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48 Articles

A note from the editor

Have you watched the Netflix series Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones, in which award-winning author and producer Dan Buettner shares years of research about communities that live long and happy lives? These pockets of people happen to live in vastly disparate places – California, Italy, Greece, Singapore, Japan and Costa Rica – yet their secret to longevity is the same. They are active, moving naturally and regularly (instead of slavishly following intense fitness regimes); they eat moderately and favour a plant-based diet; they value connection with family and community; and they strive to live with an active mind and sense of purpose, but without stress. What struck me about their approach to living is that – diet and exercise aside – so many of the individuals we feature…

A note from the editor

“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it” This Crisp Winter Air by John Burroughs DON’T MISS Yorkshire Dark Skies Festival Celebrate the night skies of the Yorkshire Dales National Park from 9-25 February at this annual festival designed to open our eyes to the wonder of the universe. Spot ancient constellations with astronomer Richard Darn, take part in yoga, hikes and bike rides, or gather round for pizza, all while enjoying the celestial wonder of this inky sweep of sky, designated an International Dark Sky Reserve in 2020. Beginners and families welcome. darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk/yorkshire-dales-events MADE IN BRITAIN HOLDSWORTH CHOCOLATES Use Valentine’s Day as an excuse to try Holdsworth Chocolates. Set up by…

Northumberland Coast With its sweeping sandy beaches, isolated islands and imposing castles, the Northumberland Coast is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty stretching from the Coquet estuary up to Berwick-upon-Tweed. Visit this month to see waders and wildfowl, as well as grey seals and dolphins. If you’re lucky, you might even hear the haunting call of the curlew rising above the sound of the surf. WHAT TO SEE AND DO Brooding Bamburgh Castle (above) is best seen from the beach when the tide is out. This formidable fortress was destroyed by the Vikings and rebuilt by the Normans centuries ago (bamburghcastle.com). A short stroll takes you to Bamburgh Lighthouse – the most northerly land-based beacon in England and the perfect place to spot sandpipers and sea ducks diving into the waves (rspb.org.uk).…

Follow @CLArtisans on Instagram to see more unique products from talented makers FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy COMPILED BY CARA LASKARIS PRICES AND INFORMATION CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS…

THIS MONTH Buying a tractor

When we arrived on the smallholding nearly two decades ago, the first thing we did was buy a tractor. With our budget already bust, it was a choice between a central heating system or a Massey Ferguson. We spent the next three years without hot water. Every day, our trusty old tractor is called into service. So many jobs around the smallholding need brute muscle power, from moving pallets of paving slabs to taking bales and water troughs to the sheep. The tractor also has several attachments fixed to the front or rear. We often spend weekends using its log splitter or the tractor bucket to dump piles of compost onto the vegetable beds. Whether it’s clearing land, heavy lifting, landscaping, drilling post-holes, digging foundations (using a backhoe) or ploughing snow,…

THIS MONTH Buying a tractor

4 useful TRACTOR ATTACHMENTS

FORKS Pallets, and the ability to move them, is hugely important if you want to transfer logs, relocate rocks or shift slabs. Bale spikes are also useful. BUCKET Loader buckets can handle big volumes of soft or granular material, such as soil or sand. They’re also invaluable for turning and agitating compost. LOG SPLITTER A hydraulic log splitter can safely produce huge amounts of force needed to process felled timber into useable logs. CHAIN HARROW Essential for chemical-free, healthy pasture. It stimulates new growth while levelling the surface and spreading out manure.…

4 useful TRACTOR ATTACHMENTS

WHERE TO BUY A TRACTOR

DEALERSHIPS You’ll pay top whack to buy through a dealership but in return you should get a reliable, mechanically sound tractor. Dealerships can also be a useful point of contact for future services, warranties and repairs. PRIVATE SELLER If you feel confident you can spot potential problems, private sales are a great way to bag a genuine bargain or negotiate a healthy discount. Ask around to see if anyone’s selling – local farmers often trade machinery with each other. AUCTIONS If you buy at auction, check that any farm equipment is covered by an inspection report – that way, if it’s not in the condition described, you can get your money back. Don’t forget there’s buyer’s commission added on to the hammer price, plus VAT.…

PREDICTIONS FROM THE PROS

1 THE ACE OF SPADES Nominated by Joe Swift, landscape garden designer and presenter When Ashley Edwards made his debut TV appearance last autumn on BBC Gardeners’ World, fans on social media showered him with praise. In his day job, Ashley is head gardener at Horatio’s Garden London and South East, where he looks after the charity’s garden at the London Spinal Cord Injury Centre, and is also working on The Serge Hill Project for Gardening, Creativity and Health in Hertfordshire. “Ashley has a strong affinity with nature and is a great communicator,” Joe Swift says. “After seeing him on Gardeners’ World, a lot of people have been inspired to have a go at growing and gardening.” 2 THE AVIAN ACTIVIST Nominated by Lord Goldsmith, Conservative peer and former environment minister In November 2022, Hannah…

