JUNE 2016
loving the simpler things in life JUNE 2016
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Countryside + Food + Homes + Gardens + Wildlife + Crafts + Travel Enter this year’s landlove photography competition
FREE!* 48 cottage garden perennials *just pay p&p
n Recipes to celebrate summer flavours n Discover the best places to watch wildlife n Great ideas for fun family days out
Explore a fascinating corner of kent Find beautiful bays and subterranean mysteries on the Isle of Thanet
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A Look for our Great Britain logo throughout the magazine to see which parts of the British Isles we’ve been to in this issue Editor-in-Chief Anna-Lisa De’Ath Assistant Editor Natalie Crofts Editorial Assistant Lauren Morton Editorial Assistant Charlotte Page Designer Laura Robertson Web Editor Peter Byrne Advertising Manager Julie Freestone Production Manager Reg French Back issues Hilary King Financial Controller Lesley Shard Managing Director Luke Patten Contact LandLove at Hubert Burda Media UK, The Tower, Phoenix Square, Colchester, Essex CO4 9HU Tel: 01206 851117; Fax: 01206 849078 Subscriptions Tel: 01778 392021 Back issues Tel: 01206 851117 ext 237 Editorial email: landlove@burdamagazines.co.uk Display and Classified Advertising Sales Tel: 01206 851117 ext 212 International Ad Sales Representatives Burda International Italy Mariolina Siclari T. +39 02 91 32 34 66 mariolina.siclari@burda.com Burda Community Network Germany Vanessa Noetzel T. +49 89 9250 3532 vanessa.noetzel@burda.com Michael Neuwirth T. +49 89 9250 3629 michael.neuwirth@burda.com Austria/Switzerland Goran Vukota T. +41 44 810 21 46 goran.vukota@burda.com France/Luxembourg Marion Badolle-Feick T. +33 1 72 71 25 24 marion.badolle-feick@burda.com USA/Canada/Mexico Salvatore Zammuto T. +1 212 884 48 24 salvatore.zammuto@burda.com Prices and availability were checked at time of going to press, but we cannot be held responsible for any changes. No part of LandLove may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means either wholly or in part, without the prior permission of the publisher. The publisher, editors and authors accept no responsibility in respect of any products, goods or services that may be advertised or referred to in this issue or for any errors, omissions, misstatements or mistakes in any such advertisements or references. We can’t guarantee that colours reproduced will be an accurate representation due to the printing process. Neither the Editor nor publishing company accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. Competition rules apply to all competitions/giveaways in LandLove. Employees of Hubert Burda Media UK and associated companies are not eligible. There is no cash alternative to prizes. Should the prize become unavailable LandLove has the right to offer an alternative prize. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. LandLove is distributed by Marketforce Tel: 020 3148 3300
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s you can see from our map on the left we’ve been all over the British Isles this issue and we’ve uncovered some real gems, such as the Isle of Thanet in Kent. With glorious beaches, a rich history and lots of hidden secrets it’s well worth exploring (p.114). If you enjoy spending time outdoors, and I know most of you do, then we’ve got plenty of suggestions for things you can do this month, from our list of the top 10 coastal bird havens to visit (p.110), to the farms that are opening their doors to the public and taking part in this year’s Open Farm Sunday event (p.80). We’ve also got all sorts of fun activities you can participate in as part of National Insect Week (p.102), as well as some great ideas for going beachcombing and amber hunting on the Suffolk coast (p.87). And of course, don’t forget to take a peek at our Out and About pages to discover some fun countryside events near you (p.64). From food festivals, craft fairs and garden tours to medieval tournaments and country shows, you’re sure to find somewhere you want to visit over the next few weeks. I’m sure many of you will be planning a holiday in the coming months and want to take your four-legged friend with you, so check out page 91 for our round up of some of the best dog-friendly hotels in the UK. If you’re holidaying near Whitby, then make sure you head to Teare Woods’ ice cream parlour by the harbour to sample some of their delicious flavours. We met up with them to discover their secret ingredient – creamy milk from their very own herd of doe-eyed golden Jersey cows (p.56). Talking of food, raspberry season is getting underway right now, so we’ve put together some scrumptious recipe ideas to help you make the most of them (p.44), as well as some tips to help you grow your own crop at home (p.38). So whether you’re in the garden or out and about, have a great month!
Photo Lizzie Orme. Thanks to Sizzles at Doggie Apparel, Margate
Welcome
‘If there’s one thing you should do this month... It’s your last chance to enter this year’s LandLove Photography Competition. The closing date for entries is 30th June, so don’t forget to take your camera along on your next day out in the countryside and you could win a fantastic prize. For details of how to enter turn to page 66.
