Blog
Taking Time to Live Well
DJ: Frances Ambler
Illustration: Anneliese Klos
Our October playlist is inspired by autumn twilight hours. Have a listen on Spotify here.
We make a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things. You can read a piece exploring the magic of twilight in our October RELISH issue, on sale from 28 September 2026.
Schplendid is championing beautiful sofas, made the old fashioned way with materials that
will last a lifetime
There was a time when a really good sofa was made from things you recognised: timber, wool, natural fibres, feathers and springs. Schplendid thinks there was quite a lot to be said for that. Founded out of a frustration with throwaway furniture and eye-watering prices, Schplendid set out to do things differently. To simply spend as much as possible on the sofa itself, and as little as possible on everything else.
So Schplendid sofas are built on solid beech hardwood frames, with eight-way hand-tied coil springs – an old upholstery craft now rarely used. Inside you’ll find materials such as wool and coconut fibre, while wonderfully squidgy cushions are filled with 80% ethically-sourced Italian goose down. The fabrics are pure cotton velvets and beautiful Italian linens, without polyester or stain-repellent chemical sprays.
Schplendid has even found a more natural answer to fire safety. Every sofa sold in Britain has to meet strict regulations, commonly achieved using chemicals. Schplendid instead uses a naturally flame-resistant 100% wool barrier cloth, allowing its sofas to meet the standards without flame-retardant treatments.
Wool, timber, linen, cotton, coconut fibre and down: it turns out nature already makes rather good sofa ingredients. The result is a sofa designed to be lived on, snuggled into and kept for a very long time. Schplendid guarantees its frames for life, offers free delivery and a 50-day trial.
If a Schplendid sofa sounds appealing, then you’re in luck as The Simple Things has teamed up with Schplendid to give one lucky reader the chance to win a voucher worth £2,500, towards a sofa
in your choice of 21 fabrics. Simply enter our competition and you could soon be sitting pretty with a new Schplendid sofa.
For more information, visit schplendid.com or follow on Instagram: @schplendidsofas
For your chance to win a £2,500 Schplendid voucher, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 6 November 2026.
Q: Schplendid’s hardwood frames are made from which wood?
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 6 November 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
Famed for its fun Scandi flair, Gudrun Sjödén’s latest lines offer sustainable staples that will be loved for generations
This season, embark on a journey of textile stories from Greenland to southern Sweden with a Gudrun Sjödén capsule wardrobe inspired by the palette of Scotland. Centred around undyed natural fibres, the collection features cotton that’s traditionally unbleached, wool with a unique flecked finish as unique as the sheep it came from, and linen in deeper, bold shades. All incredibly beautiful and timeless.
As the weather turns cooler and the days turn shorter, it’s the ideal time to layer up with transitional pieces in warming wool and cotton, creating an effortless, cosy look. Discover stunning jacquard-knit cardigans in both cropped and longline styles, while the seasonal staple, the anorak, stands out. A palette of soft ecru, warm reds, Klein blue, aubergine and brass yellow bring cheer to the darker days.
Gudrun Sjödén’s love for handicraft also shines in her latest clothes and homeware collections with creative details inspired by Greenland and the folklore-steeped textile traditions of Skåne in southern Sweden.
Committed to sustainable production, each Gudrun Sjödén piece is crafted with care and designed to be used year in, year out, helping you to curate a sustainable wardrobe with heirloom pieces that can be passed on for generations to come.
For your chance to win one of two £200 Gudrun Sjödén vouchers*, enter our competition and you could soon be picking something beautiful and unique for yourself or your home this season.
For more information and inspiration, visit: gudrunsjoden.com or visit the London store at: 65-67 Monmouth St, WC2H 9DG. Or follow on Instagram at: @gudrunsjoden_ldn
For your chance to win one of two £200 Gudrun Sjödén vouchers*, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 6 November 2026
*- Please note, the prize vouchers are only redeemable in the London store and cannot be used online
Q: The new capsule collection is inspired by the palette of which country?
