Competition | Win a Farm Stay worth over £700

Feather Down Farms is offering one lucky reader of The Simple Things the chance to win a three-night glamping stay on a farm

Step into nature and leave your worries behind with an immersive farm stay that will allow you to experience the magic of rural life. Ideal for families, let the kids experience freedom like no other as they meet friendly goats and sheep, while collecting fresh eggs each day from the chicken coop – all while you sit back and breathe in the fresh countryside air.

With 22 Feather Down Farm locations across the UK, there’s somewhere to suit all tastes, including National Parks, AONBs, and sites within a stone’s throw of a sandy beach, but what they all have in common is vast countryside and breathtaking views that prove a balm for the soul.

Tend to the hectic demands of daily life with a family-friendly farm stay and soak up the opportunity to recharge, revitalise and reawaken your inner child, surrounded by nature’s rich pickings.

Feather Down Farm’s glamping hideaways sleep up to 6, with cosy beds, a fully equipped kitchen, hot private showers and a spacious living area complete with a wood-burning stove. There’s no electricity or Wi-Fi in your home-from-home, so you’ll be free from digital distractions and able to reconnect to each other and nature.

If this sounds like a breath of fresh air, then enter our competition as The Simple Things has a three-night stay* up for grabs for one lucky reader, meaning you could soon be enjoying farm life while the kids collect the morning provisions. The only decision you’ll need to make is how you fancy your morning eggs…

For more info, visit featherdown.co.uk or follow at: @feather.down.farms

How to enter 

For the chance to win a three-night weekend stay at any of Feather Down Farm’s 22 UK locations, click the button below and answer the following question by the closing date of 11 June 2025.

Q: How many Featherdown Farm locations are there across the UK?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 11 June 2025. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. *Prize is a three-night weekend stay (Friday - Monday) at one of our 22 UK locations for up to 6 people. The canvas hideaway sleeps up to 5 adults and 1 child (under 12), and includes bedding, towels, starter pack, and wood for the wood-burner. Stay must be taken by 24 October 2025 and cannot be extended (excludes weekends 2 May, 23 May, and 22 August 2025). Individual farm dates may vary and dates are subject to availability. Prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Any additional costs and expenses incurred during the trip will be the responsibility of the prize winner. Feather Down Farm’s standard booking terms and conditions apply: featherdown.co.uk/terms-and-conditions. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

How to | Win at Pottery Painting

Whether you’re planning a quiet afternoon painting a mug or a get-together with a gang of friends painting plates over a few cuppas in your local pottery cafe, a blank canvas can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re no Van Gogh. We asked Karen Dunn, owner of ceramics cafe Creative Biscuit, for her best tips for no-fail designs - even if you struggle to draw a stick man

Patterns – If you don’t think you can draw go for patterns instead. Spots, stripes, a scalloped edge, simple shapes and patterns in bold colours always look great.

Sponges – Go full Emma Bridgewater and use shaped sponges to decorate your ceramics. As above you can use simple shapes such as circles or squares or use a shaped sponge such as a leaf or a heart. Dip the sponge in paint and make sure you fully soak up the paint to get an even print.

Tape – You can use masking tape or similar to create a pattern on ceramic, as wherever you place tape will remain white. Paint over the top and then using a pin to find the end of the tape, pull the tape off to reveal your white pattern underneath – plus the peeling is very satisfying.

Tracing – Copy a picture onto ceramic by taking your drawing or a print out of an image you would like to copy on paper and on the reverse side coat the back of the image with a soft pencil, covering the area in graphite. Next turn it over so the pencil is facing the ceramic and trace over the top of the picture with a ball point pen or similar to transfer the image to ceramic. Note: Pencil burns away in the kiln so make sure you paint everything you want to see when it comes out of the kiln.

Scratching – Like the pottery technique sgraffito, you can create scratched patterns in your underglaze paint. Make sure you put three good layers of paint on your ceramic then using a skewer or anything with a sharp tip to scratch out your pattern.

Bubble painting – A bubble pattern on ceramics looks impressive but is very easy to create. Get some washing up liquid, plus a little bit of water and a lot of the underglaze paint in the colour you wish to use and mix well. Get a straw and blow bubbles in the mixture. You can then either build up a mound of bubbles and wipe the ceramic through them or scoop bubbles with your hand and place them on the ceramic when you would like them to be.

Hand and footprints – Hand and footprints last forever when painted on ceramic and are really easy to do. Paint the hand or foot you want to print with a layer of paint – not too thick so it smudges and not too thin or you won’t see the print. Bring the ceramic to the hand or foot, then press on and off quickly. If you or your child is a bit too big for a hand or footprint, you can always do fingerprints and turn them into other things such as people or patterns.

You can find more inspiration at creativebiscuit.co.uk which is based in East London, and hear more from Karen in our My Day in Cups of Tea pages in our April issue, in shops now.

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Science | Archimedes' Principle Explained

How did Archimedes really develop his principle of displacement? Quiet at the back there. You might learn something… 

Wasn’t it something about him dashing out of a bath naked, shouting “Eureka”? Sorry, but no. Happily, the unembellished story is almost as exciting and you can feel incredibly smug the next time someone tells the ‘Eureka’ story by correcting them gently. Here’s what really happened. 

It all began when the rather suspicious-minded King Heiron II of Syracuse commissioned a crown to be made from pure gold. Characteristically, when the crown arrived, the King decided that he may have been tricked and perhaps the crown-maker had used some silver in there to make it cheaper. The King asked Archimedes to work out the truth of the matter. 