PREDICTIONS FROM THE PROS

LAZY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING

BE MORE bookish Lose yourself in a magazine, newspaper or good book, settling down in the nook of a room, on a window seat or at the kitchen table. A comfy cushion, hot water bottle and cup of tea to hand adds to a quiet sense of nesting, as the pages flip by with the afternoon hours. Join TOGETHER Welcome loved ones to Sunday brunch or lunch to catch up on the week gone by. Hosting doesn’t have to be formal: pretty table linens and relaxed, low-maintenance dishes such as warming casseroles leave plenty of time and space for chat and laughter. Dahlia Garden fabric, Boråstapeter (borastapeter.com). RELAX INTO crochet Play table games, listen to the rain beating on the window pane and rest your mug of tea on crocheted coasters. To make them, use…

LAZY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING

10 QUESTIONS WITH… JULIA BRADBURY

1 Newsnight has called you an “outdoor evangelist”. Have you always felt the pull of the natural world? I had a pretty idyllic upbringing. Weekends were spent in a gorgeous 400-year-old rectory in a village in Rutland. Weekdays were spent in Sheffield, where Dad had a job in the steel industry and Mum ran a boutique. Dad had grown up in the Peak District and, from the age of six, I would go hiking with him there. He often says he’d look up to find me scrambling up a mountain or trekking ahead, forging my own path. 2 So you were a bit of a wild child? Dad says I’ve always been fiercely independent. But I enjoyed being at home, too. I loved pottering around the garden with Mum when I wasn’t climbing…

10 QUESTIONS WITH… JULIA BRADBURY

RECIPES FROM The IRISH BAKERY

RHUBARB UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE WITH A SEVILLE ORANGE GLAZE Rhubarb is one of my favourite things to eat. It evokes pure nostalgia for me and reminds me of home. I’ve been making this cake for about five years – based on family fruit cakes we’d eat growing up in Northern Ireland. Today, I serve it on a Sunday afternoon with a pot of tea by the fire. Seville orange is the perfect counterfoil for the rhubarb’s sharpness. I make my marmalade in January so it’s ready just in time for forced-rhubarb season in February and March. Serves 8 600G RHUBARB200G SELF-RAISING FLOUR1 TSP BAKING POWDER200G UNSALTED BUTTER, SOFTENED200G CASTER SUGAR2 TSP VANILLA EXTRACTZEST OF 1 ORANGE2 EGGS55G NATURAL YOGURT55ML MILK30G FLAKED ALMONDS FOR THE GLAZE 225G SEVILLE ORANGE MARMALADE2 TBSP WARM WATER 1 Preheat the oven to…

RECIPES FROM The IRISH BAKERY

THE RHUBARB GROWERS

Based in County Dublin, Derek and Aoife Ryan have been growing rhubarb for more than 20 years. Inside their sheds, the plants really do squeak, crack and pop as they are forced – or “persuaded” as Derek describes it. The luminous pink stalks fetch a premium price, but it’s not just their early arrival that makes them desirable and more expensive. Their flavour, colour and tenderness are prized by chefs and home bakers alike. In the short season from January to March, Derek and Aoife – along with their three children – help with the harvesting. This process is done by candlelight (the plants would stop growing if they were exposed to too much light) and by hand – a time-consuming task, but one that reduces the risk of disease.…

THE RHUBARB GROWERS

SCALLOPED and wavy

STATEMENT PIECES TOP TIP Consider scale – oversized scallops are a blend of whimsy and theatre. On a smaller scale, they’ll have a prettier, dainty presence.…

SCALLOPED and wavy

BOBBINS and beading

STATEMENT PIECES TOP TIP Strips of beaded moulding used on cupboard fronts and doors elevate upcycling projects (available from Decora Mouldings).…

BOBBINS and beading

RUFFLES and frills

STATEMENT PIECES FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy TOP TIP Simplicity reigns supreme. Choose one hero ruffled piece or use multiples carefully, avoiding strong clashing colours and patterns. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JON DAY PHOTOGRAPHY; CHRIS EVERARD; BOZ GAGOVSKI; DAVID HUNT…