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 6 November 2026. Two winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winners cannot transfer their prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
Illustration by Christina Carpenter
Host a whimsical storytelling evening with this simple and creative project
Hedges act as a natural acoustic buffer, creating an intimate outdoor stage. The secret is rear-projection: puppeteers perform behind a taut white bedsheet, casting silhouettes.
You will need: A white bedsheet, bright torch, black card, tape, skewers, blankets and lanterns
Set the stage: Suspend your sheet tightly across a hedge gap, archway or fence posts. Arrange blankets for the audience and add ambience with a few lanterns. Position the light: Place a torch 2–3m behind the sheet at chest height, pointing towards the centre. Craft the cast: Cut puppet shapes from card and tape a skewer to the back. Master the magic: Stand aside to avoid blocking the beam and hold puppets close to the fabric for crisp silhouettes; pull them back to make shadows grow.
Find more seasonal things to note and notice, plan and do on our Almanac pages every month.
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Photography by Jonathan Cherry
Whether you’re attending a Regency Ball or just cantering around your kitchen to the theme from Pride and Prejudice, there’s much to learn. Here’s how to get started…
Your partner is the person opposite you, your neighbour is the person next to you, the corners are the people either side of your partner, and the caller is the person up on stage telling you who to dance with and how. Still with us? Good.
In terms of the room, the ‘top’ is the end near the band and the ‘bottom’ is the other end. The men’s side and ladies’ side are hopefully self-explanatory. You dance in ‘sets’, most commonly either a ‘longways set’ where there are two lines of couples and you dance as a group of four and change sets each dance, or a ‘three-couple’ set where you dance as a group of six and remain in that set for the whole thing.
There are endless dances and dance steps to learn. At most balls these days, the caller will talk you through everything so there’s no need to panic. However, if you want a head start, these are a few steps you could learn.
Honours
Before a dance starts, and at the end, ladies curtsey to gentlemen and gentlemen bow.
Set
A small, bouncing step almost on the spot to the right and then the left.
Hey
The top dancer looks down the set to dancers two and three who look up and they weave among themselves, creating a figure of eight on the dancefloor.
Petronella
An anti-clockwise turn during which the dancer moves from their line to the adjacent side of the set to their left.
Poussette
Partners hold both of each other’s hands and move up and down the set moving in an anti-clockwise direction.
Go down/Go up
Move away from or towards the top of the set.
Star
In a group of four, put your right hand in the middle and hold the hand of the person opposite you, then you all skip clockwise in a circle.
Think you’re ready to attend your first Regency ball? Turn to our Modern Eccentrics pages in our September issue to meet some Regency Revivalists.
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Win a £500 voucher for a magical getaway on the Isle of Man courtesy of Island Escapes
Are you seeking a unique getaway in a beautiful location? At Island Escapes, you’ll find a captivating collection of dreamy places to stay on the Isle of Man. Simply enter our competition for your chance to win a £500 voucher to spend on your stay of choice…
Discover Britain’s best-kept secret with an island retreat. Promising blissful settings in which to unwind and soak up the breathtaking surrounds, you’ll find everything from idyllic country cottages with bubbling hot tubs and contemporary sea-view apartments, to spacious Victorian houses for storybook stays with the whole family and pooch.
Choose your dream spot from our collection and anticipate unforgettable island moments. The world’s first whole nation UNESCO Biosphere and boasting a mesmerising coastline clad with glassy bays, salt-kissed trails, abundant wildlife, and captivating attractions, days are best spent soaking up the magic of the Isle before settling into your cosy abode. Peppered across the island, each seaside town beckons with unique Manx heritage and landmarks, from Peel’s towering castle to Laxey’s historic waterwheel, delicious eateries, welcoming pubs, and beautiful sites - there is so much to see and do during your visit.
Head to the capital of Douglas for an array of delectable restaurants and boutique shops, before hopping aboard the fascinating steam train to see the sights from a new perspective. The electric railway is also an enchanting way to travel, weaving through rolling countryside and seascapes, as well as climbing the island’s highest peak, Snaefell Mountain. You’ll also find 18 designated National glens across the island, all open to the public and nestled in spellbinding settings.