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Contents
96 June 2016
In the garden 22 26 30 33 38
Tickled pink Decorate your garden with the frilled petals and succulent scents of Sweet Williams Celebrate a cottage garden classic Liven up your outdoor space with the long-lasting blooms of Sweet Williams, perfect for growing in sunny beds and planters Must-do jobs in the garden Our list of summer jobs for the month ahead Easy upcycling ideas you’ll love to make Breathe new life into worn-out garden implements, wood, stones and tiles with our decorative signpost ideas The sweet taste of summer and beyond We show you how to grow tasty raspberries from early summer through to autumn
Creative projects 70 76 Cover stories • Recipes to celebrate summer flavours p.44 & 50 • Discover the best places to watch wildlife p.110 • Great ideas for fun family days out p.80, 87 & 102 • Explore a fascinating corner of Kent p.114
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Create colourful crochet flowers Make our quick and easy crochet blooms that will add the perfect touch to serviettes, clothing or bags Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross Create your very own home-made hobby horse the little ones will love to play with
Food and drink 42 44
What to eat now Find out what’s fresh and in season at the market, in the garden and among the hedgerows in June Savour the flavour of summer Tuck into sweet raspberries with our delicious jams, cakes and
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treats to make at home Tuck into mouth-watering mackerel Devour our menu packed with this oil-rich fish, in season now From cow to cone in less than three hours We meet an ice cream maker whose delicious products couldn’t get any fresher thanks to their own herd of Jersey cows Savour a taste of Suffolk Discover The Unruly Pig restaurant in Woodbridge that takes inspiration from the coast and countryside that surrounds it for its mouth-watering menu
Nature and wildlife 80
Cream of the crops Find out more about Open Farm Sunday this June and the importance of farming for nature 87 Visit the Amber Coast Discover the wealth of treasures washed up on the shores of Suffolk to be found on beachcombing expeditions all year round 102 It’s a bug’s life Explore your gardens more closely with our guide to the critters and creatures that keep your outdoor space thriving 110 We saw seabirds on the seashore Join us on a coastal tour of Britain’s best seabird havens
Country crafts and traditions 96
A brush with the past We meet artist Katie B Morgan who has decorated everything from fairground gallopers to steam engines with her beautiful painted designs
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110 22 Take a look at our website
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50 Regional focus 91
Holiday with the hounds There’s no need to leave man’s best friend out of summer adventures with our handy round-up of dog-friendly breaks 114 Discover Kent’s secret island We explore the award-winning beaches, stunning architecture and rich history awaiting on the Isle of Thanet 124 It’s anything but bleak here Visit the beloved holiday home of author Charles Dickens and relax in period style while visiting Broadstairs and beyond
LandLove and you 66
Enter the LandLove photographic competition 2016 Our annual photography competition is back and we want you to send in your best snaps inspired by the countryside, its flora and fauna
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We’ve recently launched a brand new website brimming with countryside news, craft projects, seasonal recipes, wonder ful wildlife, places to visit, exciting new book reviews, competitions, and much more!
In every issue 4
Summer is in full swing Welcome to your new issue of LandLove 6 The village shop What to buy, see and do in June 10 Your letters Share your thoughts with us 13 Nature notebook Discover what Britain’s wildlife is up to over the next month in our latest nature notebook column 17 LandLove Library Enjoy our pick of the latest books you should be adding to your reading list this month 55 Subscribe to LandLove Find out how you can have your favourite magazine delivered direct to your door 64 Out and about Our round-up of exciting places to visit around the UK 127 Where to buy 128 Coming next month
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Celebrate a cottage
garden classic Sweet Williams are seasoned summer bloomers and are thankfully making a comeback in sunny beds and planters in cottage gardens around the country. They liven up any garden with their long-lasting blooms in vivid pinks, reds and purples
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2 1 Pretty colour combinations from white through to pink, red, magenta and scarlet are typical of Sweet William seed mixes. At the foot of these white foxgloves thrive flowers from a ‘Bodestolz’ seed mix, unusual in that they already start blooming in the year of sowing. 2 Tone in tone with the traditional ‘Rosa de Resht’ shrub rose and a handful of lupins, the Sweet Williams pictured in the foreground prove ideal partners for colour-intensive combinations. 3 The flower heads are packed tightly together into what are referred to as ‘cymes’. Surrounding the still closed buds, you can see the thin green bracts that are characteristic of Sweet Williams. 4 When planted at the edge of a border between Balkan clary and crane’s bill, the compact shape of this long-lasting bloomer looks particularly effective.