RUFFLES and frills

THE BEST OF BRITISH DESIGN COUNTRY LIVING AT HOMEBASE

Country Living kitchens are the perfect choice for those dreaming of a welcoming farmhouse design. The Whitstable blends practicality with style and warmth. Crafted in a classic Shaker style with subtle modern touches, it comes in 11 beautiful colours including serene Sea Green, dramatic Black and pastel-perfect Blush Pink. All colours offer a premium satin finish and can be mixed and matched to create a truly bespoke look. The cabinet interiors come in a choice of five finishes, ranging from Cool White to Country Oak, and have been cleverly designed to accommodate a wealth of useful storage solutions, such as extra-deep pan drawers, larder cupboards, pull-out racks and more… there’s even a cocktail cabinet, should you so desire! Supplied pre-assembled for ease of installation, all Country Living kitchens are hand-built in Yorkshire and…

THE BEST OF BRITISH DESIGN COUNTRY LIVING AT HOMEBASE

On COURSE FOR 2024

BECOME A WHIZZ AT… Woodwork Will St Clair, pictured with his partner Penny Tasker, and Yoav Elkayam head up Woodland Makers, a collective of craftspeople making plates, baskets and chairs out of local materials in an open-air workshop near Bromyard, Herefordshire. The woodworkers, who each have their own specialism and often use traditional tools, eat together and care for the space. Some of them live on site, too, with camping available for visitors. Funded places for people interested in woodwork who can’t afford a course or belong to a marginalised group may be available. Carve a spoon (£115), turn a bowl (£210) or build a timber frame (£500). woodlandmakers.com TURN YOUR HAND TO… Textile printing Sarah Burns spends her days walking on the South Downs, foraging for plants for her homemade dyes, before mixing…

On COURSE FOR 2024

RURAL CHIC FOR EVERY HOME COUNTRY LIVING AT DFS

The Country Living Collection at DFS has been specially designed for anyone who feels their heart is in the country, no matter where they live. If you’re looking for a timeless sofa that will fit seamlessly into any home, rural or urban, Loch Leven Meadow Plain, inspired by the glorious landscapes of the British Isles, is the one for you. Channelling classic Chesterfield styling, this sofa features rolled, buttoned arms that are sewn and upholstered using traditional methods, exquisite piping detail and deep, sumptuously padded seat cushions. Loch Leven Meadow Plain is available in seven delightful, muted shades and covered in eco-friendly, natural linen that not only looks stylish but is also incredibly hard-wearing. Like every sofa in the exclusive Country Living Collection, Loch Leven Meadow Plain is handmade to order in the…

RURAL CHIC FOR EVERY HOME COUNTRY LIVING AT DFS

ANN, QUEEN OF PASTIES

Saturday was pasty day when Ann Muller was growing up. “I remember the smell of raw onions filling the kitchen and the speed with which my mother would peel and flake the turnips and potatoes,” she says of her Cornish childhood. Years later, Ann – whose mother, Hettie Merrick, had written the bible on Cornwall’s “national” dish, The Pasty Book – would use this recipe as the basis of her business, Ann’s Pasties, becoming an authority in her own right. Hettie had inherited her recipe from her own mother, Ida. “All the pasties in my mother’s family were damn good and they all tasted different,” Ann says. “I could tell my mum’s pasties from my Great Aunt Hettie’s, my Auntie Sylvia’s, my Auntie Joyce’s and my granny’s.” Devotees of Ann’s Pasties…

ANN, QUEEN OF PASTIES

TROUT OF THIS WORLD

It is the depths of winter on the River Test in Hampshire. Frost coats the water meadows nearby. The outline of ancient woodlands accentuates the beauty of this tranquil habitat, home to water voles and kingfishers. In the still air, a heron watches and waits for the trout that swim in these clear, cold waters. The trout are in their element because the Test is a chalk stream, a rare and precious habitat. The river owes its existence to the layer of chalk that stretches from Wiltshire and Hampshire through the Chilterns to East Anglia and East Yorkshire. Chalk is extremely porous, making it an excellent filter for rain falling on the hills, which then emerges through aquifers as the pure and mineral-rich waters that are a valuable haven for wildlife.…

TROUT OF THIS WORLD

MOVING TO… Berwickshire

It has to have been one of the sillier house viewings. It was mid-February 2021 and we were deep in lockdown. But one of the few things you could do was visit properties on the market. For a number of reasons, we’d decided to leave the Chilterns. The Friday night ritual of a glass of wine and RightMove led to a “shortlist” of 120 country houses. Because I didn’t need to be in London for work, we could look anywhere. We started off sensibly – Kent, West Sussex, Wiltshire. Then we started to go a bit crazy: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Derbyshire. Finally, I went completely mad and inputted “Scottish Borders” into the search bar. I’ve no idea why: I’d never visited the place, only passed through on the way to Edinburgh. True, my…

