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MAY 2022 £5.99

HOMES DECORATING CRAFTS GARDENS FOOD TRAVEL HEALTH

Serve up

WHEN YOUR HEART IS IN THE COUNTRY

SUNSHINE

CONTEMPORARY LOOKS FOR

Joyous ways to boost your mood in May Seasonal recipes for campfire cooking Home office hideaways in the garden

COUNTRY SITTING ROOMS

ARTISANAL EASTER GIFTS

TOP TOPIARY TIPS PLUS AN EXPERT ON GROWING IRISES COLLECT VINTAGE HOMEWARE OUR BEGINNER’S GUIDE MAY 2022

Rewilding Britain

Why bison and beavers are back JOE SWIFT

KEITH BRYMER JONES

countryliving.com/uk

ED SHEERAN

M AY 2 0 2 2 I S S U E 4 3 7

Contents 126 42 36

Houses & gardens 17

EMPORIUM New ways to introduce elements of country style into your home

OUT OF THE BLUE A springtime stroll through a bluebell wood inspires a range of purchases and projects

PERFECT YOUR PARLOUR Reimagine your sitting room with our four stylish schemes

118

COLLECTING… Our new series kicks off with vintage enamelware

126

MODIFYING THE MANOR Honouring the presence of the past while overlaying a modern country style in an East Sussex Victorian manor house

Features 23

LIVING THE GOOD LIFE How to get the best from rhubarb: expert tips from Sally Coulthard

29 33

GOING GREENER Our guide to a sustainable life

134

THE PASSIONATE GARDENER Continuing our popular series, we meet the first lady of Foster irises

140

MIXING IT UP A quirky Cotswolds house fuses classic and contemporary in a seamless and cohesive style

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE “I’m a classic art-school dropout”: the remarkable rise of Joe Swift

148

FIFTY SHAPES OF GREEN Form and texture in a melange of verdant shades in a walled garden in Somerset

10 QUESTIONS WITH… KEITH BRYMER JONES Crying over clay with the Pottery Throw Down judge

155

GARDENER’S NOTEBOOK Everything you need to know to get the most from your plot this month

BEST OF BRITISH: WORCESTERSHIRE ELDERFLOWER Making cordials and ice cream

VIEW FROM HERE Susy Smith wonders if a garden shed-cum-office could really work for her

COUNTRY LIVING HOME DELIVERY Subscribe to Country Living and delight in the British countryside from the comfort of your home. Details on page 124 COVER CREDIT Photograph by Sussie Bell. Styling by Selina Lake (assisted by Sarah Prall). Thomas Messenger greenhouse (alitex.co.uk). Tablecloth, Maisie Linen in tan/leaf, Lee Jofa (gpjbaker.com). Director’s chair, £145 (thestripescompany.com). Tärnö chair (ikea.com). Cushions (smallable.com).

MAY 2022

134 M AY 2 0 2 2 I S S U E 4 3 7

Contents

BORN TO REWILD Meet the mavericks on a mission to fill Britain with birds, beavers and even bison

RESTORATION DRAMA How rescuing antique furniture proved a lifeline for one woman in Cheshire

CALL THE MIDWIFE! John Lewis-Stempel gets more than he bargained for when minding a friend’s sheep

THE FLOWER OF THE HOUR The golden heads of sunflowers have long been a symbol of hope and life in Ukraine – and now is the time to plant them

BRINGING OUT THE WILD CHILD The Woodland Pack Company nurtures children with nature in the great outdoors

109

MOVING TO… RURAL ESSEX Our series on relocating to the countryside continues

164

121 THE NO-NONSENSE GUIDE TO… carbon offsetting 202 A MONTH IN THE LIFE OF… booksellers in the bibliophile’s favourite town of Hay-on-Wye

News, views & events

Wellbeing

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY Places to go, things to do and ideas to try in May

159

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU From brunch on a beach to alfresco art – how to put a spring in your step

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT DFS Discover our range of beautiful sofas

163

WELLBEING FOR MIND & BODY Natural tips and remedies to help you feel your best

74 85 105 106

SLEEP IN LUXURY WITH CL AT DREAMS

Food & drink 164

FORAGED FROM THE FRIDGE Time-saving ideas for turning simple staples into satisfying suppers

172

ADVENTUROUS EATING From hedgerow salads to venison burgers: recipes to tap into your wild side

MAY 2022

124 178 186

ARTISANS AT LARGE Visit our pop-up pavilion VINTAGE HOME How to buy our new bookazine THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT HOMEBASE Our stylish kitchens SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE COUNTRY LIVING HOLIDAYS Exclusive trips WHERE TO BUY Stockists in the magazine

ON THE COVER Serve up sunshine pages 159, 172 and 33 Contemporary looks page 52 Artisanal Easter gifts pages 17 and 85 Top topiary tips page 148 Growing irises page 134 Collect vintage homeware page 118 Rewilding Britain page 76 Joe Swift page 36 Keith Brymer Jones page 50 Ed Sheeran page 76

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COUNTRY LIVING, ISSN 0951-0281, is published monthly (12 times a year) by Hearst UK c/o Express Mag, 12 Nepco Way, Plattsburgh, NY, 12903. Periodicals Postage paid at Plattsburgh, NY. POSTMASTER: send address changes to COUNTRY LIVING c/o Express Mag, PO Box 2769, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-0239. Hearst UK is a trading name of The National Magazine Company Limited (Registered in England number 112955) and Hearst UK 2012-1 Ltd (Registered in England number 4474102) whose registered offices are at House of Hearst, 30 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4AJ. Country Living is distributed by Frontline Ltd, Peterborough Tel: 01733 555161. This publication is sold subject to the following conditions: that it shall not, without the consent of the publishers first given, be lent, resold, hired or otherwise disposed of by way of Trade except at the full retail price of £4.99; it shall not be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated condition, or in any unauthorised cover by way of Trade of affixed to or as part of any publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever. Sources, uses and disclosures of personal data held by Hearst Magazines UK are described in the official Data Protection Register. Already a subscriber? Visit hearstmagazines.co.uk/managemyaccount to update your contact details, renew your subscription and find out when your next issue is due to be delivered. Contact us at hearstmagazines.co.uk/contact-us. Call us on 01858 438423*; lines open weekdays, 8am-9.30pm; Saturdays, 8am-4pm. Please note: you can also contact us regarding back issues and special editions. All paper used to make this magazine is from sustainable sources in Scandinavia and we encourage our suppliers to join an accredited green scheme. Magazines are now fully recyclable. By recycling magazines you can help to reduce waste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes of paper already recycled by the UK paper industry each year. Before you recycle your magazine, please ensure that you remove all plastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. If you are unable to participate in a recycling scheme, pass your magazine on to a local hospital or charity. This magazine can be recycled either through your kerbside collection, or at a local recycling point. Log on to recyclenow.com and enter your postcode to find your nearest sites.

A note from the editor

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; DAVID CHARBIT

It’s an early spring morning; the sun is peering above the horizon and the trees – full of blossom – are swaying in the breeze. As I stare out of my office window, two muntjacs stroll nonchalantly across the lawn, pausing to graze in the flowerbeds. Blissfully unaware of the troubles in the world, they are a poignant reminder of the beauty of nature and how it can be a soothing balm in uncertain times. Returning to the task in hand, I take a final look at the issue and feel a huge sense of gratitude towards our talented features team. They have excelled at finding just the right mix of positive and meaningful stories this month, with a focus on people who are passionate about preserving the natural world. Our feature Born to Rewild on page 76 (below left) brings together today’s movers and shakers on sustainability and highlights the brilliant work they’re doing to save the environment. Author and TV gardening presenter Joe Swift is interviewed on page 36 and his honest, self-deprecating, amusing tone is an uplifting tonic. I’ve no doubt that his new series of guides will encourage many to appreciate the meditative power of gardening. Making ceramics also helps to soothe the soul, according to Keith Brymer Jones on page 50 (below right). Famous for his role as a judge in The Great Pottery Throw Down, Keith is at his happiest sitting with a lump of clay on his wheel at home. He emphasises the importance of appreciating the simple things in life. Along with ‘giving back’, it’s a good mantra to abide by and if we all did it we’d live in a more peaceful, better world. See our tribute to the people of Ukraine on page 96.

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A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

PL ACES TO GO, THINGS T O DO, IDEAS T O TRY

May “It was the month of May, the month when the foliage of herbs and trees is most freshly green, when buds ripened and blossoms appear in their fragrance and loveliness.” Le Morte d’Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory

MAY 2022

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

May QUAINT AND CURIOUS… Jack in the Green festival

TAKE YOUR TIME TO… work Shire horses

Rebooted in Hastings by a local Morris dance group in 1983, this 17th-century spring rite is now one of the biggest annual gatherings of folk dancers in the UK. Four days of celebration include the Grand Procession on Bank Holiday Monday, where May Day spirit Jack travels through the old town in his green-leafed cloak and flower crown, accompanied by 12 ‘Bogies’, daubing people’s faces with green face paint as they go. Music and dancing is eventually topped by the symbolic slaying of Jack to release the spirit of summer – after which his foliage garb is distributed to the crowds for luck. hastingstraditionaljackinthegreen.co.uk

Experience the satisfaction of tending the earth behind a pair of Shire horses, enjoying the creak of the harness and the thud of hooves as they tread the ground. At Old Hall Farm in the Lake District, day courses teach you the basics of working these native giants, originally bred as battle steeds for Henry VIII. Learn to groom and tack the pair, then take the reins for tasks that, depending on the time of year, include harrowing, grass cutting and ploughing. A ploughman’s lunch in the sunshine rounds off a most rewarding day. oldhallfarmbouth.com

125

The percentage of its body weight that the diminutive pygmy shrew eats every day

OF THE BEST...

steam train journeys

View nature’s beauty from a railway carriage THE JACOBITE, SCOTLAND The ‘Hogwarts Express’ train travels from Fort William to Mallaig over the spectacular Glenfinnan viaduct (westcoastrailways.co.uk). DARTMOUTH STEAM RAILWAY, DEVON Chuff along the coast from Paignton to Dartmouth (right, dartmouthrailriver.co.uk). NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY This luxurious journey offers fine dining in Pullman carriages (nymr.co.uk). THE POPPY LINE, NORFOLK Follow the coast from Holt to Sheringham through three Victorian stations (nnrailway.co.uk). BLUEBELL RAILWAY, SUSSEX Across the East and West Sussex border, Britain’s oldest standard-gauge railway is the best way to see local bluebells in spring (bluebell-railway.com).

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

May

A SENSE OF THE SEASON… BABBLING BROOKS The epic silence of open moors or the stillness of gladed woodland is broken by the babble of brooks swelled by April showers. Flowing through the land, these freshwater tributaries are small enough to require no more than one foot in the water to cross. Aquatic ribbons, fringed by fern or turf, they slide and gurgle over smooth pebbles, curving and flowing, in the words of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, ‘to join the brimming river’.

EAT THE SEASONS Pollock ONE OF THE MOST SUSTAINABLE WHITE FISH TO BUY, PARTICULARLY WHEN HANDLINE-CAUGHT, THIS NATIVE PELAGIC, WITH

DON’T MISS

ITS COPPERY-GREEN PATINA,

Heath Robinson exhibitions

IS ABUNDANT IN CORNISH WATERS. FROM MAY ONWARD, LOCAL FISHERMEN GO OUT TO FIND THESE ROUND FISH THAT HIDE IN THE REEFS, WRECKS AND ROCKY RIPPLES OF THE COASTLINE. SIMILAR IN TASTE AND TEXTURE TO COD, POLLOCK CAN BE TRANSFORMED IN THE SAME WAY – POACH, COVER IN A HERBY CRUST AND BAKE, OR JUST SWAP OUT FOR HOMEMADE FISH AND CHIPS. THECORNISHFISHMONGER.CO.UK

This year marks the 150th birthday of illustrator and artist Heath Robinson. Famed for his whimsical contraptions and humorous illustrations, Robinson originally wanted to become a landscape artist. You can see his lesser-known watercolours along with his more celebrated cartoons (including The Intellectual Summer Holiday, above) at the Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner, Middlesex, this month. The museum is hosting two exhibitions: Heath Robinson’s Children’s Stories (open until 15 May) and The Humour of Heath Robinson (until 4 September). Admission, £6 (heathrobinsonmuseum.org).

SPOTTER’S GUIDE Native emergent plants Aquatic flora creates a colour pop in verdant water worlds

Pendulous sedge

YELLOW IRIS Sunshine-yellow flowers are found in fens, marshes and wet woodlands – and are said to have inspired the fleur-de-lis symbol. PENDULOUS SEDGE Tall, drooping stems showcase flower spikes that sway in the breeze. COMMON WATER-CROWFOOT This member of the buttercup family has five delicate white petals surrounding a yolky-yellow centre.

Yellow iris 12

MAY 2022

FIND OUT MORE at wildlifetrusts.org.

Common water-crowfoot countryliving.com/uk

discover…

Drystone walls snake through field and fell in Wensleydale. Situated in the sprawling Yorkshire Dales National Park, the valley is home to Hardraw Force, England’s highest unbroken waterfall, and the ruined fortress of Middleham Castle (english-heritage.org.uk). It’s also where you’ll find the creamery in which Wallace and Gromit’s favourite cheese is made (wensleydale.co.uk).

A MONTH IN THE COUNTRY

May

WEEKENDERS

Where to eat

Just 32 miles long and 14 miles wide, nestling in the choppy Irish Sea, the Isle of Man is named after Celtic sea god Manannán, who conjured mists to hide it from invaders. Perhaps divine intervention accounts for the surprising lack of tourists; those who do make it to this Crown Dependency, though, are rewarded with quirky nostalgia and a pick ’ n’ mix of all the best bits of Britain’s scenery.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO Watch the sun set behind the Point of Ayre Lighthouse. Built by Robert Louis Stevenson’s father, this red-and-white banded beacon is on the remote northernmost edge of the island (nlb.org.uk). Keen to get your heart rate up? Hike to the summit of Snaefell, 2,036 feet above sea level, to glimpse the ‘Six Kingdoms of Man’ – England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man and Heaven. For a more genteel journey, take the Snaefell Mountain Railway for tea, cake and panoramic views (iombusandrail.im). Or you could book a boat trip with Manx Basking Shark Watch (shown top right). From mid-May, the southern waters are one of the best places in Britain to see these gentle giants (manxbaskingsharkwatch).

WHERE TO STAY The island’s only four-star hotel, The Claremont in Douglas has airy rooms and an award-winning brasserie (B&B from £149; claremonthotel douglas.com). Alternatively, check into one of the many bed and breakfasts – Georgian Mount Auldyn House in Ramsey features four-poster beds and a five-acre woodland garden (B&B from £100; visitisleofman.com).

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Where to shop In 1957, the island held a competition to design a national tartan and Laxey Woollen Mills (above left) is still the place to buy it, along with Manx tweed (presenceofmann.com). Or get a taste of history with Manx kippers, smoked without artificial dyes, at Peel institution Moore’s (above right) for 120 years (manxkippers.com). Don’t be surprised to find Manx banknotes in your change when shopping, though, as the island has its own currency.

countryliving.com/uk

WORDS BY ANNA MELVILLE-JAMES. INFORMATION CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES; GUY EDWARDES/NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY; STOCKFOOD/ JAN-PETE WESTERMANN. ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIRA TEE

Isle of Man

Sample sumptuous seafood at The Boatyard Restaurant on Peel’s historic harbourside. Delectable delights from the deep include Manx crab, local smoked haddock and ‘queenies’, moreish Manx scallops (the boatyardpeel.com). Over in Douglas, Little Fish Café’s (left) delicious dishes include Keralan fish curry, classic fish and chips, and sweet potato tagine for the veggies (littlefishcafe.com).

SHOP SMALL

The ditsy print of these cotton placemats, £69 for a set of four from Mrs Alice, is also available on a tablecloth and napkins

This check window seat, from £2,560, is designed by Salvesen Graham, known for its quintessentially British heritage style

The Podkin, from £475, is the smallest of Judith Needham’s play dens woven using willow from the Somerset Levels

emporium Our handpicked selection of favourite pieces from individual makers, the high street and small businesses

Our gardening tools have a classic style and make lovely gifts, £32 for this digging fork, Country Living Collection at Homebase

Temple’s calming Wild Flower Tea, £12 from The Future Kept, contains roses, sage, calendula and red clover from the Outer Hebrides

With its storage hooks, handy worktop and dry sink, Gardenesque’s weatherproof painted-fir potting bench is a brilliant addition for any gardener, £249.99

Gloucestershire potter Annie Hewett takes inspiration from plant forms to create her one-off ceramics, including this retro-print cream jug, £24 countryliving.com/uk

MAY 2022

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Editor’s choice

Porcelain plates with leaf imprints, from £20-£35 each, Jade Gallup

MAY 2022

PHOTOGRAPH BY NATO WELTON

“Each one of these pretty dishes is unique. They are made by pressing an individual leaf into the hand-rolled clay before covering it in a homemade coloured slip. They are food safe or can be used to hold jewellery or a candle.”

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Britta James fills carved details with traditional stoneware glaze to create a window effect in her porcelain dishes, £45 from Leach Pottery in St Ives

Fifield Road Apothecary’s cold-processed soaps, £8, contain healing plants foraged from owner Leslie Jowett Astor’s Cotswold farm

emporium

Katie Leamon’s petite steel scissors, £12.50, with elegant engraved Arabesque detail, are ideal for crafters

Vaisselle’s artisan-made ceramics are designed in colour-coordinated patterns. This bottle vase, £75, is perfect for displaying freshly cut blooms

This deckchair, £250 from Cox & Cox, is practical as well as pretty, thanks to its UV- and water-resistant canvas. There’s a matching parasol, too

This jolly ruffle cushion cover, handmade from ticking striped cotton, comes in green, red and blue, £74, Host Home

Follow @CLArtisans on Instagram to see more unique products from talented makers 20

FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy

MAY 2022

COMPILED BY AND WORDS BY CARA LASKARIS. PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRIS COONEY; ASTRID TEMPLIER. PRICES AND AVAILABILITY CORRECT AT THE TIME OF GOING TO PRESS

Artist Hannah Watters’ kitchen garden designs are a celebration of British produce. Available as prints or linen napkins, £42 for a set of four

Add water to this coconut-fibre Growbar, £12.50 from The Gluttonous Gardener, and watch Canterbury bells, larkspur and candytuft flowers spring to life

Living the GOOD LIFE

There’s never been a better time to go self-sufficient. In our ongoing series, Sally Coulthard shares tried-and-tested tips from her Yorkshire smallholding

THIS MONTH Rhubarb countryliving.com/uk

MAY 2022

Author and seasoned smallholder Sally shares her Yorkshire plot with sheep, horses, chickens, ducks, an orchard, vegetable garden and pond

f anyone mentions the word ‘rhubarb’, I instantly go into ‘Did you know?’ mode. Not only is it a vegetable, not a fruit, but in medieval times it was much more important as a cure than as a comfort food. Writing at the end of the 16th century, the English herbalist John Gerard recommended rhubarb for all kinds of grisly complaints, from pleurisy to the ‘bloody flux’ (dysentery) and everything in between. I can’t imagine that rhubarb made a jot of difference to our poor medieval ancestors, but the appeal of this extraordinary vegetable lives on in the country’s delicious desserts and savoury dishes. Alongside everyone’s school favourite – rhubarb crumble – these blush-pink stalks also make amazing jellies, curds, drinks, chutneys, cakes and much more besides. Rhubarb also makes a zingy, mouthwatering accompaniment to fatty meats such as duck or pork, and oily fish such as mackerel. Even smothered in custard, it’s still good for you, providing a rich source of vitamins K and C. Rhubarb is also heaven for a busy smallholder because it looks after itself and the same plant will keep on gifting you sustenance for years. Like me, rhubarb loves an open, sunny garden, but can cope with semi-shade. What it hates is being waterlogged, so you just need to make sure it’s sitting in free-draining soil. I’ve always grown my rhubarb from plants rather than seeds – I’m far too impatient – and you’ll find dormant ‘crowns’ for sale between autumn and spring in garden centres and ‘growing rhubarb’ in

MAY 2022

spring/summer. Just don’t plant rhubarb on a hot day – it’ll wilt like a soggy lettuce. It also dies back over winter – don’t panic if it disappears to almost nothing, as it’ll come back with a vengeance in spring. Yorkshire folk are very proud of their rhubarb heritage – the ‘triangle’ between Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield is renowned for its early, forced rhubarb, which is grown in darkened sheds. You can buy bell-shaped terracotta rhubarb forcers for your own garden – they work a treat and will make your vegetable plot look like something out of a Beatrix Potter book. Forced rhubarb is a delight, not only because it’s so sweet and tender, but because it’s probably one of the earliest crops you’ll be able to eat in the year and ready between January and April when little else has poked through the soil. Later in the season, outdoor rhubarb comes into its own – juicier, chunkier stems that need a bit more cooking but reward you with big, bold flavours. Although you can carry on picking into September, most people stop in late July/August to give the plant a chance to recover. The ‘rhubarb rule’ is to never pull out more than a third of the stalks. You can cook stalks a number of ways. Cut them into batons, sprinkle with sugar, cover with foil and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes until tender. You can also poach chunks in a pan with a splash of water and scattering of sugar. Certain warming spices also pair well – try ginger, cardamom or cinnamon. As children, my brother and I would sit on the garden path and eat young rhubarb raw, dipped in sugar, which was so fabulously sour, it made your eyes cross. It also freezes brilliantly and defrosts quickly, so it’s perfect for an impromptu crumble when the mood inevitably strikes. countryliving.com/uk

THE GOOD LIFE

Rhubarb

Rhubarb VARIETIES

TIMPERLEY EARLY One of the first varieties to pop up in the year. It’s often used as a forcing rhubarb, which can be harvested from February, but also works well left to its own devices and will be ready to pick from late March.

RASPBERRY RED A modern variety that produces gorgeous bright red stalks ready to pick in April/May. It’s sweeter than other varieties, so won’t need as much sugar when it’s cooked.

Rhubarb is heaven for a busy smallholder because it looks after itself GET THE KIT

GLASKIN’S PERPETUAL A heritage rhubarb that can be picked well into late summer. It’s not as prettily red as some other varieties, so won’t give your puddings that pinkish hue, but is a doddle to grow and perfect for beginners who want a hassle-free, long cropping season.

FORCER The traditional way to block out light and encourage earlyseason stems. From £45.99, thenurseries.com

TRUG Traditional-style trugs are ideal for carrying rhubarb without damaging it. From £40, truggery.co.uk

GARDEN MULCH Rhubarb loves a good layer of this to aid moisture retention and add nutrients. £11.95, harrodhorticultural.com MAY 2022

THE GOOD LIFE

Rhubarb

7questions …with a rhubarb baker

1 2

What’s so special about rhubarb? The bright pinks and crimsons of early forced rhubarb have my heart. The colour of the stems and the white interior look so appealing and appetising.

HOW TO MAKE

Pistachio tart with rhubarb tiles SERVES 9 400G SHORTCRUST PASTRY 100G UNSALTED BUTTER 100G CASTER SUGAR 2 EGGS (BEATEN) 70G GROUND PISTACHIOS 80G GROUND ALMONDS 4-6 SIMILAR-WIDTH RHUBARB STEMS 2 LARGE LEMONS 2 PINK LADY APPLES, PEELED AND CHOPPED 8 BLACKBERRIES OR BLUEBERRIES FOR THE GLAZE 50G SUGAR 1 TSP GROUND GINGER

1 Line a loose-bottomed, fluted tin (23cm sq) with the pastry and blind bake for 30 minutes at 180°C (160˚C fan oven) gas mark 4. Brush with egg wash; bake for another 10 minutes. 2 Beat together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and ground nuts a little at a time, mixing gently. 3 Half-fill the pastry case with a layer of the frangipane mixture and place in the fridge to chill.

MAY 2022

4 Slice the rhubarb stems into 1cmthick pieces and trim the coloured skin off the flat side of half of them. 5 Squeeze the lemons and put the juice into a pan of water. Soften the apple slices by simmering gently. 6 Remove the pastry case from the fridge and lay the rhubarb on top, working from adjacent corners and alternating between red and white. Leave a diagonal strip for the apple. 7 Dry the apple on a tea towel and place decoratively along the clear strip on the tart. Add the berries. 8 Make the glaze by boiling 100ml water with the sugar and ginger for a few minutes until thickened. 9 Allow to cool for 5 minutes, then brush it over the rhubarb and apple. 10 Place the tart in the fridge for an hour before covering with foil and baking for two hours at 160˚C (140°C fan oven) gas mark 3. 11 Cooking times vary, so check after an hour, then every 20 minutes, taking off the foil for the final 20 minutes. RECIPE FROM Julie Jones (see right).

Is forced better than au naturel? Both kinds work brilliantly for different things. If it’s going to be on show, I’ll use the stems of early rhubarb; if it’s covered with pastry or a crumble topping, I use the bolder, greener varieties, which have a great robust flavour.

Favourite rhubarb recipe? I love using the delicate, forced stems on the top of baked fruit tarts. By nestling cut pieces into frangipane (see left), you can create beautiful patterns. Just gather together as much as you can so you have plenty to play around with, cut it into strips, chunks or squares depending on their form and get creative.

4 5 6 7

Any surprising uses? Rhubarb bellinis! I like making a bright pink rhubarb purée and serving it in the bottom of a flute topped with prosecco. Heaven. What about savoury? Diana Henry has some really wonderful recipes. Her roast chicken with pickled rhubarb and dill is a dream meal.

Roasting versus poaching? Sometimes when poaching rhubarb, it can cook so quickly. Turn your back and suddenly you have a pan of mush. Roasting the stems will avoid this. Signs of a good stem? Apart from great colour, it’s important that the stems are crisp, firm and unbruised. Avoid the very thick greener stems as they can be too fibrous. If you don’t have time to grow your own, you can order early forced rhubarb online from the ‘rhubarb triangle’ (see below). FIND RHUBARB ONLINE at yorkshirerhubarb.co.uk.

SALLY’S DUNGAREES BY FIELD & FOUND (FIELDANDFOUND.COM). MAIN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW MONTGOMERY. ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; PETER CASSIDY; GLASKINS.ENGLISHSFRUITNURSERY.IE. ILLUSTRATION BY ENYA TODD/ILLUSTRATIONX. RECIPE FROM THE PASTRY SCHOOL BY JULIE JONES (OCTOPUS, £25)

Julie Jones’s recipes are beloved by her 185,000 Instagram followers. Here, she tells us all about her favourite ingredient

Going GREENER Our quick and easy guide to sustainable living

SMALL IS

bountiful

No matter how large or small your garden, you can still help to boost our bee population, says the British Ecological Society (BES). Tracking the nectar production of 59 city gardens, researchers at Bristol University found that modest residential plots can offer a more reliable food supply than farmland. The key is to stock up on pollinator-friendly plants: the BES recommends open or ‘snout-shaped’ blooms whose nectar is easy to access, and purple flowers that can be seen easily by bees. Also look out for the RHS ‘plants for pollinators’ tag in garden centres.

DID YOU KNOW… …the Woodland Trust has planted 50 million trees in the past 50 years? The Trust, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, aims to plant a further 50 million by 2025, including dozens of 70-acre woods to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Find out how you can help at woodlandtrust.org.uk.

A GOOD READ... Sustainable Kitchen by Abi Aspen Glencross and Sadhbh Moore (White Lion, £18) We love this practical handbook on how to shop, cook and eat seasonally and sustainably. Recipes include pumpkin seed blondies, cauliflower soup and marrow fritters.

ONE CHANGE TO MAKE THIS MONTH…

CLEANING WITH A CONSCIENCE If you’re planning to get stuck into a spot of spring cleaning this month, stock up on eco-friendly essentials from Bide. Not only are the ingredients all natural and plastic-free, but the products are handmade at home by marginalised people who would otherwise struggle to join the workforce. Try the Ultimate Bide Eco Cleaning Box, £25, which comes with dishwasher powder, washing-up liquid and toilet-cleaning bombs – all scented with essential oils – plus compostable cloths and a biodegradable scourer. bideboxes.com

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don’t buy, borrow Whether it’s a cake stand for your Jubilee celebrations or a leaf blower for tidying up the garden, the Olio app helps you source what you need from your neighbours. Originally a food-sharing app, Olio now has a feature that allows users to post household items they’re happy to lend to others. Download it at olioex.com.

100,000 The number of volunteers Surfers Against Sewage hopes to mobilise as part of its Million Mile Clean campaign (beachcleans.org.uk)

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MAY 2022

ECO LIVING

Going GREENER WHY ARE THEY DISAPPEARING SO FAST? Farming practices are a big factor. Curlews make their nests in long grass, which is cut multiple times a year to make silage, meaning eggs and chicks are destroyed. Meadows and wet grassland bogs, where they feed, have been drained for farmland and development. This is an issue, as they plunge their long beaks into soft soil for worms. And then there’s predation: the UK has more crows than anywhere else in Europe and plenty of foxes, too. Both eat curlew eggs and chicks.

IS THERE ANY HOPE?

SO THEY HAVE FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES… Oh, yes – Prince Charles loves curlews and is a key player in their conservation. He was devastated when I wrote to him explaining that out of a hundred nests in Shropshire, no chicks survived. He hosted two curlew summits at Highgrove and on Dartmoor.

TELL US ABOUT WORLD CURLEW DAY…

ASK AN

ECO EXPERT

This month Mary Colwell, the conservationist on a quest to save the beleaguered curlew

WHY CURLEWS? As a child, I’d go walking in the Peak District with my dad – and the call of the curlew provided a soundtrack – a bubbling crescendo echoing across the countryside. Then, working as a producer at the BBC’s Natural History Unit, I got to know and love them even more.