Archimedes took a mass of silver and a mass of gold, each equal in weight to that of the crown. We wish we had masses of gold and silver just hanging about the house but that’s not for here… He filled a bowl of water to the brim, put the silver mass in and measured the water displaced by it. He then repeated this with the gold. He found that the gold displaced less water than the silver, meaning the silver must be heavier. 

Next, like Poirot wrapping up an investigation, he refilled the water and put the crown in it. The crown displaced more water than the mass of gold did and the little grey cells immediately deduced that the crown must therefore contain silver as well as gold. “Eureka!”, he almost certainly did not say.

If you feel like a lovely big bath is missing from this story, you might instead enjoy our ‘My Place’ feature from April, which this month features spaces in which you can enjoy a soak in the tub. We particularly fancied a soak in the bath above, which belongs to @honeyjoyhome. 

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Sponsored Post | A Life on the Open Road

For a holiday that offers both adventure and freedom, you can’t beat a motorhome or caravaning trip. Simply pack up your home-from-home and head off to explore somewhere new – and with the right insurance, you’ll have one less thing to worry about

 Holiday season has begun and, with it, the opportunity to tick off some of those bucket-list destinations that you may have been dreaming about for so long. Often, the planning can be as much fun as the trip itself as you get to daydream about where to go and what to do – and one of the best ways to enjoy all that the UK has to offer is on a motorhome or caravaning holiday. With a motorhome or caravaning holiday, the world really is your oyster as they offer total freedom, flexibility and adventure. If you love the great outdoors, they enable you to spend time amongst nature, but still with all the mod-cons needed to make your trip both comfortable and memorable. After all, having a kitchenette to make that all important cuppa and bacon sarnie while enjoying your surroundings is just the cherry on the cake.

Peace of mind

However, when it comes to planning your trip – whether it’s a weekend away or longer road-trip – one essential part of your planning should be insurance. Taking out the right motorhome insurance or caravan insurance for your needs and wants, much like having that kitchenette close to hand, will make your break that little bit more special, as you’ll have peace of mind to get on with the all-important task of making memories.

 Covering a variety of options and scenarios, InsureMy enables you to compare quotes from the UK’s leading specialist providers, so you can find the best cover at the cheapest price. Better still, InsureMy is currently offering up to 20%* off motorhome and caravan insurance. The right insurance can protect your investment, cover against accidents, damage, theft and breakdown and will give you peace of mind.

 *20% offer valid until 30 June 2025.

 Dreamy destinations

So now that you have your insurance sorted, let’s take a look at some of the UK’s stunning destinations that really are worth hitting the road for…

North Coast 500, Scotland

Billed as Scotland’s ultimate road trip, the North Coast 500 takes in just over 500 miles of stunning scenery including majestic mountains, tranquil locks, sandy beaches and geographical wonders. You may even be lucky enough to spot dolphins off the coast. Comprising six regions – the Black Isle (which is neither black, nor an isle); Caithness; Easter Ross; Inverness-shire; Sutherland; and Wester Ross – you’ll be spoilt for choice with breath-takingly unspoilt landscapes and seascapes. There’s also a vibrant food scene and plenty of historical and archaeological sites to explore, making it an ideal route for a romantic getaway.

The Atlantic Highway

With some of the greatest stopping points that Devon and Cornwall have to offer, the Atlantic Highway follows the 70-mile stretch of the A39 which runs between Barnstaple in Devon to Newquay in Cornwall. Much of the route can feel quite remote, however, this is a popular destination during summer months, so you may prefer to plan your visit out of season to experience almost empty beaches, countryside and fishing villages – another beauty of exploring this region in a motorhome or caravan is that with all the facilities you could need, you’re not restricted should your find tourist attractions or restaurants closed for the off-season. Beautiful stopping points along the Devonshire stretch include the surfing hotspot of Westward Ho! and the chocolate-box pretty village of Clovelly (although this is a car-free zone, so leave the motorhome parked up and consider public transport). While, in Cornwall, Tintagel Castle and Padstow are both worth a detour. And, of course, factor in plenty of pitstops for a proper Devon (cream first, jam on top) or Cornish (jam first, cream on top) cream tea.

The Coniston Loop

Following 42 miles of spectacular Lake District scenery from Coniston, through Langdale Valley, over Wrynose and Hardknott passes, before taking in Eskdale, the Duddon Valley, Broughton In Furness and ending back at Coniston. With landmarks such as The Old Man of Coniston (an iconic fell), Stanley Force Waterfall and the Hardknott Roman Fort, this is a trip to savour. While it isn’t a long distance to drive, it’s worth planning several stops along the route to park up and set out on foot to explore, all with an ever-changing backdrop of seasonal colours to admire.

The Cambrian Way

Making up part of the much longer Wales Way, the Cambrian Way cuts through the heart of this glorious country, running south to north, from the capital city of Cardiff to the pretty seaside town of Llandudno. From start to finish, this 185 mile route passes through the National Parks of Eryri (Snowdonia) and the Brecon Beacons – both official Dark Sky destinations, so don’t forget to pack your binoculars for a spot of stargazing. Also en route are the stunning Cambrian mountains and the rugged Elan Valley. Should this route capture your imagination, then you could complete the Wales Way with The North Wales Way and The Coastal Way on future trips.

The Cotswolds

For quintessential English villages, historic market towns and cities, bucolic countryside and oodles of charm, the Cotswolds offers something for everyone. Spanning six counties – Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Somerset – the routes available are infinite, with plenty of campsites to pitch up at and use as your base to explore further afield, either on foot or perhaps by bike. Must-sees in the area include the picturesque villages of Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water and Lower Slaughter, while history lovers will be enchanted by Blenheim Palace, Snowshill Manor and the beautiful city of Bath, home to the famous Roman baths.