MOVING TO… Berwickshire

WHAT YOU COULD BUY

THE END-OF-TERRACE Close to the beach in Eyemouth, this two-bed home has modern interiors and a large basement. gilsongray.co.uk THE ARTS AND CRAFTS HOUSE This four-bed detached property in Coldingham is full of attractive period features. melroseporteous.co.uk THE TOWNHOUSE Boasting six bedrooms, this grand Melrose home has spacious gardens with roof terrace and outbuildings. knightfrank.co.uk THE COURTYARD PROPERTY In four acres, this six-bed, 18th-century stable block near Duns also offers a holiday-letting business. galbraithgroup.com…

WHAT YOU COULD BUY

Live like a local…

1 THE BEACH Go to Coldingham Bay (visitscotland.com) off season. Natives (who call it “Cowjum”) leave the beach to the surfers and daytrippers in summer and reclaim it from September. There are countless groups of wild swimmers along the coast. The coastal geology is best seen from a rib-ride boat in Eyemouth (eyemouthribtrips.co.uk). 2 THE HISTORICAL HOTSPOT The ruins of Coldingham Priory (visitberwickshirecoast.co.uk) date back to the 12th century. But there was a much earlier monastery, which St Cuthbert visited in 661. After he had bathed, seals emerged from the water to dry him with their breath. Or so the story goes… 3 THE FOODIE PITSTOPS St Abbs is the place for cafés – both Ebbcarrs (facebook.com/Ebbcarrs-Cafe) and The Old School House (facebook.com/EbbaCentre) do a mean cullen skink. For pubs, head to The Cross in…

Live like a local…

Remote? Hardly. From Coldingham, Edinburgh is a short drive or train ride (from nearby Reston station). Berwick, with fast connections to Newcastle, York and London, is a ten-minute drive. But there’s plenty to explore on your doorstep. Up the coast, the village of Cockburnspath is the meeting point for three epic trails – the Southern Upland Way, the John Muir Way and the Berwickshire Coastal Path. Dunbar is a handsome coastal town. North Berwick was once called “Scotland’s Riviera”. Inland, quiet country roads take you to a succession of handsome, prosperous market towns: Duns, Kelso, Melrose, Jedburgh, Hawick. Over the Tweed river, there are castles, bridges, sturdy towns such as Coldstream and Wooler, and, beyond, the craggy vastness of Northumbria. Back down the coast, the beaches are wilder and windier…

For when your heart is in the country

SUBSCRIBE NOW ON APPLE NEWS GREAT REASONS TO GET DIGITAL! Now you can enjoy your favourite magazine wherever and whenever you want. With our digital editions, you can stay up to date even when you are on the move! Go digital today and benefit from: ● Searchable content across all your downloaded issues● Choice of viewing mode to make reading as easy as possible● Instant access to the latest issue even when you’re away from home● Interactive content with live links to websites, emails and phone numbers Now on EVEN MORE devices!…

For when your heart is in the country

DOING JUSTICE TO THE COURTHOUSE

It is customary to view a house before you buy it, but when The Old Court House in Whittingham, Northumberland, came back onto the market unexpectedly in 2021, Steven Rowe and his partner Paul O’Donovan had to put in their bid on the strength of a video tour sent to them by Steven’s sister Lesley, who lives nearby. “We were living too far away in Bedfordshire, but we knew we’d have to act quickly if we wanted it,” Steven explains. It is easy to see why they did, because this unusual property – which once served as the courthouse for the surrounding area – had a wealth of period details plus some decidedly quirky features to capture their imagination. The handsome Grade II-listed Victorian building, with its stone gables and pretty…

DOING JUSTICE TO THE COURTHOUSE

RENOVATION INSPIRATION

1 TACKLE THE HIDDEN NECESSITIES FIRST Electrics, roof and plumbing are boring but essential basics to fix before decorating. 2 GIVE YOURSELF TIME Live in the rooms first, however shabby, and get used to the light to see how they might feel. 3 PAIR OLD WITH NEW It can save money and always injects life and individuality into your rooms. 4 RESOLVE TO REMAIN UPBEAT IN THE FACE OF DISASTER This can include collapsed ceilings and burst pipes; setbacks are inevitable but needn’t floor you. 5 BE BRAVE WITH COLOUR Bold colour schemes stamp personality into your home.…