BUT THEY’RE IN PERIL? The British Trust for Ornithology predicts curlews will be extinct as a breeding bird in Wales within ten years. Southern Ireland has seen a 98 per cent decline in 30 years, from 8,000 pairs in the 1980s to around 135 pairs today. In Scotland, numbers are down by 60 per cent, and in England, 50 per cent. This is why, at the end of a contract with the BBC six years ago, I set out to help them.

YOU LAUNCHED A RESCUE MISSION? I walked 500 miles across the UK and Ireland to track the birds, documenting the journey in my book, Curlew Moon [see right]. It was emotional. In Ireland, I got chatting to an old man who remembered curlews from his childhood but couldn’t recollect their call. I played it to him and tears poured down his face. He hadn’t heard the sound in years. It used to be everywhere.

MAY 2022

I founded World Curlew Day in 2017 [see below] and set up a charity called Curlew Action in 2019. Now, hundreds of people join in to raise awareness. Conservation isn’t just about science; it’s about community engagement, too.

BEST SPOTS FOR SIGHTINGS? I live in Bristol, so my closest curlew spot is the Severn Estuary. In winter, they feed on its muddy banks, while in spring, they nest in the surrounding meadows. I recently visited North Norfolk, where I heard curlews calling over the marsh. While we have that, there’s hope. For guaranteed sightings, try the Peak District, Yorkshire Moors, Yorkshire Dales or Northumberland National Park.

A CHIRPY NOTE TO END ON? The plight of our wildlife can feel disheartening, but I refuse to believe it’s the end game. If you feel overwhelmed by everything, pick something to love, as I love this beautiful, beleaguered bird. If you love something, you’ll look after it.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Do it today… Read Mary’s book, Curlew Moon, to learn more about her journey tracking curlews across the UK (HarperCollins, £9.99).

Do it tomorrow… Sign up to help monitor curlews. Visit curlewrecovery.org for monitoring resources, plus information on how to get started.

Do it this month… Host an event to mark World Curlew Day on 21 April. Talks, walks, coffee mornings, art shows and poetry evenings all help spread the word. Visit curlewaction.org for ideas.

COMPILED BY AND INTERVIEW BY SARAH BARRATT. PHOTOGRAPHS BY GETTY IMAGES; RONAN MCGRADE

I’m the chair of Curlew Recovery Partnership England, set up by Defra. We connect, advise and support anyone working to help curlews. Projects to remove eggs from the wild, raise chicks in captivity, then re-release them are showing positive signs. More than a hundred chicks were raised this way last year – some were released at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. Prince Charles was there with his binoculars!

COLUMN

View from here

ILLUSTRATION BY MAY VAN MILLINGEN

A new style of garden shed is landing on lawns across Britain – and Susy Smith is lusting after one new word has entered the English language. So far as I can tell, mentions of the ‘Shoffice’ began to proliferate back in 2020, although I am way behind the curve as I’ve only just come across it. We can guess that ‘Shoffice’ is a hybrid of shed and office. As the world changed, and working from home became the new normal for many, legions of employees found themselves fighting for space at the kitchen table or balancing a laptop on their knees in the bedroom. Desperate to find solace, they looked for an alternative, and those with gardens found it in – the ‘Shoffice’! What could be better than a separate space where a frazzled homeworker could escape the children, dog and piles of washing-up, where work could continue uninterrupted and equipment didn’t have to be swept away every mealtime? And it certainly made commuting a doddle. Let’s be clear: we are not talking about a ‘She-shed’ or a ‘Man-cave’, where general pottering or tinkering takes place. Nor, indeed, do we mean a glorified summerhouse containing a table that can double as a desk. Oh no, the ‘Shoffice’ is a fully formed, all-singing, all-dancing, electricity-supplied, WiFi-connected, all-year-round heated little ‘house’ – with a price tag to match. Despite the serious investment, there were plenty of people prepared to spend the cash. Sales, the makers of these garden offices report, have gone through the roof. I don’t wish to sound bitter about this but, the fact is, I am. A little. For I should love to have such a smart garden building. A year or two ago, I decided that the far end of my plot – ‘the working area’ that was effectively a dumping ground for old pots, chicken wire, sacks of leaves and so on – needed an overhaul. Next door had just had a ‘garden studio’ installed for the adolescent grandkids to hang out in when they visited. ‘Lucky them,’ I thought. ‘I’d like to hang out in a garden studio.’ Peering over the fence, I lusted after it and wondered whether I, too, could install my very own garden hideaway. I bookmarked images in Country Living, drooled over websites selling upmarket garden retreats countryliving.com/uk

and wondered if I could ever manage to save up enough to purchase one. I imagined myself, sitting in there, gazing out over the garden, pondering the meaning of life and, inspired by my stylish new surroundings, finally cracking out the novel I’ve been meaning to write for a hundred years. Then my husband had a garage sort-out. He became very possessive about the space, declaring it his domain and that I shouldn’t be cluttering it up with my stuff. This is fair – my wishes do hold sway over most of our living arrangements. “All these garden tools,” he said, “should be in a shed at the end of the garden.” “We don’t have a shed,” I replied. “Why don’t you put one in that area you want to reorganise?” he said. I couldn’t argue with that. I really did need somewhere weatherproof and properly organised where I could store fertilisers, sow seed and pot up plants. A place where the lawnmower could be housed, all my tools hung on the wall and my pots neatly stacked. My visions of a dreamy garden building began to dissolve, as I faced up to the fact that, on this occasion, substance had to triumph over style: a shed would make more sense. I managed to find a pretty stylish model: stained soft cream with a corrugated roof and a log store attached. It wasn’t cheap. In fact, my husband refers to it as “the most expensive shed in the world”. Whatever, it is practical, purpose-built and well organised. Or at least the first two are true. Keeping it tidy seems to be impossible. When gardening, I become obsessed: never content with what I’ve achieved, I always spot another task to do before I finish up. As the day ends, I’m still out there, trying to prune shrubs or pot on seedlings in near darkness. By the time I finally pack up, I’m too exhausted to do anything more than open the shed door and dump everything inside for sorting on another day – that never comes. I still look longingly at ‘Shoffices” (if that’s the plural) and think, ‘If only I had something so stylish, I would keep it pristinely clean and organised and I would finally write that novel.’ But, for now, I must be content with my common-or-garden shed. NEXT MONTH Susy Smith celebrates British Flowers Week. Meanwhile, you can follow her on Instagram @susysmithmacleod.

MAY 2022

PROFILE

NOT YOUR AVERAGE

Joe

As he gears up to present the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the down-to-earth TV gardener talks about cultivating creativity, growing through grief and the joys of just ‘having a go’ INTERVIEW BY LAURA SILVERMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALUN CALLENDER

oe Swift still harbours rock-star dreams. “I’m a classic art-school dropout,” he says cheerfully, recalling his teenage years as a bassist. “Our band were really quite dedicated, but then someone went out with someone else’s girlfriend and that was the end of that.” Joe scooted off to a kibbutz, attracted by the idea of travel and a tan for little more than a plane ticket, and got hooked on the outdoors. Back home, he took a job at a local gardening company with no grand plan and loved it. He was on his way. Joe’s siblings had taken different paths. Adam would become a political philosopher; Rebecca, a poet and editor. “The academic life was not for me,” says Joe, the youngest of the three. “But I wasn’t lying around doing nothing. I was always busy doing stuff.” His dad, the actor Clive Swift (Richard Bucket in the BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances), questioned where this “stuff ” was heading, but he’d split up from Joe’s mum, the novelist Margaret Drabble (and sister of AS Byatt), when Joe was young and she was easy-going. “My parents weren’t worried as long as I was happy. You couldn’t really rebel in my family,” he says.

THE MAKING OF JOE PUBLIC Joe chats away with the pally warmth he displays on our screens presenting Gardeners’ World and the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. He is self-deprecating and very funny. “My mum’s a writer and my dad was an actor, and I was always like, ‘I don’t want to get involved in any of that stuff.’ And I end up on the TV and I end up writing… But it’s all about gardening and it’s all about… Well, it’s not all about me, countryliving.com/uk

but it’s my personality… My dad was always playing characters and my mum’s always creating them. I’m just being myself.” As a child, Joe gardened with his grandparents. He would hold the bucket for Grandma Lily, on his dad’s side, as she cut sweet peas and roses for her house in suburban Liverpool. And he’d potter about with his grandpa, on his mum’s side, in his garden full of fruit trees in Suffolk: “He saw himself as Percy Thrower from Gardeners’ World and would garden in a waistcoat. My mum, every now and again, says, ‘Your grandpa would be very proud of you.’” After a couple of years at the gardening company, picking up plant names from the Reader’s Digest encyclopaedia in the van between jobs, Joe did a bit of landscaping in Australia. He then enrolled at The English Gardening School at Chelsea Physic Garden to study garden design, setting up a landscaping firm on the side. A few years later, running a gardening shop, he responded to an ad in a magazine for contributors to Gardeners’ World. He has now been on the show for more than two decades.

THE CHELSEA CHALLENGE His first presenting gig at Chelsea, which he is gearing up for again this spring, followed in 2001. “None of us knew what we were doing at first,” says Joe, who learnt all he could from Alan Titchmarsh. “It’s a very different kettle of fish to Gardeners’ World, where you go to a garden for a whole day and say the same thing a million times until everyone’s happy. This is effectively live – there’s little time for editing and you’re being watched by visitors – and it was nerve-wracking. We were MAY 2022

PROFILE

“BY THE END OF CHELSEA, I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO LIE DOWN IN A DARK ROOM FOR A WEEK”

thrown in at the deep end. It was sink or swim.” It’s easier now – a bit: “I get a real buzz. But I still sometimes think, ‘Shouldn’t someone who knows what they’re doing be doing this?’” You need stamina to get through. “They’re the longest days on earth. I can be on camera at seven in the morning till eight at night… Also, the amount you walk is amazing. You’re on your feet all day. By the end, it’s like, ‘I need to lie down in a dark room for a week.’” Joe’s seen Chelsea through the gardener’s lens, too, when he designed the show garden for the Teenage Cancer Trust, sponsored by Homebase, in 2012. The design, which focused on sustainability, stood out for its use of cedar frames and low-maintenance plants. “I got a gold medal, which I’d told everyone wasn’t important, but of course it was,” he laughs. “It took me back to my art-school days because it was so creative and intense. You’re on site for three weeks and you don’t sleep properly and you don’t eat properly and you’re so tired and you’re always emotional. This garden’s going round in your head all day and all night. It was amazing, but stressful.” This year, Joe is creating a Chelsea garden for the RHS, supporting the BBC Radio 2 campaign Big Bee Challenge, encouraging pollinators into our garden. The pressure’s off a little because it won’t be judged, but it still has to be right. “I’m going through those stressful times now,” says Joe, with a glint in his eye that suggests he rather enjoys it. What ‘right’ means at Chelsea today has evolved over the years: “When I started, everything had to be perfectly in flower. Now, everyone is much less worried about that.” Last year’s show, which took place in September once lockdown had eased, showed the beauty of imperfection. “There were a lot of plants that were going over into autumn and it was lovely. They captured a moment in time. Gardens where everything was perfect looked a bit too perfect.”

GARDENING FOR BEGINNERS Over the past couple of years, more and more of us have got into gardening, says Joe, who found himself “at the end of a hotline” for friends early on in the pandemic. “Some of them didn’t have the basics and, all of a sudden, they wanted to dig up the lawn and grow potatoes. A lot of them were scared about whether they were doing it right.” His five beginner guides might come in handy to anyone now in that position. They cover small, modern, edible, nature and indoor gardens. “They’re pick-up-and-have-a-go books,” says Joe. “A combination of my experience and simple technical stuff. There’s a mystique about gardening where there shouldn’t be.” Joe wants people to know that everyone, even experienced gardeners, fail. “I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the years,” he says

MAY 2022

as if he’s telling a joke down the pub. “There’s the classic one of digging a pond and thinking I don’t want to get a skip, so I’ll use the soil for a rockery. And then, what am I going to put on that rockery? And then, now I want a path…” Great gardeners plan. “Design is key, so that you end up with something that’s greater than the sum of its parts.” It’s been one of his biggest lessons. The pandemic has given Joe time to garden more, too. He’s done a bit in east London, where he lives with his wife. But his passion is his one-acre plot in south-west France, which brims with alliums, camassias and lavender: “It’s absolutely buzzing in the summer.” Joe keeps an eye on it all year, wherever he is. “I’ve got a camera on the back of the house over there, so every single morning I look at my garden and see how it’s doing.” He also gardens between visits with his robot mower, which he operates from his phone: “I love a bit of technology when it works.” Technology is fun, but nothing beats being hands-on, pruning and planting: “I write about gardens, I design gardens, I film gardens, but there is nothing better than getting lost in the garden. It takes me back to the real basics of how it makes me feel.” Today, almost everyone is attuned to the therapeutic power of gardening, but gardeners have always been in the know. That’s certainly been the case for Joe, who talks movingly about how he’s gardened through grief. He lost his sister in 2017 and his father in 2019: “I’ve had big bereavements in the past few years, close friends and family, and I’ve gone straight out into the garden… Last year, my best friend died and I cried in the garden in France for two weeks. It was the best place to be. It felt like he was there with me. There was this huge outpouring of grief. I know gardening can do that for me.”

NEW SHOOTS But you have to make time for it. And Joe has promised himself that he will over the next couple of years by concentrating on Modular, his design and build business. “Gardening is who I am,” he says simply. Some days, Joe might be picking out plants in a nursery for a home. On others, he might be working on bigger projects like Horatio’s Garden at the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville Hospital, which he created a few years ago. He also hopes to spend more time in the countryside and has been looking to move with his wife to Dorset. “We want to try living in the country for a year, with the mud and the inconvenience, to see if we can hack it,” he says in his down-toearth way. Somewhere to garden would at least keep Joe busy for a while. And he does still have his bass guitar. JOE’S Expert Gardening Guides – Create Your Own… Small Garden, Edible Garden, Indoor Green, Nature Garden and Modern Space – are out now (Collins Gardening, £4.99 each). RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be on BBC2 from 24 May.

Joe’s JOURNEY 1965 Born in Newcastle, while his mum, author Margaret Drabble, is visiting his dad, Clive Swift, an actor, on tour. Grows up in north London, with an older brother and sister 1980s Quits art college for life as a rock star. After the band breaks up, he spends six months in Israel on a kibbutz, where he falls in love with the outdoor life

1990 Studies garden design at The English Gardening School at Chelsea Physic Garden, while running a landscaping company 1998 Joins the Gardeners’ World team, after answering an ad in a magazine

2001 Starts presenting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the BBC. He has since covered Hampton Court, Tatton Park and Malvern flower shows. Publishes The Plant Room, the first of several books over the coming years

2004 Sets up Modular, his garden design business

2012 Wins a gold medal at Chelsea for the Homebase/ Teenage Cancer Trust show garden

2018 Horatio’s Garden at the National Spinal Injuries Centre at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Joe’s most rewarding project, opens. It won a Society of Garden Designers award last year

2022 Brings out five guides showing how to create your own garden. Designs a garden for pollinators for the RHS at Chelsea, where he will return as a presenter

HAVE A GO… WITH JOE PLAN I see people leave flower shows with one of everything. You’ll never get a good look with so much variety. Think where you’ll put plants first. GO SLOW Invest in one or two specimens that will hold the garden together. Save a bit by buying larger-specimen perennials and grasses when they’re small – they grow fast. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX Opt for interesting levels and a range of plants over a minimalist look with a rectangular lawn that you’ll have to keep perfectly tidy. WELCOME WILDLIFE Flowers, canopies, a wild patch or pond all provide food and shelter for birds and bees. You can include elements without sacrificing the look or use of your garden. EMBRACE FAILURE Even experienced gardeners make mistakes. I should know. The basics will help you succeed, but you only get there by having a go.

DISCOVER THE GARDENS OF NORTH WALES and meet Joe on Country Living’s four-day tour of its best-loved gardens. For more information, see page 182.

MADE IN BRITAIN

Every Country Living sofa is expertly crafted in Britain and comes with a 15-year guarantee

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT DFS See the full Country Living Collection at dfs.co.uk/country-living

WARWICK

LOCH LEVEN

CHARLBURY

Handpicked by the style experts at Country Living magazine, this exclusive collection of quality sofas, inspired by the beautiful landscapes around the British Isles, will bring a touch of country charm to the heart of any home, rural or urban.

MORLAND

These stylish sofas are handmade to order in UK factories by skilled craftspeople, using quality fabrics from Lancashire mills to create a collection of timeless classics. This chic range comprises six country-inspired sofas including Country Living Warwick, which pairs a quintessential roll-top back with buttoned arms. Other traditional choices include sumptuous Loch Leven, in velvet or plain fabric; Charlbury, with elegant curved arms and single-cushion seat; Morland, with classic lines and soft, comfortable cushions in contrasting plaid and plain; and Woodstock, featuring Chesterfield arms and subtle seam detailing. WOODSTOCK

S E A S O N A L I N S P I R AT I O N

Out of THE BLUE A springtime stroll through a wood ablaze with bluebells inspires a range of decorative purchases and projects WORDS AND STYLING BY SIAN WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRENT DARBY

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

Bell EPOQUE

Turn to the natural world for a rich source of colour and design. Old weathered chairs and tables make a rustic backdrop for accessories in cobalt, indigo and other brilliant shades of blue. Vintage chair, folding table, pottery vase, vintage watering can and green galvanized-metal flower bucket, all from a selection, Norpar. Duralex Picardie green tumblers, £16 (six), Dyke & Dean. Cast-iron heart bird bath, £7.99, Homescapes. Ceramic votives, from a selection, Morgans. Similar vintage-style flask, from a selection, Etsy. Banner made from Hinton plain linen in Chalk, £34.50/m, Ian Mankin. Bluebell image painted in Textile Solid fabric paint, £66.99 (12 x 250ml assorted colours), Rito Hobby. Bamboo garden cane, £3, Wilko. Heritage twine in green, £4.25/110m, Nutscene. Similar medium wicker basket, £24.99, Muldale. Poole stripe braid in Cobalt (W3cm), £12.50/m, Ian Mankin. Raffia in natural, £2.95 (1m); blue jute twirly twine, £2.50/75m; lime green jute twine, £4.25/110cm: all Nutscene. Cushion made from Hinton plain linen in Chalk, £34.50/m, Ian Mankin; printed with Bluebells stamp, £16, and Hero Arts indigo ink, £6.95: both The English Stamp Company. Cushion made from Oxford stripe cotton in navy, £39.50/m, Ian Mankin

S E A S O N A L I N S P I R AT I O N

O, that lone flower recalled to me My happy childhood’s hours When bluebells seemed like fairy gifts A prize among the flowers Anne Brontë

countryliving.com/uk

MAY 2022

S E A S O N A L I N S P I R AT I O N

WOODLAND WALKS Bluebells cover many deciduous woodland floors across the UK in late spring. For the best places to visit, go to woodlandtrust.org.uk. Similar women’s cream turtleneck wool jumper, £29.90; cream cashmere scarf, £39.90: both Uniqlo. Similar medium wicker basket, £24.99, Muldale. Stool, car boot find

CREATIVE CANOPY Paint a striking bluebell motif on a plain piece of fabric that’s big enough to hang as a cooling canopy. Vintage chair, pottery vase, folding table, vintage watering can and candleholder, all from a selection, Norpar. Duralex Picardie green tumblers, £16 (six), Dyke & Dean. Banner made from Hinton plain linen in Chalk, £34.50/m, Ian Mankin. Bluebell image painted in Textile Solid fabric paint, £66.99 (12 x 250ml assorted colours), Rito Hobby. Bamboo garden cane (hanging banner), £3, Wilko. Heritage twine in green (tying up banner), £4.25/110m, Nutscene

HANGING BASKET Use fresh green leaves, ferns and country blooms to make a jam jar arrangement inside a hanging basket to decorate your home or garden. Duralex Picardie green tumbler, £16 (six), Dyke & Dean. Similar vintage-style Thermos flask, from £28, Etsy. Ash wood wall basket, £11, The Danes

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

Design with TWINE

*FOR LIGHTWEIGHT USE ONLY

Re-cover an old stool by taking inspiration from the colour and form of bluebells. Sand back the frame and add a fresh coat of bold paint. To make the seat cover, use a piece of open-weave rattan webbing cut to the size of the top. Using a strong, colourful twine, thread the webbing around the edge about six to eight times per hole to strengthen and secure the seat. Finish by tying in a double knot on the underside finish.* Vintage stool, car-boot find. Base painted in Mambo intelligent eggshell, £35/L, Little Greene. Top made from open-weave rattan webbing, £29.99/m (450mm wide), Fred Aldous. Edged in blue jute twirly twine, £2.50/75m, Nutscene. Cushion made from Hinton plain linen in chalk and printed with stamp and ink, all as before

Call it a DRAWER Revamp a vintage drawer by painting the inside a bold cobalt blue and printing it with a bluebell design to make a decorative display shelf that doubles as an artwork.

Vintage drawer, car-boot find. Printed with Bluebells stamp, £16, and Hero Arts indigo ink, £6.95: both The English Stamp Company. Painted with Mambo, Turquoise Blue and Wormwood intelligent eggshell, both £33/L: Little Greene. Wooden bobbin, £2.50, Jane Means. Natural rope on a spool (under bobbin), £4, Hobbycraft. Cast-iron heart bird bath, £7.99, Homescapes. Vintage watering can, pottery vase, glass vase and green galvanized-metal bucket, all from a selection, Norpar. Brushes and pens (in glass vase), all from a selection, Paperchase

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

S E A S O N A L I N S P I R AT I O N

ALWAYS TAKE CARE NOT TO WALK ON BLUEBELLS AND KEEP TO WOODLAND PATHS

BLUEBELL CUSHION Make a pretty floral-print cushion to take on a spring picnic. Choose a crisp white linen and tape the edges to a work table to prevent it moving. Using a bluebell stamp, print your first line of motifs. Allow to dry before starting a new line so there are no smudges and repeat the process until you’ve reached the required length. Back the cushion in a smart striped cotton to highlight the pretty design. Cushions made from Hinton plain linen in chalk; edged in Oxford stripe cotton in navy (just seen): all as before. Bluebells and Meadow Medley stamps used on cushions, £16 each; Hero Arts indigo and moss ink, £6.95 each: all The English Stamp Company. Vintage folding garden chair, from a selection, Norpar. Similar Bron deep quiche tin, £17.98, Nisbets

SPRING CORSAGE Create a seasonal corsage with apple blossom, primroses, hellebores, narcissus and brunnera. Group them together by feeding smaller flowers in between the larger ones for an even arrangement and tie at the base with colourful twine or florist’s tape. Workwear cotton utility jacket, £35, Ebay; dyed with navy machine dye, £7.25, Dylon FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy

MAY 2022

INTERVIEW

1 Do you really get emotional

they’ve watched the Throw Down, they appreciate the skill involved. Now, potters are starting to make a healthy living again. I think Stoke-on-Trent, the historic heartland of British pottery, could thrive once more.

6 Do you still spend time at the wheel?

KEITH BRYMER JONES

about pottery? I do! I’m known as the sobbing judge on the Throw Down. As a potter, I understand what the contestants go through and how much work they put into each piece. To see their imaginations come to life is very special. The effort, the pain, the anxiety – I can’t help but get emotional.

2 Have you always been potty about pottery? The first time I held a ball of clay, at school, was an epiphany. I felt like I was holding my imagination in my hands. I made an owl and the teacher said it was good. That was a big deal. I have dyslexia and was rarely praised for my work. The other kids could be cruel: one hid razor blades in a lump of clay. But I was undeterred. After school, I put an advert in Ceramic Review magazine, saying: ‘Enthusiastic 18-year-old seeks apprenticeship in pottery.’ Harefield Pottery in Hertfordshire gave me a job shovelling clay. Now, I run a ceramics business, designing ranges for John Lewis & Partners and Marks & Spencer. Pottery is my life.

3 How did you end up on television? I was asked to be a judge on the Throw Down after producers spotted a YouTube video of me singing a pottery-themed spoof of an Adele song. I used to be in a punk band and don’t take myself too seriously. I said: “Really? Pottery on telly? It’ll be like watching paint dry.” But I agreed because I wanted to extol the virtues of the craft.

4 Tell us about your most tear-jerking moments… I loved watching Peter White in series four last year. He took up pottery after retiring, and seeing him improve each week was inspirational. But the most moving time was when the potters made abstract sculptures of themselves in series five. The stories that emerged! Even the cameramen were crying.

Absolutely. I can get anxious but I find pottery soothing. When I’m getting a bit touchy, my partner Marj often tells me to find some clay. I make things for friends, but until lockdown, I’d never made anything I used myself. Marj is a great cook, so I made us a dinner service. It’s lovely to entertain using plates I’ve made.

7 What do you do when you’re

not spinning plates? I’m an avid sea swimmer. I’ve lived in Margate for years, while my studio is in Whitstable. I could never live too far inland – I love the openness of the water. Of course, swimming in it is a bit like going to the dentist: the thought is daunting, but you feel terrific afterwards. Marj and I are also great walkers. A favourite route is to the lighthouse along the White Cliffs of Dover. This year, we’re moving to Pwllheli in north Wales, so we’re planning to conquer Snowdon. Knowing me, I’ll climb it the hard way. Why make it easy?

8 From Whitstable to Wales? That’s a big move… My parents were Welsh. I grew up in north London, but we spent almost every holiday in Pembrokeshire or Hay-on-Wye. We’d go walking in the Black Mountains and the landscape captured my imagination. I daydreamed about living among the peaks one day.

9 Will you have a super-duper new studio? We’re in the process of buying an old chapel, which will be my studio and our home. It’s huge but was practically the price of a beach hut in Whitstable. I’m looking forward to dabbling in the garden. I’ve never had one in Margate. Gardening is similar to pottery – you lose yourself in it. Admittedly, the chapel has been deserted for a decade and there are pigeons living in it. But I’m looking forward to it. Lockdown taught me that I don’t need to be in a town or city to work. As long as I’ve got decent Wi-Fi and plenty of clay, I’m happy.

10 Any pottery the movers must be careful with?

5 Now clay has become cool…

The cup and saucer that Nigel Hoyle made in the first series is very precious to me. He’s a big, broad builder, but it’s so delicate. I love to be surprised by people and could cry looking at it. Then there’s the owl I made at school, although it’s hidden in storage. I must dig him out and thank him. I’ve been doing ceramics for 40 years, but the more I learn, the more it excites me.

Yes, the show has helped spur a pottery renaissance. Twenty years ago, few people would pay £20 for a hand-thrown mug. But since

KEITH’S BOOK Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything is out now (Hodder & Stoughton, £20).

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

INTERVIEW BY SARAH BARRATT. PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID CHARBIT

From dyslexic schoolboy to ceramics supremo, The Great Pottery Throw Down’s judge is so passionate about pots that they often move him to tears

“The first time I held a ball of clay was an epiphany”

HOME INSPIRATION

PERFECT

your PARLOUR

From modern rustic to romantic cottagecore… four stylish schemes to reimagine your sitting room in a contemporary country style PRODUCED BY BEN KENDRICK RESEARCH BY HOLLY RANSOME

MAY 2022

Whimsical ARTISTRY

This timeless style unites pattern and colour in a riotous mix of artistic abandon. It works by layering designs – whether that’s florals, checks or stripes – but avoids spilling over into a jumble by having a simplified palette. OPPOSITE In textile designer Louise Townsend’s farmhouse, historic floral chintzes (Roses & Pansies, Colefax and Fowler) sit happily alongside Arts and Crafts designs (Willow Bough, Morris & Co) and Louise’s own blockprinted patterns and kelims. 1 Whitby Blue emulsion, £48/2.5L, Sanderson 2 Cranling floor lamp

with Heraldic shade, £444, Pooky 3 Bouquet de Fleurs cushion, £75, Birdie Fortescue 4 Acquasantiera, from £55, Bettina Ceramica 5 Creature Caddy Romantic vessel by Polly Fern, £1,160, The New Craftsmen 6 Masquerader No 4 figurine by Ginny Sims, £580, The Shop Floor Project 7 Rander ceramic stool, £225, Oka

The ELEMENTS

Classic full-blown floral designs, toile du Jouy or figurative patterns with checks and stripes

1 2

Bold wallpaper designs that immediately make a room feel furnished, warm and decorated

LOUISE TOWNSEND @LOUISETOWNSENDPRINT

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A mix of carpets, rugs and runners to enliven boards, plain floorcoverings or carpets Decorative antiques and traditional pieces combined with quirky touches and collections, prints, paintings or wall-mounted decorative plates

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

Classical BOTANICAL

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Restful, verdant shades set the scene for a scheme inspired by garden rooms. Choose cane or bamboo furniture and accessorise with fresh foliage. Sisal or seagrass floorcoverings complete the look. OPPOSITE The vibrant grassy green paint on the walls makes a serene backdrop for upholstered furniture. Botanical prints, plants and flowers add decorative touches while warm coir matting and bamboo furniture all help set the tone for this relaxed, rustic style. 1 Fern Glade cotton fabric by Studio G, £19/m, Jane Clayton 2 Pentle Herringbone sisal

flooring in Driftwood Plain, £59.99/sq m, Country Living Collection at Carpetright 3 Invisible Green emulsion, £51/2.5L, Edward Bulmer 4 Mayfield rattan tray, £36, Garden Trading 5 Abigail Ahern Massin vase, £28.50, Wyld Home 6 Decorative jug, £50, Rose & Grey 7 Bamboo dining chair, £550, Birdie Fortescue 8 Bamboo side table, £255, Nordic House

The ELEMENTS Natural floorcoverings, such as coir, sisal or seagrass Woven furniture made from cane, bamboo, rattan or wirework Gardening accessories, such as old tools, a herbarium, a mini glasshouse or decorative pots Textiles that play up the green themes, such as botanical prints or embroideries

Woodstock sofa in mint green, £1,099; Pattern square buttoned footstool in mint green, £369; plain woven cushions, £59 each: all Country Living Collection at DFS. Yellow embroidered agapanthus cushion, £124, Chelsea Textiles. Kawa Kaleidoscope cushion cover in jade green, £95, Oka

countryliving.com/uk

MAY 2022

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

The ELEMENTS

Romantic COTTAGE

Painted vintage country furniture in pretty shades – off-white, ointment pink, grey or cream

Whimsical and dreamy, this country style partners traditional prints and florals in a pale, ethereal setting. So, while it is decorative and pretty, it has a light, simple look that keeps it fresh and uncomplicated.