Images by Adobe Stock

Recipe | Wild Garlic & Goat's Cheese Savoury Scones

Easy peasy and very cheesy. Slather with too much butter and dip into your hot soup.

Makes 9

350g strong bread flour

½ tsp salt

3½ tsp baking powder

100g unsalted butter, cut into

small cubes

150g goat’s cheese

50g wild garlic, chopped, saving

9 leaves for decoration

90ml milk

100ml double cream

1 egg (beaten)

To make

1 Preheat the oven to 190C/Fan 170C/Gas 5. Place the flour, salt and baking powder into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub it into the flour mix with your fingers until it has a breadcrumb-like consistency.

2 Break the goat’s cheese into small pieces and stir gently into the mix.

3 Finely chop the wild garlic and place in a bowl along with the milk and cream. Gently blend the wet and dry ingredients together to form a dough.

4 Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough into a square roughly 3cm thick, cutting it into 9 square-ish scones. Gently press one wild garlic leaf into the top of each scone and brush with the beaten egg.

5 Bake for 15–20 mins, or until golden brown, and cool on a wire rack before serving with lashings of butter.

These very moreish scones are just one of the recipes from our ‘gathering’ feature, Turning A New Leaf from our April issue, with recipes by Kay Prestney and photography by Rebecca Lewis. It’s bursting with wild garlic recipes for spring - just add friends and a foraging bag.

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How to | Be More Jane Austen

This year marks the author’s 250th birthday and to celebrate we’re finding ways to live a life more Jane. Bonnets at the ready… 

1. Start your day productively

Austen rose each day and played piano before making breakfast. We’re not saying you should also sit at the pianoforte before your Weetabix, but ‘doing something’ each morning is a great way to begin a productive day. If yoga mats had been a thing then we daresay Jane might have done some sun salutations or a few stretches. Or you could simply read a few pages of a book over a cup of tea. Austen’s niece, Caroline, describes her aunt’s morning piano practice: “Aunt Jane began the day with music tho’ she had no one to teach, was never induced (as I have hear) to play in company; and none of her family cared much for it. I suppose, that she might not trouble them, she chose her practising time before breakfast when she could have the room to herself.” So there you have it, rise early and get your hobbies done and you won’t have to listen to anyone else complaining about them.

2. Get really good at cup and ball tossing

All great writers need an ‘escape’ hobby. Some go fishing, others tend their gardens… Austen got SERIOUSLY good at cup and ball tossing. Her nephew wrote in his memoir of his aunt: “Her performances with cup and ball were marvellous. The one used at Chawton was an easy one and she has been known to catch it on the point above an hundred times in succession, till her hand was weary.” We all need a niche to call our own.

3. Always sleep on it

When it comes to making big decisions, Austen learned that it was always worth sleeping on it. Two weeks before her 27th birthday, she received a proposal of marriage from Harris Bigg-Wither, a family friend. She accepted, but changed her mind overnight, breaking off the engagement 12 hours later. Probably for the best. Her niece described him as “very plain in person - awkward, and even uncouth in manner”. What a catch. Apart from anything, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Bigg-Withers just sounds all wrong. Anyway, whether you’re considering a proposal of marriage, or wondering which heritage tomatoes to plant in your allotment this year, sleep on it first. 

4. Write letters by hand

Jane was a prolific letter-writer, penning thousands of missives throughout her life, of which only around 160 survive, sadly. There’s nothing like the joy of receiving a hand-written letter, and writing them is lots of fun, too, and will make you feel very Jane Austen indeed. If you want to go all in, you could write with a goose’s quill as Jane herself did. Envelopes did not exist at the time so letters were written on a single folded sheet and then cleverly origami’d into a sort of envelope. You can find out how to do this yourself on the Jane Austen’s House website. 

5. Learn to fix everything with a good long walk

Austen described herself as a “desperate” walker and walking was very much part of her daily life; she regularly wrote of her perambulations in her letters. The importance of walking to her comes out in her characters, too. From Elizabeth Bennet to Mary Musgrove and the Dashwood sisters, walks represent freedom of mind and body as well as a useful way to pass the time, when days could drag a little. In Pride and Prejudice she writes that “A walk… was necessary to amuse their morning hours and furnish conversation for the evening.” Try to take a walk each day, even if you don’t venture too far, so that at least you can comment on the state of the new mounting blocks at Netherfield over dinner. 

6. Swap your latte for a tea and your Hobnob for a Bath Bun

Tea, being less likely to cause young men in coffee houses to revolt against the government than coffee, tends to be the choice of Austen’s characters (though coffee does make appearances) but it is known that Austen was a great Tea Lover.  As for something to take with one’s tea, Bath Buns were her favourites - little dough rolls, sprinkled with sugar, sometimes with candied peel or raisins in. The Jane Austen Literary Foundation has a good Bath Buns Recipe if your tin needs replenishing. Just serve them alongside a cuppa; we don’t believe Jane Austen was a dunker. 

7. Relish the simple things in life

Aren’t we always being encouraged to appreciate the little things in life? Austen was at it centuries before wellbein’ was ‘a thing’. She wrote in her letters of some of her glimmers, including getting her hat repaired “on which you know my principal hopes of happiness depend!” and also wrote to her sister Cassandra in great detail about the minutiae of daily life: “You know how interesting the purchase of a sponge-cake is to me.” We can get right behind the joy of a mended hat and a good sponge cake. 