RINGING IN THE SPRING

“When you’ve been cooped up over winter, it’s very heartening to see such fresh colour” Peep over the garden gate at Clover Cottage in West Wickham, Cambridgeshire, in February and you will be stopped in your tracks. Thousands of hellebores and snowdrops glisten in the low sunlight like jewels, hugging the invitingly winding path to the front door of this 17th-century thatched cottage. The dazzling early spring display is the work of Shirley Shadford and her husband Paul, who have lived here for 20 years. “I always wanted a cottage garden and when our daughters left home and we moved here, I had the chance to create one,” Shirley says. Spring is the highlight and the couple are pleased to welcome visitors on three February and early March open days to share…

RINGING IN THE SPRING

Cottage GARDENING TIPS

CUT ALL LEAVES OFF HELLEBORES in November. It helps to show off the new flowers and avoids leaves smothering any emerging snowdrops. DON’T MAKE YOUR BORDERS ANY WIDER than you can reach into from either side. That way, you don’t have to stand on the soil. ALWAYS DO LITTLE AND OFTEN in the garden and know when to stop. If your back starts to ache from bending, straighten up and switch to a standing task such as rose pruning for a while. INVEST IN A LONG-HANDLED PRUNING TOOL (such as a Darlac Snapper) that allows you to deadhead or prune at a distance without any straining. REPLANT POTS SEASONALLY and move them around for a change of scene in the garden. Using a folding sack barrow helps ease the load. CONSIDER AN AUTOMATIC TRICKL-EHOSE irrigation…

“WE FELT HISTORY EMANATING FROM THE VERY WALLS”

“It positively resonated with character and had that integrity and dignity of old houses” THE DETAILS WHAT’S THE STYLE? A brick-and-tile house (once thatched) from the early 18th century WHERE IS IT? In a village in the South Downs, near Petersfield, Hampshire WHO LIVES HERE? Holly and Matt Clements and their children, Oliver, Daisy and Harry ADAPTED FROM Living in Country Style by Brent Darby and Wink Colville (Lanoo, £45).…

“WE FELT HISTORY EMANATING FROM THE VERY WALLS”

5 DECORATING IDEAS FROM HOLLY’S HOUSE

1 NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF PAINT When it comes to a quick and easy way to transform a space, paint is definitely your best friend. It can make a big impact quickly and at a relatively reasonable cost. 2 FOR PERIOD PROPERTIES, INVEST IN AUTHENTIC FINISHES AND MATERIALS such as lime plaster or clay paints. Not only will they work with the structure of an older building and allow it to breathe but they have more depth and character. 3 USE DIFFERENT SHADES OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR SCALES OF COLOUR for picking out architectural details – this gives harmonious contrast subtly. Use a deeper tone in alcoves to give them depth or on woodwork against paler walls. Little Greene has a specific range for this purpose. 4 INVEST IN THOSE FINISHING…

ADD TO BASKET LITTLE GREENE’S PATISSERIE PAINT With shades including Muscovado, Ganache and Affogato, Little Greene’s latest paint collection, Sweet Treats, looks as delicious as it sounds. The nine warm neutrals were inspired by favourite desserts and prove that brown is anything but drab (littlegreene.com). If you’re planning a kitchen upgrade, look no further than kitchen expert Devol’s first-ever book for all the inspiration you could need, along with insight into the craftsmanship and history of this iconic British brand (Ebury Press, £40). VISIT NOW FASHION AND TEXTILE MUSEUM There’s more to home furnishings than meets the eye… The Fabric of Democracy: Propaganda Textiles from the French Revolution to Brexit, curated by design historian Amber Butchart, explores how household fabrics have been used as a political tool throughout history (fashiontextilemuseum.org; until 3 March 2024). Go Eco CUSHIONS Looking for…

LAYERS OF MEANING

There are a few things that supercharge Lisa Mehydene’s sense of happiness: family, travel, vintage sourcing and home. As an advertising director working for top agencies in London, Dubai and Singapore, Lisa made a name for herself bringing brands to life. But on returning to the UK in 2015 with her husband, Hil, and their twins, Milla and George, she was keen to begin a new journey. Nurturing her passions, she launched edit58, an online homeware brand that creates and sources artisan and vintage finds. She also fell in love with a farm building in Gloucestershire ripe for a makeover. “We were smitten with the 18th-century stone structure, its higgledy-piggledy flow and unexpected lofty heights,” says Lisa, who, like Hil, is over six foot tall. “Everything needed updating, providing the chance…