BELOW In Chris Myers’ home, white, loose-covered sofas are teamed with a gingham-print armchair with a subtle frill. The curtains are a classic rose pattern (Bowood from Colefax and Fowler), offset by walls painted in Purbeck Stone and wooden flooring in Strong White, both from Farrow & Ball. Vintage pieces, old stoneware and patterned transfer designs add decorative detail.

1 Vintage French blue floral café au lait bowl, £20, Goose Home and Garden 2 Glasshouse emulsion, £38/2.5L, Country Living Collection at Homebase 3 Laura Ashley Beca pendant* light, £95, Där Lighting

Charming classic country fabrics and papers in gingham or faded florals on pale backgrounds

Understated wall colours, such as off-white, pale grey or cream

CHRIS MYERS’ LATEST BOOK IS THE NATURAL COZY COTTAGE (CICO BOOKS). *BULB NOT INCLUDED

Simple sofas and chairs with loose covers

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

4 5

10 58

MAY 2022

ABOVE Rather than fancy antiques, think painted, rustic style. This look is cottagey and homespun but with a measure of decoration in the detail. 4 Vintage barn star, £40, Ineko Home 5 Gingham frill lampshade, £150, Projektityyny 6 Ruffle gingham cushion

cover, £48, Rebecca Udall 7 Blue Asiatic Pheasants 22cm plate, £20, Burleigh 8 Antique dairy jug, £145, AG Hendy & Co 9 Summerby cotton, £83/m, Colefax and Fowler 10 Kempton sideboard, £795, Country Living Collection at Homebase countryliving.com/uk

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

The ELEMENTS

Modern COUNTRY

Statement pieces with simple silhouettes that combine a modern aesthetic with handcrafted quality

For contemporary country style, go for bold shapes and rich colours. Team abstract patterns with rustic classics and modern handcrafted pieces. Keep accessories pared back for an up-to-date look. BELOW In this Devon home, Alix and Ali Cooke, who run interiors company Nkuku (nkuku.com), specialising in handcrafted pieces, have decorated their sitting room with a mixture of raw reclaimed woods and carved artefacts. The floorcoverings and woven textiles add texture, while a colour scheme of deep indigo blues stands out against warm, natural shades. 1 Inky Blue matt emulsion,

£38/2.5L, Country Living Collection at Homebase 2 Katrasi floor cushion, £425, Oka 3 Zinc wall sconce*, £11.50, The Danes

Bold, geometric woven fabrics or plains in tactile finishes and cool colours, such as brushed cotton or wool in navy, grey or mustard

Wooden flooring softened with rugs such as flat-woven kelims or chunky natural fibres Tribal patterns and designs Distressed and worn finishes or peeling paint

*CANDLE NOT INCLUDED

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

9 8 7

ABOVE Mix rich colours with accessories in a range of textures such as wood, leather, velvet and wicker, as shown here at The Stack in Cornwall (uniquehomestays.com). 4 Hombi hemp wallhanging, £60, Nkuku 5 Fruit picking basket, £42, Toast 6 Wood candle holder, £20, Barker

and Stonehouse 7 Handmade vase, £30 (three), Rockett St George 8 Lyndale ceramic bowl, £280, Soho Home 9 Grau Caraway wood flooring, £84.99/sq m, Country Living Collection at Carpetright 10 Weathered elm bench, £240, Cart-house 11 Beso armchair, £995, Nkuku FOR STOCKISTS see Where to Buy

MAY 2022

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALUN CALLENDER; BRENT DARBY; CATHERINE GRATWICKE; HUNTLEY HEDWORTH; RUSSELL SADUR; PENNY WINCER. STYLING BY DIANA CIVIL; BEN KENDRICK; HESTER PAGE; SIAN WILLIAMS

BEST OF BRITISH

Elderflower

In our ongoing series highlighting delicious produce around the country, we meet the artisans and farmers helping to bring it to our table WORCESTERSHIRE

ELDERFLOWER WORDS BY KITTY CORRIGAN AND ANNA JURY PHOTOGRAPHS BY CLARE WINFIELD

MAY 2022

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BEST OF BRITISH

Elderflower

Many of us are hoping that summer events return to normal this year, but Lucy Rollett and her family have more reason than most. They make their living selling homemade elderflower cordials and plum pressés at festivals and shows across the country. “The past couple of years have been tough,” admits Lucy, who sells her wares from a converted 1950s ice-cream van. “We only managed to sell our drinks at one festival in 2021 – The Green Man in the Brecon Beacons. The sense of euphoria at finally coming together was amazing. Bands played – and people danced like they’d never done before. I’m really hoping to see more of that this year.” Lucy first started experimenting with elderflower when her son Alfie was a baby. “We’d go up Bredon Hill near our village in Worcestershire and there would be clouds of it. To me, it smelt just like summer and I started picking bagfuls to take home.” At first, she used it to make ice lollies for Alfie, but soon she started mixing it into other concoctions. Perhaps it was in her genes: “My dad was always making cordials and pressés. He used to make plum jerkum, a local speciality, which he insisted must be stirred with a hazelnut stick.” Using techniques her dad had taught her, Lucy perfected a simple elderflower cordial recipe – steeping the flowers, along with fresh lemons, in sugar syrup for 48 hours. “The simplicity is the reason it works so well,” she says. “When you’ve got a good ingredient, you don’t want to mess with it.”

BRANCHING OUT The cordial was so popular with family and friends that Lucy wondered if she could sell it commercially. Then she discovered that a nearby college, which ran courses in food and drink production, could rent or sell bottling equipment to her. “I realised I had this great facility on my doorstep, so I could move up a gear. I bought my first batch of 80 bottles for £100. It was a low-cost way to start a business, and gave me the confidence to carry on.” Lucy named the business Nurses Cottage Drinks after the family’s previous home just across the road, which once belonged to the local district nurse. The title seemed fitting, given that elderflower is packed with healthy vitamin C. An artist friend designed the label and Lucy began selling the bottles at farmers’ markets and other local events. As the business grew, Lucy’s

MAY 2022

husband Andrew came on board, helping with production and even expanding the kitchen of their Victorian house. Alfie (now 19) and his sister Lily (17) pitched in with the picking. The family soon discovered that thirsty festival-goers were a reliable customer base. And so they began piling into a refurbished 1950s Whitby Morrison to tour some of the country’s biggest music events. “Glastonbury at the end of June would be our deadline because the elderflower all has to be picked by then,” Lucy says. “The harvest is short, just three to four weeks. We’ll gather about a tonne of flowers to see us through the rest of the year. If the sun is shining, that means 12-hour days but it’s wonderful to work in the fresh air.”

ALWAYS ON THE ROAD After Glastonbury, the family would work their way round the festival circuit. “I would feel like a travelling saleswoman at times,” Lucy says. “There’s a lot of work in transporting and setting up, but we all love the music. There’s also great camaraderie among the traders. Once, a piece of kit we use to countryliving.com/uk

OPPOSITE AND THIS PAGE Lucy and her family produce top-quality elderflower cordial and pressé using handpicked blooms from the slopes of Bredon Hill and the surrounding area. The cordial is made and bottled locally, reducing unnecessary food miles

BEST OF BRITISH

Elderflower

carbonate the drinks broke down. Another stallholder managed to magic one up for us. That saved the day – and our livelihood.” When events were cancelled due to the pandemic, the Rolletts had to find another way to keep selling their cordial. Their solution was brilliantly public-spirited: mindful that many locals didn’t have family support networks, they used their connections with local suppliers and wholesalers to stock a pop-up village shop. “A few weeks into the first lockdown, we noticed a little room in the village hall that might work,” Lucy says. “When I asked if we could use it for a shop, they practically threw the keys at me.” Lucy and Andrew spruced the space up with a fresh coat of paint and new shelves that they stocked with locally grown veg, fresh bread and eggs, staples such as pasta and toilet rolls and, of course, their cordials. “The response was amazing,” Lucy says. “At the time, we just thought we were supplying essentials but I’ve since had letters from people saying that the chit-chat and social interaction helped them survive lockdown.” ‘The Village Pantry’, as it’s become known, is still going strong. But Lucy and her family are hoping they’ll also be serving drinks at music festivals again this year. “There’s something about elderflower,” Lucy says. “Whenever you drink it, it feels a little bit celebratory. If events are back on again this summer, there will be something fitting about that.” FIND OUT MORE at nursescottagedrinks.co.uk. Read on for more ways to use elderflower.

The refreshing drinks are especially popular at festivals, where Lucy sells them from her vintage ice-cream van

RICOTTA AND COURGETTE SALAD WITH ELDERFLOWER DRESSING All this light lunch needs to accompany it is some crusty bread to mop up the juices and a chilled glass of good rosé. Preparation 25 minutes Cooking about 50 minutes Serves 4 500G COURGETTES, TRIMMED AND SLICED THINLY 1 TBSP RAPESEED OIL 4-6 TBSP GOOD-QUALITY SOFT RICOTTA 2 TBSP MIXED SEEDS, TOASTED LEMON ZEST AND MINT LEAVES, TO GARNISH FOR THE DRESSING 3 TBSP EXTRA-VIRGIN RAPESEED OIL 1 TBSP ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL 1 TBSP WHITE WINE VINEGAR

1 Put the dressing ingredients into a lidded jam jar with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Shake to combine and taste to check the seasoning. 2 Toss the courgettes in the rapeseed oil with plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Heat a griddle pan until smoking hot. Griddle the courgettes in batches for 1-2 minutes per side until slightly softened. As you finish cooking each batch, put them in a large bowl with about half the dressing and toss together – the warm courgettes will soak up the delicious dressing. 3 To serve, pile the courgettes onto a large platter, dollop over teaspoons of ricotta and scatter with the seeds, lemon zest and mint leaves. Drizzle with the remaining dressing.

Bring a zing to a fresh salad with an elderflower dressing countryliving.com/uk

MAY 2022

BEST OF BRITISH

Elderflower

ELDERFLOWER AND GOOSEBERRY ICE CREAM Elderflower and gooseberries are a match made in heaven. Preparation 30 minutes, plus freezing Cooking 5 minutes Serves 4-6

This decadent dessert is created with the delicate flavours of early summer

MAY 2022

1 Put the milk in a pan and heat until steaming hot. 2 Stir together the yolks and 125g sugar in a bowl. Blend the milk into the yolk mixture. 3 Return the mixture to the pan and cook over a low heat, stirring, until it has thickened to a custard consistency. Pour the mixture through a sieve into a bowl and put in the fridge until cold. Add the cream and cordial, and taste for sweetness – you might need to add more. 4 Put the gooseberries in a separate pan with the remaining caster sugar and 2 tbsp water. Heat gently until the gooseberries have broken down and softened. Push through a sieve – it should be fairly thick. Chill. 5 Churn the elderflower custard in an electric ice-cream maker according to the instructions or put in the freezer and beat every two hours until the ice cream is smooth and frozen. After the last beating, fold the meringue through the ice cream. Put dollops into a tub, alternating with the gooseberry purée. Return to the freezer until solid. Remove 20 minutes before serving and scooping into cones.

countryliving.com/uk

RECIPES BY ALISON WALKER. PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRENT DARBY

300ML WHOLE MILK 4 MEDIUM EGG YOLKS 200G CASTER SUGAR 300ML DOUBLE CREAM 3 TBSP ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL 200G GOOSEBERRIES 2 READY-MADE MERINGUE NESTS, BROKEN INTO PIECES

INSIDER

FORAGING BY THE BOOK…

CORDIALS TO TRY

The Forager’s Calendar: A Seasonal Guide to Nature’s Wild Harvests by John Wright (Profile Books, £12.99) This 400-page guide was written by Riverford’s resident foraging expert. Month by month, John Wright takes you through the edible fruits, flowers, fungi and even insects you can find in the British countryside. There is a whole section dedicated to gathering and cooking with elderflower, as well as advice on what to pair it with.

BELVOIR FARM ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL Using elderflower picked by the local community, this natural drink is based on a family recipe. £3.50, belvoirfarm.co.uk

MR FITZPATRICK’S ENGLISH ELDERFLOWER AND BRAMLEY APPLE CORDIAL A zing of apple brings out the flavour of elderflower beautifully. £4.25, shop.mrfitzpatricks.com

3 handy helpers

Muslin square Straining your cordial through one of these washable squares will ensure it’s crystal clear (£3.50, kilnerjar.co.uk).

THORNCROFT WILD ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL Inspired by English hedgerows, other cordials in this range include Autumn Rosehip and Wild Nettle. £2.29, jameswhite.co.uk

FORAGING TIPS LOOK FOR ELDERFLOWER FROM MAY. It usually blooms through June and often into July, depending on the weather. THE NEWT GOOSEBERRY & ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL Made from ingredients grown in the grounds of The Newt hotel in Somerset. £5, thenewtinsomerset.com

HEAD OUT ON A DRY SUNNY MORNING before insects have harvested the pollen. SNIP THE FLOWER HEADS OFF with as little stalk as possible, to avoid damaging the plant. The blooms will eventually turn into elderberries, so leave some behind for the birds. DROP THE FLOWERS into a large fabric bag or basket so they don’t get crushed.

FENTIMANS WILD ENGLISH ELDERFLOWER Pre-mixed with gently sparkling spring water, this is ready to drink straight from the bottle. £16.49/ 12 x 275ml, fentimans.com

Jam pan This heavy-bottomed container is the perfect place to let your ingredients steep and infuse (£49, procook.co.uk).

AVOID ANY THAT SMELLS OF URINE: that means it’s past its best. DON’T WASH IT once you’re home: it will remove the natural yeast and affect the flavour. USE as soon as possible.*

Swing-top glass bottle As practical as it is pretty, this bottle, made from recycled glass, is dishwasher safe and has an airtight seal (£4.49, lakeland.co.uk).

*WHEN FORAGING ON PRIVATE LAND, ALWAYS ASK THE OWNER’S PERMISSION. PHOTOGRAPHS BY LIVING4MEDIA; JAMES WHITE

GUIDE Elderflower

SLEEP IN LUXURY WITH COUNTRY LIVING AT DREAMS See the full Country Living Collection at dreams.co.uk/country-living

REST ASSURED

Every premium Country Living Collection mattress comes with a 40-Night Sleep Guarantee The Country Living Collection of premium mattresses at Dreams takes sleep to the next level. Made in the UK using traditional techniques and premium materials, each mattress promises you night after night of deluxe comfort and supreme support. Hand-finished Country Living Hamsterley (left) features at its core a double layer of springs sewn into durable calico pockets. Super-strong, they move independently to support all body shapes and weights for a restful night’s sleep. There are also generous layers of lambswool, hand-teased lambswool and hand-teased mohair, which are the pinnacle of softness and comfort. These luxurious fillings provide warmth in winter and coolness in summer. Finally, the whole mattress is upholstered in 100 per cent natural Belgian damask with three rows of hand side stitching for unparalleled support across the entire sleeping surface. With a mattress this good, bedtime can’t come soon enough.

EXCLUSIVELY AT

BORN To REWILD We meet the mavericks on a mission to fill Britain with birds, beavers and even bison WORDS BY SARAH BARRATT

MAY 2022

countryliving.com/uk

N AT U R E

hen Ed Sheeran’s neighbours spotted a huge ditch being dug in the singer-songwriter’s Suffolk estate, they assumed it would be for a swimming pool. In fact, it was to be a wildlife pond. The global pop star, who owns a 16-acre plot near Framlingham, where he grew up, is on a rewilding mission to balance out his carbon footprint from touring. With his wife Cherry Seaborn, Ed has already planted 14,000 trees. They also grow fruit and vegetables, and keep hens and bees. Ed is just one of a growing band of eco-warriors determined that nature should reconquer the countryside. They argue that leaving the environment to its own devices has been proven to reverse species decline, tackle climate change, alleviate flooding and boost rural economies. Bold claims. No wonder the government is getting in on the act – announcing earlier this year that farmers in England will be given taxpayers’ money to rewild their land. The aim is to have 300,000 hectares covered by ‘landscape recovery projects’ by 2042. The movement may be migrating into the mainstream but it’s the pioneering individuals – the eco-heroes already ploughing their own furrow – who are really driving it forward. They come from all corners of the rural community – farmers, gardeners, ornithologists, even a retail tycoon. They manage everything from small meadows to vast tracts of wilderness. But they are all united by one thing: a passion to ecologically restore our landscape in response to the parlous state of our precious natural world.

N AT U R E

The meadow MAKER Julia Hailes was an early pioneer for sustainability, writing The Green Consumer Guide in the 1980s. Her book has since sold more than a million copies. When she arrived at Hooke Farm, a nine-acre plot in Dorset, ten years ago, it was all overgrazed fields and barbed wire fences – so, with her husband Jamie, she planned a transformation. The pair have since created wetland, woodlands and wild-flower meadows, as well as building bird boxes and bat caves. Today, grass pathways meander through the meadows, once-neat boundaries burst with brambles and thickets, ponds vibrate with frogs and toads, and barn owls swoop overhead. Eager to show off their progress, this summer they will throw open the farm gates for a Wilding Weekend. Visitors can attend talks and tours to learn more about weed control and peat-free gardening. Julia hopes visitors will apply their newly acquired knowledge to their own plots: “I can’t wait to show people what we’re doing. We hope to encourage others to join in.” Find out more about Julia’s approach at juliahailes.com. Or visit Hooke Farm’s Wilding Weekend, part of the National Open Garden Scheme (11-12 June, ngs.org.uk). Admission £8, children £4.

The man who rescues RODENTS Derek Gow has built up a reputation for reintroducing beavers to our landscape since the 1990s, after learning that entire ecosystems depend on them. A maverick known for his dogged determination, he once transported a pair of them from Germany in his car boot. The former farmer has also thrown himself into rewilding his own plot, a 150-acre Devon farm. Coombeshead, once a sheep farm, is home to about 30 beavers, a herd of semi-feral heck cattle, Iron Age pigs and Exmoor ponies, as well as white storks, lynx and water voles. Orchids and whirligig beetles thrive there, too. Derek has wider ambitions to release wildcats to Devon and the Cairngorms, as well as reintroduce wolves to maintain the deer population and regenerate forests. “We can talk about it and drink lattes until we’re 70, but we need to act now, even if our aim takes a lifetime or two to accomplish,” he says. To tour Derek’s farm or stay overnight, head to rewildingcoombeshead.co.uk.

MAY 2022

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The farmers ’ FRIEND “We’re increasingly thinking of our livestock as conservationists rather than just meat on legs”

Lee Schofield, an ecologist, is site manager for RSPB Haweswater, 30 square kilometres of woodland, moorland and mountain in the Lake District, where nature conservation and farming are being integrated. Rewilding enthusiasts are often branded as foes of farming, but Lee hopes to prove the two can go together. For the past decade, working in partnership with landowner United Utilities, he and his colleagues have been encouraging traditional mixed farming on the land, with Belted Galloway cattle eating the rough grass, allowing delicate blooms such as heathspotted orchids and devil’s-bit scabious to grow. “We’re increasingly thinking of our livestock as conservationists rather than just meat on legs,” Lee says. Sheep are kept here, too, but to prevent overgrazing, numbers have been reduced, giving much of the land a rest, resulting in a burst of wild flowers along with the great wealth of insects and birds that depend on them. Swindale Beck, which runs through the reserve, has also been ‘rewilded’. The river was straightened 200 years ago to stop hay meadows flooding. Lee and his team have created a new course, snaking through the valley, with newly formed shallows that make salmon breeding grounds. It is hoped that golden eagles – which became nationally extinct here in 2015 – will soar again soon, too. Wild Fell by Lee Schofield (Doubleday, £20) is out now. To explore the area, go to wildhaweswater.co.uk.

The original TRAILBLAZER Isabella Tree’s 3,500-acre estate in West Sussex has provided a blueprint for rewilding projects across the country. Over the past 20 years, the Knepp Estate has become a haven for everything from nightingales and storks to rare bats and butterflies. And Isabella’s book, Wilding, is practically a sacred text for conservationists. But Isabella isn’t one to rest on her laurels. For their latest project, she and her husband, Charlie Burrell, have just launched their state-of-the-art Knepp Wild Range butchery with the largest climate-friendly refrigeration system of its kind in the UK. Beef, venison and pork from Knepp’s free-roaming animals will supply a shop and café due to open next year, together with produce from their market garden. Now, even Knepp’s walled garden – previously exempt from the rewilding project – is being given back to nature, under the watchful eye of celebrated garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith. But the course of rewilding never did run smooth. A huge housing development mooted for a neighbouring greenfield site threatens to derail a planned wildlife corridor. The “King and Queen of Rewilding” won’t give up without a fight, though – calling for natural areas to be joined up, enabling species to move beyond estate boundaries. “One day, we won’t need nature reserves because we’ll have connected them all, populations will be thriving and we won’t have to protect anything,” Isabella says. To learn more about Knepp, book a safari or shop its wild meat range, visit knepp.co.uk.

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The benevolent BILLIONAIRE He might own more of the UK than the Queen and the Church of Scotland put together, but Anders Holch Povlsen isn’t your average billionaire. The retail tycoon and his wife Anna are returning 200,000 acres of the Scottish Highlands to nature through their conservation organisation, Wildland. Anders first visited Scotland from his native Denmark for a fishing trip in the 1980s. Twenty years later, he returned to buy the 42,000-acre Glenfeshie Estate in the Cairngorms and has since snapped up land and estates near Loch Ness and on the north coast. As part of his ambitious project, his team have planted four million pine, alder, birch and juniper trees, encouraging the return of capercaillie, pine martens and golden eagles. And there’s more to come. Wildland is a 200-year vision, reviving local communities as well as restoring the environment. The landscape moves and motivates Anders, who tragically lost three of his children in a terror attack in Sri Lanka in 2019. “The Scottish Highlands has granted us abiding, special memories for our family,” he has said. “It is a project that we know cannot be realised in our lifetime, but which will bear fruit not just for our own children but also for generations.” Wildland welcomes visitors for ‘pony picnics’ and stays. For details, visit wildland.scot.

“The project will bear fruit not just for our own children but for generations”

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This year, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will unveil its first beaver-inspired garden. The Rewilding Britain Landscape garden (left), designed by Adam Hunt and Lulu Urquhart, will feature a dam and lodge built using “beaver-gnawed sticks” from rewilded spaces and a “riparian meadow”, a wetland area created when beavers partially flood a riverbank. “It’s not really a garden, but a snapshot of the landscape,” says Adam, adding that sphagnum mosses and thistles will take precedence over blowsy blooms. For the designers, rewilding isn’t about letting nature take over so much as letting nature back in. “It doesn’t make garden designers redundant, it just changes the brief,” Lulu says. “We need to change our aesthetic and stop tidying up nature. We can still bring beauty to gardens and planting, while letting keystone species flourish.” See the Rewilding Britain Landscape Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (24-28 May) and learn more about their work at urquharthunt.com.

The bison RANGERS This spring, Donovan Wright, who used to be a safari guide, and Tom Gibbs, a former conservation officer, will welcome four bison to Blean Woods in Kent, thousands of years since they became extinct here. Kent Wildlife Trust and Wildwood Trust, who are leading the project, hope the bison will revive the former commercial pine forest. By rubbing against trees and “dustbathing”, the animals should create open patches, allowing plants and insects to flourish, which, in turn, should attract birds and bats. “Bison act as jet fuel for biodiversity,” Donovan says. The four bison – three females and a bull – will roam the ancient woodland, which is also inhabited by Longhorn cattle and Exmoor ponies. Once they’ve settled the herd, the pair will begin giving tracking tours. “It’s a tremendous privilege to be part of the first project of its kind in the UK,” Tom says. “A lot of people feel frustrated about a lack of action but I think this project is a real beacon of what can be done.” To tour the site and spot the bison, visit kentwildlifetrust.org.uk.

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY AIRTIGHTVR; ALAMY; CONNIE CAMPBELL; GETTY IMAGES; TIM GRAHAM PHOTOGRAPHY; HAWESWATER; JACK HILL/THE TIMES; NORTHERN-SCOT.CO.UK; PAUL QUAGLIANA. REX FISHER SEED REVOLUTION ORGANIC WILDFLOWER SEEDS; SHUTTERSTOCK; DAVE WATTS

The landscape DESIGNERS

Artisans AT LARGE CL is back on the road! Visit our pavilions at shows around the country and meet talented artisans like these

SALCOMBE DAIRY

HEATHER STOWELL

CASHMERE & COTTON

BATH COUNTRY PETS

TESSA HAYWARD

THERAPI

Salcombe Dairy

Heather Stowell

Cashmere & Cotton

Bath Country Pets

Tessa Hayward

Therapi

Based in a harbour town in South Devon, Salcombe Dairy was founded by two families, the Boscawens and the Blys. As well as handcrafted chocolate, they make a range of decadent ice cream using Devonshire milk and double cream. salcombedairy.co.uk

Run by Neil and Emma Edwards from their Cotswolds farmhouse on the edge of Wiltshire, Bath Country Pets is a five-star boutique hotel and spa for dogs. During a day of pampering, your pooch can expect a hydrobath, massage, conditioning treatment and blow dry. bathcountrypets.co.uk

From her home in Cambridgeshire, jewellery designer Heather creates vintage-style silver rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and cufflinks. Many of her quirky pieces are shaped around buttons or embossed with lettering, but we love her swirly Alphabet pendants. heatherstowell.com

Working from her studio in west Wales, sculptor Tessa uses natural materials such as wood and bark to create her strikingly lifelike depictions of British wildlife. Her work, which is available for commission, has also appeared in many famous public gardens around the country. tessahayward.co.uk

Based in an old bakery mill in a Cheshire village, Cashmere & Cotton is committed to promoting slow fashion, offering investment pieces that will last for years. Their comfortably oversized designs are all coloured using sustainable dyes. cashmereandcotton.co.uk

By harnessing the therapeutic properties of the raw honey and propolis produced by their own bees, Cotswolds-based mother and daughter team Tanya and Esme Hawkes have developed a range of organic skincare that is as kind to your skin as it is to the planet. therapi.com

JOIN US AT COUNTRY LIVING’S FIRST SUMMER EVENTS! Visit the Country Living Pavilion at Badminton Horse Trials (4-8 May) and Malvern Spring Festival (5-8 May). For more details, go to countryliving.com/uk. To talk to us about selling with CL, email countrylivingshows@hearst.co.uk

Restoration DRAMA

RURAL BUSINESS

After her mum and her partner passed away, Deborah Lewis felt lost. Then she found an old farm shed in Cheshire, where she could bring antique furniture back to life WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY CLAIRE BINGHAM

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eborah Lewis loved popping into vintage shops as a child with her uncle Bertie. “I used to dream that I would own a shop like that one day,” she says. “I could picture myself fixing a piece of furniture at the back and a customer coming in wanting to buy it.” Today, Deborah, who is in her fifties, runs Twist & Hardy, an antiques business, from The Tractor Shed in Bollington, Cheshire. Sheep graze in the surrounding fields and oak trees loom in the landscape. The unsuspecting passer-by is more likely to assume the shed is full of grain, hay or cows rather than an eclectic collection of salvaged finds. But the incongruity adds to the magic. Only the savvy local might be in on the secret. Deborah moved nearby from London just over a decade ago, but it took her a while to get The Tractor Shed up and running. The preceding few years had been tough. She had lost her partner to breast cancer and had then been caring for her mother in Derbyshire, where she grew up. She was finding it hard to focus on work. “I spent several years trying to get my mojo back from pretty much zero,” says Deborah, who now lives with her new partner, Sue, and their terrier-cross, Billie. “I felt as though I couldn’t get the car started. The wires simply weren’t engaging.” When her mum then passed away, she realised she had to return to doing what she loved: finding and fixing up furniture. The next stage in her journey, at The Tractor Shed, was about to begin.