If you need any more ideas for way to live a life more Jane, you might like some of the ideas on the Jane Austen’s House website for ways to celebrate 250 years since the author’s birth. We also have a very special ‘outing’ feature in our April issue. First take the quiz to discover which Bennet sister from Pride and Prejudice you are, and then find an Austen-themed day out to suit. 

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Sponsored post | De-stress with a Pause Subscription Box

April is Stress Awareness Month and a great time to think about how we can live more mindfully. A monthly subscription to a Pause box, packed with activities to boost wellbeing, while supporting the mental health charity Mind, is a wonderful gift to help you (or a loved one) alleviate stress.

Life can get busy, so how wonderful would it be to pause everything, take a deep breath and give yourself a moment of calm every month? Well now you can with Pause, a monthly subscription box delivered direct to your door, which provides a mindful, creative and relaxing outlet. Designed to boost wellbeing, it helps to support Mind, the mental health charity, too.

Each Pause box provides a fun and calming activity, enabling you to take time out and focus fully on a unique craft or hobby. With something different every month, there will undoubtedly be new ideas you may not have tried before, each designed to help you relax, reflect and get creative.

A little something to look forward to and delivered straight to your home, Pause is an ideal opportunity to take time to acknowledge how you’re feeling every month and to check in with yourself. The simple act of completing an activity or learning something new can give you a boost, helping to improve self-esteem and wellbeing. Not only that, by sharing your newfound skills or simply talking about them to others can also help to alleviate any disconnection you may be feeling.

You could also gift a loved one a regular moment of calm with a Pause subscription. Starting from just £8 a month over the course of a year, each subscription includes a free gift message and free delivery to their home, so they can enjoy discovering new activities at their leisure.

Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. By subscribing to Pause, all of your donation will go to Mind, meaning you’ll be helping those who need it, as well as giving yourself or a loved one a wellbeing boost. Your donation could help someone access life-saving information through booklets, Mind’s website or help lines. Or it could help fund Side by Side, Mind’s 24/7 online community. It could also help to campaign for better mental health services. All donations help Mind continue its vital work.

So pause, take a moment and treat yourself or a loved one to a more mindful future – and help make sure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone. Start a Pause subscription today.

For more information on Pause, visit pauseformind.org.uk/simple

Language | Learn to speak 'Duck' abroad

Photography: Ramona Jones

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, as they say… chances are it’s a duck. But what if you’re in another country and it DOESN’T quack like a duck at all? Animal noises must surely sound the same the world over (though who’s to say if they aren’t speaking French or Spanish at the end of the day?) But interestingly, their sounds are represented differently across the globe. Why is that? 

Language learning app, Duo Lingo has a few answers: “The language you speak shapes which sounds you hear, and how you imagine animals sounding when they make noise. So the way a language represents the noise a pig makes can tell us about what sounds exist in that language and how they form words. For example, in English, the noise a pig makes (oink!) contains the sound combination [ɔɪ], reflecting that this is an acceptable combination of sounds in English, as in the word oil. But not all languages have those two particular vowels, and even if they do, they might not be allowed to be combined that way. In Polish, the noise a pig makes is chrum, where the first sound is sort of between a "k" and a "h"—a sound that doesn't exist in English! (And maybe if we had it, we'd think pigs were saying chrum, too.)”

So that’s pigs sorted. Let’s back to ducks. We’ve done a quick sweep across the globe and translated ‘Quack quack’ into a few different languages, so when you’re next on your travels you’ll know exactly what to say if a duck greets you! 

Welsh - Cwac cwac

French - Coin coin

German - Quak quak

Danish - Rap rap

Dutch - Kwak kwak

Finnish - Kvaak kvaak

Italian - Qua qua

Ukrainian - Kakh kakh

Latvian - pēk pēk

Icelandic - Bra bra

Bulgarian - Na na

Romanian - Mac mac

Mandarin (presumably Mandarin Ducks?) - 嘎嘎 (gā gā)

We couldn’t get enough of ducks in our April issue. The cover features some very fluffy ducklings, you can meet some ducks in our ‘My Plot’ pages and our ‘Magical Creatures’ feature looks at ducks this month, too. The issue is on sale now. The ducklings above belong to Ramona Jones, whose garden features in our My Plot pages this month. Her book Growing (Ebury Press) with additional photography by Aaron Gibson, is out now.

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Wellbeing | Moodscapes and walking routes

A good walk can cure many an ill but picking the best walk for your state of mind can have powerful effects and for those in need of calm, looking to relieve stress or anxiety or to boost creativity, a walk alongside a lake might be just the walking prescription you need.

Nowhere is as lavishly light as a lake, partly thanks to the sun glitter created when sun hits the surface of clean water. Sun glitter is made up of thousands of tiny glints, each caused by a splinter of sunbeam reflecting at exactly the right angle to send light to our eyes. As the water moves with the breeze or slight current, the glitter pattern changes, providing endless light and visual stimulation.
Morning light holds an abundance of blue, which helps shut down lingering melatonin that can make us feel drowsy and muddle-headed in the morning. Recent studies show that light also blunts the amygdala, the threat-detection centre that activates our fight or flight system. When we’re in the grip of chronic stress or anxiety, light quietens our amygdala. Bright light can also improve concentration and memory – neuroscientists think that our brain evolved to learn during daylight hours.
So, for energy and mood boosting blue-wave light, take your lakeside walk in the morning. However. sun glitter is also spectacular at the end of the day when light beams create glitter in shades of crimson, pink, amber and gold – telling our body it’s time to wind down. Moonlight on still water creates its own moon glitter, well worth seeking out for its mysterious elegance.
Research has demonstrated the importance of rhythmic movement for alleviating anxiety and depression and studies of older people have found that rhythmic walking not only improves physical health (muscle strength, balance and flexibility) but also quality of life.
We know that walking more briskly reduces our chance of cancer, heart disease, dementia and osteoporosis. When we move briskly, our brain produces the molecule known as brain-derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes the growth of new neurons. BDNF appears to help recovery from depression and stress and the brisker the movement the more BDNF we produce. Picking up the pace also helps us to sleep better and turns a walk into a bone-building bonanza.