Perfect for getaways in all seasons, from the delicate blooms of spring and balmy days of summer, to autumn’s golden palette and frost-kissed scenes of winter, the Isle of Man beckons with adventure, serenity, and unique culture for an unforgettable stay. Explore our collection of cottages and start dreaming of a magical island escape…
Just click the button below and answer the following question to be in with a chance of wining:
Q: What is the capital city of the Isle of Man?
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 1st November 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. You must be based in the UK to enter this competition. Vouchers will be valid for 12 months. The vouchers can be used for any stay across the island. Prizes cannot be transferred or exchanged for monetary value or cash alternative. The prize cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Transport is not included. This prize must be booked by someone aged 18+. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
Photography by Rebecca Lewis
Individual cocktail bottles to quench your thirst during a painting picnic!
Makes 6
750ml bottle apple cider
75cl bottle prosecco
1 small lemon, juiced
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 apple, sliced
6 cinnamon sticks
You will need: 6 glass bottles with lids
1 Fill a large jug with one third cider and two thirds prosecco along with the juice of half a lemon and the vanilla extract.
2 Divide between the bottles, adding a cinnamon stick and a slice of apple for extra flavour and garnish.
Bartender’s note: If this cocktail is too strong, try swapping the prosecco for lemonade or the cider for apple juice – or switch both for a refreshing non-alcoholic version, with one third apple juice and two thirds lemonade.
This recipe is from our feature ‘Drawn to Nature’ from our September issue, which is a menu for a gathering with friends to picnic and paint en plein air. Photography is by Rebecca Lewis and recipes and styling by Kay Prestney.
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Illustration by Stocksy
Many of us don’t love change but it’s one of the only certainties in life, like death and taxes. Here’s how to thrive when change descends
When we survive uncertain times, we realise that we’re more resilient than we thought. Therapist Lottie Storey, author of Find Your Path To Acceptance (Leaping Hare Press) says “change and uncertainty may not be comfortable, but they are the reality of being human.” We all hold a vision for ourselves and when the future you’d envisaged is threatened and it feels like you’re losing your identity, Lottie says it’s helpful to reflect on how your roles throughout life so far (eg, child, student, friend, partner) and how your feelings have changed over time but the person who has experienced them (you) has remained.
In terms of seismic change, Lottie advises using the following as a guide to allow yourself the time to process big changes in life.
For the first three days, try to do nothing. Remove all the pressures you can while your mind makes sense of what has happened.
For the following three weeks, do only what’s necessary. Take it slow and steady while you gradually learn to readjust.
For the following three months, pace yourself. If you’ve taken time off work, plan a slow return. Try easing yourself back into social plans.
This is how long it takes to settle into a new understanding of your reality so don’t hurry. Take the opportunity to review how your life felt before and mindfully consider how you’d like it to be from here onwards. You can also use the Rule of Three for less impactful experiences with a shorter timescale – three minutes, three hours, and three days.
You can red more about coping with change in our September issue feature, Coping With Big Change by Rebecca Frank.
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Illustration by Christina Carpenter
Not all orchards look like a clutch of apple trees. Here’s how to find the secret ones…
All over our villages, towns, and cities, heritage fruits hide in plain sight, revealing clues to human history. Victorians planted damsons near textile towns because their skins yielded a brilliant purple dye. Once chemical dyes took over, these trees were abandoned to the wild hedgerows. Meanwhile, 19th-century navvies tossed fruit pips along canal banks, leaving towpaths lined with wild crab apples and feral pear trees. Rather than filling your tubs with blackberries, spend an afternoon tracking down these lost orchards. Seek out ancient town edges, towpaths, and old estate walls for heirloom fruits hanging heavy over footpaths. Find your local bounty with the urban foraging map Falling Fruit (fallingfruit.org). This global database combines municipal street tree inventories with insights from local foragers. Each pin notes whether a tree is on public land, overhanging a footpath, or requires permission – encouraging conversations, and ensuring ethical foraging.
This blog by Jo Tinsley was taken from our Almanac pages which feature seasonal things to note and notice, plan and do each month.
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Photography and recipe by Anna Rubingh
Traditionally made with cherries, instead this French classic is filled with juicy blackberries and is tasty with a coffee or as a dessert.