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or generations, Sweet Williams have been one of the most popular flowers in traditional country gardens. And it’s no wonder, as they reward only the slightest of effort with an abundant array of flowers from May until August – and even longer with a bit of tweaking. However, the popularity of these half-metre-tall plants has begun to wane somewhat, perhaps because their often vivid red hues are no longer in demand, or because they are not quite as predictable as perennial shrubs. Sweet Williams are in fact biennials, and only form a rosette in the first year after they are planted before going on to produce an abundance of flowers during the following season, after which they often die off. This does not mean, however, that they disappear completely from the garden. As they set a large number of seeds, it is highly likely that they will sprout again on the same spot or in other empty patches in the flower bed. A trained gardener’s eye is called for then, in order to recognise the seedlings and not accidentally remove them during weeding. The resulting flowers often look very different to the mother plant itself, too. This is because Sweet Williams of varying colours like to cross breed, meaning that you are constantly surprised by flowers in new colour gradients. However, there is another way: If you want to save particularly abundant and attractively coloured specimens of this summer bloomer for the next season, cut the flowers back as soon as they show signs of wilting, and protect the plants against frost in winter using brushwood. Another way of obtaining new young plants for free is to cut off the flower heads only once they are completely wilted, and harvest their wealth of seeds. These can be sown directly into a sunny flower bed until the start of August in the
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Tuck into
mouth-watering mackerel
Feature Natalie Crofts
This oil-rich fish is filled with flavoursome meat perfect for turning into pâtÊ and fish cakes or simply enjoying as it is, grilled with vegetables or salad
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Quick mackerel and potato salad Serves 2 150g baby broad beans 3 smoked mackerel fillets 300g pot of potato salad 1/ 2 cucumber, deseeded and diced 12g chives, chopped black pepper
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Cook the beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, drain and cool. Skin and debone the mackerel and break into flakes. Stir into the potato salad with the beans, cucumber and chives. Season with black pepper and serve with crusty bread. www.waitrose.com
Whole baked mackerel with pancetta Serves 4 small bulb fennel stale ciabatta loaf, crust removed 1 handful of pine nuts, lightly toasted 1 handful of chopped walnuts 1 handful of fresh chives and parsley, chopped sea salt freshly ground black pepper 50g butter, melted 8 slices of pancetta 4 fresh mackerels, gutted, scaled and filleted 4 rosemary twigs 1/ 2
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Remove the leafy tops and stalk from the fennel. Halve the fennel bulb again
and finely chop. Whizz up the ciabatta to coarse breadcrumbs in a food processor and put the crumbs into a bowl with the fennel, pine nuts, walnuts, chives and parsley. Season well and mix in the melted butter. Pre-heat the oven to 220°C/425ºF/Gas Mark 7. On a clean board, lay out the pancetta. Place the mackerel skin side down at right angles to the pancetta. Stuff the mackerel cavity with some of the breadcrumb mix then wrap the pancetta around the fish and hold it in place with a rosemary twig. Repeat this process with the remaining fish and place them in an ovenproof dish. Roast the fish at the top of the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish has started to crisp. Serve with a rocket salad and a wedge of lemon.
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Holiday with
the hounds
Feature Lauren Morton
Don’t leave man’s best friend out of the summer adventures this year, instead tucker them out on a holiday bursting with woodland walks, seaside strolls and memorable trails
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Known for its picturesque footpaths, peaceful surroundings and beautiful nature trails, Devil’s Bridge in West Wales has walks and routes perfect for the whole family, especially man’s best friend. Stunning waterfalls offer a backdrop for dog walkers as you ramble through the trails which are also popular with cyclists and bird watchers, and can last up to 45 minutes. Take your pup to the pretty lakes of Teifi Pools or hop into the car as just 30 minutes down the road are beaches including Cardigan Bay, which boasts golden sands ideal for creating paw prints in as your dog bounds towards the warm sea water. Stay at Bryn Barcud, a three-bedroom property that sleeps up to three dogs and six people with views overlooking the tranquil Cwmystwyth Valley. A two-tiered terraced lawn with a small pond also gives your dog the freedom to explore uncharted territory without leaving the comfort of the house, and is ideal for keeping them occupied – the perfect size for a game of fetch on a lazy day. Seven nights at Bryn Barcud in Devil’s Bridge is priced from £475 plus £20 per dog per week. To find out more about Bryn Barcud and the different areas that Holiday Cottages covers in the UK visit www.holidaycottages.co.uk.
Go glamping in Scotland Nestled in the heart of the Highlands, in the county of Moray, The Loft is set in 388 acres of land, boasting a working farm, an onsite café and a myriad of activities from archery and pottery painting to craft sessions and the more adventurous quad biking. One of many sites that boasts glamping in the rugged wilderness of the British landscape, The Loft is part of Wigwam Holidays which gives you the chance to break away from traditional holidays and explore the outdoors, getting back to nature and finding the beauty in your surroundings – the perfect place to take your dog and unleash them on the open spaces of the Highlands. Strathfillan Wigwam Village in the Trossachs National Park, near Loch
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Lomond, also boasts a relaxing break for the family with popular woodland walks taking you on an adventure through the area and leading you to the stunning waterfalls of the National Park, a great walk for your pooch to stretch their legs before heading back to a campfire dinner. Away from the bright lights of cities, Strathfillan is lit by the twinkling of the night sky and your trusty torch as it is a lovely secluded spot. There is a charge of £5 to £7 per night per dog, while prices for the wigwams start from £35 per night. Prices for lodges, yurts, and camping vary. For more information on glamping breaks with Wigwam Holidays visit www.wigwamholidays.com.
Walk a nature trail
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