The above extract is from The Walking Cure: Harness The Lifechanging Power Of Landscape To Heal, Energise And Inspire by Annabel Streets (Bloomsbury Tonic). You can read a longer extract in our April issue, in shops now.

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Wisdom | Mother Knows Best

Mothers do often seem to know best don’t they? This month, as we mark Mother’s Day, we thought we would share some wisdom from The Simple Things’ team’s own mums

“I remember when I was having a real wobble during exams and was woefully unprepared. Rather than telling me off for my lack of revision, Mum just gave me the biggest cuddle and told me that it didn't matter what results I got, the sun would still rise tomorrow and the world would still turn. Really simple, but it really resonated and was just what I needed to hear. She also used to say there was nothing a G&T and a pack of Walkers Ready Salted couldn't fix. I’d agree with that, too.”

Abbie Miller, Sub Editor

“My mum used to always say 'never go food shopping hungry', which is actually very good advice. She also told me when I was little that when you get money out of the cashpoint, a person is the other side pushing it through. I used to shout 'thank you' until I was about 10.” 

Rob Bidiss, Commercial Director

“‘Kiss the ugly frog’. That stuck with me! The idea is, if you've a load of tasks to do (in this case it was revision), start with the one you're most dreading as you'll feel relieved once it's done and the rest won't seem so bad!”

Jo Mattock, Commissioning Editor

“My favourite piece of advice my mum has ever given me is: ‘Never drink alone. If you’re on your own, pour yourself a drink and switch on The Archers, then you can have a glass of wine with everyone in The Bull!’. Genius.”

Iona Bower, Editor at Large

“My mum used  to say before I went out: 'Be good, and if you can't be good be careful'. Sound advice.”

Karen Dunn, Commissioning Editor

“My mum always said ‘everything feels better after a walk up the garden’. Whatever the problem was (tummy ache, friendships, homework) I was always told to go for a walk up the garden and it would feel better. She was right, too.” 

Rebecca Frank, Wellbeing Editor

“My mum doesn’t have just one pearl of wisdom but she does start most sentences with 'What you could do...' Among the funniest what-you-could-dos include  'what you could do is put a portable loo in your front garden rather than convert the under stair cupboard' and the time she suggested what my sister could do was combine her wedding with an event that happened the day before so she could re-use the flowers!”

Liz Boyd, Picture Editor

In our March issue, we met several women who have learned skills, passions and philosophies from their mothers, including Roisin Taylor and her mum Caroline, who passed on her passion for growing. You can read more about all the mums and their wisdom from page 56.

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Sponsored Post | Meet the Folk from Mentley Farm Lavender

We catch up with Mentley Farm Lavender founder, Louise Vickers, as she prepares for a busy season of growing, hosting, teaching and making.

Hi Louise, tell us about Mentley Farm Lavender

Welcome to Mentley Farm Lavender. I started the brand in 2021 as a swansong into retirement. I’d spent 28 years working for the Police in London and knew that beautiful scents and being outdoors had always had a positive effect on me, so I wanted to create an affordable space for others to enjoy. I wanted it to be a restorative place where you can learn new skills, recharge amongst nature and discover the versatility of lavender and all its healing benefits. We’re two minutes off the A10, midway between London and Cambridge, so really easy to get to.

This doesn’t sound like the quietest of retirements

Possibly not, but I’m passionate about sharing the benefits of lavender and that’s what gets me out of
bed each day. My partner, Andrew, is a retired farmer, and together we started growing lavender plants from cuttings on our four-acre plot in Hertfordshire. Then, in 2023, we opened to visitors. We now open throughout the summer months and people can come and pick their own lavender, sign up for workshops or buy lavender products made either by us or by local craftspeople. We can also be hired for weddings and photoshoots.

A proper little cottage industry! What do you sell?

We grow over 20 varieties of lavender, which are used
to make gifts, including dried lavender, essential oils, floral waters, soaps, body lotions, candles and wax melts. Our gifts are either made by us, or supplied
by other small businesses. We’re proud that all our products are eco-friendly and that the packaging is made from recyclable materials. As well as selling from The Yard Store at the farm and online, I also have a stall at a local farmers’ market, and often sell at other events.

And what sort of workshops do you run?

I run an introduction to steam distillation of plants for those interested in producing essential oil and hydrosol. We also host workshops on basketry, aromatherapy, wreath-making, herbalism and paper-flower making, as well as yoga sessions. We’re open to hosting new events, too, if there are any craftspeople wanting to get in touch.

Impressive stuff – what are you most proud of?

Well, sustainability is important to me, so I make sure that I use recycled plant pots when growing lavender, as well as recyclable plant care labels and packaging for all our products. I also run free distilling demonstrations as a way of giving back to local community groups.

Anything exciting on the horizon?