Serves 8
400g blackberries, washed
75g flour
100g sugar
3 eggs, beaten
250ml milk
Icing sugar (to serve)
1 Preheat the oven to 200C/ Fan 180C/Gas 6. Grease a baking dish about 25cm diameter (or ovenproof cast-iron frying pan) with butter.
2 Mix the flour and sugar, then make a well in the centre and add the eggs.
3 Gradually incorporate the flour into the eggs from the sides. Slowly add the milk, a little at a time, until you have a smooth, lump-free batter.
4 Pour one-third of the batter into the baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 5-7 mins. Remove from the oven, add the blackberries on top of the partially-baked batter, and pour over the remaining batter.
5 Return to the oven and bake for a further 35-40 mins, or until the clafoutis is golden brown and puffed up. Serve warm, lukewarm, or cold, dusted with a little icing sugar.
They may be little, but blackberries pack a punch when it comes to nutrition, offering an abundance of fibre, vitamin C, manganese and potassium. They are also great at aiding digestion and helping your gut health, their antioxidants may improve memory and cognitive function, they can help lower cholesterol and stabilise blood sugars as well as boosting immunity and bone health.
Meanwhile, elderberries, long known for their use relieving cold and flu symptoms, are also rich in antioxidants, are an excellent source of vitamin C and can help reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They must be cooked before eating as raw elderberries contain toxic compounds that can cause stomach upsets.
This clafoutis is just one of the recipes from our September issue feature ‘Berry Nice’ which also includes recipes for Roasted Beetroot, Apple & Blackberry Salad, Chicken with Blackberries & Elderberries, Blackberry Brownies with Elderberry Yogurt and a couple of jams for good measure. The recipes are by Anna Rubingh.
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Illustration by Christina Carpenter
Long before brightly coloured sports drinks, farm workers relied on ‘haymaker’s punch’ – or ‘switchels’ – to survive the physical toll of the August harvest. By infusing the traditional base with summer gluts of wild berries and herbs, you can create a seasonal electrolyte drink.
Blackberries, garden mint or lemon balm, fresh ginger, local honey, raw apple cider vinegar, water
Macerate the fruit: Place berries and mint leaves in a glass jar. Use the back of a wooden spoon to bruise the mint and crush the berries to release their juice. Blend the base: Add grated ginger, honey, and cider vinegar. Stir vigorously.
Infuse: Top up with cold water, seal the jar, and give it a good shake. Pop into the fridge for 2-4 hrs, or overnight.
Strain and serve: Strain the mixture through a fine sieve, then serve chilled over generous tumblers of ice.
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DJ: Frances Ambler, Illustration: Elizabeth Chung
We make a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things magazine, and this playlist is made to soundtrack our September GOLDEN issue.
You can take a listen here and have a browse of all our playlists here.
Our GOLDEN issue is on sale from 28 August – you can order a copy via picsandink.com
Celebrate Organic September with Suma’s beans, a simple yet delicious way to make small, nutritious changes in the kitchen
There’s something quietly reassuring about a cupboard stocked with beans. Not in a flashy, look-at-me sort of way, but in the comforting knowledge that a nourishing meal is never far away. A tin of butter beans waiting to be stirred through a late-summer stew. Chickpeas ready to become a speedy houmous. Cannellini beans to add substance to a soup made from whatever veg happens to be lingering in the fridge.
Beans are one of those simple ingredients that earn their place on the shelf time and time again. Affordable, versatile and naturally rich in protein and fibre, they bring flavour and substance to everyday cooking while helping us eat more plants. On top of all of this, specifically choosing organic beans can also be a small way to support a gentler approach to food production.
Organic farming works with nature, rather than against it. By avoiding artificial pesticides and fertilisers, organic farmers focus on building healthy soils, encouraging biodiversity and creating resilient growing systems. Healthy soil is full of life – from earthworms and fungi to countless microorganisms – all playing a part in producing the food we eat.
That connection between soil, food and wellbeing sits at the heart of Organic September, the annual Soil Association campaign celebrating organic farming and food. It’s a chance to explore simple swaps that support a more sustainable food system, and beans are an easy place to start.
