiving aged 63
Jumping from an aeroplane above an astonished crowd helped Wendy Mitchell prove that people with dementia, like her, do not need to be stuck indoors. I’m sitting in front of my GP with a piece of paper on which I need her signature. “I need your permission for...