Tipple | Hedgerow Switchel

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.

You will need:

Blackberries, garden mint or lemon balm, fresh ginger, local honey, raw apple cider vinegar, water

To make:

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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Natural Cures | Cooling Compress

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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Recipe | Halloumi Popcorn Bites

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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Astronomy | See this month's Eclipse

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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Fun | Summer Games You're Never Too Old For

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!

Games for the Park

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.

Games for the Beach

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. 

Games for the Woods

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. 

Games for the Campsite

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.

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Culture | Films to Watch Outdoors

Like good food, good films feel a little different when watched outdoors. Here are our favourite films to watch en plein air

Family movie nights

There are so many great films you can watch with a gang of kids but you can’t go wrong with Jurassic Park or The Goonies for an adventure-filled feelgood film. 

Girls back garden film

Thelma and Louise is, of course, the classic female-centred flick. But if you need a film to put the world (and men) to rights, John Tucker Must Die is a great bond-over-it watch for your back garden cinema with the gals.

Films for thrill-seekers

If you want to really scare the wits out of everyone in attendance, The Blair Witch Project will do it. Especially if you have trees nearby to rustle ominously in the wind. Good for drive-thru horror fans is Stephen King’s Christine, the tale of a haunted car. 

Retro movies for outdoor screens

The Sandlot is a heartwarming baseball film that has all the summer feelgood mood you could hope for. Want to go a bit more upmarket? Try The Graduate for that classic end-of-summer coming-of-age feel - with a cracking soundtrack.

Best drive-thru screenings

To really make the most of the atmosphere, if you’re heading to a drive-thru event, you want a film with a classic drive-thru scene. We recommend Grease or One Crazy Summer.

Outdoor big screen ideas

If you’re choosing which big outdoor screening event you’re going to watch our advice is to pick a film that really goes big or goes home visually. The Greatest Showman and E.T. would both be excellent choices.

Outdoor couples film nights

Snuggling up under a blanket with a loved one and a shared bag of popcorn? Up the romance stakes with Roman Holiday Or Baz Lurman’s Romeo + Juliet. 

Movies to watch while camping

American Graffiti says ‘summer’ like almost no other film, set in one night just before a group of high-schoolers make their first moves into adulthood. If you’re arguing over the firelighters and tent pegs, The Great Outdoors will have you all chortling along at camping mishaps. 

To watch on the beach

Well, obviously it’s Jaws isn’t it? Dare you to go for a midnight wild swim after watching. For a less fishy thriller, but with lots of beautiful sea scenery, try The Beach, based on the novel by Alex Garland.

Classic back garden cinema

For hot summer nights, Rear Window with its simmering heat will have you on the edge of your deck chair. Or pick a classic crowd pleaser such as The Wizard of Oz for sing-along fun that everyone can join in with. 

Holding a back garden cinema night? You won’t want to miss our feature ‘Setting the Scene’ with photography and recipes by Catherine Frawley in our August issue. It features a menu of Greek dishes to serve along with your movie. 

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Recipe | Pea, Mint & Ricotta Crostini

A nibble before dinner never goes amiss whether you’re cooking for two or ten, and these crostini are a lovely way to start off your evening.

It’s the season for fresh peas, but if yours haven’t grown well or you can’t find any, just defrost some frozen peas instead – the sweeter petit pois are lovely.

Makes 12

120g petit pois (cooked and cooled)
1 lemon, zested; juice of half
Small handful fresh mint, finely chopped
Sourdough baguette, thinly sliced into 12
150g ricotta

1 Preheat your grill to a medium setting. Meanwhile, add your peas to a bowl along with the lemon juice, the mint, a teaspoon of olive oil and salt and pepper. Mix to combine and leave to marinate.

2 Brush both sides of each baguette slice with olive oil, then toast until golden and set aside to cool.

3 In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, three-quarters of the lemon zest, a drizzle of olive oil and seasoning.

4 When ready to serve, add a spoon of the ricotta mix to each baguette slice, top with the minty peas, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle over the remaining lemon zest.

This recipe is taken from our new series, A Good Life, in which we follow Michelle Tansley as she grows food and flowers in her cottage garden in Derbyshire. This month’s pages also feature recipes for Raspberry & Lime Fizz, Tomato & Red Onion Salad with Mozzarella & Basil Dressing, Honey-Glazed Pork with Parmentier Potatoes & Tenderstem and Courgette, Blackberry, Thyme & Chia Loaf Cake. Follow Michelle on Instagram at: @myderbyshirelife

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Sponsored Post | Built to Last with Rhino

Rhino greenhouses are built to last, giving you a space to sow, grow, tend and enjoy your
garden for years to come

August is truly one of the sweet spots in the gardening calendar, when all the sowing, tending and love that you’ve put in over the year comes to fruition and you can finally sit back and enjoy the magical fruits of your labour. The garden is full, the evenings are long, and there’s nowhere better to be than outside. For Rhino customers, summer also means a greenhouse working at its very best – tomatoes ripening on the vine, cucumbers climbing, and a whole array of herbs ready to pick whenever you need them. After many long months of care, you can finally reap the rewards.