At Suma, organic food has always been part of the story. Founded as a workers’ co-operative in Yorkshire, Suma has spent decades making good food more accessible, sourcing products that reflect a commitment to people and planet. Their range of organic beans includes everyday essentials such as chickpeas, kidney beans, butter beans and mixed beans, ready to help with everything from weekday lunches to leisurely weekend cooking.
The beauty of beans lies in their adaptability. They can form the backbone of a hearty salad, bulk out
a warming casserole or become the star ingredient in a simple supper. Toss butter beans with roasted tomatoes, olive oil and herbs. Simmer cannellini beans with garlic and greens. Blend chickpeas
with lemon and tahini for a homemade houmous to enjoy with crunchy vegetables.
Perhaps that’s why beans feel so at home in the slower rhythm that many of us are seeking. They invite us to cook simply, waste less and make the most of seasonal ingredients. They remind us that good food doesn’t need to be complicated.
This Organic September, a humble tin of organic beans might seem like a small choice. But small choices, repeated often, have a way of adding up – for our kitchens, our communities and the landscapes that feed us.
For more information and inspiration, visit suma.coop or follow on Instagram: @sumawholefoods
Dogs are a joy, but caring for them isn’t always a walk in the park. That’s why the trained experts at Pooch & Mutt are here for all chapters and tails. For life.
From treating dodgy tums and soothing sore gums, to boosting their food and calming those crazy moods, Pooch & Mutt use their knowledge to solve your pet’s peeves and help them thrive. Pooch & Mutt’s range of science-led food, treats and supplements is designed to support dogs through every stage of life, using high-quality ingredients and expert nutrition to help them live happier, healthier lives.
Pampered pooch or mischievous mutt, they’re here for all breeds and needs.
One lucky winner will receive 12 Pooch & Mutt vouchers worth £55 each – that's £660 to spend across the year on their range of food, treats and supplements. Whether you're stocking up on everyday essentials or trying something new, you'll have plenty to keep tails wagging all year long.
To be in with a chance of winning a year’s dog food, supplements and treats delivered direct to your door, just click on the button below and answer the following question:
Q: Pooch & Mutt's science-led range is designed to support dogs at what stage?
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 30th Sept 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. To enter this competition you must be a UK resident with a UK address. Any entrant outside of the UK can not be considered due to postage restrictions. Details of full terms and conditions are on p125 of the printed magazine and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
And to top it all off, The Simple Things readers can receive 35% off their next online order when shopping at poochandmutt.co.uk. All you have to do is enter the code ‘SIMPLE” at the checkout.
Win a year’s membership to Inspire, an online creative community, and enjoy daily sketch prompts with artist, Susan Yeates
Does this sound familiar? You mean to sketch. You buy the sketchbook, you sharpen the pencil… and then life fills the gap before you get a chance to sit down.
If this is the case, this competition is for you. The Simple Things has teamed up with artist, author and creative educator, Susan Yeates (below), to offer one lucky reader a year’s membership to Inspire, her online sketching community, plus her brand-new Sketch-a-Day Card Deck. Together, the prize is worth over £315 and designed to keep your creativity alive all year.
Inspire is a warm, unhurried community for anyone who wants sketching to become a regular part of life rather than just a good intention. Each month brings a new theme, fresh tutorials, a live Zoom sketch-along, and a private, supportive community cheering you on. There’s no pressure to be good at it, and no way to do it wrong. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself, reduce stress, and nurture a little personal growth – five minutes at a time, if that’s all you have.
Alongside the membership, you’ll also receive the Sketch-a-Day Card Deck, pictured below: 52 cards, 365 prompts, and a guidebook to help a daily sketching habit actually stick.
For more info, visit susanyeates.co.uk or follow on Instagram at: @susanyeatesartist
For your chance to win an Inspire membership, plus sketching prompt cards, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 12 October 2026.
Q: What is the name of Susan Yeates’s online sketching community?