LAYERS OF MEANING

GROWING GARLIC & CHILLIES WITH MONTY DON

GARLIC Given plenty of sun and reasonably good soil, garlic is reliably easy to grow. It is delicious “green” – the first month after harvest – but can also be stored and enjoyed over many months. Shop-bought garlic is almost always the softneck variety because it stores better; the hardneck – so-called because it has a rigid stalk – crops earlier, does better in very cold conditions and has a stronger flavour. Then there’s elephant garlic, with cloves the size of an orange segment and a distinctly delicate flavour. Buy your chosen variety from a garden centre or seed supplier. METHOD 1 Choose a sunny patch of ground. Prepare the ground so that it is loose enough to sink your hand into. Add good garden compost and rake to a fine tilth ready…

GROWING GARLIC & CHILLIES WITH MONTY DON

ADD TO BASKET WELLY TIDY Are muddy boots cluttering up your doormat and getting under everyone’s feet? Store them on a rack from Chester & Cooke. Boots dry more easily hanging upside down and there’s less chance of creepy-crawlies taking up residence. Choose from two to five pairs, with or without a shelf and personalised engraving (from £55, chesterandcooke.co.uk). Now that dandelions and herb robert are welcome in relaxed planting schemes, Ken Thompson takes a closer look at some of the species we used to uproot from our borders without a second thought, and reveals why they’re so good at spreading (Profile Books, £14.99). VISIT NOW KEW ORCHID FESTIVAL Step into the warmth of the Princess of Wales conservatory and be transported to Madagascar for a floral extravaganza. Encounter lemurs, tortoises and a gigantic baobab tree,…

SAVOUR THE SLOW WEEKEND

GRANNIE’S LAMB SHOULDER One of my earliest memories of my grannie’s cooking was snaffling some of her famous roast lamb out of a tinfoil package in the back seat of my mum’s car. I’d been hanging around the kitchen on one of our regular Sunday visits and soaking up the tantalising smells of lamb shoulder slow-cooking in the oven. As we were leaving, Grannie pressed the warm tinfoil package into my hand. Even now, when I carve a roast leg of lamb and dip the crusty best bits in flaky salt, it’s a taste that instantly reminds me of her. Salty, rosemary-laden slices of lamb and the smell of home. Serves 6 2KG WHOLE SHOULDER OF LAMB2 SPRIGS OF ROSEMARY, NEEDLES STRIPPED2 GARLIC CLOVES, THINLY SLICEDSEA SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER FOR THE…

SAVOUR THE SLOW WEEKEND

A ADDISON ROSS addisonross.com ALFRED NEWALL alfrednewall.com ALICE PALMER & CO alicepalmer.co ANNIE SLOAN anniesloan.com B BEAUVAMP beauvamp.com BIRDIE FORTESCUE birdiefortescue.co.uk BORÅSTAPETER borastapeter.com BY EMMA DIAZ byemmadiaz.com BY LYDIA bylydia.co C CAROLINA IRVING & DAUGHTERS ci-daughters.com CHELSEA TEXTILES chelseatextiles.com COUNTRY LIVING MARKETPLACE countrylivingshop.co.uk D DÄR LIGHTING darlighting.co.uk DAVID HUNT LIGHTING davidhuntlighting.co.uk DECORA MOULDINGS decoramouldings.co.uk DOOK dookofedinburgh.com E ERCOL ercol.com F FARROW & BALL farrow-ball.com FREIGHT freightstore.co.uk H HOLLY & CO holly.co K KARIN HOSSACK kchossackpottery.com KATHERINE FRASER katherinefraser.co.uk KIT KEMP firmdalehotels.com/shop-kit-kemp L LATE AFTERNOON lateafternoon.co.uk LAYERTREE layertree.co.uk LITTLE GREENE littlegreene.com LOUISE BOOYENS INTERIORS louisebooyens.com M MATILDA GOAD matildagoad.com MRS ALICE mrsalice.com N NEPTUNE neptune.com O ORIGINAL BTC originalbtc.com P PINK LEMONS pinklemons.boutique POOKY pooky.com PRINT SISTERS printsistersarchive.com Q QUINN SAYS quinnsays.store R REBECCA UDALL rebeccaudall.com ROSE & GREY roseandgrey.co.uk ROWEN & WREN rowenandwren.co.uk S STUDIO CRITICAL studiocritical.com STUDIO MANOLO studiomanolo.com SUSIE HAMILTON susiehamilton.com T TESS NEWALL…