Designed and manufactured in Norfolk, Rhino greenhouses are made to be part of your garden for life. Built to last with a 25-year warranty, they’re a thing of beauty with solid aluminium frames and precision-engineering.

If you’re now hankering after a Rhino of your own, now is a great time to turn your dreams into reality. Whether you’re after something compact for a smaller plot or a serious growing space that you can really stretch out in, there’s an option to suit every garden size and growing ambition. Rhino greenhouses, designed and made by gardeners, for gardeners.

For further information, visit rhinogreenhouses.co.uk, call 0800 6941929 or give Rhino a follow on Instagram at: @rhinogreenhouses

Playlist | Magical summer

DJ: Karen Dunn

We publish a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things. To mark our MAGICAL new August issue, we’re having a magical summer. Take a listen here

Have a browse of all our playlists here, and you can order a copy of the August issue through our shop, Pics and Ink.

Competition | Win a Farm Stay worth £850

We have a weekend break at Devon’s Collacott Farm to be won, where you can spend time with horses to deepen your connection to loved ones

Sometimes, when you slow life down, the memories ramp up. Whether it’s a long woodland walk with the dog, a spot of family den building, or simply taking a seat and absorbing the nature around you, some of the best moments happen when life eases.

Tucked away in the north Devon countryside, Collacott Farm offers friends and families the opportunity to press pause to create memories that they’ll cherish for a lifetime. With six beautifully restored stone cottages all set within woodland and farmland, Collacott Farm strives to strengthen the connection between people and nature. In order to do this, it hosts Guided Horse Connection ™ sessions, a unique experience where guests can connect with horses in a relaxed environment and learn from the way that these gentle animals respond to the people around them.

If this sounds like pure heaven, then you’ll want to enter our competition. The Simple Things has teamed up with Collacott Farm to offer one lucky reader and up to five guests and two dogs the chance to win a two-night self-catering stay, worth £850. A Guided Horse Connection™ session is included in the prize, giving guests the chance to discover new things about each other, bringing them closer together – no riding required.

So take a moment, enter our competition, and you could soon be enjoying the benefits that being closer to nature, and in particular horses, can provide in strengthening connection.

For more information and to book, visit: collacott.uk or follow on Instagram at: @collacottfarm

How to enter

For your chance to win a stay at Collacott Farm, worth £850, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 9 September 2026. 

Q: Which English county is Collacott Farm in?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 9 September 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The prize is a two-night stay at Collacott Farm in north Devon for up to six people and two dogs with a Guided Horse Connection ™ session included. The prize must be taken on a weekend (Fri-Sun) between 01.04.27 and 30.09.27, excluding UK school holidays. Booking must be made directly with Collacott Farm within 28 days of being notified. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not respond with 14 days, a new winner will be selected. Transport to and from the venue is the winner’s responsibility. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Collacott Farm reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of equal or greater value if deemed necessary. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 of the magazine and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules. 

Competition | Win a Bag for Life from Wildish

Created to add a touch of adventure to your everyday, Wildish bags are built to last and gather a lifetime of stories

When Oscar and Nell started making Wildish bags seven years ago, it wasn’t really because they wanted to make bags. It was because they wanted to spend more time outside, with other people – the bags were almost an accident. They wanted something that could be thrown in the back of the car, taken swimming, stuffed with sandwiches and could make an ordinary Tuesday feel like a bit more of an adventure.

They couldn’t find what they wanted, so they made it. To their surprise, people started buying them. Every bag is made here in Britain in small batches from organic dry-waxed cotton canvas. They’re designed to last for years, and if something goes wrong, Wildish would rather repair them than encourage you to buy another one. Because the best bags aren’t the pristine ones, they’re the faded ones – the ones that have become part of the family. The ones that make you think, ‘Oh, that’s the bag I took to Skye’ or ‘That’s still got sand in it from Cornwall’ – even if, these days, it mostly just carries your laptop to work.

Over the years, that same thinking has shaped everything else the pair has done. Wildish Club – the community-building non-profit funded by the bag sales – their coffee, clothing, enamelware and Snail
Mail Club all exist for much the same reason, to help people spend a bit more time outside and a bit more time together.

If you’d like to bag a bit of the Wildish spirit then we have a Gouthwaite backpack (above), worth £215, to be won, while two lucky runners up will each receive a Ramsgill crossbody bag (below), worth £75 each. So enter today and you could soon be setting off on your own Wildish adventure. They make the bags. The stories are up to you.

How to enter 

For a chance to win a Wildish bag, enter by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 9 September 2026.

Q: What is the name of the bag Wildish are offering as the main prize in this competition?

For more info, visit wildishstore.com or follow on Instagram at: @wildish.uk

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 9 September 2026. One winner and two runners-up 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 for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 of the magazine and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.