We’ve held several wedding receptions here over the past couple of years and I’d love to host more. It’s always such a joy seeing the wedding photos afterwards. Other than that I’m just getting ready for another busy season. The market stall has already started for the year, while the workshops and The Yard Store begin again next month. Then the lavender field will be open to visitors from June onwards.

Life sounds busy!

It is – but that’s just how I like it. At least I have my scented candles for a moment of calm, or I’ll pop a small lavender bag under my pillow for a good night’s sleep – you really can’t beat the healing qualities of lavender.

For more info, visit mentleyfarmlavender.com, where you can also sign up for Louise’s regular newsletter, Ramblings From Mentley. Instagram: @mentleyfarmlavender.

Outing | Music Rooms

Stepping into a room where a musician practised or composed can give you a new understanding of their work. Here are a few places around the UK where you can immerse yourself a bit and say ‘thank you for the music’.

1. Ralph Vaughan Williams at Leith Hill Place

In the Surrey Hills, just outside Dorking, sits Leith Hill Place, the childhood home of 20th-century composer, Vaughan Williams. You can see the piano on which he composed some of his works, and wander the beautiful surrounding woodlands with views over the North Downs. It’s suddenly easy to see how The Lark Ascending came to him as you look out from the highest viewing point for 50 miles around. Stirring stuff. 

2. Gustav Holst at the Victorian House, Cheltenham

Holst’s birthplace at 4, Pittville Terrace (now 4, Clarence Road) Cheltenham is a wonderful example of a Victorian home, with much to see and learn about the era, as well as about Holst himself and his life and family. The highlight though is obviously the piano upon which he composed ‘The Planets’.

3. George Friedrich Handel at 25 Brook Street, London (Handel Hendrix House)

Handel was the first owner of this Mayfair house in 1723 and remained here until his death. There are four fully restored rooms where you can see period instruments and learn more about Georgian London and there are regular Baroque performances to really up the atmosphere. And if you’re a true music fan you will definitely want to pop next door… 

4. Jimi Hendrix at 23 Brook Street, London

The top floors of 23 Brook Street were home to Jimi and his girlfriend Kathy between 1968 abd 1969. On learning about his former next door neighbour, Jimi went out and bought Handel’s Messiah and Water Music from a record shop on South Molton Street. Entry is included with a ticket to Handel Hendrix House. 

5. John Lennon and Paul McCartney at 20 Forthlin Road and 251 Menlove Avenue, Liverpool

Another two-for-one tour that is sure to delight music fans. The National Trust does a private tour of Paul McCartney’s childhood home, a 1950s council terrace on Forthlin Road, followed by a nose around 251 Menlove Avenue where John Lennon lived with his Aunt Mimi and her husband George. Certain to Please, Please You if you’re a Beatles follower. 

This blog was inspired by the ‘My Place’ feature in our March issue, which this month looks at music rooms, including the one pictured above, which belongs to Meaghan Keating @the.narrows.project. 

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More music appreciation…

More from our March issue…

Project | Satin Stitch Patching

Learn a clever stitching technique that will give old clothes a new lease of life

Mending is officially good for you. Not only does it make you feel useful and give you the warm glow of knowing you’ve saved something from landfill, but it also lets you make an item of clothing unique with visible mending that brings character to everyday items. A mended item becomes even more beautiful and loved than before it had flaws.

Satin stitch patching

Satin stitch is a great way to make a feature out of a mend and this works particularly well on fabrics like denim It’s used to patch the fabric hole to reinforce the mend and stop it getting any bigger. Traditionally, cotton threads are used, but it can also work nicely with silk threads.

1 Select a piece of scrap fabric large enough to patch the hole in the garment – you can always trim it later. Any woven fabric will work, just make sure it has the same density as the garment you want to repair. Next, you may want to make the hole a bit more interesting – take a fabric pen and draw a shape around the hole and trim to the new shape you’ve drawn.

2 Pin your patch to the inside of the garment so the hole is covered. Be generous with pinning – you don’t want the fabric patch to move about while you’re stitching. Pin around 0.5cm from the edge of the hole.

3 Thread your needle (use an arm’s length), leaving a tail by the eye end so the thread doesn’t come out. Then tie a couple of knots at the opposite end of the thread.

4 To start your satin stitch, come through the back of the fabric at the very edge of where the hole is in the garment. Bring your needle all the way through until the knot meets the fabric. You’ll then put the needle back into the fabric from the front, positioning your needle about 5mm directly below where you brought the needle out. Next, bring the needle through the back again (almost back through the first hole in the first stitch, so the stitches are super close to one another), and then through the front, again super close to the previous stitch. Continue in this way until you come to the end of your thread and are ready to thread the needle again.

5 When tying off your thread, you’ll need to leave at least 10cm of thread to make it secure. Bring your needle through to the back, through the stitch that’s closest to where the needle is coming from. Pull the needle through about 1 cm and wrap the thread around a couple of times and pull through. This creates the knot. I like to then weave the needle under the next two stitches and repeat this process one more time to make sure the thread won’t come loose when washed. You can then take your scissors and snip really close to the garment.

6 Continue with a new piece of thread ensuring that your stitches are super compact – much like satin fabric – going all the way around the hole until you meet your starting point. Tie off your work, and give it a press to make sure the fabric is laying flat. You’re now ready to wear.

This is just one of the projects from mending expert Hannah Porter who put together our March issue’s Home Economics pages. To find out more about Hannah’s work, workshops and kits visit: restorationldn.com.