A WORLD OF GOODS Whatever changes have occurred in Deborah’s life over the years, furniture has been her one constant. In her twenties, she lived in Sydney, where she met Geoff Hardy, who was buying and selling furniture, and went into business with him. From there, she moved to Hong Kong, before setting up a shop in the UK, Twist & Hardy, on the King’s Road in London. “I sold salvaged items and grand architectural pieces,” Deborah says. “I was sourcing and fixing up the furniture. It was great fun.” It was the 1990s and Deborah remembers how other shops near theirs would be daring in their window displays. Guinevere Antiques, which has been going since the 1960s, displayed pieces such as a Louis XV commode against a backdrop of graffiti. “This was before websites, so you really had to get the window right,” Deborah says. “I learnt a lot about styling.” After running the shop in Chelsea, Deborah sold salvaged furniture in Notting Hill and then Shoreditch. Her business did THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE Sheep graze in the fields surrounding The Tractor Shed. Deborah is drawn to eye-catching and one-off

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finds, such as salvaged items and architectural pieces, which she brings back to their former glory

RURAL BUSINESS

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MAY 2022

RURAL BUSINESS

More rural CURIOSITY SHOPS THE BARN SAXMUNDHAM, SUFFOLK This former potato shed houses one-off pieces of furniture made from reclaimed materials by owner Tony Knights in his workshop nearby. Tony and his girlfriend, Lucy, who runs the shop, also let spaces in The Barn to other traders, including an antiques dealer. the-barn.co ARK VINTAGE CAMBERLEY, SURREY Owner Tony Sandells drew on his experiences of different cultures during his time as a Major in the Royal Artillery to create this store back in 2003. Ark is laid out like an indoor market, and sells antique and vintage-look items, specialising in all sorts of tables. arkvintage.com LUTTERWORTH ANTIQUES LUTTERWORTH, LEICESTERSHIRE Find everything from 19th-century barber chairs and oil paintings to copper saucepans and advertising slogans in five large showrooms at this emporium. lutterworthantiques.co.uk

well, but when her partner became ill and her mum needed looking after, the pressure took its toll. She needed a different pace of life and moved out of London to the north-west, where she’s now based.

LOVED TO PIECES Today, Deborah feels at home in the countryside, relishing the time and space it gives her to work. If you pass by, you might see her bleaching a refectory tabletop or arranging one of many quirky stools. Other pieces, sourced from antiques markets and a network of foragers across the world, range from a whiskey cup whittled by a man in Wales to a three-foot-tall olive oil pot from Catalonia. Her clients include people looking for a talking point at home, businesses and interior designers. And anyone can make an appointment to browse. “It’s all an expression of me: earthy and rustic,” Deborah says. “I love things with a story, like an old bowl stitched together with staples to make it watertight again. I like the fact that someone took the care to fix it.” Similarly, she doesn’t mind if a mirror doesn’t shine – a scuff could give a clue to its past. Nor does she mind a bit of rust on a table – it shows it has history. It’s what Twist & Hardy, she says, is all about. “I want something that’s had a life,” Deborah says. “It has survived – just like me.”

MAYFLY VINTAGE STOCKBRIDGE, HAMPSHIRE Housed in 19th-century brick and flint stables on a farm with views of an old orchard, this shop’s location in Stockbridge is hard to beat. Styles include mid-century and English country house, with items ranging from clocks to chairs to lighting. mayflyvintage.co.uk THE OLD ELECTRIC SHOP HAY-ON-WYE, POWYS This spacious store, with its large curved bay windows and high ceilings, is based on the ground floor of a former hotel in the market town of Hay-on-Wye on the English-Welsh border. New and old stock, from chic contemporary rugs to oil lamps, is sold side by side, while books and plants are incorporated into all the displays. The café is rather tempting, too. oldelectric.co.uk

FOR MORE DETAILS, see twistandhardy.com or follow Deborah on Instagram @twistandhardy.

THIS PAGE Deborah sources pieces from flea markets and salvage

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yards, preferring objects that reveal signs of its history and a previous life countryliving.com/uk

20–24 July 2022 RHS Members’ Day 20 July

Shop at the Country Living Collection

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Book now at rhs.org.uk CO U NTRY LI V I N G R E A D E R O F F E R Save £2* on tickets. Book online now using code TPCL *Oﬀer applies to full-price all-day advance public tickets to RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, 21-24 July only. Discount not applicable on Members’ Day tickets.

Ticket price includes 85p service fee and £1 admin fee applies. Discount not available in conjunction with any other oﬀer. Check website for full list of prices; terms and conditions apply. RHS Registered Charity no. 222879 / SC038262

Call the MIDWIFE! When a friend asks John Lewis-Stempel to check on his Jacob sheep, he finds one ewe has gone missing and is desperate need of some help ere in Herefordshire, the early signs of spring have taken hold. Yesterday, a peacock butterfly batted about the ivied copse, in the same bemused way tourists wander Inca ruins in the jungle. The peacock was joined in the dancing air by a brimstone, as bright yellow as butter and the reason that Lepidoptera are called ‘butterflies’. A woodpecker drummed somewhere across the valley with pure joie de vivre, and on the garden path were earthworms, lost and map-less in their spring dispersal. Primroses burst on the bank, scenting the sweet scene and, above them, on the tip of the oak’s scaffold, the song thrush sang its countryliving.com/uk

mating song, cocky and croony: “Get-up-get-up-get-up; come-along-run-along.” The signs of spring are irrefutable down on the farm, as well as in nature. There is earth on the plough blades from the drilling of barley. The haystack in the barn has had the heart eaten out of it. And there are lambs about. My friend said: “I’ve got a wedding. Could you pop in and check the sheep around lunchtime? Should all be okay – we’re not due to begin lambing till next week…” The ellipsis was eloquent. My friend has 20 Jacob sheep, piebald and primitive. Parkland sheep that bring a bit of class with them, as well as making a bit of money. Counting sheep is only easy in bed. In a domey, MAY 2022

tussocky field in hill country, with white-and-black sheep keeping a wary distance, it is testing. I count 19 sheep. Then 20. Then 19 again. Occasionally, the sheep move a little and blur. The ram, four-horned and magnificent, moves to put himself pridefully and protectively between me and the flock. A Jacob ram in flock-guard mode is to be treated with respect. This I do know, because we used to keep Jacobs, and dear Rameses once smashed two fingers of my hand with one butt of his head. Jacobs were the first sheep we ever had. Two of them, Bledwynn and One Puppy, bought from a farm in the Cotswolds, and brought home in the back of the Land Rover, the four of us – myself, my wife Penny and the two children, Tris and Freda – crammed in the front. I find the missing ewe down the bank, in a long shallow hull of a ditch where a hedge used to be. She is prone; at her head a crown of roots from an upturned hawthorn. Jacobs usually birth with ease, but in every flock there is one. The ewe is young, a first-timer, and in her eye there is fear when she raises her head to look at me. Something else, too: that special helplessness and innocence of sheep that make them a Christian symbol. Thanks to my friend’s sufficient silence on the phone, I have the key bits of lambing kit packed about my coat. So

out with the disposable gloves and the pink lubricant gel. I lie down in the hollow and push the head of the lamb back inside the ewe’s fleshy birth canal, followed gently by my fingers. (Like every cold shepherd ever, I think at this point, ‘Nice and warm in here, at least.’) A relief, for me and for her: no great difficulty to sort the puzzle. The lamb’s front legs are bent under the body rather than in the requisite dive position. The wind blows through the rusty barbed wire fence next to us. Fiddle about, align and pull. With the veterinary gel and birth slime, this is as easy as grabbing a jellied eel, but the little ewe pushes, too. A yolky alien pod is emitted. I rub it, blow up its nose. Is the lamb alive? A tremble in its chest. I put the lamb to the mother’s head. In her, too, the will to live comes. Ewe and lamb convulse alike, electric-shock started. The ewe gets to her feet, begins licking the lamb. The lamb does a perceptible shake of the head. Then a snuffle. In dialect, it is ‘sharp’ – vital. Within minutes, it is up on its preposterous stilts. My Easter lamb has risen. EXTRACT EDITED from The Sheep’s Tale by John Lewis-Stempel (Doubleday, £12.99), published on 7 April 2022.

Counting sheep is only easy in bed. In a tussocky field in hill country, it is testing

MAY 2022

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY

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The flower OF

THE HOUR The glorious golden heads of sunflowers have long been a symbol of hope and life in Ukraine – and now is the time to plant them WORDS BY THE COUNTRY LIVING TEAM

unflowers (Helianthus annuus) have been widely grown in Ukraine for more than 200 years, flourishing in the country’s hot summers and nutrient-rich soil. In recent years, their sunny yellow heads have come to symbolise life and vitality in Ukrainian culture, while the Orthodox church has allowed sunflower oil to replace butter during Lent. The country is now the biggest producer and exporter of sunflower oil and seeds in the world. Within the past few weeks, the sunflower, “sunyashnikiis” in Ukrainian, has also become a sign of hope and peace, adopted by people across the world, who have been wearing them, planting them and using the sunflower emoji on social media to show support for the local people. Now is the best time to plant them over here. Sow individual seeds in pots in April and May, before moving them outside from early June.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GETTY IMAGES

TO SUPPORT humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, you can donate to the Red Cross DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal (redcross.org.uk) or head to countryliving.com/uk/donations for drop-off points across the country, where you can donate food and clothes.

countryliving.com/uk

WILD WONDER

MAY 2022

BRINGING OUT

wild

THE

CHILD

RURAL BUSINESS

The science is in: nature can nurture children in a way a conventional classroom can’t. We hung out with the Woodland Pack Company in Wales… WORDS BY KATE LANGRISH PHOTOGRAPHS BY NATO WELTON

countryliving.com/uk

MAY 2022

RURAL BUSINESS

s adults, we tend to avoid doing things that make us feel fearful – but risk-taking can be good,” says Fran Louise as she observes a small child hanging upside down from a branch. “Playing in wild places presents risks for children – if they climb a tree, they might fall – but it also presents the opportunity for growth. It teaches them to test and stretch their limits, both physically and emotionally.” Fran runs the Woodland Pack Company in Montgomeryshire, a children’s holiday club that encourages kids to step away from their screens and get muddy instead. In a small coppice, a group aged between six and 12 are bashing leaves with hammers to make prints on fabric. “It’s called hapa zome, an ancient Japanese form of printing,” says Fran, while others are dragging large branches to bolster a giant den.

*NATURE NURTURES CHILDREN – A SUMMARY OF RESEARCH FROM THE WILDLIFE TRUSTS, UCL, 2019

LESSONS FROM NATURE Embracing risk seems like an awful lot of fun. But, as a recent report by The Wildlife Trusts* found, these kids are also developing important life skills. In one of the largest studies of its kind, the research revealed that playing in the countryside increased children’s sense of wellbeing, confidence and motivation – with the largest gains coming from those who initially had the lowest engagement with natural spaces. Fran understands how nature can boost mood. “My mum was a keen walker and we always spent holidays exploring Wales,” she says. “I didn’t realise until years later, but she used nature as stress relief from her office job. She showed me how the outdoors can make you feel good.” After studying Applied Arts at Wrexham Glyndwr University in north Wales, and two years of teaching in Chile, Fran became a teaching assistant at a secondary school in Shropshire, and a camp leader for The Bushcraft Company, which offers weekends in the wilderness. The combination sparked an interest in forest schooling, a Scandi educational approach that encourages learning through hands-on experiences in natural settings. “The school paid for me to train in forest schooling. After that, I was able to develop my skills working with pupils who lacked confidence or found it difficult to concentrate,” Fran says. Eventually, she became an outdoor learning consultant for other local schools, too: “Mainstream education involves a lot of sitting and listening. This doesn’t suit every child. Outdoor learning THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE Outdoor learning engages children with wild spaces over months and even years. “It involves all the senses,” says

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Fran, who comes to sessions with ideas for activities that are often inspired by the seasons. She is always led, however, by what sparks interest countryliving.com/uk

“Making a connection with nature is vital if we are to have a generation who grow up wanting to protect it in the future”

RURAL BUSINESS

Please, sir

CAN I HAVE SOME S’MORES Cook this tasty treat over open flames Serves 4 8 DIGESTIVE BISCUITS 8 CHUNKS OF MILK CHOCOLATE 4 MARSHMALLOWS

involves all the senses, including touch, smell and sound. Children are engaged physically and emotionally.” Interestingly, The Wildlife Trusts’ report found that regular play in natural spaces can also benefit conventional classroom time. According to the study, 78 per cent of children felt it helped their schoolwork and 81 per cent thought it improved their relationships with teachers.

CONJURING A CAN-DO SPIRIT Fran set up the Woodland Pack Company in 2019 to offer the benefits of woodland play during school holidays, too. “Even at primary school, children can develop this idea of themselves as ‘bad learners’, so it’s amazing to see the transformation in them. Activities such as building dens give children problems to solve. It allows them to develop faith in their abilities and a ‘can do’ attitude. Small achievable tasks remove the concept of failure and teamwork develops organically,” she says. The ramifications of the pandemic mean there has arguably never been a more important time to build this type of resilience. “It was noticeable after the second lockdown that many children had forgotten how to play freely,” Fran says. “They were so used to being directed, they had lost the independence and confidence to think of something to do.” Fortunately, a short spell in the woods can be enough to revitalise their spirit of adventure. “I come to sessions with ideas for activities, often inspired by the seasons,” Fran says. “But I’m always led by what sparks the interest of the children. Perhaps they’ll spot some tracks in the mud, so I’ll dig out my plaster of Paris moulds, or they’ll find an interesting leaf, so we’ll make some rubbings. I’m there to scaffold rather than direct their play. They’re learning

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THIS PAGE The children gather sticks, nettles, leaves and flowers. Fran encourages them to collect different-sized sticks to add to the campfire: “’match’ sticks for kindling, ‘finger’ sticks for building up the fire and ‘thumb’ sticks for when it gets going”

1 Cut out four squares of tin foil big enough to wrap biscuits in. 2 Place biscuit on foil, then two chunks of chocolate and one marshmallow. 3 Place another biscuit on top and wrap foil around. 4 Place package on fire and cook for two minutes on each side – until chocolate and marshmallows are just melted. 5 Remove and allow to cool for five minutes before peeling back the foil and enjoying.

RURAL BUSINESS

without realising.” Armed with gardening gloves, the kids are sent to gather fresh young nettles to add to the campfire pot or wild garlic for the pinwheels baked in the Dutch oven. “Foraging shows children that nature provides for them and they are part of it. Making that connection is vital if we are to have a generation who grow up wanting to protect nature in the future.” There’s no doubt the kids currently hurtling head-first down a mud slide are ‘making a connection’ with their surroundings. “It’s funny because children are often a bit reluctant at first to get dirty. I had one little girl who was very wary of putting her hands in the mud. By the end of the week, not only was she spending all day in the mud kitchen, but I had to hose her down before her mum picked her up!” Fran says, laughing. “She looked so proud, though. She’d had fun but had also achieved something.” Perhaps we all need to make mud pies more often? “Yes!” Fran says. “And mud slides – everyone would feel better if we just slid through the mud a bit more!” FOLLOW FRAN’S ADVENTURES with the Woodland Pack Company on Instagram @woodlandpackcompany or email hello@woodlandpack.co.uk.

THIS PAGE A short spell in the woods can make children feel more confident in their abilities

and more connected to the countryside and their environment

Let’s get

THE COUNTRYSIDE ON THE CURRICULUM Connecting with nature can significantly benefit kids’ mental and physical health, which is why environmentalist Mary Colwell (see page 30) is spearheading a campaign for a Natural History GCSE. “Children are born with an innate interest in the wild, yet 80 per cent can’t name a blue tit,” she says. “In a country that produced Charles Darwin and David Attenborough, that’s shocking. We need to become a nature-literate society again – then we’ll start making the right decisions for the future.” Support the cause by writing to your MP or to Robin Walker, Minister for Schools: robin.walker.mp@parliament.uk

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ON SALE 7 JUNE

Our latest edition is full of ideas on how to bring the vintage look into your home – whether you want to curate collections of globes and glass jars or decorate in farmhouse and coastal styles. Plus, our comprehensive sourcebook will help you track down your own treasures

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The new Country Living kitchens are the perfect choice for those dreaming of a welcoming farmhouse design. The beautiful Whitstable blends practicality with style and warmth. A classic Shaker style, it comes in ten nature-inspired colours, including Emerald Green (shown), Dove Grey, Buttermilk and Deep Blue, all with a premium satin finish. Mixing and matching handles and cabinet colours creates a bespoke look, while the deep pan drawers are the ideal place to store cooking and baking equipment. The covetable larder cupboard (above) can be built into a corner to make the most of every inch of space, and features shelving that can accommodate larger kitchen utensils, plus an integrated wine rack. Supplied pre-assembled for ease of installation, all Country Living kitchens are hand-built in Yorkshire and come with an impressive 20-year guarantee. See the full range in-store and online, and let our design experts create a kitchen that will quickly become the heart of the home. WHITSTABLE

KITCHEN COLLECTION Visit homebase.co.uk/country-living to book your virtual or in-store consultation

MOVING TO...

Rural Essex Hankering after a life in the countryside? Don’t leave home without our new expert guide for house-hunters ILLUSTRATIONS BY LAURA BARNARD

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109

M O V I N G T O. . .

Rural Essex

Ruth Chandler moved to the village of Kelvedon in Essex 14 years ago. She lives there with her husband and three children

spent many years lusting after the village of Kelvedon before I actually moved there. Passing through it on daytrips to the coast, I’d find myself gazing dreamily at the wide high street and its charming mix of medieval, Georgian-fronted and Victorian properties and the broad stretch of willow-growing countryside that surrounded it. At the time, my now-husband Andy and I were living in Braintree, but our yen to move to the countryside was growing. We wanted to realise our River Cottage-inspired dreams and renovate a period property. There was another motivating factor, too. I was working in central London and Braintree is at the end of a branch line with only one train to the capital every hour. One day in spring 2008, after a particularly long, cold wait at Liverpool Street station, I decided enough was enough. I started combing Rightmove the next day. During our search, Kelvedon (and its blessedly good rail links) was high on our list – which is how Andy found our now-home on the website of a small, local estate agents. An ex-council, semi-detached smallholding on the edge of the village, it had been built in 1914 and still had plenty of original features, including fireplaces in the bedrooms and Suffolk latches on the doors. Even better, it was surrounded by the three-quarter-acre plot we’d fantasised about and had its own brick-built barn. After viewing it, we sat on a nearby bench overlooking a beautiful old watermill and humpback

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bridge. The daffodils surrounding us seemed to be nodding their encouragement. We listened and put in an offer the same day. Soon Andy and I moved in with our two Labradors and German shepherd. Over the next 14 years, these would be joined by my highly strung rescue Bengal cat, five pigs, several flocks of hens and three children.

A HIDDEN GEM People tend to be a bit sniffy about the Essex countryside, preferring to travel straight through it on the way to more popular destinations in Suffolk and the neighbouring counties. But, having been born and bred here, I know from first-hand experience that its wild places, ancient lanes, handsome market towns, charming villages and 350 miles of coastline make it one of the east of England’s best-kept secrets. I’ve always loved the fact it’s within striking distance of the capital, yet much of it is deeply rural. Moving to Kelvedon gave me an opportunity to appreciate this anew. I quickly came to love our proximity to the coast, which is just half an hour away, but it wasn’t until after I had my first child in 2015 that I became properly acquainted with the village itself and the people living in it. Pushing the pram down the high street, rather than bolting straight to the station, I discovered the friendliest community of first-time mums, a dear little library housed in an 18th-century former school, countryliving.com/uk

THESE PROPERTIES ARE INTENDED AS A PRICE GUIDE AND MAY NOT BE ON SALE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION

WHAT YOU COULD BUY

Its wild places and ancient lanes make it one of the east’s best-kept secrets

£500,000 THE PERIOD PROPERTY With timber framing and original features, this 16th-century home in Kelvedon exudes charm. fineandcountry.com

£595,000 THE HOUSE ON THE HIGH STREET On Coggeshall’s main street, this listed house has an adjoining shop and walled garden. savills.com

a warm and welcoming church and plenty of people who were ready to exchange a smile and a hello as we passed them.

SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED Back then, the high street, with its Co-op, hairdressers, opticians and dentists was a nice mix of pretty and practical, but it has since become fancier. The Essex Produce Company, which describes itself as a ‘cellar pantry’, opened its doors last year and stocks local brews, artisan salami and other fine food sourced from the county. I like to pre-order the fresh bread, delivered from a craft bakery on Mersea Island. A more long-standing offering is Cottees of Kelvedon, which recently joined forces with The Little Fish Shop nearby – now known to locals as the ‘butchmonger’. I go there to stock up on the excellent sausages and beautifully fresh fish. Not only do my weekly trips there allow me to support two local businesses but also avoid loading the kids into the car for the ten-minute drive to the supermarket. But perhaps the most exciting addition has been The Twisted Cork, a family-owned cheese and wine bar whose opening was hotly anticipated last year, and rightly so. With its glamorous interior and curved glass shopfront, it’s the perfect spot for Andy and I to snatch a rare evening out (babysitter permitting, of course). So, although I’m freelance now and the rail links that brought us here are no longer needed, we couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. For us, Kelvedon is home and hopefully will be for years to come.

£650,000 THE COUNTRY COTTAGE On a hill with far-reaching views, this threebed house has a large garden with vegetable plot. essexheritage.co.uk

£1.550 million THE FARMHOUSE This four-bed property towards Braintree also has six acres, an Essex barn and adjoining two-bed cottage. savills.com

M O V I N G T O. . .

Rural Essex

Crabbs Barn in Kelvedon is a 15th-century restored building now used as a wedding venue

Live like a local... 1

1 THE FOODIE PUB Owned by farmer Malcolm and chef Penny, The Crown Inn (oldcrown messing.co.uk) in nearby Messing serves bistroinspired dishes made with local, seasonal ingredients in a relaxed yet intimate atmosphere. 2 THE MUSIC SCENE For more than 20 years, the Kelvedon Community Festival (kelvedonfest.org.uk) has been a summer fixture, supported through the work of volunteers and funded by local businesses.

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3 THE FÊTE At St Mary’s Church in early July, you’ll find a slice of traditional village life, with plenty of games

and fun for children, including a vast wooden marble run, as well as a beer tent and, of course, cream teas. Another great timeless community event is the Feering and Kelvedon Garden Club show. 4 THE REFILL SHOP Packaging-free store REco (recostore.co.uk), on the way to Tiptree, sells a wide range of foods, from pulses and cereals to dried fruits, as well as toiletries. Just take your containers and they’ll do the rest. 5 THE VINTAGE EMPORIUM Based on a farm just outside Kelvedon is Trinovante Trading (facebook.com/ trinovantetrading), a warehouse of antiques and

decorative items beloved of collectors and stylists (by appointment only). 6 ESSEX PRODUCE COMPANY With a core range of tasty cheeses, meats, wine and beer, this wonderful deli prides itself on offering the best artisan produce around. Founder Fraser Ward has a particular passion for wine from the area (essex produceco.co.uk). 7 THE WATERING HOLE On a spring or summer evening, there’s nothing better than sipping a local ale at one of The Tavern’s (thetavern kelvedon.co.uk) alfresco tables that line a stretch of the River Blackwater.

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Rural Essex

KELVEDON

FURTHER AFIELD

55 miles from

If you step out into the surrounding countryside, here are just some of the highlights you’ll discover

central London 4 walkingdistance pubs 1 ‘outstanding’ primary academy 4 miles from an ‘outstanding’ secondary school 10-minute drive to the nearest supermarket 3,587 residents

TRANSPORT LINKS

Although Kelvedon meets most of our needs, being on the A12 (which runs from London to Lowestoft in Suffolk) puts many beautiful destinations on our doorstep. The well-kept sandy beaches of Mersea Island, with their candy-coloured beach huts, are just half an hour away. (Don’t miss the deliciously fresh whitebait at Mersea Fish Bar or the playground at Cudmore Grove.) The Essex-Suffolk border is even closer, with Dedham Vale, home to the bucolic scenery made famous by painter John Constable, while the Colne Valley offers a less-discovered area, with picnic spots in ancient

Chalkney Woods, a Norman fort at Castle Hedingham and the pretty historic market town of Halstead. Described as a contender for the ‘largest village in England’, Tiptree is home to the sweet-smelling, world-famous Wilkin & Sons jam factory and a 60-acre heath where ponies and cattle graze between spring and autumn. At Maldon,you can spot Thames sailing barges and enjoy the lost-in-time promenade park. Just up the road from Kelvedon, Markshall Estate offers vast gardens and a 2,350-acre arboretum to explore, but my favourite is the spectacular RHS Garden Hyde Hall.

Hyde Hall

Hedingham Castle

Mersea Island

Flatford Mill, near Dedham Vale

TRAINS Kelvedon has its own mainline railway station with trains to London running twice hourly, on average (in around 50 minutes), and the same frequency of service to Colchester (approximately 12 minutes) and Ipswich (38 minutes). BUSES Frequent services to Witham, Chelmsford, Tiptree, Tollesbury and Colchester. CARS With the London-bound A12 at the west of the village and Lowestoft direction at its east, Kelvedon is well-connected to Suffolk and the capital.

Next time: find out what it’s like to move to the coast countryliving.com/uk

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; KRISTIAN BOUTELL; GETTY IMAGES; SARAH LETCHFORD; SARAH OPENSHAW; JUSTIN MINNS PHOTOGRAPHY

M O V I N G T O. . .

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

Collecting ENAMELWARE

namelware conjures up nostalgic memories of childhood camping trips and summer picnics, but its origins lie in the kitchen. During the late 1800s, manufacturers realised that glass, fused onto metal, could produce a non-stick, robust surface, perfect for cooking. It proved an instant hit as a lightweight, inexpensive alternative to cast iron and copper pans, without the fragility of china or pottery. By the 1930s, enamelware had become popular not only for the home but also for outdoor cooking and military kitchens. People remain devoted to the simplicity and cheerful functionality of enamelware. Its hardwearing nature has meant that many items have been handed down between generations or snapped up by collectors. There’s a vast

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array of kitchenware to choose from – bread bins to pie tins, mugs to ladles – in a rainbow of bold colours and patterns that include swirls, speckles and mottling. Vintage enamelware is becoming more collectable. Rare patterns, colours and shapes can command high prices, as do the early, heavier, pre-1940 pieces. Whatever you collect, condition is key: avoid badly chipped or scratched items as investment pieces. Or, if you want the ‘look’ but would rather buy new, companies such as Falcon (falconenamelware.com), which has made enamelware since 1920, still produce items in classic designs and colours. ADAPTED FROM CL’s Vintage Home bookazine. Issue four is on sale on 7 June. For how to buy, see page 105.

WORDS BY SALLY COULTHARD. PHOTOGRAPHS BY CAMERA PRESS; HARRY CORY-WRIGHT; LIVING4MEDIA; LOUPE IMAGES/STEVE PAINTER/DEBBIE PATTERSON/SIMON UPTON; GARY SMITH

The first in our new series on collating and curating pre-loved treasures with their own history

Tips for BUYING VINTAGE ENAMELWARE KNOW YOUR HISTORY Pre-1940 and mid-century Scandinavian designs are more collectable then others. FEEL THE WEIGHT Pre-1940 pieces are noticeably heavier than later versions. TAP THE BOTTOM If it sounds ‘tinny’, it’s likely to be a cheaper, late 20th-century reproduction. LOOK FOR MAKER’S MARKS or date marks on early pieces. Most, however, will be unmarked. GET CLUED UP ABOUT COLOUR as this can indicate place of origin. White with navy trim is usually English, and cream with green trim from Sweden, while speckled ‘graniteware’ is American. SCOUT FOR SIXTIES designs, particularly from Scandi makers such as Cathrineholm and Kockums. AVOID PIECES with large chips if you wish to use them: they can’t be restored or eaten from safely, but are lovely to display. BE PRICE SAVVY Expect to pay around £5 for a mug or ladle, £50 for a bread bin and £500 for a Cathrineholm teapot.

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ENVIRONMENT

The no-nonsense guide to… CARBON OFFSETTING It claims to counter our carbon footprint, but can we really buy our way out of climate change? Here’s our user-friendly primer

WORDS BY ANNA GUMBAU

Brief me on the basics. What’s the elevator pitch?

projects, either close to home or further afield, such as to a charity giving solar cookers to refugees in Darfur.

Carbon-offsetting schemes allow anyone to invest in environmental projects across the world, balancing out the impact they have on the planet when they catch a flight, drive to the supermarket or do a spot of washing. As a consumer, you can either buy directly into a scheme when you purchase a company’s goods or services, or estimate the emissions of what you’re buying yourself using an online calculator and then find a project that compensates.

Are some projects better than others?

So it’s a charity donation to the planet? Exactly. Your donation might go to an organisation such as the Woodland Trust to plant trees in the UK or to renewable energy countryliving.com/uk

It might be tempting to go for a tree-planting scheme because we hear so much about them. But while trees are great in the long run, some experts suggest that donating to a renewable energy scheme is more effective. Saplings take years, or sometimes decades, to grow and suck up carbon to their full potential, but if people in developing countries were given energy-efficient stoves to cook on rather than having to use open fires, for example, emissions would drop immediately. Community-based projects in these countries also directly support people who have done the least to contribute to climate change – and yet are most at risk from its effects. MAY 2022

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less, reducing the amount of meat and dairy we eat and turning off lights when we’re not using them will all help – at least a little.

It’s a step in the right direction…? Yes. Schemes can’t erase our carbon footprint as if our actions have never made an impact, but they can slow down some of the overall damage. If we lessen our footprint to start with, then there will be less to clean up.

If a company already offsets their emissions, do I need to do anything? That’s up to you. Companies such as easyJet already contribute to projects meeting the Gold Standard or VCS certification to carbon offset the fuel they use, but they also acknowledge that running a flight without emitting CO2 is impossible. They know that carbon offsetting is not a long-term solution, but argue that it is the best way at the moment to mitigate the effects of flying. A separate contribution is only going to help.

How do I measure my footprint?

