Welcome
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 Features Editor Lauren Morton 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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‘If there’s one thing you should do this month... Autumn is a season of natural bounty, so there’s no better time to head out on a wild food forage. Turn to page 94 to find our pick of the country’s most interesting courses where you can learn from the experts to gain the confidence and experience you need.
Photo Lizzie Orme
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ctober can be an unpredictable month. We may get an Indian Summer eeking out the last of the fading season’s warmth, or we may be plunged into a cold snap of frosty mornings or wet, grey days. Hopefully, it’ll be the former rather than the latter. However, regardless of the weather, there are still plenty of exciting things happening in the British countryside to make you want to don your coat and boots and head outdoors. On page 88 you’ll find some gorgeous ideas for craft projects to make with forest finds, while on page 104 we’ve got some great ideas to get the kids involved with nature by collecting and planting tree seeds. The clear, dark skies at this time of year are ideal for stargazing, and on page 108 we discover some of the best sites around the country to see the constellations above us. Foraging is a popular autumn pastime, so we joined the team at River Cottage for a day’s fungi forage (p.48). If you enjoy foraging for mushrooms in your local woods, then take a look at our delicious recipe ideas on page 54 for some new ways to cook them. While on page 60 we’ve got some heart-warming recipes for comfort food dishes, perfect for warming you up after a day spent outside. As autumn really sets in and the temperature begins to drop, much of nature starts to prepare itself for the winter ahead, so on page 80 we take a look at some of the creatures that take to their beds to hibernate over the colder months (the sleepy dormice are especially adorable). I was lucky enough to visit Somerset for our regional focus feature for this issue (p.114). Like so many people, I was guilty of previously driving through the county en route to Devon or Cornwall. However, having spent time discovering all it has to offer, I can recommend you visit. The landscape is spectacular and then, of course, there’s the local cheese and cider to enjoy!
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Plant now for springtime
splendour If planted in autumn, bulbous and tuberous plants ensure a flower-filled start to the coming year
The following wild tulips grow to become robust, widely spreading bulbous plants given the right location, which should be sunny and warm with loose, permeable soil. Unlike many of the larger-flowered tulips, they can be relied upon to self-propagate via seeds and bulblets. 1 ‘Violacea Black Base’ is a distinctive crimson-coloured form of the dwarf tulip (Tulipa humilis), which stands out nicely from the fresh green of these aquilegia leaves. 2 The woodland tulip (Tulipa sylvestris) displays its scented yellow flowers from April until May. As with all wild species of tulip, it has very small flower heads on proportionally long stems (around 40cm). 3 The wild form of the dwarf tulip (Tulipa humilis) finds shelter in front of this garden wall. 4 The late tulip (Tulipa tarda) often produces several flower heads per stem and is one of the least demanding wild varieties. 2
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1 The best planting time for spring-blooming bulbous and tuberous plants is September to October. In warm regions, they can even be planted in November as long as there is no threat of severe ground frost. 2 Spring snowflakes thrive beautifully in the moist soil alongside this stream. Here, the white bell-shaped flowers float above yellow cowslips and the reddish leaf shoots of peonies and false goat’s beard. Later in the year, these shrubs will hide the wilting foliage of the bulbous plants.
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mateur gardeners find real joy in planting and taking care of their plants. However, it can sometimes be a good idea to just sit back and let nature take the helm. This works very reliably with one group of plants in particular: spring-blooming bulbous and tuberous plants, many of which are happy to self-propagate and spread far beyond where they were originally planted. Gardeners refer to this as allowing the plants to ‘grow wild’, with not only true wild species but also certain beautiful cultivated varieties possessing this quality – first and foremost narcissi. However, it is still down to us gardeners to set the wheels in motion and autumn is the right time to start planting bulbs or tubers in the desired spots. These types of plant, also known as geophytes, tend to be very flexible when it comes to soil and light conditions. However, if you want them to establish themselves for many years to come and even spread, it is worth choosing the optimal spot. There is a particularly large number of small spring-bloomers that are suitable for areas of light shade below trees: snowdrops and winter aconite kick things off, followed by early crocuses, corydalis, wood anemone and bluebells. In plant beds in full sunlight or in lawns with humus-rich soil, squills, glory-of-the-snow
and numerous narcissi spread happily. Equally sunny but much drier conditions are favoured by yellow crocuses and most wild tulips, so they grow best in rockeries or gravel gardens with loose subsoil. Specialists for moist but not waterlogged spots include spring snowflakes, snake’s head fritillary, Star-of-Bethlehem and, once again, narcissi. To ensure that the planting arrangement maintains a natural, wild air from the very beginning, it is best to plant several different-sized groups of bulbs or tubers at irregular intervals in one area of the garden. These groups can be made up of just one species, or alternatively of two or three well-matched spring-bloomers. The smaller the flowers are, the larger the planting groups should be – otherwise they do not make much of an impression in the first few years and they provide a much smaller basis for wild colonies to form. Rodents can sometimes throw a spanner in the works and many are all too happy to eat their way through this underground buffet. To prevent this, carefully line the outside of each planting hole with close-meshed chicken wire almost to the surface of the soil. This will mean that you are treated to a vibrant spring-time flower display for many years to come. www.landlove.com