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More from our March issue…

More sewing solutions…

Playlist | Jaunty tunes

To accompany our new April issue JAUNT, we couldn’t resist putting together a playlist of jaunty tunes. So, pop it on and put a spring in your step…

You can take a listen here
Or have a browse of all our playlists

Our April JAUNT issue will be on sale from 26 March.

Competition | Win £500 to spend at One.World

Give your home a spring refresh with timeless classics designed to be cherished

Spring is the ideal time to breathe new life into your home, and this month’s competition gives you the opportunity to do just that with a £500 shopping spree at One.World up for grabs. Whether you’re drawn to reclaimed wood furniture, hand-finished ceramics, or rustic stoneware, One.World’s carefully curated range is designed to bring warmth, charm and effortless style to every home.

As a family-owned brand, One.World believes in creating pieces that tell a story – crafted with care, made to last, and designed to be lived with and loved. “One.World only sells products that we love and want in our own homes,” says Managing Director, Jason Bensohn – and that passion is woven into every design.

Sustainability is also at One.World’s core, using reclaimed materials, and crafting many of its products by hand. Not only that, but a tree is planted for every purchase, ensuring your home refresh is kinder to the planet, too.

Featuring natural, tactile textures and organic shapes, the One.World collection helps to create a space that feels lived-in, welcoming, and uniquely yours. So, regardless of whether you’re styling a cosy reading nook, elevating your dining space, or adding character with unique decorative pieces, One.World designs are made to evolve with you – embracing sticky fingers, muddy paws, and the beauty of everyday life.

With over 250 new lines added this season, there’s more to discover than ever before, plus speedy delivery, exceptional quality, and a Trustpilot rating of Excellent, shopping with One.World is effortless. From bestselling mirrors and statement wall art to elegant lighting, furniture, and home accessories starting from under £10, there’s something for every home and every budget, so enter now for your chance to win £500 to spend on pieces that you’ll cherish for years to come.

For more information and inspiration, visit one.world or follow on Instagram at: @onedotworld

How to enter 

For your chance to win £500 to spend at One.World, click on the button below and answer the following question by the closing date of 8 May 2025. 

Q: How many new lines have been added this season?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 8 May 2025. 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.

Competition | Win one of four Tulip Bistro Sets worth £239

We have Lazy Susan bistro sets up for grabs, meaning less time maintaining furniture and more time enjoying your garden

Spring is here and with it, the prospect of getting outdoors and enjoying fresh air, sunshine, and all that your outdoor space has to offer. For many, the arrival of warmer weather means laborious chores maintaining garden furniture ready for the year ahead. However, if you’d prefer to be sowing and potting rather than sanding and treating, then Lazy Susan garden furniture may be the answer.

After years of struggling to maintain his teak garden table, it became clear to Michael Scott that the long-term solution was not fighting a losing battle with wood, but using cast aluminium instead. After much searching, product testing and deliberation, Lazy Susan was born and now features timeless designs that are maintenance-free, rust-proof and can be left outside all year round.

The Alice Bistro set

From a charming circular four seater, through to a spacious table for twelve, Lazy Susan has something for everyone, and when you buy a set there are great discounts on extras, such as a coordinating bench or Bistro set for additional seating, as well as parasols and cushions in gorgeous tonal colours.

The Simple Things has teamed up with Lazy Susan to offer four lucky readers the chance to win a Tulip Bistro set in antique bronze, worth £239.95. These compact tables offer the ideal place to sit, relax and enjoy your morning cuppa in comfort.

For more information and inspiration, visit www.lazysusan.co.uk, or follow on Instagram at: @lazysusanfurniture

How to enter

For your chance to win one of four Tulip bistro sets, worth £239.95 each, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 8 May 2025. 

Q: What material did Michael Scott use to create the Lazy Susan range?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 8 May 2025. Four winners will be selected at random from
all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winners 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.

Recipe | Salt & Vinegar Nettle Crisps

Photograph by Ali Allen

It’s hard to compete with crisps made from potatoes but these come close and they’re a wildly healthier swap – even better if you use a vinegar infused with other wild ingredients (such as wild garlic).

Serves 2-4

A few handfuls of nettle leaves, washed, drained and dried
Drizzle of olive oil
Pinch of sea salt
Spritz of apple cider, wine or malt vinegar

1 Preheat the oven to 180°C/ Fan 160C/Gas 4. Lightly oil a baking sheet and arrange the nettle leaves in an even layer. Sprinkle with sea salt.

2 Bake for 5-10 mins, checking every 2-3 mins and moving around. Cook until deep green and crispy.

3 Allow to cool, which will help them crisp further. Finish with a spritz of vinegar (ideally from a spritzing bottle), or, gently shake a few drops of vinegar across the nettles instead.

This recipe is from our feature ‘Tipping Point’ from our March issue, in which Rachel de Thample shows us ways to eat saps, buds and shoots. Photography is by Ali Allen. The feature also includes recipes for Tree Sap Syrup, CleaversWater, Wild Salad, Nettle Falafel with Lemon Balm Yogurt and Horseradish Trout with Pea Wasabi.

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More things to make with nettles…

More from our blog…

Competition | Win a two-night stay in a themed vehicle

Win a one-of-a-kind stay worth £330 in the Lincolnshire countryside

The Layby Lincs offers adult-only, pet-friendly, themed vehicle accommodation on the southern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. It’s a short drive to amazing sandy beaches, nature reserves and bustling market towns.

Louise and Alex bought Mill Lane Farmhouse in August 2022 and then set about building their dream escape for those looking to stay somewhere truly memorable, all set around a wildlife pond in their back garden.