ADD TO BASKET ENGLISH SRIRACHA Spice up breakfast eggs or Valentine’s Day oysters with a splash of sustainable restaurant Fallow’s signature live hot sauce. Made in small batches using fermented West Country-grown chillies, it’s also marvellous in mayo. From £7 for 225g (fallowrestaurant). Leftovers move into the limelight in Sue Quinn’s timely new book. It’s packed with ingenious, adaptable recipes for giving ingredients a delicious second life, saving time, money and energy into the bargain (Quadrille, £18.99). GRAZE IN ADMIRATION AT TILLO’S DELI Sunday Charcuterie founders Tara Smyth and James Santillo know there’s no better way to enjoy their high-welfare salamis and air-dried hams than on a sharing plate. Their new deli and café in Oulton Broad, Suffolk, invites you to pair small-batch charcuterie, pâtés and terrines with breads, cheeses, condiments and nibbles (tillosdeli.co.uk). Eat SEVILLE ORANGES The aromatic…

24 WAYS TO BRING THE COUNTRYSIDE TO YOU

1 MAKE ROOM FOR BLOOMS There’s an increasing body of evidence that fresh flowers can have a measurable effect on wellbeing, mood and even memory. Pots of bulbs – including hyacinths and irises – are an easy way to bring February’s early blooms into your home, while freshly cut seasonal narcissi will fill your rooms with intense floral perfume. Why not order a box of ‘Grand Soleil d’or’, ‘Paper White’ or ‘Golden Dawn’ stems grown sustainably on the Isles of Scilly (scillyflowers.co.uk)? 2 GET YOUR DAYLIGHT FIX In winter, natural light can be in drastically short supply, especially when we’re spending more time indoors than out. Bright light therapy mimics the glorious intensity of sunlight and has been shown to influence melatonin and serotonin levels, helping to alleviate those seasonal winter blues. Try…

24 WAYS TO BRING THE COUNTRYSIDE TO YOU

Escape on a NO-FLY HOLIDAY

To appreciate Europe’s spectacular scenery, nothing beats a no-fly holiday. And new figures from the Rail Delivery Group show that rail travel emits ten times less carbon than car travel and 13 times less than by plane, presenting an opportunity for us all to lower our carbon footprint. Settle back in your seat and relish the gloriously slower pace of travel as you enjoy the comforts of a train journey, glimpsing charming villages and farms, marvelling at snowy peaks and following glistening rivers as you approach your destination. You might choose a holiday in the majestic Swiss Alps, visiting beautiful local towns and stunning lakes, or kick back beside tranquil Lakes Orta and Maggiore, with an excursion to the impressive Matterhorn or take in the highlights of the Loire Valley…

Escape on a NO-FLY HOLIDAY

Visit MADEIRA’S famous FLOWER FESTIVAL and its beautiful GARDENS

Thanks to its fertile volcanic soil, Madeira is a plant-lover’s paradise, with a range of species – from purple-blossomed jacaranda trees, orchids and bird of paradise plants to its UNESCO-listed native laurel forest. It has been named the World’s Leading Island Destination at the World Travel Awards since 2015. You’ll visit the island in time for its famous Flower Festival, where the streets of Funchal are filled with colourful floral floats and parades. Funchal, where you’ll be staying, is packed with highlights, such as a 15th-century cathedral. Foodies can discover the farmers’ market or sample the local Madeira wine and there will be an excursion to the manicured Botanical Garden in the hills overlooking Funchal. As well as the festival, you’ll explore two of Madeira’s other fine gardens – the oriental Quinta…

Visit MADEIRA’S famous FLOWER FESTIVAL and its beautiful GARDENS

Explore MONET’S FRANCE through paintings and gardens

On a visit to Claude Monet’s gardens at Giverny, his paintings will seem to spring to life in front of your eyes. These enchanting gardens inspired the founder of Impressionism and continue to enchant visitors from all over the world decades later. You’ll take a guided tour of Giverny in the company of gardening expert Paula McWaters, who’ll give an illuminating talk and Q&A on the gardens prior to your visit. Lovingly restored, the gardens are bursting with poppies, lupins, delphiniums and peonies. Arched bridges painted apple green are adorned with wisteria and towering weeping willows frame the iconic waterlily ponds. The perfect complement to Giverny is the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris, where you’ll see Monet’s breathtaking series of murals, Les Nymphéas, which cover almost 200m and depict various scenes from…

Explore MONET’S FRANCE through paintings and gardens

Learn the secrets of the ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN with SARAH RAVEN

Few things in life can compare to the joy of strolling through an English country garden in late spring when the extra light and warmth encourages the garden to put on an exuberant burst of growth. This exclusive four-day trip has been repeated due to popular demand and features private visits to world-class gardens in Kent and Sussex, plus a special event hosted by the inspirational Sarah Raven. MEET YOUR SPECIAL GUEST For two decades, since the publication of her first book, The Cutting Garden, Sarah has led the way in introducing a new kind of productive gardening. She’s a teacher, broadcaster and host of gardening podcast Grow, Cook, Eat, Arrange and also runs sarahraven.com. THE HIGHLIGHTS EXCLUSIVE EVENT WITH SARAH At Perch Hill, you’ll have lunch using fresh produce from the garden. Sarah will give…