If you’re offsetting your carbon footprint independently rather than donating money through an airline when you buy a flight, say, then go for a project that keeps to an internationally recognised standard. All the initiatives on the Gold Standard website (goldstandard.org) have been vetted, while schemes certified by Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) must also follow certain requirements. Experts stress the importance of ‘additionality’, meaning that true carbon-offsetting projects depend on these donations to go ahead. If a project gives little information about its standards, hold back.

Isn’t it just a way to make us all feel less guilty? That’s what groups like Greenpeace fear. They worry that offsetting schemes allow businesses to shift their responsibility onto us. We then feel better because we think we can clean up our carbon footprint by paying a bit extra. The problem is what they do in the first place: airlines and oil companies burn a huge amount of fossil fuels. They should reduce that, while we lessen how much we use of their goods and services, rather than try to make up for it once the damage has been done.

So can it make a difference? Schemes that build solar, wind or hydro projects around the world or help turn waste to energy will reduce carbon emissions, which can only be a good thing. And we do need more trees. But to make a real impact, experts say we must try to reduce our carbon footprint first and then consider contributing to a carbonoffsetting scheme. This approach is the only way to be truly sustainable, according to Gold Standard and the EIC, a trade association for the energy industry. Taking fewer flights, driving

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What do I do with my results? You could buy carbon credits from somewhere like Gold Standard and pick a scheme on their website that appeals. Or consider signing up to a subscription scheme, run by the likes of Carbon Neutral Britain, which buys the carbon credits and chooses where to put them for you. Your cash might go towards managing a woodland in Yorkshire or harvesting power from rice husks in Cambodia. Subscriptions start from £6.99 a month.

What if I just want to offset a one-off flight rather than my entire life? The Atmosfair carbon calculator (atmosfair.de) will estimate flight emissions, depending on your destination and airline, and give you the option of offsetting your flight there and then. A return trip from Heathrow to Nice, for example, might have a climate impact of 449kg CO2, costing you 11 US dollars. Clear (clear.eco) also offers a flight calculator, giving you a cost in pounds and allowing you to offset your journey on the spot. You can do the same on its website for your energy or internet bills.

And all this helps us reach net zero? The consensus among experts is that no amount of green schemes will make flying or using fossil fuels environmentally friendly because these activities still emit carbon, but the best ones could mitigate some effects in the short term. Ultimately, businesses need to reassess what they do and not rely on offsetting to make themselves ‘green’, and we need to adjust our lifestyles. In the meantime, every little helps. countryliving.com/uk

*CARBONINDEPENDENT.ORG. ESTIMATES VARY FROM 8-13, DEPENDING ON WHAT IS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. COUNTRY LIVING DOES NOT ENDORSE THE PROJECTS OR SERVICES THAT ARE MENTIONED HERE. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; GETTY IMAGES

That sounds fair. But how can I be sure where my cash goes?

A CO2 calculator, like the one on the Carbon Independent website (carbonindependent.org), recommended by the Woodland Trust, will help you estimate the emissions from what you eat, how you heat your home and how you travel when you fill out a questionnaire. The average UK carbon footprint comes to about ten tonnes of CO2 per person per year*.

For when your heart is in the country Subscribe to the digital edition of Country Living magazine and escape into an appealing world of rural beauty and tranquillity. You’ll find a wealth of ideas for your home and garden, learn about traditional crafts, discover inspiring rural businesses and enjoy delicious recipes using seasonal produce.

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

Now on EVEN MORE devices!

HOME INSPIRATION

Modifying THE MANOR When Amy Bell moved into her mother-inlaw’s Victorian house, she determined to honour the presence of the past while overlaying a modern country style

WORDS BY RUTH CHANDLER PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRENT DARBY PRODUCTION BY BEN KENDRICK

THE DETAILS WHAT’S THE STYLE? A large, detached, early-Victorian, brick-built manor house WHERE IS IT? In the village of Hamsey, beneath the South Downs, near Lewes in East Sussex WHO LIVES HERE? Amy Bell and her husband James (who run a brand communications agency together), their daughters – Eliza, 13, Martha, 11 – and James’s mother Olli, who downsized into the annexe flat

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he move to Hamsey House near Lewes in East Sussex was unusual for Amy Bell. Leaving a new-build in nearby Newick, she came to live in a ‘ready-made’ family home: furniture filled the rooms, artwork hung on the walls and books lined the shelves. And it was all familiar… Everything belonged to her mother-in-law, Olli, who had downsized into the annexe and left her possessions as they were. “We haven’t thrown anything out, just shuffled pieces around and moved things to different rooms,” Amy says. Naturally, it hasn’t gone without a hitch: “There’s a large toy gorilla, Waldorf, who was sat on an armchair that I really wanted to see more of,” she says, with a giggle. “I mooted the idea of relocating him and realised that I’d made a big mistake. There was total silence.” The unlisted building was constructed in 1849 by the local bank manager after he married the daughter of the farmer who owned the

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land. Matching those of many similar-size properties in Lewes, the dark bricks are thought to have been made locally. The exterior’s austere appearance belies the interior’s warmth: “It’s as if the house is inviting people in,” Amy says, with a smile. “It feels right when it is full of people.” In the seven years since they moved in, Amy and her husband James, who run a brand communications agency together, have taken care that any alterations chime with the English country style of James’s childhood home. The drawing room, for example, has been repainted in a warm shade (Craig & Rose’s now discontinued Terracotta) inspired by the inherited rug. The dark wooden furniture, which was also passed down from the previous generation, has been updated with contemporary accessories such as Birdie Fortescue Ikat-inspired cushions. And Amy likes to further ring the changes by switching pastel-coloured furnishings for richer shades in autumn and winter. “I sit here every morning with our Norfolk terrier Nelson and have my tea and toast on

THIS PAGE, ABOVE LEFT The pantry stores Amy’s hoard of baskets, collected from various fairs by The Country Brocante TOP RIGHT The hand-painted tiles above the Lacanche range came from a Victorian dairy ABOVE Norfolk terrier Nelson OPPOSITE The kitchen has the original panelled ceiling, while the old dresser grounds the new hand-built units

countryliving.com/uk

“I sit in the drawing room to have a cup of tea every morning – it’s the grown-up room”

THIS PAGE In spring, Amy switches from dark to pastelcoloured furnishings in her sitting room OPPOSITE The dining area features pictures that James’s parents found in a skip, along with lighting by Jim Lawrence

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

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the sofa,” she says. “It’s the grown-up room – the children have a den.” Alongside the smaller changes inside and major jobs on the exterior, such as replacing the conservatory roof and repairing chimneys, some rooms needed a more significant makeover. “The biggest project has been the kitchen. Here, we stripped everything out apart from the ceiling,” Amy explains. Local building firm Hartley Quinn Wilson carried out the work, making the bespoke Shaker-style units and island, painting them in Charleston Gray by Farrow & Ball, while Sudbury Yellow brings cheer to the eating area. The lino floor came up and floorboards, painted black, were sanded down and stained to bring out the grain. It was Amy’s mother Daphne who spotted the hand-painted tiles, which came from a Victorian dairy and are now a focal point above the Lacanche range. The antique pine dresser was originally there and Amy was determined to keep it. An adjoining, highly covetable pantry is testament to her passion for baskets – many of which she has collected at The Country Brocante fairs, including the largest one, chief bearer of the garden’s gluts. Once the refurbishment of the kitchen was complete, Amy and James turned their attention to their bathroom – which featured wall-to-wall mirror tiles and an avocado suite. Papers and Paints’ Parsonage Pink now imbues it with a warm glow, an ideal backdrop for the female nude (one of the many oils liberated from the cellar) that Amy reframed, petite slipper bath by Burlington (“I’m just five foot two inches, so it fits me fine,” she says) and the marble-effect tiles (from Topps Tiles) into which the minimal shower almost disappears. The elegant theme continues in the Marston & Langinger conservatory, which has a party atmosphere. There are planters supporting glitter balls, and fairy lights, which operate on a solar

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timer that kicks in at sunset. Amy is training jasmine over the large wicker wreath at the back, while she brings flowers from the garden to arrange on the table, shaded from the sun by a French tablecloth hung on a suspended beanpole. It was a love of cut flowers that inspired Amy’s interest in gardening, which has space to flourish in Hamsey’s eight acres. She is now hosting courses in a contemporary lodge in the grounds. They are taken by Laurie McMillan, who spends one day a week working here and has replanted the herbaceous borders, which now teem with sweet rocket, peonies and foxgloves. And who knows what other plans the future holds? Living in a three-generational home, Amy’s thoughts turn to succession: “I guess one day it might be our children making changes to the house and garden.” FOR INFORMATION about gardening courses at Hamsey House, see hamseybelle.co.uk.

THIS PAGE, ABOVE LEFT The bathroom has been elegantly styled with a petite slipper bath ABOVE MIDDLE The garden sculptures were inherited from James’s parents ABOVE RIGHT James and Amy’s bedroom is painted in Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle, the pillowcases are from Projektityyny and the blanket is by Melin Tregwynt OPPOSITE The conservatory is brimming with plants, including a large jasmine in the corner

MAKING AN Amy’s tips for INHERITED HOUSE YOUR OWN CREATE A MOODBOARD This can help to incorporate old and new into a refreshed scheme and illustrate changes to family members before you start work. USE RECLAIMED MATERIALS (such as the tiles above the cooker), antiques or vintage finds (especially those of the same period as your property). With their patina of age, introduce features that look firmly at home.

UPDATE ELEMENTS OF A ROOM, such as the paint colours, to make your mark subtly. CHANGE SMALLER ACCESSORIES Cushions and soft furnishings can have a big impact with minimal upheaval. KEEP CHARACTERFUL PIECES If you’re making major alterations, decorate the interior to incorporate period items and features where you can.

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In our series on those whose gardens and lives are shaped by a love of a particular plant species, we meet Lucy Skellorn, who is nurturing her National Collection of irises bred by Sir Michael Foster in Suffolk

The PASSIONATE GARDENER IRISES WORDS BY PAULA MCWATERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD BLOOM

OPPOSITE Iris ‘Sir Michael Foster’ (Yeld, 1925) named in honour of Lucy Skellorn’s great-greatgrandfather THIS PAGE Lucy tends the collection in her cottage garden near Stowmarket, Suffolk

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When Lucy Skellorn discovered that her great-great-grandfather Sir Michael Foster was known as ‘the father of iris breeding’, it became her passion to research his legacy. She now has a Plant Heritage National Collection of 14 varieties. WAS PROFESSIONAL GARDENING ALWAYS YOUR PLAN A? Not initially. I trained in fine art and spent ten years in London working as an art director in film and TV, but when I got married and we bought our own cottage in Suffolk ten years ago, I decided to retrain in horticulture.

WHERE DID YOU CUT YOUR TEETH? While studying, I worked in two different walled gardens – at Langham Hall, growing produce for an organic veg box scheme, and at the Museum of East Anglian Life, where I was part of a heritage gardening apprenticeship. I also worked alongside the head gardeners at Helmingham Hall and Ickworth House. This all gave me a huge breadth of experience in a heritage setting.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY CONNECTION TO IRISES… It was after an iris talk by Sarah Cook, former head gardener at Sissinghurst, that I discovered just how important my great-great-grandfather was in iris breeding in the 1870s through to 1907, when he died. He was a scientist and an MP, and iris breeding was his hobby. He collected a huge number of species irises, many not seen before in the UK.

HOW MANY SPECIES DID FOSTER COLLECT? He formed a library of more than 200, observing them closely and keeping meticulous notes on them. These he used as breeding stock, recognizing characteristics that could give his hybrids bigger and better flowers, thick velvety petals and more flowers on stronger stems. He was a great teacher, willing to share his knowledge generously. The Linnean Society holds 13 of his pencilwritten notebooks, filled with his notes and sketches. It felt like touching the past when I saw them.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HIS NOTEBOOKS? When Foster died, he passed his collection and notes to his friend Miss Ellen Willmott, who then shared them with Foster’s protégé WR Dykes. He became a recognised authority on iris cultivation himself, publishing books and spawning the British Iris Society’s Dykes Medal, awarded for the most outstanding iris hybrid variety each year.

SO WHEN DID YOU GET INTO IRISES? Sadly, many of Foster’s irises have been lost in the past 100 years but when I discovered that my mother had been trying to source some of them, I decided to carry on where she left off. I started in 2016 – mostly with tall bearded irises bred by Sir Michael, along with some varieties of Spuria iris he also raised. Foster’s irises are important not only because they are utterly beautiful varieties but also because they are so historically significant in the iris breeding programmes we have now. My collection was awarded National Collection status in 2018.

WHAT’S SPECIAL ABOUT THE OLD VARIETIES? WHERE DID THE FLOWERS COME FROM? Foster was well connected and he enlisted a network of collectors, including diplomats, army generals and missionaries, to help bring back species irises from different parts of the world, many from the Middle East. These wild ones he then set about crossing with Iris pallida and existing bearded irises that were popular in gardens in the late 19th century.

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Their form and elegance is captivating. In contrast, modern hybrids have huge heads and are more elaborate and frilly: some are over-bred, which can result in rather brash characteristics. Foster’s irises are more elegant THIS PAGE, TOP Lucy Skellorn in her garden. Iris ‘Blue Boy’ (1913); Iris ‘Mrs

George Darwin’ (1895). Both these irises were bred by Sir Michael Foster countryliving.com/uk

How to DIVIDE IRISES Lift irises every two to five years to rejuvenate them and increase your stock. 1 Divide them in early autumn when the rhizomes have matured. 2 Carefully loosen the surrounding soil, without damaging the rhizomes. 3 Use a hand fork to tease out the roots. 4 Snap off healthy sections of rhizome, with leaves. 5 Remove any old or dying foliage. 6 Before replanting, shorten the leaves, to prevent wind rock. 7 Add grit to the soil to improve drainage. 8 Plant rhizomes 30cm-45cm apart, with leaves upright with the rhizomes uncovered, at soil level, facing the sun.

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and graceful with well-spaced flowers, and attractive sword-like leaves that look good among perennials even when the flowers have gone. A lot have scent, too, which people tend to forget. They are incredibly hardy – ideal for me as I don’t have time to fuss over them because we have three young children.

THE BEST WAY TO GROW THEM? You can grow them in borders with perennials such as cerinthe, nigella, aquilegias and forget-me-nots but I have to be honest and say that I find they do best in a dedicated bed, eg a raised bed, where you can ensure they get plenty of sunlight. Good drainage is vital so, as I garden on clay, I need to incorporate a lot of grit and compost, which I use as a soil improver to break it up.

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DO THEY NEED ANY SPECIAL TREATMENT? Not really. As I say, they are pretty tough and I don’t cut back the foliage at all, except for tidying any dead or dying leaves. They are best lifted and divided every two to five years because they are vigorous growers. I tend to do mine at least every three years, in early autumn when the rhizomes have fully matured. They need to be baked by the sun to get the best flowers from them, so they should sit proud on the surface of the soil. Water them in then leave them to do their thing. YOU CAN BUY Lucy’s irises from fosteririses.com and at Helmingham Hall’s Plant Fairs (29 May and 18 Sept 2022). Lucy welcomes visitors to see the collection in her private garden near Stowmarket, Suffolk by appointment. See fosteririses.com for details; Instagram @fosteririses. She will be exhibiting at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show with Plant Heritage.

countryliving.com/uk

Start a COLLECTION 1 ‘AMAS’ (1885) Key species used by Foster in hybridising to supply fundamental features evolved in the modern iris. Striking dark purple falls and sky-blue standards; a native of Turkey. H90cm. 2 ‘MRS HORACE DARWIN’ (1888) Compact, freeflowering, pure white with purple veining at base and falls. Makes a lovely mass at the front of a border. Glaucous blue-green leaves tinged purple. H60cm.

OPPOSITE Elegant blue Iris ‘Monspur’ (1890) with yellow ‘Shelford Giant’ (1913), Spuria cultivars bred by Foster THIS PAGE Lucy’s cottage garden includes other historic irises such as Iris ‘Benton Caramel’, bred by Cedric Morris

3 ‘BLUE BOY’ (1913) Very floriferous intermediate bearded iris. Earliest to flower (often on 1 May). Good grower with notable blue beard. Scented. H50cm. 4 ‘KASHMIR WHITE’ (1912) White flowers slightly flushed with blue-grey. White beard tipped orange. Delicious scent. H1m. 5 ‘CATERINA’ (1909) Beautiful statuesque lavender-blue iris with olive veining. Sweetly scented. H90cm.

6 ‘CRUSADER’ (1913) Tall, lavender-blue flower spikes with a yellow beard and a strong scent. Flowers in late May. H1.2m. 7 ‘SHELFORD GIANT’ (1913) Striking Spuria cultivar with soft creamy-yellow flowers appearing mid/late June. Very attractive to bees and butterflies. H1.5m.

8 ‘MRS ALAN GRAY’ (1909) Delightful lilac-pink with neat flowers, first in mid-May, then reblooming in late summer/ early autumn. H70cm.

HOME INSPIRATION

Mixing IT UP

This Cotswolds house fuses classic and contemporary, conventional and quirky in a seamless and cohesive style WORDS BY SUSY SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS BY BRENT DARBY PRODUCTION BY BEN KENDRICK

THE DETAILS WHAT’S THE STYLE? A 19th-century Cotswold stone house with two bedrooms and a contemporary extension at the rear WHERE IS IT? In the picturesque village of Miltonunder-Wychwood, Oxfordshire WHO LIVES HERE? Frances and John Bennett

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OPPOSITE In the study, the antique wing-back chair was upholstered in old linen and Frances made the patterned seat cushion with a piece of fabric from Peru. The row of teapots along the high shelf are the collection John began at the age of 17 when his parents gave him a Derek Emms design THIS PAGE, LEFT An old Belfast sink rescued from their old house sits beside kitchen units from Ikea. The large table is made from an old door with peeling paint and the back of a Welsh pew bench BELOW The large ceramic bowl, made by the potter Mark Griffiths, was a present from John to Frances

f you should happen to find yourself in the village of Milton-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire, you might notice an unusual house. It sits gable-end-on to the road, and, unlike its neighbours that have paintwork in subdued grey-greens, the windows and doors are rust-red and dark grey. Look over the railings into the garden and you’ll spot interesting details – a wall in corrugated metal, a painted mailbox, a slatted pergola – that tell you the occupants are not traditionalists. This is Sparrow House and owners Frances and John Bennett have restored the handsome stone building inside and out, in an eclectic style that mixes old and new, traditional and quirky. The Bennetts bought the house 14 years ago for its location, with a pub, grocery store and even a library over the road. Aesthetically, however, it wasn’t very pleasing. “It was all plastic windows and flush doors with a dark hall,” Frances says. “However, it is detached – with a drive and outbuilding – and we saw huge potential.” John has an eye for architectural salvage, collecting it for years: “Some pieces will never find a use. Others are waiting for the right opportunity.” Windows found in a skip inspired the paintwork on the house front. John painted them with red oxide primer, prompting him to find a match for the custom-made casements. The first priority was to reorientate the house. They disliked the fact that the front door was on the left, up a narrow passage overlooking their neighbour’s garden. So they widened a window on the opposite side and turned it into a door. John then added a curved canopy, made from timber and zinc. Inside, they dismantled a mahogany sideboard and plasterboard wall to reveal an old boiler and original inglenook fireplace. Meanwhile, planning permission to build an extension for a new kitchen, boot room, utility and wet room was granted. This part of the building now makes an L-shape with a courtyard at the back. At the front, two distinctive features draw the eye: the corrugated iron cladding, painted black-blue; and a slatted pergola above it. “We wanted something different from the standard countryliving.com/uk

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THIS PAGE This upholstered chair came from Filkins Woollen Mill near Burford, while the crocheted cushion was made by a friend of Frances’s OPPOSITE John created the circular table with its stair spindle legs and oak top

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“We wanted something different from the standard Cotswold cottage”

H O M E S & D E C O R AT I N G

THIS PAGE, RIGHT In the guest room, a painting John found in a junk shop hangs above a pine chest from Station Mill Antiques in Chipping Norton FAR RIGHT On the landing, the tongue-and-groove panelling is painted in Farrow & Ball Brinjal. The colourful artwork is a sample board of wool colours given to Frances by a friend who kept her own sheep BELOW The woodpile is fuel for the Bennetts’ fire and two woodburners OPPOSITE John made the bedroom shutters and painted them to match the eiderdown in a distinctive harlequin pattern. The crocheted blanket came from a vintage shop in Hay-on-Wye

Cotswold cottage,” Frances says. “The planners initially refused to allow the corrugated iron, but relented when we explained it was inspired by vernacular agricultural buildings.” A rendered lean-to was demolished to reveal the stone wall. John’s brother and brother-in-law helped him create the roof along it from salvaged timber and clay tiles. What had been a flat-roofed garage was converted into a workshop, with a raised curved roof, tri-fold doors and a chimney for the Jøtul woodburner. John’s many talents include carpentry: the new front door was assembled from several pieces of wood melded together. Outside, the boards run vertically, inside horizontally with insulation between. A Welsh blanket curtain warms the room further and, when the fire is lit, it is wonderfully welcoming. Above the front door is a drop-down screen where movies are projected on film nights. The furnishings are also a mix of vintage and contemporary and represent a coming-together from separate households. Before they met, Frances was living in Charlbury and John was in Leek. Both had a lifetime of accumulated ‘stuff’ but they share a soft spot for ceramics. “When we met, I rattled off potters I like and John knew them all. He was born in Stoke-on-Trent, so his life was rooted in the Potteries. When his parents gave him a Derek Emms teapot for his 17th birthday, it sparked a life-long interest,” Frances says. Since setting up home together, they have combined their collections, which appear throughout the house. A row of ‘pinch pots’, made by John as a young man, sits on the mantelpiece in the study. He also made the painted fireplace from old wood and door architraves and laid the hearth of quarry tiles from Staffordshire. Upstairs, he panelled the bathroom, built wardrobes and a headboard in the bedroom, plus made shutters and painted the harlequin pattern to match the eiderdown. He was, Frances says, simply using up pots of paint. Edwardian chairs that belonged to Frances’s grandparents now serve as bedside tables. This is a fascinating home that feels like a meeting of minds, where tastes and creativity merge to create an inspiring, cohesive whole.

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Renovation INSPIRATION Frances Bennett’s five top tips for mixing old and new USE RECLAIMED MATERIALS and architectural salvage to marry ancient and modern. SAVE PAINT from previous work – it’s not only great for retouching but also useful for special projects. LINK DIFFERENT ELEMENTS in a room with colour. It can help pieces from various periods sit happily together. MAKE NEW PROJECTS SYMPATHETIC to the building’s style and period – like John’s carpentry for fielded panel cupboards, doors and panelling. INTRODUCE CONTEMPORARY STYLE The open-plan extension allowed us to do this. But retaining traditional elements and the old stone wall helped anchor the space in its context.

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FIFTY SHAPES OF

green

Form and texture in a melange of verdant shades are the dominant forces in this walled topiary garden in Somerset WORDS BY PAULA MCWATERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY MIMI CONNOLLY

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GA R D E N I N G

THE DETAILS STYLE Warm, south-facing topiary garden with perennials and grasses SEASONS OF INTEREST All year round SIZE ¼ acre SOIL Heavy brown clay loam, shallow in parts, and improved over many years countryliving.com/uk

GA R D E N I N G

THIS PAGE, ABOVE Louise Dowding BELOW LEFT Strappyleaved rhodoxis ‘Aurora’ BELOW RIGHT A wooden gate leads into the garden BOTTOM RIGHT Ruby the cat luxuriates among the daisies OPPOSITE Pot displays include soft mounds of moss

ouise Dowding has been busy with her shears. Rounded box balls have been reimagined as jelly moulds; trios of Walnut-Whip-cum-cinnamon-buns have emerged at jaunty angles and she is currently fashioning a topiary menagerie of “giant snails, flightless birds and rotund terriers” along the top of a dividing hedge. Ask her how she manages to conjure up these convincing forms and she is nonchalant: “Oh, you almost have to close your eyes and go for it. There’s always next year’s growth to play with if you make a mistake.” She has clearly mastered the art of topiary and revels in doing it. “I spend a lot of time listening to audio books, happily absorbed in the task at hand,” she says. The box (Buxus sempervirens) at Yews Farm started out as 30cm cuttings when Louise put them in more than 25 years ago and then grew into large balls, which her husband Fergus began to conclude were too dominant and “frankly, rather boring”. So she has employed her natural skills – she did a degree in sculpture before studying landscape

architecture and garden design – to remodel them. “This garden is very three-dimensional,” Louise says. “I work with the shapes not just independently but in groups, assessing the angles carefully, so that the various facets throw light off in different directions according to the time of day.” When she and Fergus moved here in 1996, the quarter-acre garden behind their fine hamstone farmhouse was laid to lawn with wiggly-edged borders all round it – the kind Louise hates. “I redesigned it using pure simple maths and logic,” she says. One axis comes off the house and another crosses it at right angles. The rest is divided up into a grid pattern of large rectangular beds intersected by generous grass paths. All down one side lies Fergus’s richly productive kitchen garden. The open lawn has been done away with but, as a consequence, plants now take centre stage where they can be seen and enjoyed. A two-year stint working as an assistant to Penelope Hobhouse at her garden at Bettiscombe, Dorset, opened Louise’s eyes to what plants alone can do, without any need for statuary or devices to

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Eryngium giganteum

Linaria ‘Canon Went’

Hosta ‘Francee’

Ligusticum lucidum

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distract the eye: “That garden was pure magic. It was a huge influence on me. It was quite a small space, walled and contained as this one is, and it was so full of energy, brimming with plants I had never seen before.” Observing Penelope’s approach taught Louise to appreciate and treasure even the tiniest weed, such as euphorbia, if it had a pleasing shape to it. The Dowdings’ garden is all about the plants, too, and when Louise and Fergus discovered that a large part of it is very shallow soil laid directly over the stone farmyard, Louise had to find plants to suit it. A well-established pear tree gives height and this was soon joined by hawthorn – Crataegus x lavalleei ‘Carrierei’ and Crataegus prunifolia – which do well here, as do Balkan spurge Euphorbia oblongata and Mexican fleabane Erigeron karvinskianus, seeding themselves around liberally. Verbena bonariensis has been banned from the farmyard garden, as it takes over, but lovely Ligusticum lucidum (shining lovage) has been embraced, forming great frothy mounds that bring softness as a contrast to the strong topiary forms. Foliage is every bit as important to Louise as flowers are. In fact, she admits that she can find colour “quite confusing and even a bit irritating”, preferring her garden to rely more on myriad shades of green instead. Shape, texture and form become the dominant forces then, with tall sword-like leaves of Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ being just as vital as their striking but relatively short-lived red flowers. Foxgloves, Linaria purpurea and Veronicastrum virginicum are all valued for their tall vertical habit, and London pride Saxifraga x urbium countryliving.com/uk

GA R D E N I N G

OPPOSITE, ABOVE LEFT Eye-catching topiary shapes are created in threes OPPOSITE, ABOVE RIGHT Louise enjoys grouping pots, especially near the house ABOVE The garden is many-layered, with hawthorns and an old pear tree giving height above the topiary and perennials. Two pots of Hosta ‘Francee’ top off the stone gateposts

has been chosen as an edging plant, forming mats of weed-suppressing evergreen foliage. Colour is allowed in small doses – in the crocosmia and dahlias, for example. There are grasses, too, although Louise has cut back on the number: “I had lots at one time but they looked wretched. They did nothing until May, then by November the whole garden resembled a huge brown compost heap – very depressing.” Now, the palette of grasses has been reduced to autumn reed-grass Sesleria autumnalis, which she finds very neat and well behaved, and Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ (feather reed-grass), which stays upright and tidy all winter long. Division of labour for the Dowdings sees Louise concentrating mostly on the ornamental parts of the garden, while Fergus takes charge of the vegetable beds, where he has practised no-dig principles for 25 years, putting soil health first and foremost. They keep pigs and chickens, which produce manure that helps keep the plants happy, and their aim is to retain as much on site as possible, and to be as self-sufficient as they can be with food. Their crops include borlotti beans, leeks, cabbages and celeriac in winter, giving way to salad crops, French beans , courgettes and soft fruits in summer, followed by squashes in autumn. Fergus and Louise both put their hearts and souls into this garden and reap rich rewards. YEWS FARM, East Street, Martock, Somerset, opens for the National Open Garden Scheme (ngs.org.uk) on Sunday 3 July and Sunday 11 September, 1-5pm, and by arrangement from May to September (email fergusdowding@btinternet.com). Follow Louise’s progress on Instagram @dowdinglouise.

Louise’s tips for TAKING CARE OF BOX SPRAY THE RIGHT WAY I keep the box at Yews Farm healthy by spraying it every month with a mix of 10ml of neem oil and 3ml of castile soap (both from thesoapery.co.uk) to 1 litre of water. I find it coats the leaves sufficiently to help prevent box blight spreading. In summer, I spray two or three times with a ten per cent solution of liquid seaweed (100ml of seaweed to 1 litre of water). This gives them a boost and greens them up without making them get too leggy. MIX IT UP Create shapes that have a variety of different horizontal and vertical planes to them. Spirals work well, too. The various facets catch the light at different times of day. KEEP CLIPPING I clip all the box by eye in late May/early June, and again in late September to maintain crisp winter outlines. On the spirals and jelly moulds, push a cane into the centre first to act as a guide to work around. FEED BOX ANNUALLY Add well-rotted manure and homemade compost around the roots. SPACE IT OUT Don’t allow other plants to compete with the box around their roots. I like to leave around 30cm between the box and any perennials.