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 October 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
Want to bring a touch of the Cornish coast to your wardrobe? To celebrate its latest collection, we have £500 to spend at Seasalt Cornwall to be won plus runners-up prizes of £100 each
Based in Falmouth, Seasalt Cornwall designs creative clothing woven with stories of life by the sea. Its story began 45 years ago, with a shop that sold workwear to local fishermen and artists who shared a need for well-made pieces suited to Cornwall’s wild landscapes and elements. Since then, Seasalt has been honing its craft in tandem with the changing seasons to bring contemporary coastal style to wardrobes everywhere.
This year’s collection is inspired by floriography, the folk tradition of using flowers to convey meaning and stories. Colour palettes are hand-picked from beachside gardens, and sketched prints
take inspiration from nature. Made with responsibly-sourced and recycled fabrics, each piece is designed with careful consideration for the way that it impacts the environment.
If you’d like to add some timeless staples to your wardrobe, then The Simple Things has teamed up with Seasalt Cornwall to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a £500 Seasalt gift card, while two runners-up will each receive £100 to spend in store or online. Enter today and you could soon be enjoying a shopping spree for pieces you’ll love more and more every time you wear them.
For more information, visit seasaltcornwall.com or follow on Instagram at: @seasaltcornwall
For your chance to win £500 to spend at Seasalt Cornwall, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 12 October 2026.
Q: Which folk tradition is this year’s Seasalt Cornwall collection inspired by?
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 12 Oct 2026. One winner and two runners-up will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. Winners cannot transfer their prizes or swap for cash. Seasalt Cornwall gift cards are only redeemable in the UK. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
Image by Stocksy
Hot weather, dehydration, tiredness and intense sunlight can all lead to summer headaches. Here’s where a few garden herbs can really come in handy.
These soothing herbs are traditionally made into a compress for tension headaches. This tea is also useful for stomach cramps and can be sipped to help with traveller’s tummy, too.
A few fresh peppermint leaves
A few fresh sage leaves
Boiling water
Muslin cloth
1 Place the herbs, whole, in a mug. Pour over the boiling water. Cover the mug with a small saucer to allow the essential oils to be trapped into the infusion. Leave it to cool enough to make a warm compress. (You can also refrigerate the infusion for a cold compress).
2 To make the compress, soak the muslin in the liquid, remove the excess, but don’t squeeze it out, it needs to remain nicely damp.
3 Lie down, place the folded, damp muslin on your forehead, take a few deep breaths and relax.
Learn to use your garden as your own pharmacy in our feature, The Herbal Apothecary in our August issue. You’ll find natural cures for everything from upset tummies and summer sniffles to restless nights and insect bites.
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Photography by Catherine Frawley
Crispy, gooey, bite-sized treats. Dip in ketchup, tzatziki, plain yogurt or just enjoy on their own.
Serves 6
2 halloumi blocks, cubed
2 eggs, beaten
75g panko breadcrumbs
40g parmesan, grated
½ tsp paprika
3 tbsp sesame seeds
Olive oil
To garnish:
Pomegranate seeds
Fresh parsley
1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6, and line two baking sheets with baking paper then set aside.
2 Set your bowls up in order – beaten eggs, panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan with the paprika and
a twist of black pepper mixed in, and finally, a bowl of sesame seeds.
3 Roll each halloumi cube in the egg, then the breadcrumbs, then the parmesan, followed by the sesame seeds. Place on the baking sheet and continue until all the halloumi is used.
4 Drizzle with olive oil, then bake for 10 mins, turn each cube and bake for a further 10 mins. Serve with a garnish of pomegranate seeds and parsley.
This is just one of the recipes from our feature, ‘Setting The Scene’ - a menu for a film night held in your garden. It also includes recipes for Veggie Dolmades, Chicken Gyros, Greek Salad, Portokalopita Cake and Greek Mojitos.
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Image by Getty
Visit the greatest show on Earth this month as the sun is eclipsed by the moon
This year there will be a solar eclipse on 12 August (2026). The total eclipse will be visible over the Arctic ocean and in parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, Mallorca and northeast Portugal.
The UK will experience a deep partial eclipse obscuring up to 95% of the Sun in the early evening with exact timings and degrees of obscuration depending on location. Cornwall and the far southwest will see the highest coverage; the best spot to view it from will be the tops of hills, coastal high points or anywhere with an ‘open’ view.