Learn the secrets of the ENGLISH COUNTRY GARDEN with SARAH RAVEN

SCOTLAND’S scenic wonders

For spectacular views and majestic landscapes, look no further than the fascinating Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Whether you’re eager to scale rugged peaks, admire stunning coastlines, feel transported back in time among historic monuments or glimpse captivating wildlife, there’s a tour of these dramatic lands that’s perfect for you. VISIT REMOTE ISLANDS Known and loved for their varied wildlife, wonderful landscapes and distinctive whiskies, the Outer Hebrides are a delight to explore. Take a scenic stroll along the white sand of Luskentyre Beach on the Isle of Harris, visit Mallaig, a thriving port town renowned for its fish, and explore Barra to sample Hebridean toffee. In Stornoway, you’ll learn more about the varied wildlife of these isles at a talk from flora and fauna expert Dr Charlie Main. BOOK IT Join a…

SCOTLAND’S scenic wonders

Marvel at the icy wilderness of ANTARCTICA

With its vast, unspoilt scenery, extreme climate conditions, roaming icebergs and magnificent marine life, Antarctica is a destination like no other. This voyage to the virtually uninhabited seventh continent promises to be an unforgettable experience. On board one of Hurtigruten’s expedition ships, either MS Fridtjof Nansen or MS Roald Amundsen, you will see why those who visit Antarctica carry the memories with them for a lifetime. You will be joined by an expedition team of passionate specialists and modern-day explorers who will tailor your excursions in Antarctica, where unpredictable weather and icy conditions mean that each expedition is different. You can look forward to landings and ice cruises, kayaking among the icebergs and spotting breaching whales and huddles of penguins. You will have one day to spend in Buenos Aires before your…

Marvel at the icy wilderness of ANTARCTICA

TASTE your way around BEAUTIFUL PUGLIA

Italy has a strong culinary reputation and Puglia, in the south-east, is a foodie gem. This six-day tour of some of the region’s best spots to eat and drink takes you to bakeries, olive farms and masserie, traditional farmhouses surrounded by vineyards. You’ll eat at local restaurants, take cooking classes and join an olive oil tasting. You’ll also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sassi di Matera, with its rock churches, and Alberobello, to see the trulli – houses made of limestone boulders with pyramid roofs. There’s a stop in Locorotondo as well, to enjoy the Itria Valley’s pretty whitewashed towns. THE HIGHLIGHTS SEE TRADITIONAL TRULLI HOUSES These distinctive cylindrical houses topped with coned roofs are scattered all over Puglia’s rolling countryside and are unique to this area. You’ll get the opportunity to…

TASTE your way around BEAUTIFUL PUGLIA

WINTER SALE 6 MONTHS FOR £6

£1 PER MONTH “I am simply addicted to House Beautiful! The magazine has inspired brilliant transformations in my house and garden. I look forward to my copy every month and get lost in the many ideas featured.”Ms Khumalo House Beautiful subscriber EASY WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE Visit hearstmagazines.co.uk/hb-mag Call 01858 438440‡ and quote 1HB12548 Scan the QR code on the right TERMS & CONDITIONS Offer valid for new subscriptions only, to UK delivery addresses. After the first six months, your subscription will renew at £27.99 every six months. Subscription offer closes on 31 January 2024. For subscription enquiries, please call 01858 438440 and quote 1HB12548 or visit hearstmagazines.co.uk. All orders will be acknowledged and you will be advised of the start issue within 14 days. Subscriptions may be cancelled by providing 28 days’ notice. Free gifts while…

WINTER SALE 6 MONTHS FOR £6

A LIFEBOAT VOLUNTEER

I joined the RNLI five years ago. I’d seen a photo on social media for International Women’s Day showing the female RNLI crew at St Davids, Pembrokeshire, where I live. That inspired me to go down to the lifeboat station to ask how I could get involved. I’m one of six women in our crew. We have 31 operational crew, including farmers, carpenters, sailors and a retired GP. In my day job, I’m a firefighter. In winter, we’re often called out to help boats facing danger in stormy seas. We take the all-weather lifeboat (ALB) – our largest boat, with seven crew – to assist vessels with broken masts or engine failure, towing them to safety if necessary. When the waves are huge, I feel queasy but never scared. Our coxswain and many…

A LIFEBOAT VOLUNTEER

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