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It’s the veined pink flowers and deeply cut foliage that distinguish hardy Geranium sanguineum var. striatum (bloody cranesbill) and have helped it earn an RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). This fuss-free plant will even withstand drought and will flower for months. £18.99 for a 2-litre pot from Crocus (crocus.co.uk).

Gardener’s notebook Gardening editor Paula McWaters tells you how to get the best from your plot in May

A good read Adam Frost is an enabler: he is one of those gardeners whose immense practical knowledge, design savvy and affable nature make him a born teacher. With his new book, The Creative Gardener (Dorling Kindersley, £20), you feel he is at your side as he runs through a series of satisfying projects – from knocking up a bench, tool store or log seat to crafting a set of steps or creating a container planting plan. Instructions and photographs are all super-clear and Adam is the voice of encouragement throughout. Brilliant.

To-do list Provide plant protection for any late frosts

few years ago in May, someone showed us a photograph of our road taken from the air. What struck me most about our neighbours’ garden was the river of sky-blue forget-me-nots that ran its length. There is something magical about blue flowers, isn’t there? Whatever the shade, from cerulean to indigo, blue looks harmonious and has a calming effect on us, in much the same way water does. In flowers, it is a comparative rarity, which makes us value it more, but happily May brings us quite a crop of hues to revel in. Ceanothus is eye-catching with flowers like tiny blue powder puffs – ‘Puget Blue’ is the classic or look for paler ‘Cascade’. Long-flowering Veronica gentianoides has light blue flower spires and there are wonderful camassias to enjoy, too, such as the aptly named ‘Blue Candle’ and ‘Blue Heaven’. A real treasure to track down is Corydalis flexuosa ‘China Blue’, which nursery bethchatto.co.uk describes as “glacier blue flowers… like shoals of little fishes swimming through a sea of blue-grey leaves”. Follow Paula’s progress on Instagram @paulalifeandsoil.

Cut back and divide late spring-flowering perennials

Water newly planted trees and shrubs as needed

Start hardening off plants grown under cover

Prick out seedlings into modules or pots when big enough to handle

Clear containers to make way for summer displays in your pots

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Have you, like me, exclaimed that RHS Chelsea Flower Show should be “all about plants”? Well, this year it seems we will have our way: there is a new category of show garden called just that, where 75 per cent of the area is devoted to plants. Pollyanna Wilkinson is opting for a joyful palette in her Mothers For Mothers garden (above); shades of green will predominate in Charlie Hawkes’s restful and thought-provoking Wilderness Foundation UK garden; and Andy Smith-Williams champions sociable shared-space gardening with native hedging and wild flowers in his Core Arts Front Garden Revolution. For cottage garden lovers, Ruth Willmott’s Morris & Co show garden looks a real treat, celebrating William Morris’s designs in earthy reds, apricots and blues. RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 24-28 May (rhs.org.uk).

CARRY IT AWAY There’s always lots to lug around when gardening, so I find a tough flexi-trug (that can be used for years) invaluable. This denim-blue stackable Town & Country version comes in three sizes – 15L, £6.99; 25L, £8.99; 40L, £10.99 (townandco.com).

Rose-lovers who are short of space will welcome this thorn-free tabletop variety. Rosa ‘Cutie Pie’ forms low mounds of pretty apple blossom-like flowers from July to September. At 10cm tall, it’s great for containers or to use as ground cover. £14.99 for a 12cm pot or £24.99 for two from Thompson & Morgan (0844 573 1818; thompson-morgan.com).

A TOUCH OF GLASS

Cutting-hedge artistry Thursday 12 May is World Topiary Day and if Louise Dowding’s work at Yews Farm (page 148) has inspired you, why not visit Levens Hall and Gardens in Cumbria to view the ultimate in stylish hedge carvings? Themed activities on 12 and 15 May include talks, quizzes and challenges. See levenshall.co.uk for details.

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While some greenhouses can be seen as workshops to be tucked away, there’s no doubt that the fine proportions and central porch entrance on Hartley Botanic’s elegant Victorian Terrace design merit a more prominent position in your garden. For details of the full range, and to read a handy guide to getting the most from greenhouse growing, see hartley-botanic.co.uk. countryliving.com/uk

ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIRA TEE. PHOTOGRAPH BY ANJO KAN; MARK SPENCER

Chelsea show highlights

Let it grow

VISIT THE COUNTRY LIVING PAVILION AT

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival

THE RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL is the ultimate summer day out for garden-lovers, with innovative design, inspirational planting and ideas from wonderful show gardens. Come and visit the Country Living Pavilion, where you’ll find a host of talented craftspeople offering a wide range of artisan products, including gifts, homeware, food and drink. Step into the show gardens, which include the RHS Forest Bathing Garden and the RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden, highlighting the importance of sustainability in our environments. Novice growers will enjoy the RHS Get Started Gardens, while talk theatres hosted by plantspeople and famous faces will be offering expert advice. See top chefs whip up delicious recipes using allotment-grown produce in The Market Cookery Theatre, hear panel discussions featuring garden designers, scientists and expert growers on the Get Growing Stage, and explore mindfulness in the atmospheric Sanctuary Yurt. And at the end of the day, you can take home top-quality plants from the Floral Marquee, supported by St James’s Place, and the Plant Village.

4-9 JULY 2022

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER FOR COUNTRY LIVING READERS Get £3 off * advance-rate entry tickets from Wednesday 6-Saturday 9 July Visit rhs.org.uk/hampton court and enter the code GFCL Book online now at rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt *Offer applies to full-price all-day advance public tickets to RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival on 6-9 july. Ticket price includes 85p service fee and £1 admin fee applies. Discount not applicable on flowers after-hours event or members’ day tickets. Discount not available in conjunction with any other offer. Check website for full list of prices. Terms and conditions apply.

CL PROMOTION FOR TOPPS TILES

Inside out seven destinations How to turn your garden into an extra room

ith the arrival of sunnier days, there’s a simple pleasure to throwing open the back door, stepping outside and breathing in nature. And as we spend more time outdoors, we want the same level of style we enjoy in our interiors, giving rise to gardening’s latest trend: replicating the inside outside. Using new materials and clever designs, here’s how to create a look that feels as full of personality as your living room.

SUN LOUNGING Your garden furniture deserves as much consideration as that in the rest of your home. An outdoor sofa made from treated or painted hardwood, powder-coated steel or faux wicker (look out for recycledplastic versions) will last longer. Layer cushions in waterproof, fade-resistant fabrics for extra comfort and colour, and keep throws on hand for cooler evenings.

SURFACE VALUE Outdoor tiles are a step up from concrete paving or traditional decking, offering a wide variety of designs and styles. If you’re looking for inspiration, the Everscape porcelain tile collection from Topps Tiles is specially designed for outside use, emulating the look of natural materials such as limestone, marble and even timber. Select designs are also available on indoor-use tiles, so you can create an uninterrupted flow from your house out to the garden, giving the illusion of more space, and blurring the boundaries between areas. Complete the look with an outdoor rug to add pattern and texture underfoot.

OUTDOOR TILE TIPS from Topps Tiles, to create a clearly defined area that looks and feels like a bonus room . For a more relaxed ‘secret garden’ look, intersperse square or rectangular tiles with shingle or grass . When tiling outdoors, durability is key. The Everscape range is made from vitrified porcelain, which is not only slip-resistant but also impervious to stains, mould and frost . Opt for a laser-printed finish, which prevents the tones fading in direct sunlight

LIGHT FANTASTIC Lighting ensures you can enjoy your space long into the evening, while fostering a magical mood. Outdoor wall lights or pendants make a real statement but will need to be fitted by a qualified electrician, while LED lanterns that run on rechargeable batteries are a quick, effective alternative. Likewise, strings of fairy lights add a wonderful ambiance (ensure they are IP rated for outdoor use). Exaggerate the effect by hanging a mirror outside to reflect the soft glow and make the area feel bigger. Discover the Everscape outdoor tile range at toppstiles.co.uk

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WORDS BY JO LEEVERS PHOTOGRAPHS BY @LOVINGLANSDOWNE

. Use large-format tiles, such as the Everscape Fossil

Wellbeing F O R M I N D & B O DY

May THE

FORCE BE WITH YOU

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week this month, we present 15 ways to put a spring in your step WORDS BY KATE LANGRISH

Tune into THE DAWN CHORUS

On Sunday 1 May, set your alarm to rise with the larks: it’s International Dawn Chorus Day. A study conducted by the University of Sussex, which monitored participants’ heart rate and brain activity, found that listening to ‘natural sounds’ reduced signs of stress and heightened those of relaxation, with the most ‘stressed’ subjects showing the greatest improvements. If you don’t fancy the early start, you can always cheat by tuning into a podcast such as Radio Lento (radiolento.podbean.com), which offers soothing ‘sound photographs’ of seascapes, woodland and other scenic spots around the UK.

Plan a JUBILEE JAMBOREE

Want to experience a ‘helper’s high’? A study conducted by the University of Karachi in Pakistan showed that doing good deeds promotes changes in the brain that not only make you feel happier in the moment, but also create a ‘kindness bank’ of memories you can draw on after the event. What better way to test this theory than planning a right royal knees-up to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, or volunteering to help with someone else’s party plans? Now, where did we put that bunting…? For inspiring ideas of how you can plan your ‘do’, go to countryliving.com/uk/queen-platinum-jubilee. MAY 2022

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Savour THE SEASON

Have brunch ON A BEACH

Nothing says spring dining like a generous helping of new potatoes with a knob of butter. Dips in blood sugar can make you feel tired and irritable, but waxy new potato varieties such as Charlotte and Nicola are among the most slowly digested potatoes, providing sustained energy release. Keep their fibre-rich skins on: it slows the absorption of carbohydrate further still and keeps more of the nutrients from escaping into the water when cooking.

Light hitting the backs of your eyes sends messages to the part of the brain that controls mood, sleep and activity. During the darker days of winter, some people don’t get enough light and it can make them feel sluggish and low. Now the days are getting longer and there’s more sun to enjoy, visit the beach on a bright morning where the uninterrupted skyline maximises your exposure to daylight.

Capture spring ON CANVAS

With spring blossom in full bloom, head out with palette and brushes for some plein air painting. Not only does this encourage mindfulness but research conducted at Florida State University has shown that it actively reduces stress hormones. More photographer than painter? Join the National Trust’s #BlossomWatch campaign, which encourages participants to share their blossom photographs on social media.

Be cheered up BY CHELSEA

A study by the RHS found that growing just a few flowers reduces stress hormone levels and makes people feel happier and more relaxed. And what better place to find inspiration than at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show? Whether you view it in real life or just on the television, the tents filled with perfect blooms can’t fail to lift the spirits (RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 24-28 May, rhs.org.uk).

Go screen-free ON SUNDAY

Don’t miss out on the uplifting sights and sounds of May because of the pings of social media. Screen-Free Week takes place from 2-8 May, but if the idea of going phone-free for seven days gives you the heebie-jeebies, there is still plenty of information for shorter breaks at screenfree.org.

Feel the call OF THE WILD

Many of us dream of leaving the stresses and screens of modernday living in favour of a simpler life, but few of us actually do it. Jen and Sim Benson did. Selling their possessions, they left their home to live in a tent with their two small children for a year, travelling like nomads around rural Britain. Read their story in The Wild Year, out this month (Quarto, £16.99).

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13 WHILE THESE SUGGESTIONS ARE INTENDED TO GIVE YOU A BOOST, THOSE WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK SUPPORT. GO TO MIND.ORG.UK TO FIND OUT WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALUN CALLENDER; GETTY IMAGES; LOUPE IMAGES/DAVID BRITTAIN; SHUTTERSTOCK. *NEVER EAT ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT CONFIDENT IN IDENTIFYING. ALWAYS ASK THE LANDOWNER’S PERMISSION BEFORE HARVESTING AND ONLY TAKE WHAT YOU NEED, LEAVING PLENTY FOR WILDLIFE TO ENJOY

Spot a SWALLOW

Cook up WILD GARLIC PESTO

Now is the time to forage for the pungent leaves of wild garlic* found on woodland floors. You can make it into a mood-enhancing meal with this simple recipe. Just blitz a couple of handfuls in a food processor with 50g Parmesan cheese, 50g toasted pine nuts, a slug of olive oil and squeeze of lemon to create a delicious pesto to serve with wholewheat pasta and grilled salmon. Wholegrain foods release energy steadily, while salmon is rich in protein and essential fatty acids, which helps with brain function and emotional regulation.

Sow SALAD SEEDS

At this time of year, you can sow easy-to-grow salad crops, such as rocket, direct into the garden or a window box. There’s a huge sense of accomplishment to be had from growing your own food – even if it’s just enough for a couple of meals.

Go to a DOG SHOW

Researchers at the University of Exeter found that watching birds can lower the risk of anxiety and depression, with a link between the number spotted and feelings of increased happiness. Migratory birds returning from overseas this month make May the perfect time for scanning the skies. Look out for house martins, swifts and the white and glossy blue flash of a freewheeling swallow.

Walk a COASTAL PATH

That ‘sigh of relief ’ feeling you get when walking by the sea isn’t your imagination. Studies conducted by the University of Exeter show that ‘blue therapy’ – spending time near expanses of water – makes people feel happier. Maximise the benefits by taking a breather on a bench with a view mid-route – watching and listening to the crashing waves has been shown to draw attention away from any negative thoughts and give your brain a cognitive ‘rest’.

Feel the power OF A METEOR SHOWER

Psychologists believe that experiencing feelings of awe can help calm the nervous system and dampen signs of stress in the body. For a jaw-dropping moment this month, look out for the Eta Aquarids meteor shower peaking around 5-6 May or feel the power of the moon with a total lunar eclipse taking place on 15 May.

Get a feelgood fix with a day out to Goodwoof, the celebration of all things dog at Goodwood House (28-29 May, goodwood.com/ goodwoof ). Research shows that pet ownership can help improve physical and mental wellbeing and at Goodwoof, the benefits are mutual, with doggy massage, yoga and reiki for chilled-out pooches. Don’t have a dog? All the more reason to visit: a study in psychosomatic medicine found that simply looking at an animal is enough to reduce stress.

Sing THE BLUES

As woods turn cerulean with bluebells this month, there’s never been a better time to try your hand at forest bathing. Originating in Japan, where it’s known as shinrin-yoku, the practice – which essentially involves spending time among the trees – has been proven to alleviate anxiety and depression, boost immunity and even improve cardiovascular function. MAY 2022

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T F E AT U R E

The coolest way to shop Fall in love with frozen foods, thanks to Fieldfare’s “scoop your own” philosophy and a versatile range to suit any occasion

o often, our freezers serve as a store for nothing more exciting than bags of chips or longforgotten leftovers; an icy pantry that we turn to for quick fixes rather than special occasions. But there is a more inspiring way to shop for frozen foods that can transform your mealtimes, and it’s a more sustainable choice, too. Kent-based business Fieldfare has spent years perfecting a unique loose frozen foods model that allows you to buy exactly what you need, whether you’re dining à deux or cooking for a crowd: think the joy of the pick-and-mix counter of your childhood, but with fruit and vegetables, baked goods, fish, pies and more. This distinctive “scoop your own” method of shopping cuts down on waste twofold: not only can you measure out exact portions, minimising potential leftovers, but you can also reduce packaging by bringing your own container to fill (although if you forget, fear not – biodegradable bags are supplied). From juicy berries and pre-chopped Tuscan roasting vegetables to individual all-butter croissants ideal for weekend brunching, the range is vast and deliciously tempting. All of the produce is frozen at its peak to ensure optimum nutrition and freshness, with no need to worry about sell-by dates. You can even rely on Fieldfare’s products when it comes to entertaining, whether you’re fine dining at home with friends or hosting big family gatherings. Showstopping dishes such as creamy Coquilles St Jacques, chicken en croute or potato

gratin can be popped straight into the oven, no prep required. Bring out the indulgent Belgian chocolate torte or some delicious Portuguese tarts for dessert and no one will ever guess you simply pulled everything out of the freezer. Unless you want to share your secret and let them discover the delights of Fieldfare for themselves, that is!

CHOOSE LOOSE To encourage us to shop sustainably, Fieldfare is inviting customers to try the @fieldfarefoods #ChooseLooseChallenge. Scoop your own loose frozen food and share snaps on social media to spread the word.

Fieldfare is available at farm shops, garden centres and fine food retailers. For details, visit field-fare.com

Natural bug busters It’s not just us welcoming the change in the seasons. This time of year can also mark the reappearance of unwanted house guests such as dust mites, fleas and – my personal bugbear – clothes moths. Help keep them at bay naturally with Puressentiel Anti-Pest Fabric Spray (£14.99, uk.puressentiel.com), which harnesses the bug-busting powers of palmarosa essential oil. It’s gentle enough on skin to be used on bedding and clothes, as well as furniture, carpets and curtains.

Wellbeing

F O R M I N D & B O DY Feelgood tips and advice from our health and beauty editor Kate Langrish

If gardening has taken its toll on your hands, try Oskia Renaissance Hand Cream (£29, oskiaskincare. com) with oat extract to help restore softness and butterbur to soothe irritation.

WEED OUT ACHES AND PAINS

*ALWAYS CONSULT A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL ABOUT A SIGNIFICANT NEW OR ONGOING PAIN. PHOTOGRAPH BY CAMERA PRESES; GETTY IMAGES

At this time of year, I spend every spare moment in the garden, trying to outpace the weeds in the veg patch. It means a lot of stooping over and, invariably, an aching back. I’m not alone: a study by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) found that 60 per cent of adults will suffer with back pain at some point. But rather than turning to painkillers to ease it, I’ve found a pill-free way to crack the problem – applying heat and cold. As a rule of thumb, cold is best applied to a new minor injury, such as a pulled muscle, while heat can help ease the discomfort of a more longstanding ache. I’m a fan of Deep Heat Warming Belt (£7.49, boots. com), which provides up to 12 hours of warmth, and Deep Freeze Cold Gel (£4.79, boots.com) to combat niggles from over-zealous weeding.*

Shelf help For 100 years, Weleda has been at the forefront of developing natural health and wellness products – even growing biodynamic plants for ingredients. You can now tap into this wealth of knowledge with Natural Wellness Every Day – The Weleda Way (Vermilion, £20). It has advice on the use of herbs and flowers, explores how wellbeing needs change seasonally and explains how to create self-care rituals that harness the power of nature.

Start the morning with a flat white. A recent study revealed regular coffee drinking could make you less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. countryliving.com/uk

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Foraged FRIDGE

FROM

THE

Megan Davies doesn’t do long lists of fancy ingredients. Instead, she opts for whatever’s to hand, transforming simple staples into satisfying suppers

Food stylist Megan Davies specialises in adaptable recipes with flexible ingredients that help save on waste, money and time.

FOOD & DRINK

TOMATO & SESAME SALAD Sesame seeds and oil add depth to this simple salad. If you have ripe tomatoes to use up, you won’t regret it! Preparation 10 minutes, plus standing Serves 4-6 as a side 1 TBSP SESAME SEEDS 600G RIPE MIXED TOMATOES 20G FRESH BASIL OR ANY SOFT HERB (I LIKE MINT, TOO!) 2 TBSP EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 3 TBSP SESAME OIL 2 TBSP SHERRY VINEGAR, RED WINE VINEGAR OR APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

1 Toast the sesame seeds in a pan over a low-medium heat for a couple of minutes, tossing often to avoid any burning. Once golden, remove from the heat. 2 Roughly slice, wedge or halve the tomatoes, however you like. 3 Remove the basil leaves from their stalks and finely slice the stalks (keep the leaves whole). 4 Transfer the tomatoes and basil to a salad bowl and add the toasted sesame seeds, oils and vinegar, along with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, tossing it all together to coat and combine. 5 Leave on the side for 30 minutes before serving.

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GOAT’S CHEESE TART Got a glut of seasonal greens? Or some limp herbs lingering in the fridge? A packet of cured meat? Feel free to add them to this adaptable tart. Preparation 15 minutes Cooking 1 hour 15 minutes Serves 4-6 320G PRE-ROLLED SHORTCRUST PASTRY 1 SHALLOT OR ANY SORT OF ONION 3 SPRING ONIONS OR SCALLIONS 140G LEAFY GREENS SUCH AS CHARD, KALE, CAVOLO NERO OR SPINACH

10G LEAFY HERBS SUCH AS FRESH BASIL, PARSLEY, DILL OR CORIANDER 120G SOFT CHEESE (I LIKE GOAT’S) 2 EGGS 150ML CREAM – ANY KIND 80ML MILK OLIVE OIL, FOR FRYING

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1 Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan) gas mark 6. Place a large baking sheet inside to heat up. 2 Lay the pastry over a 23cm tart pan. Remove the excess and roll into a ball. Use it to push the pastry into the inner edges of the pan and up the sides. Lightly prick the base with a fork. 3 Scrunch up a piece of parchment paper, then open it out (making it more pliable). Put over pastry and pour in baking beans. Blind-bake for 20 minutes. 4 Remove from the oven, lift out the baking beans and parchment paper, then return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes, until the pastry has a dry, sandy texture. Remove from the oven and set aside. 5 Peel and trim shallots and quarter lengthways. Cut the spring

onions into 6cm chunks. Pull the stalks off the leafy greens and break into several pieces. 6 Gently fry the onions and stalks in a glug of oil for 15 minutes, until lightly caramelised. Add the leaves and let them wilt. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool. 7 Once cool, tear in the leafy herbs (stalks and all) and add cheese. 8 In a jug, whisk the eggs, cream and milk with some seasoning. 9 Trim the edges of the cooked and cooled pastry case by running a serrated knife around the edge of the tart pan. 10 Pile in the onion, greens and cheese mixture, then spread it out across the base. Finally, pour the egg mixture over the top. 11 Return to the top shelf of the oven for 30 minutes, until just set and lightly golden on top. Let sit for 10 minutes before serving.

PRAWN & ONION PIL PIL I love this homage to pil pil – a Spanish sauce made from olive oil, garlic and chilli. The crispy but gooey shallots paired with the sweet prawns and smoky oil are a total joy. Preparation 5 minutes Cooking 10 minutes Serves 2 as a sharing starter/lunch 1 CRUNCHY WHITE BAGUETTE OR ANY KIND OF BREAD

5G FRESH PARSLEY 200ML OLIVE OIL

1 SHALLOT OR ANY KIND OF ONION

GENEROUS PINCH OF HOT RED PEPPER FLAKES, FRESH CHILLI OR CHILLI POWDER

6 GARLIC CLOVES 20 RAW PRAWNS/SHRIMPS

1 TSP SMOKED PAPRIKA

1 Preheat the oven to 170°C (150°C fan) gas mark 3, then pop in the baguette to warm. 2 Peel, halve and thinly slice the shallot lengthways. Peel and slice the garlic. De-shell, de-vein and season the prawns/ shrimps. Chop the fresh parsley and set aside. 3 Add the oil to a medium frying pan on a medium heat along with the shallot, chilli and smoked paprika Once sizzling,

leave for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and fry for 4 minutes. 4 Add the prawns and fry for a minute. Then turn the prawns over, remove pan from the heat and let them cook in the residual heat for a final minute. 5 Season once more and take the pan to the table or serve in a bowl. Sprinkle parsley over top. 6 Scoop up the prawns and sticky, crispy shallots with plenty of bread.

WHOLE BAKED FENNEL Raw, roasted, barbecued, braised – I love fennel however it comes. This simple, stick-it-in-the-oven recipe can be a side dish or stand-alone meal when accompanied by a fresh salad. Preparation 15 minutes Cooking 1 hour 30 minutes Serves 2-4 1 TOMATO OF ANY VARIETY 3 LARGE GARLIC CLOVES 5G FRESH OREGANO, THYME, PARSLEY OR BASIL 1 LEMON 2 WHOLE FENNEL BULBS 3 ANCHOVY FILLETS OR 1 TBSP CAPERS, CAPERBERRIES OR PITTED OLIVES 2 TBSP OLIVE OIL 1 TBSP RED WINE VINEGAR, SHERRY VINEGAR, WHITE WINE VINEGAR OR CIDER VINEGAR PARMESAN OR ANY HARD ITALIAN CHEESE, TO SERVE SEA SALT

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan oven) gas mark 6. 2 Thinly slice the tomato, then peel and thinly slice the garlic. Remove the oregano leaves from the stalks and cut the lemon into wedges. 3 Stand a fennel bulb upright, so it’s sitting on its base, then cut a cross down into its heart, without cutting all the way

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through. Repeat with the second bulb and place on a lined baking sheet. Keep the fennel upright and then stuff the crevices with the tomato slices, anchovies, garlic and oregano (this doesn’t need to be done neatly!). 4 Drizzle a good glug of olive oil over the stuffed fennel, along with the vinegar and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season well, then lay the stuffed bulbs on their sides, adding the lemon wedges to the tray. Give them one final drizzle of oil over the top, then place on the

top shelf of the preheated oven and roast for 45 minutes, until caramelised, tender and smelling divine, but not quite ready. 5 Baste the fennel with the pan juices, then return to the oven for another 45 minutes. Keep an eye on it in the oven and if you’re worried about burning, cover it (although I like the charred bits, so rarely do). 6 Once ready, serve the baked fennel sprinkled with a little grated Parmesan, if you like, with some sea salt and fresh pepper.

This light and refreshing fruity dessert is surprisingly easy to make

FOOD & DRINK

GARDEN SORBET I adore this recipe. Fresh mint, lemon, apple and thyme are combined to make a refreshing sorbet. It’s super simple, too: no ice-cream churner required. Preparation 15 minutes, plus chilling and overnight freezing Serves 6-8 30G FRESH MINT 10G FRESH THYME, LEMON THYME OR A BIT MORE MINT 280ML WATER 200G CASTER OR GRANULATED SUGAR 130ML PLUS 2 TSP FRESHLY SQUEEZED LEMON JUICE (ABOUT 4 LEMONS) – LIME OR ORANGE JUICE WORK WELL, TOO, AS LONG AS IT’S FRESH 150ML APPLE JUICE OR ELDERFLOWER CORDIAL, DILUTED WITH WATER

1 Add the mint, thyme, water and sugar to a small saucepan and bring to the boil over a low heat, so the sugar can fully dissolve – this will take about 10 minutes. 2 Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat slightly and let the mixture simmer for two minutes. Remove from the heat and let it cool completely. 3 Juice your lemons well – you want all of the juice available! 4 Once cool, pour the herb syrup, lemon juice and apple juice through a sieve and into a mixing jug (catching and discarding the boiled herbs). Mix well, then transfer the mixture to a freezeproof sealable container. Remember that liquid expands a bit as it freezes, so make sure your container is big enough. 5 Let fully freeze overnight, then remove the frozen block of sorbet from the freezer and slice it up like you would brownies. Scoop it out and put into a food processor. Give it a good old blitz for a couple of minutes until smooth. You may need to help the big chunks out a bit with a spoon. 6 Transfer the sorbet back to the container and re-freeze for an hour. Then consume or store until you’re ready. If you return and it’s become a block of ice, just blitz again.

WAWA’S TIFFIN I found this recipe in my grandmother’s recipe book and it is so good. It includes an egg, which isn’t common for a tiffin, but it really adds to the rich decadence of this fridge treat. Preparation 20 minutes, plus setting Cooking 5 minutes Serves 8-12 250G DIGESTIVES OR ANY OTHER BISCUITS 100G RAISINS OR ANY OTHER DRIED FRUIT 110G UNSALTED BUTTER 50G ICING, CASTER OR GRANULATED SUGAR 2 TBSP COCOA POWDER 1 EGG, WHISKED 100G ANY KIND OF CHOCOLATE (I THINK DARK IS BEST) 1 TSP SEA SALT countryliving.com/uk

1 Break up the biscuits well by either placing them in a freezer bag and bashing with a rolling pin or pulsing a few times in a food processor. Transfer to a large mixing bowl, along with the raisins. 2 Add the butter, sugar and cocoa powder to a saucepan and gently melt over a low heat for 3-5 minutes until fully melted, mixing often. Once it’s a nice, loose mix, remove from the heat and whisk the egg in quickly and thoroughly. It might look a little lumpy for a minute but keep whisking and it’ll smooth out and thicken slightly. 3 Pour the butter mix over the biscuits and stir very well to combine and fully coat. Pile the tiffin mix into a prepared 23cm square baking pan lined with parchment paper and press down well with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to create a compact tiffin with a level top. 4 Melt the chocolate in a bain marie (or microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between each burst), then pour on top of the tiffin mixture. 5 Once all the chocolate has been poured on, lift the baking pan and tilt gently from side to side to encourage the chocolate to spread over the entire surface of the tiffin. Sprinkle the salt on top and transfer to the fridge for 30 minutes to set. Slice up and enjoy! EXTRACTED FROM Fridge Raid by Megan Davies (Ryland Peters & Small, £18.99). Photographs by Rita Platts © Ryland Peters & Small.