Because the solar eclipse will occur near lunar perigree, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, the Moon will appear slightly larger than usual and it will be a relatively long solar eclipse, lasting over two minutes in some places.
The eclipse reaches its peak between 7 and 7.16pm. It’s worth stopping to look up as the sun goes down that day, too, as the Perseid meteor shower peaks just hours after the partial eclipse. If you can manage to spend the night in one of the UK’s dark skies reserves or anywhere away from the light pollution of towns or cities, you’ll see the meteor shower at its best.
Remember never to look at the sun directly during an eclipse and definitely don’t use binoculars or a telescope unless you’re a professional with the correct equipment. The best way to view an eclipse is by using proprietary eclipse glasses which you can purchase online. If you prefer the ‘Blue Peter’ approach, you can make a pin hole viewer to see the eclipse ‘reflected’ onto a piece of card or even use a colander* for a similar effect. You can find instructions for both these methods online.
*Unlikely as it seems, holding up a colander is a tried-and-tested way of indirectly viewing an eclipse – even NASA suggests it as a safe method. Facing away from the Sun with your colander in one hand and a piece of white card in the other (you can also lay the card on the ground), find the best angle so that sunlight shines through the holes, projecting dozens of tiny crescents as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.
Read more about the August eclipse in our feature The Darkening in our August issue, in shops now.
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Photograph by Zoe Bateman
We’re firm believers that play is important no matter what your age. Here are a few games for grown-ups to play outdoors this summer. Some are more sophisticated in tone than games of your youth - others are ‘throw caution to the wind and get grass cuttings in your hair’ kind of games. From the beach to the park and woods to campsites, we’ve got you covered. Let The Games commence!
Kubb
We have the rules and also instructions on how to make your very own Kubb set in our August issue. Cut and paint your own and then head out with a gang of friends to play the game known as ‘Viking Chess’!
Frisbee Golf
All you need is frisbee. Design a ‘course’ with targets to hit such as a bench, a large tree or a sign post. Try to avoid hitting the general public. The winner is the person to complete the course, hitting the most targets.
Sand Pictionary
Just like the game Pictionary (you can take the cards or make up your own) but you draw the pictures with a stick in the sand instead of on paper - all against a time, of course.
Driftwood Build Challenge
Split into teams, then each team has 20 minutes to build something (maybe a castle or sculpture of a specific object) using driftwood, shells and other natural materials. Add an element of excitement by building as the tide comes in so you have to finish before the waves sweep it all away.
Capture the Flag
This is a classic woodlands game and can get very rowdy as teams compete to capture the other team’s flag and bring it to their base. Find all the rules on the Scouts’ website: https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/capture-the-flag/
Forest Bingo
Make everyone a Bingo card of things you might find in the forest. Hand them out and the first to fill out their card by photographing each item on their phone is the winner. Feel free to go funny with it if you like, eg ‘a face in a tree that looks like a former Prime Minister’, ‘a rampant squirrel’, ‘startled picnickers’ etc.
Campsite Olympics
Gather everyone together for races in camping-themed activities such as Fastest Tent Erection, Ooziest Marshmallow, Quickest Sleeping Bag Rolling and Most Efficient Fire-Lighting. Smores all round for the winners.
Glow Stick Ring Toss
We have instructions for making your own Quoits set in our August issue. Simply replace the rope quoits with glow sticks made into circles with some gaffa tape nd you have yourself a night-time version of this classic game.
The instructions to make your own Kubb and Quoits sets are in our August issue’s Weekend Project pages, which we’ve called ‘Summer Throwdown’ and is in shops now. The ideas and photography are by Zoe Bateman. Follow Zoe on Instagram at @toocutecrafting.
We celebrate slowing down, enjoying what you have, making the most of where you live, enjoying the company of of friends and family, and feeding them well. We like to grow some of our own vegetables, visit local markets, rummage for vintage finds, and decorate our home with the plunder. We love being outdoors and enjoy the satisfaction that comes with a job well done.