 If a comfy, cosy, country getaway with unusual accommodation appeals to you, then this is your chance to win a two-night stay in one of the five vehicles, worth £330.

With five individually themed vehicles, there is something to suit every taste. Will you choose the bold and bright 70s disco themed RV, Alabama (above)? Or are you looking for something a little more subdued, like the English country cottage style of the racehorse transporter, Gee Gee (below)?

Staying in one of the individually themed vehicles is closer to staying in a luxury holiday cottage than it is to camping. Each one has a king size bed with cotton linens, and sustainable duvets and pillows made from recycled cotton and feathers. There is air conditioning for both heating and cooling, as well as WiFi. Outside is a private deck with your own covered kitchen, (made with 95% recycled deck boards). There is no need to share facilities, you get your own private bathroom, with fluffy towels, robes and vegan, cruelty free toiletries. Each vehicle also has its own woodfired hot tub, which is perfect for stargazing, and a fire pit for toasting marshmallows.

The site is a boutique, adults only and pet friendly retreat, with an ethos focussed on repurposing, recycling and relaxing. The whole site, (including the couple’s home), is powered by their own large solar and battery system. Being situated in a rural setting they are very fortunate to have a host of wildlife pass through the site. You might even be lucky enough to see the breeding Barn Owls who have their box on the side of the barn. Alex and Louise look forward to hosting you and any furry, feathered or scaly friends you bring to stay.

How to enter

Please enter the competition by clicking the ‘Enter Now’ button below and answering the following question:

Q: In which year did Louise and Alex buy Mill Lane Farmhouse?

For more info please visit www.thelaybylincs.co.uk or visit their Instagram @thelaybylincs  

Terms & Conditions

The winner will stay at Layby Lincs for 2 nights and the stay is for 2 guests (plus a pet if you wish)
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 21 April 2025. One winner selected at random from all correct entries. The winner is responsible for transport to and from Layby Lincs. No more than 2 large dogs or 4 small dogs allowed per accomodation vehicle. If in doubt then please email info@thelaybylincs.co.uk prior to arrival and check. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap for cash. The winner may be required to participate in publicity. The stay is subject to availability. Dates and the vehicle you stay in will also be dependent on availability. Only one night in the hot tub is included, additional nights are £40 per night. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Competition | Win a Brother Sewing Machine worth £499

We are delighted to have teamed up with Brother to offer readers the chance to win this fabulous prize. Smart sewing made simple!

 No matter where you are in your sewing journey, the Innov-is A series has you covered. Easy to use and packed with features, allowing you to enjoy smooth sewing on all types of fabric, including stretchy jersey and thick denim.

The prize, worth £499

The Brother Innov-is A65 features 60 stitches, including six one-step buttonholes, ensuring you can always find the perfect stitch for any project. Its convenient features, such as an automatic thread cutter, advanced one-action needle threader, lockstitch button, quick-set bobbin, Start/Stop button, and adjustable speed control, make the Innov-is A65 easy to set up and a joy to sew with.

This sleek, compact, and sturdy sewing machine is lightweight and comes with a handy hard cover, making it perfect for those who love to sew on the go. Whether you're heading to a friend's house, attending university classes, or participating in busy sewing workshops, you can easily take your talent wherever you go.

 How to enter

For your chance to win a Brother sewing machine, please press the button below and answer the following question by the closing date of 22 April 2025.
Q: How many one-step buttonholes does the Brother Inn-is A65 have?

Find your local Brother retailer here to see and try the Brother range

Terms & Conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 22 April 2025. 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. If a UK mainland address then Brother will post the machine out free of charge to the winner. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Sponsored Post | Pause for Reflection with Mind

A monthly subscription box packed with fun activities to help your wellbeing, while supporting the mental health charity, Mind

How wonderful would it be if you could pause everything, take a deep breath, and give yourself a moment of calm every month? Well now you can – with Pause.

Pause is a subscription box that provides you with a monthly moment of mindfulness, creativity and calm, delivered straight to your door. Designed to boost your wellbeing, it also helps support Mind, the mental health charity, too.

With a wide range of relaxing activities, each one tailored to provide something fun and calming, Pause enables you to focus on a unique activity – many of which you may not have tried before – and it will help you to reflect, relax and get creative, too.

An ideal opportunity to set aside some time every month to acknowledge how you’re feeling and to check in with yourself, each Pause box can also help you to learn a fun, new skill and encourage you to try new activities – something that has a positive impact on self-esteem and wellbeing.

It’s easy to feel disconnected at times. However, Pause can help you to share, talk and connect with friends and family, as you can share a Pause box or teach your newfound skills to family and friends.

You can also gift a subscription and help a loved one to also enjoy a monthly moment of calm. From just £7.50 a month, over the course of a year, each box includes a free gift message and free delivery to their home, so they can enjoy your gift in their own comfort. We all want to give our loved ones a little time to help slow down. Pause encourages time for reflection, for quiet and peace – now isn’t that a gift.

Every year, one in four people will experience a mental health problem. By subscribing to Pause, all of your donation will go to Mind, meaning you’ll be helping those who need it, as well as giving yourself or a loved one a wellbeing boost. Mind could help someone access life-saving information through booklets, its website and help lines. Or help to support someone through Side by Side, its 24/7 online community. It could also help campaign for better mental health services. All donations help Mind continue its vital work. So pause, take a moment to yourself, and treat yourself or someone you love to a more mindful future – and help make sure that no one has to face a mental health problem alone. Start a Pause subscription today.

For more information on Pause, please visit pauseformind.org.uk/simple.