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Adventurous EATING A 21st-century hunter-gatherer, Nick Weston wants to rewild our dining habits. Here, he shares some of his favourite spring recipes PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID LOFTUS

FOOD & DRINK

very great plate of food should have a story behind it. The time you got stung to bits harvesting nettles for pesto. Or when you nearly fell out of a tree trying to source Douglas fir tips to infuse a seasonal tipple. What makes wild food enjoyable is that you can’t simply pick it off a shelf. You have to work for it. Having worked as a chef in London for three years, I began to crave the countryside and returned to my Sussex roots in 2009. I built a nine-metre treehouse in a secluded woodland near Lewes, which became my home for six months. Living completely off grid, I hunted deer, fished for trout, foraged leaves and cultivated vegetables. This self-sufficient lifestyle formed the ethos of Hunter Gather Cook, the outdoor cookery school I founded in 2011. Now, thousands of guests gather at the treehouse each year to forage for their own salads, process freshly caught game and build outdoor fires for cooking. At the end of the day, they’re rewarded with a simple seasonal supper and the delicious satisfaction of having sourced it themselves. Of course, going wild requires more work than a dash to the supermarket – but it’s more rewarding. Food tastes better, costs less and is all the more nutritious, having been cultivated by Mother Nature. We cook the following recipes each spring, using ingredients sourced from our surrounding woods and meadows. Behind each dish is an adventure…

DIRTY PIGEON BREASTS WITH PEAS & WILD GREENS Spring in a dish. ‘Dirty’ cooking, also known as ‘clinching’, means cooking directly on hot coals, just as our ancestors would have done. Serves 4 4 PIGEON BREASTS, SKIN ON 350G FROZEN PEAS 2 TBSP BUTTER, PLUS EXTRA IF NEEDED 12 HOGWEED BUDS (AVAILABLE APRIL TO SEPTEMBER) LEAVES FROM A FEW SPRIGS OF WILD MINT (AVAILABLE APRIL TO SEPTEMBER), COARSELY CHOPPED 12 VETCH TOPS (AVAILABLE APRIL TO JULY) A FEW THREE-CORNERED LEEK FLOWERS (AVAILABLE JANUARY TO MAY)

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1 Create a bed of charcoal by burning wood down to embers (cherrywood works well with pigeon). When it’s ready, fan off the ash, season the pigeon breasts with salt and put them directly on the red-hot embers, skin-side down. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, then wrap in foil and leave to rest next to the fire for 7-8 minutes. 2 Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add the frozen peas and cook, covered, over a medium-low heat for 2 minutes, then drain. 3 While the peas are cooking, heat a frying pan and add the butter, then the hogweed buds and cook for 1 minute. They will suck up the butter, so add a little more if necessary. 4 Stir in the peas and mint and season well with salt and pepper. Cook for a further 1 minute, then remove from the heat. 5 Unwrap the pigeon breasts and slice them in half through each breast at a slight angle. Serve with the peas, sprinkled with the vetch and three-cornered leek flowers. MAY 2022

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FOOD & DRINK

HUEVOS RANCHEROS There’s no better way to start off the day than with this ‘full English’ interpretation of huevos rancheros. The venison chilli can be cooked ahead. Then it’s just a case of assembling it all. Serves 4 2 TBSP BUTTER 1 TBSP VEGETABLE OIL 1 LARGE ONION, PEELED AND FINELY DICED 1 HANDFUL OF WILD GARLIC OR 4 GARLIC CLOVES, PEELED AND FINELY CHOPPED 1 RED PEPPER, DESEEDED AND FINELY CHOPPED 2 DRIED ANCHO CHILLIES, REHYDRATED IN HOT WATER AND FINELY CHOPPED 1 HANDFUL OF CORIANDER, LEAVES AND STEMS SEPARATED AND FINELY CHOPPED 500G MINCED VENISON, PREFERABLY A MIX OF FLANK AND SHOULDER 4 LARGE TOMATOES, FINELY CHOPPED 1 X 400G CAN KIDNEY BEANS, DRAINED AND RINSED 1 TBSP WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE 1 TBSP GROUND CUMIN 2 BAY LEAVES 1 BEEF STOCK CUBE 4 CORN TORTILLAS, CUT IN HALF 4 EGGS 4-5 TBSP SALSA, PLUS EXTRA TO SERVE 150G FETA CHEESE, DRAINED AND RINSED, BROKEN INTO SMALL PIECES SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER 1 GREEN CHILLI, FINELY SLICED, TO SERVE FOR THE GUACAMOLE 2 LARGE AVOCADOS, HALVED AND STONES REMOVED JUICE OF 1 LIME

1 To make the chilli, heat a large pan over a medium-high heat. Add the butter and oil, then add the diced onion, chopped wild garlic, red pepper, ancho chillies and coriander stems. Fry for 5 minutes, stirring, until the onions take on a bit of colour. 2 Add the venison mince and cook, moving it around the pan for about 5 minutes until it gets a bit of colour on it. 3 Add the tomatoes, kidney beans, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, bay leaves and stock cube and season with salt and pepper. Stir well and drop the heat down to a gentle simmer. 4 Stir every 5-10 minutes and season to taste, then cook gently for at least 1 hour, until it has reduced nicely and taken on a rich, dark colour. 5 Shortly before the chilli is done cooking and you are ready to eat, make the guacamole: using a spoon, scoop out the avocado flesh and put it in a medium-sized bowl. Add the lime juice and season with salt. Mash together with a fork until you have a nice chunky texture. 6 When you are ready to assemble the huevos rancheros, preheat the oven to 180˚C (160°C fan oven) gas mark 4. 7 Arrange the tortilla halves in a cast-iron pan or baking dish, overlapping them slightly, and ladle in the venison chilli.

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8 Crack the eggs into a small bowl, then pour them over the top of the chilli. Add 4-5 tbsp of the salsa and sprinkle the feta cheese over the top. 9 Put the pan in the oven and bake for 5 minutes until the eggs have nearly cooked through but the yolks are still soft. Remove from the oven and top with the guacamole. Sprinkle with the coriander leaves and green chilli, and serve with extra salsa.

WILD SALAD Spring is the perfect time to construct a wild salad. The hedgerows are bursting with fresh leaves and flowers. Any combination of wild foliage – dandelions, cuckoo flowers, ox-eye daisies, primroses, sorrel and yarrow – work well. Serves 4 4 HANDFULS OF MIXED SEASONAL WILD LEAVES 3 TBSP OLIVE OIL 1 TBSP APPLE CIDER VINEGAR 1 TSP COARSE SEA SALT 1 TSP SUGAR 1 TSP FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 Put the wild leaves in a bowl and set aside. 2 In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sea salt, sugar and freshly ground black pepper until it’s all well combined. 3 Drizzle the dressing over the wild leaves, toss gently and serve. countryliving.com/uk

Spring is the perfect time to construct a wild salad

This dish has a tonguetingling combination of flavours

FOOD & DRINK

CHERRY-SMOKED DUCK BREAST SALAD In this recipe, dandelion provides bitterness, while the duck brings a rich umami hit. For this, we have a portable stovetop smoker, which can be used directly on the fire or a conventional stove. I don’t aim to cook the duck by hot smoking it, but to impart a smoky flavour before finishing it off in the pan. Serves 4 as an appetiser 2 DUCK BREASTS 2 HEADS OF CHICORY, LEAVES SEPARATED 1 HANDFUL OF ROCKET 1-2 HANDFULS OF WILD LEAVES, SUCH AS HAIRY BITTERCRESS, DANDELION, YARROW AND SORREL JUICE OF 1 LEMON 2 TBSP OLIVE OIL, PLUS EXTRA FOR DRIZZLING 2 SLICES OF SOURDOUGH BREAD, CUT INTO SMALL CUBES 1 TBSP BUTTER SEEDS FROM 1 POMEGRANATE FOR THE CURE 1 TBSP CHINESE FIVE SPICE 3 TBSP GRANULATED SUGAR 1 TBSP DRIED HOGWEED SEEDS EQUIPMENT NON-REACTIVE PLASTIC CONTAINER PORTABLE HOT SMOKER CHERRY SAWDUST AND DIGITAL THERMOMETER

1 Put all of the ingredients for the cure in a bowl and mix well. Put half of the cure in the non-reactive plastic container and put the duck breasts, skin-side up, on top. Cover the duck breasts completely with the remaining cure and put them somewhere cool for 20 minutes. 2 While the duck is in the cure, put the chicory, rocket and wild leaves in a bowl. Drizzle lightly with the lemon juice and 1 tbsp oil, and season with salt and pepper. Toss well. 3 Heat a pan over a medium heat and add 1 tbsp oil. Add the bread cubes and fry, stirring frequently, for 4-5 minutes until golden, then drain on a paper towel. Set the pan aside. 4 Remove the duck from the cure, rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. They should be slightly firm to the touch. 5 Prepare the hot smoker by putting a thin layer of cherry sawdust on the base, then place the smoker directly on top of the fire or stovetop. Once it starts to smoke, add the breasts and close the smoker. Smoke for a maximum of 5 minutes. Any longer than that and you risk them becoming slightly overpowering and acrid. 6 Reheat the pan you made the croutons in over a medium heat. Add the butter and, once it has melted, add the duck breasts, skin-side down. Cook for 10 minutes until the fat has rendered and the skin has started to crisp up nicely. Flip them once and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 55˚C for a nice pink centre. Remove them from the heat and leave to rest for 5 minutes before carving into slices. 7 Divide the salad onto four plates and arrange the slices of duck breast on each plate. Sprinkle with the croutons and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with black pepper and serve. countryliving.com/uk

VENISON BURGERS Venison flank has a higher fat content than other parts, making it ideal for burgers. Bone marrow brings a rich hit. Serves 4 FOR THE BURGERS 1 TBSP OLIVE OIL 1 ONION, PEELED AND FINELY CHOPPED 800G MINCED VENISON, PREFERABLY SHOULDER AND FLANK 80G BONE MARROW (AVAILABLE AT ETHICALBUTCHER.CO.UK) 4 TSP GROUND IVY (AVAILABLE YEAR AROUND), FINELY CHOPPED 4 SLICES OF CHEDDAR CHEESE TO SERVE 4 BRIOCHE BURGER BUNS 2 TOMATOES, SLICED, AND A FEW LETTUCE LEAVES 1 RED ONION, PEELED AND SLICED INTO RINGS 2-3 PICKLES, SLICED LENGTHWAYS 4 TBSP HORSERADISH SAUCE AND 8 TBSP GARLIC MAYO

1 Heat the oil in a small frying pan over a medium heat, add the onion, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10-15 minutes until softened and translucent. Set aside to cool completely. 2 Pass the minced venison and bone marrow through a mincer, using a coarse plate, so that the marrow is well broken up. Put it in a bowl. Add the onion and ground ivy to the mince and mix thoroughly. 3 Divide the mince mixture into four equal 220g portions. Using your hands, shape each one into a ball, then flatten into a 2.5cm-thick burger. Put on a plate and season with a little salt. 4 Heat a heavy frying pan over a high heat. Put in the burgers and cook for 4-5 minutes until a solid crust starts to develop, then flip them over. 5 Once flipped, immediately put the Cheddar slices on top. If possible, cover the pan with a lid to help melt the cheese and cook for a further 3-4 minutes. 6 Meanwhile, toast the buns by the fire or in a pan. 7 Once cooked, build your burgers as preferred. EXTRACTED FROM Hunter Gather Cook Handbook by Nick Weston (GMC Publications, £14.99).

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HOLIDAYS

CRUISES | TOURS | HOTELS

U LT I M AT E A DV E N T U R E This issue sees the launch of another ultimate adventure by Country Living Holidays – your chance to sail into the heart of the Arctic! These itineraries explore the natural wonders of the world showcasing magnificent wildlife and jaw-dropping scenery and. From witnessing the Sakura in Japan to Iceland’s humpback whales or the remote islands of the British Isles, these trips are curated specially for CL readers with extras you won’t find elsewhere. To see the latest journeys, visit countrylivingholidays.com.

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THE COUNTRY LIVING HOLIDAYS GUARANTEE Low deposits – many of our trips can be booked with low deposits starting at just £100pp. Your money is safe because your trips are protected by one of the following schemes: TTA, ABTA, AITO, ABTOT or the Global Travel Group’s consumerprotection guarantee scheme. Flight-inclusive trips are also ATOLprotected. This government-backed scheme safeguards your money and will assist you if a company goes out of business. If there is any reason why your trip may be cancelled, our experts will be in touch. If you have any questions or concerns, email countrylivingholidays@hearst.co.uk and we will be on hand to help.

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orway’s Svalbard archipelago is the Arctic wilderness at its best, and this 12-day tour lets you experience these islands in all their rugged beauty. You will explore sprawling tundra covered in colourful wild flowers, push through pack ice and glaciers to find walruses and bearded seals, and enjoy the spectacular sights of the magnificent Norwegian fjords. An experienced expedition team will be travelling with you, and they’ll use their expertise to design a special day-to-day itinerary, choosing the best options based on the weather, sea conditions and likely

wildlife encounters. One of the most exciting parts of a trip to Svalbard is the chance to encounter majestic polar bears in their natural habitat. Your expedition team is just as keen as you to come across them – and they will be on the lookout for these incredible creatures at all times. You will be staying for ten nights aboard the 130-passenger The Greg Mortimer, a ship specially designed for luxury expedition cruising. Its sleek, modern design ensures you’ll be comfortable for the length of your voyage, and observation platforms guarantee some incredible wildlife sightings. Plus, there’s a sophisticated restaurant and wellness centre on board.

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SAIL INTO THE HEART OF THE ARCTIC

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Arrive Oslo DAY 2 Fly to Longyearbyen DAYS 3-11 Svalbard archipelago DAY 12 Disembark in Longyearbyen and home YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Stay one night at Radisson Blu Oslo Airport hotel with breakfast Spend ten nights cruising on The Greg Mortimer with daily cabin service Enjoy all meals, snacks, tea and coffee during voyage as well as beer, house wine and soft drinks with dinner Join educational lectures from the expedition team Go on a range of shore excursions and a sightseeing tour of Longyearbyen on day 2 prior to embarkation Receive a 3-in-1 waterproof polar expedition jacket and have free use of muck boots during the voyage ALSO INCLUDED **International and domestic flights business flights for 2022; economy flights for 2023; comprehensive pre-departure info; port surcharges, permits and landing fees; gratuities, group transfers

Go in search of magnificent polar bears You will get the chance to see wildlife such as walruses

THE PRICE From £7,999pp* THE DATES 19-30 June, 29 June-10 July and 9-20 July 2022; 29 May-9 June, 8-19 June 2023 TO BOOK Call 020 4571 6501 quoting code CL SVALBARD MAY22 For more details, go to countryliving.com/uk/ svalbard

Sail on The Greg Mortimer

THE HIGHLIGHTS

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GETTY; SCOTT PORTELLI

POLAR BEARS IN THE WILD You’ll venture close to 80° north in search of these magnificent and unique animals fishing on the pack ice.

WONDERFUL WILDLIFE Discover other arctic wildlife including walruses, guillemots, puffins, seals, reindeer, arctic fox, seabirds and whales.

EXPERT EXPEDITION TEAM A team of experts will create your itinerary based on weather conditions

to maximise your opportunity to see the incredible native wildlife.

CL recommends readers CARBON OFFSET all flights. Find more info at climatecare.org

STUNNING SCENERY Zodiac cruise past crystal blue glaciers and through stunning fjords and enjoy hikes across the Arctic tundra.

STYLISH SHIP The Greg Mortimer has been specially built for expedition cruising. Its design ensures the best in both comfort and wildlife sightings.

*Price is per person, based on two people sharing a cabin on a 29 June 2022 departure. Deposit: 20%. **2022 dates include return Business Class flights, based on British Airways from London Heathrow to the value of £450pp. 2023 dates include economy flights included up to the value of £400pp. Flights from OSL to LYR are included in the price to the value of £500pp, based on Norwegian outbound and SAS inbound.Subject to availability. Single supplement available on request. Prices shown are subject to availability and change. For full deposit terms and conditions, go to: tstours.co.uk/assets/tandc.pdf. Always check the FCDO travel advice, as it includes the very latest information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more info, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

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GO GREEN WITH THIS INCREDIBLE NO-FLY HOLIDAY FOR WALKERS

HOLIDAYS N O - F LY TO U R

Relax at LAKE BLED & discover the mountains of SLOVENIA

Visit one of the largest caves in the world at Postojna

Explore Slovenia’s spectacular mountains, lakes and forests by train and coach and stay in a relaxing resort on the Adriatic

estled in the foothills of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled, with its little white church and surrounding crystal-clear glacial waters and emeraldgreen forests, is an enchanting scene. On this trip, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the stunning scenery of Lake Bled. You’ll also get to explore the romantic Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and join an excursion into the heart of Slovenia’s only national park, Triglav, crossing the highest mountain pass, Vršic, and passing through the beautiful Soca river valley to reach the shores of Lake Predil in Italy. In coastal Portoroz, you can enjoy a resort stay on the glistening Adriatic and visit the Karst cave at Postojna, which is one of the largest in the world. The scenery throughout your holiday will be unforgettable, and you’ll have all the more chance to see it up closer on this completely no-fly holiday, travelling by rail to Germany and through the Austrian Alps and by coach on a spectacular journey through the Julian Alps.

Explore Ljubljana, one of Europe’s greenest capitals

THE HIGHLIGHTS RELAX ON LAKE BLED’S SHORES Walk around the Lake, admire the scenery, take a dip in the emerald-green water or cross it in a traditional wooden pletna boat.

VISIT THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE OF POSTOJNA The Karst cave at Postojna is one of the largest in the world, with more than three miles of breathtaking underground halls and natural tunnels.

NO-FLY HOLIDAY Go green on this completely no-fly holiday, travelling by Eurostar from London to Paris, by TGV to Munich and through the Austrian Alps by train.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER TS TOURS LTD specialises in creating bespoke holidays, cruises and rail journeys, often in the company of experts.

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 London to Munich DAY 2 Travel to Lake Bled DAY 3 Lake Bled DAY 4 Lujbljana DAY 5 Julian Alps DAY 6 Postojna Cave DAY 7 Portoroz DAY 8 Portoroz DAY 9 Turin DAY 10 Return to London YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Travel by Eurostar from London to Paris return Take the TGV from Paris to Munich and Turin to Paris and back Enjoy connecting rail journeys, including a scenic trip across the stunning Austrian Alps Stay for one night bed and breakfast in Munich Spend four nights’ half-board at Lake Bled Enjoy three nights’ half-board accommodation in Portoroz Finish your holiday with one night’s bed and breakfast in Turin ALSO INCLUDED Services of our experienced tour manager

THE PRICE From £1,595*pp THE DATES 19-28 June, 18-27 September 2022 TO BOOK Call 020 4571 6368 quoting code TSLB0323C For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/ lakebled *Price is per person and based on two sharing a room on a 19 June 2022 departure, subject to room availability. Single supplement from £330. Subject to availability. Deposit: £350pp. This tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Arena Travel, a company wholly independent from Hearst UK. TS Tours is acting as agent for Arena Travel; please call on the number provided to book your place. Promotion is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst UK brands.

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INCLUDES THREE WONDERFUL EXCURSIONS

HOLIDAYS E XC LU S I V E TO U R

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 UK to Milan and arrive in Lake Como DAY 2 Day at leisure DAY 3 Bernina Railway to St Moritz DAY 4 Lake Como cruise DAY 5 Day at leisure DAY 6 Lake Como tour DAY 7 Day at leisure DAY 8 Return home via Milan

Experience LAKE COMO and the BERNINA RAILWAY

YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Stay for seven nights at Hotel Risi (call for lake view upgrade) Enjoy seven breakfasts, seven three-course dinners and five three-course lunches at the hotel (with wine and coffee) Take a Bernina Railway and St Moritz excursion Eat lunch at a local restaurant in St Moritz Cruise picturesque Lake Como on a private boat Eat lunch at a local restaurant in Como Join a Lake Como coach excursion Have three full days at leisure

Stay in a beautiful village on the shores of Lake Como, enjoy a cruise on the lake and take a ride on the iconic Bernina Railway to St Moritz

ALSO INCLUDED Return flights from London; all road transportation in private cars, minivans, or 16-seater coaches; and Bernina Railway tickets

THE HIGHLIGHTS SCENIC LAKE COMO Enchanting Lake Como is Italy’s third largest lake and one of Europe’s deepest – and you’ll see its scenic highlights on a private tour. Take a ride through stunning Alpine scenery

ake Como is one of the most picturesque Italian lakes, and this trip includes a seven-night stay in Colico, a stunning village on the shore of Lake Como. This relaxing tour offers a time to unwind, admire peaceful scenery and explore charming Italian towns and villages. Country Living readers will enjoy three memorable excursions, including a tour of Lake Como, lake cruise, and a trip on the Bernina Railway to chic St Moritz.

THE PRICE From £1,235pp* THE DATES 6-13 June and 10-17 October 2022 TO BOOK Call 020 4525 3749 quoting CL BERNINA For more details, go to countryliving.com/uk/ lakecomo CL recommends readers CARBON OFFSET all flights. Find info at climatecare.org

BERNINA RAILWAY TO ST MORITZ Synonymous with elegance and sophistication, St Moritz is Switzerland’s premier Alpine resort. You’ll travel there on the panoramic Bernina Railway, which takes you through mountain scenery.

STAY IN COLICO Located on the northern shores of Lake Como, Hotel Risi has an indulgent spa with a Finnish sauna and Turkish baths. Enjoy traditional Italian three-course meals, with wine and coffee, and a continental breakfast each morning.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER TS TOURS LTD specialises in creating bespoke holidays, cruises and rail journeys, often in the company of experts.

*Price is pp based on two sharing a room. Price subject to availability and may fluctuate. Price includes low-cost flights from London Gatwick to Malpensa and is subject to change in line with flight price at time of booking. Tipping not included. €1.50pp a night city tax will be collected locally. Deposit: 20%. Single supplement: £160. Lake View room upgrade: £48pp. Private tour supplement (based on two people): £980pp. Promotion is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst UK brands. Check FCDO advice, as it includes information on safety, security, travel warnings and health. For more information, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

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Visit Bodnant Gardens in the foothills of Snowdonia

NEW TOUR FOR FLOWER FANATICS

HOLIDAYS E XC LU S I V E TO U R

See the vegetable garden at Plas Cadnant on Anglesey

Visit the MAGICAL GARDENS of NORTH WALES with JOE SWIFT YOUR ITINERARY

orth Wales is home to magical scenery, such as the mountains of Snowdonia, ancient castles and dramatic seascapes. It’s also a prime spot for garden-lovers. On this four-day tour, you’ll visit some of the region’s best, including quirky and characterful Plas Cadnant, Maenan Hall, Nanhoron with its Rose Walk, orchards and glasshouse, and the National Trust’s Bodnant Gardens. Joining you at Plas Cadnant will be garden expert and TV broadcaster Joe Swift, who will also give an after-dinner talk, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and anecdotes. Plus, you will enjoy lunch and a tour of the gardens at Bodrhyddan Hall, and spend a morning exploring Portmeirion, an eccentric and surreal Italianate village on the Snowdonia coast. Your accommodation for this fourday trip will be the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon, with breakfast and dinner included, as well as use of the swimming pool and spa area.

MEET OUR SPECIAL GUEST Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift studied garden design at The English Gardening School in 1990 while he set up his own landscaping company. As well as co-anchoring the RHS Chelsea Flower Show since 2001, Joe has presented Small Town Gardens, Garden Makers and The Great Chelsea Garden Challenge and is the author of three books.

REASONS TO BOOK AWARD-WINNING GARDENS You’ll see beautiful gardens including Plas Cadnant, Bodnant, Nanhoron and Bodrhyddan Hall during summer.

MEET JOE SWIFT Hear entertaining insights from the popular Gardeners’ World presenter, who has inspired a love of the outdoors with his TV and landscaping projects.

SPACIOUS HOTEL Relax in the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room at the Celtic Royal Hotel, once frequented by Queen Victoria, in Caernarfon, a UNESCO World Heritage site between Snowdonia’s mountains and sea.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER Brightwater Holidays is an award-winning tour operator specialising in garden and special-interest escorted tours worldwide.

DAY 1 Bodnant Gardens DAY 2 Maenan Hall and Plas Cadnant with Joe DAY 3 Nanhoron and lunch at Bodrhyddan Hall DAY 4 Portmeirion YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Spend three nights at the Celtic Royal Hotel in Caernarfon with dinner, B&B included Enjoy a private talk and garden tour with Joe Swift Travel comfortably by coach throughout Visit the gardens of Bodnant, Portmeirion, Plas Cadnant, Maenan Hall, Nanhoron and Bodrhyddan Hall Enjoy a light lunch at Bodrhyddan Hall Tour Bodrhyddan’s captivating parklands and gardens

THE PRICE From £955* for four days THE DATES 15-18 July 2022 TO BOOK Call 01334 260131 quoting code CL SWIFT WALES For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/ joeswift *From price based on twin/double share. Deposit: £100. Single supplement £195. Offer subject to availability. Holidays are operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Brightwater Holidays, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. This offer is exclusive to Hearst UK and may be promoted by other Hearst brands. Brightwater Holidays: Eden Park House, Cupar, Fife, Scotland KY15 4HS. ABTOT protected.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHUTTERSTOCK

Fall in love with the dramatic landscapes of North Wales on a guided tour of its best-loved gardens and towns, alongside Gardeners’ World presenter Joe Swift

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TOUR SUBTROPICAL BRITISH ISLANDS THIS AUTUMN

HOLIDAYS E XC LU S I V E TO U R

Discover the WILDLIFE of the ISLES OF SCILLY

Explore the beautiful islands in autumn from a luxury hotel on St Martin’s, including a wildlife cruise and visit to Tresco Abbey Garden Spot puffins and other migrating seabirds

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GETTY; SHUTTERSTOCK

he beautiful Isles of Scilly are only a short ferry ride off the coast of Cornwall, yet they still feel a million miles away. Just five of the islands are inhabited and even then by only 2,200 people, most of whom live on St Marys. Thanks to their unique geography, there’s a wonderful array of flora and fauna to appreciate as well as over 20,000 seabirds, waders and migrants. You’ll visit in autumn, one of the best times to see migrating wildlife. You will also hear a talk from Julian Branscombe of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust about the work the trust does on the islands. Before a visit to the world-famous Tresco Abbey Garden, you’ll also enjoy a talk from the gardens’ curator, Mike Nelhams. From your St Martin’s base, you’ll take private boat transfers to St Agnes, St Mary’s, Tresco and Bryher, enjoying excursions and guided walks.

Visit five beautifully unspoilt islands

Admire beautiful flora such as Scarlet Ribbon

YOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 Penzance to St Martin’s via St Mary’s DAY 2 St Martin’s – Bryher DAY 3 St Martin’s – Tresco DAY 4 St Martin’s – St Agnes DAY 5 St Martin’s – St Mary’s DAY 6 Departure YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Stay for five nights in luxury accommodation at the Karma St Martin’s Hear a talk from Julian Branscombe of Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Tresco Abbey Gardens’ curator Mike Nelhams Go on a guided visit to Tresco Abbey Gardens Take guided walks on St Agnes, St Mary’s and Bryher Enjoy a wildlife cruise Dine on five breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners ALSO INCLUDED Services of a tour manager, return ferry, private boat transfers within the islands, all entrance fees

THE HIGHLIGHTS

LUXURY HOTEL STAY A stone’s throw from the beach and a world apart from everyday life, Karma St Martin’s is a luxurious island retreat located in the stunning Isles of Scilly, one of the UK’s most precious hidden gems.

WONDERFUL WILDLIFE Many of the species here can’t be seen anywhere else in the UK. There are around 14 kinds of seabirds, waders and migrants, which can be spotted throughout the year. Autumn is a great time to see a wide variety of butterflies and dragonflies as well as migrating birds.

THE PRICE From £1,939pp* THE DATE 10-15 October 2022 TO BOOK Call 020 4571 7450 quoting CL SCILLY ISLES For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/ scillyisles

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS You’ll visit Tresco’s stunning Abbey Gardens, home to more than 80 nationalities of plants and flowers, and described as a ‘Perennial Kew without the glass’ as well as taking a wildlife cruise.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER TS TOURS Ltd specialises in creating bespoke holidays, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts.

*From price based on two sharing a double room. Deposit 20%. Double room for single occupancy: £409. Tour operated by TS Tours, a company wholly independent of Hearst UK. Travel insurance is not included. Price and itinerary may be subject to change.

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THE LUXURY STAYCATION THAT SHOULD TOP YOUR BUCKET LIST

HOLIDAYS READER OFFER

Explore SCOTLAND’S HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS by LUXURY YACHT Discover Loch Ness, Loch Nevis, Iona and much more on an incredible private yacht experience aboard Lord of the Glens

f you were going to compile a bucket list of British breaks, this is surely a contender. On these trips, you’ll have the chance to sail on a luxurious private yacht through the Highlands and islands of Scotland, exploring the endlessly beautiful Caledonian Canal, hidden sea lochs and the magical islands of Scotland’s western shore. Loch Ness, Loch Nevis, the Sound of Mull, Iona, Eigg, Skye, Fort Augustus, Fort William… the names conjure up images of glistening waters, wild landscapes and towering castles, of majestic flora and fauna, and of myths and legends. There is no better way to explore than on board the deluxe Lord of the Glens. These are not cruises, but private yacht experiences, similar to the Royal Yacht Britannia. With just 27 outward-facing ensuite cabins and a maximum of 54 passengers, the yacht offers sumptuous accommodation and superb cuisine. There are also fascinating excursions on a choice of two amazing itineraries. So, sit back with a wee dram and book your place on this glorious Scottish adventure.

Spot seals in the Scottish waters

REASONS TO BOOK

SKYE, MULL AND EIGG Visit Skye and learn of the Clan Donald, and Mull with its eye-catching painted houses. On remote Eigg, look for Atlantic seals, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises and a variety of seabirds.

CULLODEN AND THE CLAVA CAIRNS Visit the infamous battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite forces were defeated in 1746, then see the ancient standing stones of Clava Cairns.

SEAFOOD & WHISKY IN OBAN The seafood capital of Scotland, Oban is home to McCaig’s Tower, which has great

views of the Inner Hebrides. You’ll visit the distillery, which was established in 1794.

LOCH NESS & URQUHART CASTLE Keeping your eyes peeled for the mythical monster, sail past the ruins of Urquhart Castle and up an impressive flight of locks that run through the heart of Fort Augustus.

REMOTE DRINKING Forget remote working – in Inverie you can order a round at the most remote pub in the British Isles, The Old Forge.

YOUR LUXURY YACHT Try a dram of whisky in Oban

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER TS TOURS Ltd specialises in creating bespoke holidays, cruises and rail journeys in the company of experts.

Lord of the Glens has armchairs from the Orient Express, David Roberts lithographs, furniture from RMS Windsor Castle and lights from SS France. It also has a superb restaurant, bar and panoramic windows.

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HOLIDAYS E XC LU S I V E B R E A K THE STEAM ADVENTURE YOU’LL NEVER FORGET

ITINERARIES HEART OF THE HIGHLANDS DAY 1 Inverness DAY 2 Culloden, Loch Ness & Fort Augustus DAY 3 Neptune’s Staircase, West Highland Railway and Corpach DAY 4 Oban DAY 5 Iona & Mull A sailing break is DAY 6 Eigg & Loch Nevis perfect for those with DAY 7 Skye and Kyle of a spirit of adventure Lochalsh DAY 8 Inverness

SPRING IN THE HIGHLANDS Luxurious Lord of the Glens DAY 1 Inverness was designed in homage to DAY 2 Loch Ness and the Royal Yacht Britannia Fort Augustus

DAY 3 Loch Lochy, West Highland Railway and Banavie DAY 4 Neptune’s Staircase, Sound of Mull and Tobermory DAY 5 Mull, Duart Castle and Oban DAY 6 Inverness

PHOTOGRAPH BY SHUTTERSTOCK

YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Stay in an outwardEnjoy all excursions, facing cabin on Lord as indicated in the of the Glens for seven itinerary, and a or five nights on a fullwelcome reception board basis (breakfast, ALSO INCLUDED lunch and dinner) All port dues and taxes and transfer to/from Inverness Fall in love with the at predetermined times private yacht experience

THE PRICE From £2,200pp (seven nights) or £1,400pp (five nights)* THE DATES 25 April and 6 June 2022; 18 September 2023 (seven-night sailings); 11, 16 and 22 April 2023 (five-night sailings)** TO BOOK Call 020 4571 7892 quoting CL GLENS MAY22 For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/highlands *Prices based on two sharing a James Watt Deck Porthole Cabin. Subject to availability. Single supplement on request. Deposit: 20%. Operated by TS Tours Ltd. 100% financially protected (Travel Trust Association Q8549, ATOL 17722). For booking terms and conditions, visit tstours.co.uk/assets/tandc.pdf. **16 April departure itinerary operates in reverse. TS Tours Ltd is a company wholly independent of Hearst UK

See the SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS by steam

Experience breathtaking scenery by boat and the iconic Jacobite steam train

or centuries, the hills, glens and lochs of the Trossachs have inspired visitors. You’ll travel over land, sea and loch, powered by steam, on this exclusive trip. Travelling on the Jacobite and the PS Waverley‡, you’ll see Ben Nevis, experience the Falkirk Wheel boat lift and pass over the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct. The Lady of the Lake, a boat named after the poem written by Sir Walter Scott, will carry you past breathtaking scenery on Loch Katrine. It has a heated saloon in case of inclement British summer weather. YOU'LL GET THE CHANCE TO… Spend three nights at The Winnock Hotel, Drymen, with breakfasts and dinners (with wine each evening) included Ride the Falkirk Wheel boat lift From castles to cows, Cruise Loch Katrine aboard there’s much to see in the Highlands Lady of the Lake Take a journey on paddle ALSO INCLUDED steamer Waverley‡ Return flights from London Travel on the Fort WilliamStansted to Edinburgh†† and Mallaig line on the Jacobite services of a tour manager steam train

THE PRICE From £995pp† THE DATES 25-28 June and 4-7 July 2022 TO BOOK Call 01334 441881 quoting CL STEAM For more details and to see the full itinerary, go to countryliving.com/uk/scotlandbysteam CL recommends readers CARBON OFFSET all flights. Find more information at climatecare.org †Price based on two sharing a room and flying from London Stansted. 4 July supplement £30. Single rooms available on request at a supplement. Deposit: £200pp. ††Flights from other airports and/or overnight accommodation before/after tour available on request and at a supplement; £100pp discount for customers who make their own way to pick-up point at Edinburgh Airport or to the Falkirk Wheel. ‡Subject to confirmation of sailing schedule. Alternative excursion will be provided if necessary.

OUR TRAVEL PARTNER BRIGHTWATER HOLIDAYS is an award-winning travel operator specialising in garden and specialist-interest escorted tours worldwide.

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MAY 2022

OUR JUNE ISSUE IS ON SALE FROM 29 APRIL

next month... A walled garden brimming with oldfashioned roses How to throw a CL-style street party to mark the Jubilee! Dame Joanna Lumley on rubbing shoulders with the royals NEVER MISS AN ISSUE TURN TO PAGE 124 TO SEE OUR LATEST SUBSCRIPTION OR RENEWAL OFFER

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Stylish living For you and your home

CRAFT WORKS GALLERY OF CORBRIDGE How to make sure you’ve got some wildlife in your garden! We have a wonderful range of recycled metal animals and birds, and even ceramic geckos. As a guide, the robin shown here is £15 (plus p&p). Come and have a look at our website, showcasing homeware, silverplate and Sterling silver jewellery, eco friendly cosmetics, faux leather and Italian leather handbags, and a whole host more for you, your home, and your loved ones: www.craftworksgallery.co.uk 01434 634500

SUZY HAMILTON We specialise in dresses and complete outfits designed and made in the UK using fabrics of the highest quality including silks, linens, brocades and cotton. Many of our frocks give more than a nod to the spectacular and glamorous styling of the 1950s and 60s. Visit our boutiques in Holt and Harrogate. www.suzyhamilton.co.uk

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A style guide to the outside

Industry expert and founder of Out and Out Original, Daniel Fairburn, brings you this season’s best deals on designer furniture. Visit www.outandout.com or call 02037 728 752 for more exciting deals and discounts.

California - Lounge Set Combining both comfort and style, the California lounge set is the go-to choice for daily lounging. This stunning dark grey outdoor lounge set comes with two sturdy large armchairs, a spacious three-seater sofa, a rectangular coffee table and plump grey cushions to match. Guaranteed to give your garden or patio area an understated modern look, it’s made from high quality UV stabilised resin to offer you great all-year-round resilience. Available in taupe or dark grey. Normally £999, this stylish set is now available at an incredible £599*. To receive your £400 discount please quote discount code CLAPR22 at checkout.

SAVE £400 Stockholm - Corner Lounge Set

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Enjoy being in your garden this summer with the Stockholm Corner Lounge and Dining Set whether reading a good book or dining alfresco. This set sits up to 6 comfortably and the sofa is made from polyrattan which gives durability and virtually no maintenance needed. The table is 144cm long with a wood-effect slatted table top and has an underneath shelf for extra useful storage. The comfy seat and back cushions are covered with polyspun fabric so soft to touch and the covers can be removed and washed easily to keep your lounge looking pristine clean. Comes in Cream or Grey.** Normally £799, now available at an amazing £499*, but only when you quote your £300 discount code CLAPR22A at checkout.

Marbella - 5-Seater Corner Lounge Set The ideal addition to your outdoor space, this stunning lounge set offers comfort and style at an affordable price. Bang on trend in gorgeous shades of grey, this set is designed with a contemporary feel. It’s hard-wearing, woven in strong polyrattan on a galvanised steel frame making it virtually maintenance-free. The comfy cushion covers can be removed and hand washed with care. The sofa and armchair seats 5 easily, and includes a tempered, glass-topped coffee table so you can entertain outside with ease. Normally £999, it’s now available for just £799*, when you quote your £200 discount code CLAPR22B at checkout.

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A month in the life of… A BOOKSELLER Hay-on-Wye takes its books very seriously. Just 2,000 people live here, yet we boast more than 20 bookshops. During Hay Festival, the town welcomes 120,000 visitors. It has been a strange couple of years with the festival going online. We can’t wait for its full-scale return. We’re the new kid on the block, having opened Green Ink Booksellers in 2018, so the festival feels particularly special to us. Bunting goes up in the streets in early May and everyone is cheerful. But, as booksellers, we’ve been working hard for months. We create eye-catching window displays and put first editions and signed copies in pride of place. It’s an important time in the year for us. Other booksellers are more like colleagues than competitors. If we don’t have a book, we’ll recommend our neighbours. There’s a real sense of community. As a secondhand bookshop, we sell a lot of collectables and antiquarian books. We’ve sold a set of Paul Klee prints, a first edition of Moby Dick and some signed RS Thomas. We have a big philosophy section, but stock plenty of other subjects, too.

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Days begin at 6am. We head to our warehouse at the edge of town before opening the shop. Here, we catalogue books to sell online and post others to buyers. We wrap books in green paper and use paper tape to avoid using plastic. Life in a bookshop isn’t as slow as you might think. During the festival, we get more than 500 customers a day. Our space is only 800 square feet, so it can feel cosy. We embrace the festival spirit. We’re rushed off our feet all day, shelving books and chatting to customers, but that’s what owning a bookshop is about. Many people return year after year. We always keep an eye on the window. Like festival visitors, we get excited to see authors go by. They often look so familiar that we mistake them for friends. After closing, we try to nip to the festival. This year, we’re looking forward to David Olusoga’s lecture. In 2019, we sponsored an event with the novelist Amitav Ghosh. During the quieter seasons, we focus on buying books, often from private collections when people are moving or decluttering. We love searching for treasures. Once, we found a proof copy of The Fellowship of the Ring in a box. Running a bookshop is full on but it’s a dream come true. We met working in one back in 2007. We just wish we had more time to read. FOR MORE DETAILS about the bookshop, visit greeninkbooksellers.co.uk. Hay Festival runs from 26 May to 5 June (hayfestival.com). Follow Josh and Ellen on Instagram @greeninkbooksellers.

countryliving.com/uk

INTERVIEW BY SARAH BARRATT. PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALAMY; ORLANDO GILI

On the eve of Hay Festival, Josh and Ellen Boyd Green of Green Ink Booksellers are preparing for 120,000 bibliophiles to descend on their tiny town in Powys

Living OUTDOOR

THE COUNTRY LIVING COLLECTION AT HOMEBASE An exclusive range of premium cottage-style summerhouses and greenhouses

GREEN CREDENTIALS

Every Country Living outdoor garden building is hand-built in the UK from sustainable materials

TUXFORD SUMMERHOUSE IN THORPE GREY

The Country Living range of garden buildings is ideal for bringing a touch of rural charm to any outdoor space. Selected by the magazine’s style team to deliver incomparable eco-friendly design alongside perfect practicality, this premium range includes traditional summerhouses, greenhouses, playhouses and arbour seats, and this year there are lots of new options. Each building comes pretreated and painted to order in a choice of two beautiful heritage shades – Thorpe Grey (above) and Aurora Green (left) – chosen to look wonderfully natural and blend in seamlessly with the surroundings. There’s also a one-litre tin of top-up paint included for maintenance, if needed. Each Country Living outdoor garden building is delivered and installed by trusted suppliers. Each comes with a three-year paint guarantee and up to 15 years anti-rot warranty as standard, so they’re sure to stand the test of time.

FLINTHAM SUMMERHOUSE IN AURORA GREEN

GARDEN COLLECTION Visit homebase.co.uk to see the full range online

EXCLUSIVELY AT

Devised and compiled by Alaina Binks Written by Caroline Atkins Editor-in-chief Louise Pearce Executive editor Vicky Carlisle Creative director Lindsey Jordan Art editor Roger Browning Designer Leo Terry Chief sub-editor Michele Jameson Picture director Patricia Taylor Picture researcher Charlie Hedges Photographs by Sussie Bell; Simon Bevan; Lauren Binks; Mark Bolton; Alun Callender; Camera Press; Brent Darby; Polly Farquharson; Flora Press/ Caroline Bureck/ Melli Freudenberg/Karin Goldbach/Mint Images/Helga Noack/Katharina Pasternak/ Sylvia Schwarz/Georgie Steeds; Catherine Gratwicke; Mina Hesse/The Garden Collection; House of Pictures/Tia Borgsmidt/Karin Foberg/ Nicoline Olsen/Pernilla Wästberg; Emma Lee; Lisa Linder; Living4Media; Loupe Images; Narratives/Kristy Noble; Clive Nichols; Nassima Rothacker; Mark Scott; Stockfood; Paul Viant Styling by Carolyn Bailey; Charlotte Boyd; Sophie Conran; Jacky Hobbs; Nick and Bella Ivins; Ben Kendrick; Susannah Le Mesurier; Sarah Moore; Caroline Reeves; Laura Vine; Sian Williams; Catherine Woram Cover photograph by Simon Bevan

Living OUTDOOR

There’s little to top a walk on a summer’s day in my view. I’m never happier than when I set off into the Leicestershire countryside with a rucksack and a pair of binoculars – ready to follow public footpaths and climb over stiles. I just love the simple pleasures of walking and watching wildlife, and then eating in the open air. Wherever I lay my rug becomes my ‘garden’ for the day. In this book, you’ll find lots of inspiration for alfresco adventures like these – whether or not you have an outdoor space of your own. We hope it inspires you to savour the joys of outdoor living. Alaina Binks, home and crafts editor

CONTENTS

NOSTALGIC CHARM page 4

THE OUTDOOR ROOM page 12

Rustic meets vintage in a cottage garden

All the comforts of inside outside

BOLD & BRIGHT page 18

ON THE WILD SIDE page 26

Playful colours for an alfresco party

Smart kit for camping adventures

Published with the May 2022 issue of Country Living Magazine © The National Magazine Company Ltd trading as Hearst UK 2022 Published by Hearst UK, 30 Panton Street, London SW1Y 4AJ (Reg no 112955). All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright holders. Printed and bound by Walstead Peterborough

Nostalgic

CHARM BASKETS AND HAMPERS are the traditional way to transport picnicware: wrap breakables and sandwiches in napkins and tea towels and pad with rugs to carry them safely.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Country gardens have always been the place where the rustic meets the dainty. For every weathered wooden gate or woven willow hurdle, there are elegant wrought-iron rose arches, neatly clipped hedges and a ready-made colour scheme of climbing wisteria, tall meadow flowers and daisy-strewn lawns. It all creates the perfect background for afternoon teas and romantic dinner parties. Embrace the nostalgia and set the table with pretty china, a classic patterned cloth and elegant glassware, then finish with sparkling candlelight. Line wicker trays with floral napkins and serve a spread of classic treats – cucumber sandwiches, jam-laden scones and cream, plus little iced buns on a three-tiered cake stand.

A SUMMER TABLE set in a traditional style captures all the delights of eating alfresco. Spread a wooden table with a gingham or ticking runner and add cushions to turn garden furniture into comfortable dining chairs. A rose-smothered wall provides a scented backdrop, with a rose at each place for a touch of romance.

OUTDOOR LIVING

FLORAL DECKCHAIRS make a pretty, garden-inspired alternative to classic seaside stripes, with vintage flowers matching the weathered wood of chairs that have seen their share of summers.

MICHELE JAMESON GROUP CHIEF SUB-EDITOR

I like to decorate my outdoor space with simple posies, jolly bunting, fairy lights and candles in lanterns, which instantly give more of a celebratory feel and seamlessly take the festivities from day to night. 06

OUTDOOR LIVING

N O S TA L G I C C H A R M

RUSTLE UP A FEW hearty favourites that are simple to make, such as a classic potato salad. Add cooked potatoes to sautéed shallots and spring onions with a little white wine vinegar, crème fraîche, Dijon mustard and extra-virgin olive oil*.

PRETTY CHINA makes it feel as though you are having afternoon tea in an elegant outdoor sitting room. Serve dainty fairy cakes, iced biscuits, Battenberg slices and teatime classics such as Victoria sponge.

SOFT ROSE PINKS will coordinate different patterns in a gentle, unified colour scheme: use stripes, checks and florals of varying scale to make tablecloths, awnings and cushion covers, and set out china and glassware in similar shades.

*RECIPE BY DIANA HENRY

GARDEN FLOWERS and grasses – even weeds – make simple decorations for outdoor dining. Milk bottles provide quick and easy containers: with twine strung around the neck, they can also be hung from a garden post or bracket.

OUTDOOR LIVING

N O S TA L G I C C H A R M

GIANT CUSHIONS make sitting on a picnic rug or cloth much more comfortable. These contrast-fabric cushions have an underside made from oilcloth, to keep them damp- and stain-resistant for outdoor use.

OUTDOOR LIVING

NO-SEW BUNTING is quick to make and creates a joyous, multicoloured swag to help you celebrate special occasions. Lengths of gingham ribbon and short strips of floral fabric have been tied onto a cord and strung between trees to hang above a party table.

SUMMER FRAGRANCE is easy to supply in a garden full of aromatic flowers and blossom. Cut handfuls of fresh sweet peas and arrange in pretty containers for irresistible scent and colour: the amazing range of reds, pinks and purples provided by these quintessentially summer blooms are an instant colour scheme in a jug.

OUTDOOR LIVING

PICNIC CLOTHS ARE EASY to supplement with fabric remnants. Hem squares in complementary colours to make a matching collection of napkins and cloths – perfect for packing picnic food into easy-to-carry bundles.

TEACUP LANTERNS, bound with wire and hung at varying heights from a pergola or overhead branch, will create a pretty display and a romantic glow on summer nights. Display as a dainty alternative to tealights in glass jars.

PARTY FLOWERS need not be elaborate. Practical containers from the kitchen and dining room can be pressed into service for garden use. Line up milk jugs and coffee pots to create relaxed flower arrangements down the length of the table.

SERVE FRESH WILD STRAWBERRIES, complete with a spray of flowers as the perfect garnish in individual ramekins. Keeping summer party food simple gives you more time to focus on enjoying the outdoor setting.

N O S TA L G I C C H A R M

4 3 5 6

1 Tin plate with 1780 ‘Duke of Gloucester’ design, £7 (rajtentclub.com) 2 Floral fabric bunting, £27/ten metres (cottonbunting.co.uk) 3 Gingham cupcake cases, £2 per pack (hedgehogshop.co.uk) 4 Hand-decorated Rosie Posie milk jug, £24 (robturner.co.uk) 5 Willow picnic basket with Nancy Rose frilled cotton lining, £138 (mrsalice.com) 6 Morris & Co print tiered cake stand by Spode, £57.50 (spode.co.uk) OUTDOOR LIVING

The outdoor ROOM

PURPOSE-BUILT SUMMERHOUSES can be transformed into outdoor rooms if you tackle the design like other furnishing projects, painted or papered and accessorised with plants and shelves.

OUTDOOR LIVING

Outdoor living is easier when you can create a room in your garden – somewhere that combines the comforts of an interior space with the freedom of the natural world. You may be lucky enough to have a loggia extending your house into the fresh air, or a summerhouse sanctuary complete with its own door and furnishings. If not, you can simulate the sense of seclusion with carefully positioned furniture, cushions and blankets from indoors and clever planting. Trees, shrubs and hedges can provide natural shelter from sun and wind, as well as a spot of privacy. Trellises and screens smothered with roses, jasmine and honeysuckle will form a scented backdrop to your outdoor ‘room’, and lamplight will allow you to sit here long into the night.

ELEGANT SEATING can range from Lutyens-style benches to classic steamer chairs – you don’t need a matching set of conventional outdoor furniture. A terrace of mellow old bricks provides an attractive floor to set them on. If you haven’t a suitable table, improvise. For example, a giant cable reel is used here. OUTDOOR LIVING

A RUG SPREAD WIDE under a tree provides you with both a floor and an overhead canopy like a proper room. Complete the setting with a couple of Scandinavian-style bamboo outdoor sofas (or a woven one from Lloyd Loom) and a few chunky tree stumps positioned as ‘coffee’ or occasional tables.

LAURAN ELSDEN COMMISSIONING EDITOR

Nothing beats a siesta on a garden bench layered with cushions – or in a hammock strung between the cherry trees – when I’m in my boyfriend’s parents’ garden. I love relaxing in the dappled shade, listening to the bees buzz around the buddleia. 14

OUTDOOR LIVING

THE OUTDOOR ROOM

OUTDOOR STORAGE is a practical extra. A waterproof-lined chest will hold cushions, chairs and picnic rugs, and also serve as a seat. Cushions with strap handles can be hung behind, acting as back-rests.

VERANDAS AND LOGGIAS are a glorious way to make the most of summer in all weather, extending the house under full cover and providing a stable floor on which to set a long table and chairs for a celebratory meal.

A GARDEN KITCHEN or dining room can make eating out so much easier. Folding tables provide surfaces for both eating and cooking, plain linen sheets make improvised tablecloths and canopies, and storm lanterns light the scene.

PARASOLS AND GAZEBOS will protect you from the sun – and also help in traditional British showers. Pots and planters are handy for defining the area, and furniture from the conservatory can be moved outdoors for the day.

OUTDOOR LIVING

THE OUTDOOR ROOM

A PRETTY GREENHOUSE is a conservatory by another name if not needed for planting and propagating. Incorporate the area immediately outside it as well, setting a table with a decorative cloth and folding chairs that can be stowed easily inside when not in use.

OUTDOOR LIVING

1 Herringbone stripe wool throw, £65, Country Living Collection at Homebase (homebase.co.uk) 2 Handwoven raffia placemat, £24 (rowenandwren.co.uk) 3 Galvanized-metal milk churn planter, £45 (coxandcox.co.uk) 4 The 7679 Well frosted glass wall light by Davey, £399 (originalbtc.com) 5 Teak Burnham steamer chair, £1,310 (indian-ocean.co.uk) 6 Delta cotton floor cushion, £98 (designvintage.co.uk) 7 Sakura linen frilled cushion in Soft Sky, £145 (inchyra.com)

Bold

& BRIGHT GARDEN GAMES, such as skittles and a tin can stack, help set the tone for old-fashioned fun. Many of these, in particular traditional and vintage versions, will be decorated in eye-catching colours.

OUTDOOR LIVING

The joyous and uplifting colours of summer – from the zingy yellows, pinks and oranges of sweet-smelling roses to the juicy coral red of a watermelon and the mouthwatering pastels of ice cream – will bring cheer to any alfresco celebration. Use a clash of colours, where soft and pretty pastels (think pistachio and coconut ice) sit alongside stronger, punchier tones (think lemon and raspberry) in contrast to the verdant backdrop of your garden. Lay the table with colourful flower arrangements, bright linens and plenty of jolly decorations. Team block colours with playful patterns, such as checks, chevrons and stripes on tablecloths, cushions and party ware. And don’t forget to line up the old-fashioned garden games…

PAPER DECORATIONS that fold out into elaborate honeycomb balls sing of a celebration. Mix together an array of colours and sizes – you’ll only need a handful for an effective look. Ensure they’re re-useable, too, by using a paper clip to hold the edges together instead of tape. Find these at The Danes (thedanes.co.uk).

OUTDOOR LIVING

FOLDING FURNITURE with striped slings are great for a party or picnic. There’s a wide variety of options available these days, from two-tone classics to contemporary multicoloured designs. Try Ian Mankin (ianmankin.co.uk), The Stripes Company (thestripescompany.com) and RE (re-foundobjects.com).

OUTDOOR LIVING

BOLD & BRIGHT

SIMPLE CERAMICS, mixed and matched from what you use indoors, help set a relaxed tone at an alfresco lunch. Load up a jug with flowers snipped from the garden and layer cloths or lengths of fabric as a tablecloth.

SUMMERY FABRICS can be rigged up to make an awning with garden canes and string. Or you can turn them into colourful seat cushions. This Scandi stripe fabric is by Vanessa Arbuthnott (vanessaarbuthnott. co.uk).

TRADITIONAL SWING-TOP bottles work beautifully when filled with refreshing pink lemonade or homemade cordials in fruity colours. Add some colourful patterned ribbon as a finishing touch with a paper label.

PAINTING STRIPES on the boards of sheds, or individual stakes of a picket fence, can spruce up your garden for summer parties. Find a selection of outdoor coloured paints – from cornflower to sweet pea – at Cuprinol (cuprinol.co.uk).

OUTDOOR LIVING

BOLD & BRIGHT

A MIX OF ICE CREAM and sorbet shades – from rich raspberry and cherry to the softer hues of pistachio green – is a classic summer palette. Combine the sweeter and brighter shades together on decorations, cloths and picnicware.

OUTDOOR LIVING

BEN KENDRICK HOMES & STYLE DIRECTOR

MATTRESSES AND CUSHIONS can be moved around the garden to follow or avoid the sun. Choose classic prints that never go out of fashion. For similar mats, try Bill Brown (bill-brown.com), Rowen & Wren (rowenandwren. co.uk) and Graham & Green (grahamandgreen.co.uk).

I’ve painted part of my garden fence in uplifting stripes to brighten a dark corner in the return between my house and a neighbour’s. Choose a few shades that are toning but with some contrast for a jaunty beach hut effect. Pair with stripy accessories.

BOLD & BRIGHT

OUTDOOR LIVING

PAPER PARTYWARE and re-useable bamboo pieces aren’t just for the children – adults will dive in for a paper straw, too. Try Meri Meri (merimeri. co.uk), Ginger Ray (gingerray.co.uk) and Sainsbury’s (sainsburys.co.uk).

STRONG BLOCK COLOURS – think of a line of terraced houses in the Med – look refreshingly modern on a tabletop. Fill colourful jugs with seasonal cocktails or spritzer mocktails. For similar jugs, try Arran St East (arranstreeteast.ie).

UPLIFTING SHADES combined with romantic florals and white metal furniture creates a fresh and sophisticated look.

CLASHING COLOURS take their cue from summer borders. Think fuchsia pink flowers with zingy yellow centres.

6 5 1 Bamboo stripe cup, £24 (six) (merimeri.co.uk) 2 Poppy bicycle in Peppermint, from £745 (pashley.co.uk) 3 Pink and white striped linen napkin, £27.50 (summerillandbishop.com) 4 Striped fan decoration (40cm) by Paper Dreams, £12.50 (theconscious.co.uk) 5 Medley stripe folding stool, £60 (thestripescompany.com) 6 Rive Droite power-coated steel folding bistro set in Lulworth blue, £160 (gardentrading.co.uk)

On the WILD SIDE HOMEMADE OILS, vinegars and chutneys are a delicious accompaniment to picnics, especially when made with homegrown produce and flavoured with herbs from your own garden.

OUTDOOR LIVING

The call of the wild is stronger than ever after two years of enforced lockdowns. What a joy now to cook, eat and sleep in the open air, to forage for your own supplies, to re-attune yourself to the rhythms of the natural world and generally relish living more freely. Whether you find your personal wilderness in your garden or further afield, immersing yourself in these simpler routines is both satisfying and uplifting. And as you enjoy the aromatic flavours (as well as the light and warmth) of the barbecue or firepit, remember that, as Enid Blyton always pointed out, food simply tastes better when eaten out of doors…

A BASE CAMP should offer good natural shelter for eating, cooking and sleeping. Keep blankets and other fabrics dry when not in use by tying them in handy bundles with cords so they can be hung from tree branches.

OUTDOOR LIVING

FORAGED FOODS can make alfresco meals taste even better. Get to know your mushrooms, as some can cause serious food poisoning. You can use a book to help, but it’s best to get personal tuition from an expert and don’t eat a mushroom unless you’re sure it’s safe. Use them along with freshly picked herbs in salads and sauces, and fried or grilled on crispy bread.

DAISY BENDALL HOMES AND STYLE ASSISTANT

A tree stump makes an impromptu table but you need a stool for sitting on. I learnt this the hard way when I last went camping – perching uncomfortably on a knobbly log at mealtimes! 28

OUTDOOR LIVING

ON THE WILD SIDE

OUTDOOR GAMES will bring traditional playtime out into the fresh air. In addition to classics such as rounders and croquet, look for updated originals such as giant dominoes made from recycled wood.

UPTURNED CRATES and packing cases provide impromptu rustic tables – especially useful where the ground is uneven and a standard table might be unsteady. Simple linens add a homely feel, along with pretty glassware.

CAMPFIRE KETTLES are a practical investment if you want to make the most of the outdoor life. A traditional kettle that can be suspended over a wood fire is a good investment to help with cooking and washing-up.

FRESHLY MADE SANDWICHES – with healthy fillings – don’t need plastic packaging to keep them soft and tasty. Wrap them in baking parchment or reusable beeswax wraps, or in big linen squares that can double as napkins.

OUTDOOR LIVING

ON THE WILD SIDE

TRESTLE TABLES made from a few rugged planks supported on freestanding legs are easy to assemble wherever you need them. A cordless hot plate will turn the table into a cooking station as well as a place to eat.

OUTDOOR LIVING

2 1 3 4

6 7 1 The Bothy Tin ramblers roll, from £73 (moorswood.com) 2 Linen napkin in mint green check, £10 (daylesford.com) 3 Large fire pit in mild steel with stainless-steel cooking set, £1,495 (thewoodee.com) 4 Bucket barbecue, £55 (gardentrading.co.uk) 5 Flecked enamel mug, £9 (blackbough.co.uk) 6 Bento lunch set, £39 (toa.st) 7 Recycled wool picnic blanket in rainbow herringbone check with waterproof backing and carrying strap, £103 (tartanblanketco.com) OUTDOOR LIVING

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