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Comforts from Feature Lauren Morton
the kitchen
Warm your cockles on cold nights with these hearty dishes, from pies and stews to dumplings and tarts
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Parsnip, Brussels sprouts and bacon potato cakes Serves 4 200g parsnips, peeled and cut into even-sized pieces salt and black pepper 3 tbsp olive oil 300-400g potatoes, peeled and cut into even-sized pieces 200g Brussels sprouts, outer leaves removed 8 rashers smoked streaky bacon, finely sliced plain flour, for dusting
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Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/180°C (fan oven)/400°F/Gas Mark 6. Toss the parsnips with salt, pepper and about a tbsp of the oil. Spread over an oven tray and roast for approx. 40 minutes, until soft and beginning to caramelise. Remove, allow to cool then roughly chop. While the parsnips are roasting, boil the potatoes in salted water until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain well and mash while warm. Keep your mash as dry as possible so that the cakes hold together; if it seems wet stir it over a low heat for a few minutes. Cook the sprouts in plenty of salted boiling water until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain well and cut into quarters. Fry the bacon over a medium-high heat with a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan (preferably nonstick) until really crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Keep the oil left in the pan to fry the cakes. Mix all the veg with the bacon and season with salt and pepper. Dust your hands with flour then mould the mixture into burger-sized patties. Add the remaining oil to the frying pan, place over a medium heat and fry the cakes in batches until they are golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Add more oil to the pan if you need it. If the first cakes have cooled down by the time you have fried the last, you can reheat them all in the oven for 5-10 minutes, until piping hot. Recipes courtesy of www.riverford.co.uk
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Lentil and apple soup
Plus: Chopped parsley croutons (optional) electric whisk or stick blender
Serves 4-6
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1 red onion, diced 2 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp ground cumin large handful of mint, finely chopped 125g red lentils 75g bulgur wheat 2 large Bramley apples (approx. 400g), peeled, cored and diced 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped 1.2l vegetable stock salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and fry for a further 1 minute. Add all the other ingredients to the pan and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Blend the soup using an electric whisk or stick blender until smooth, then season. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and croutons if desired. Serve hot. Recipe courtesy of www.bramleyapples.co.uk
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Feature and styling Jo Rigg Photos Lizzie Orme
Cosy autumn crafts
inspired by the forest The first hint of change as autumn approaches is often the beautiful colours of the countryside around us. Our seasonal projects are designed to celebrate the mood and feel of autumn
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Curl up with a cushion 1
Make a simple envelope cushion from a piece of fabric, we used a wool felt fabric. Measure and cut a length of felt to 95cm long by 50cm wide. Place the fabric down in front of you width ways, so the long length runs to your left and right. Fold each end 27cm in towards the centre of the cushion, the two ends will meet and overlap. Pin the top and bottom edges of the cushion cover to hold them closed. Hand or machine stitch along both ends, 1.5cm from the edge, removing the pins as you sew. Turn the cushion right side out. Our wool felt was quite thick and held its shape well, if your cushion gapes at the back you can add a ribbon to tie the cover closed (a few Velco sew-on dots or a snap fastener would also work). Mark a circle on the
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front of the cushion. Cut leaf shapes from coloured felt. Stitch them onto the cushion with running stitch, in contrasting embroidery threads, around the circle shape to form a ring of leaves. You could decorate a shop-bought cushion or one you have at home if you don’t want to make your cushion from scratch. Coloured felt, 50p per A4 sheet, Hobbycraft.
Craft a felted acorn for a seasonal place setting idea. To create the acorn gather pieces of rust-coloured wool roving and loosely roll into a ball. Use a needle felting tool to shape an acorn by prodding the wool repeatedly until the fibres bind together and it feels firm. When the acorn is tightly formed, cover the top with beige wool for an acorn cap, fuse this to the acorn by prodding it with the needle felting tool. Use embroidery thread to stitch some detail on the cap. For the hanging loop place a few pieces of beige wool in a long line and twist together to form a string. Wrap a length of embroidery thread round to keep the string in shape. Fold into a loop and stitch to the acorn cap. For a place card we cut an acorn leaf shape from a sheet of wood veneer paper. We painted the tips on the leaf with a wash of brown paint and added a name. Wool roving £1.50 per bag, needle felting tool £15, both Hobbycraft.
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Mould dainty leaf bowls
Use fabric leaves to create this delicate ornamental bowl that will add a touch of autumn colour to your home all your round. To make the bowl, turn a large shallow plastic bowl upside down. Paint it with a coat of Mod Podge glue. Remove the fabric leaves and stalks from the stem. Cover the bowl with leaves, paint the back of each leaf with the Mod Podge as you work. Leave to dry overnight or until the Mod Podge is clear and then carefully peel away the bowl. Paint the bowl with a second coat of Mod Podge if the bowl needs strengthening. Stem of autumn leaves £1.49, Mod Podge Matte £4 per 236ml bottle, both Hobbycraft.
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When nature
goes to sleep In the depths of autumn our wonderful wildlife is preparing to bed down for winter, stocking up on supplies, feasting on insects and berries and seeking out suitable spots to escape the cold until spring
Dormice are one of only three British mammals to truly hibernate in winter www.landlove.com
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s the air turns cool and the threat of the first frost looms, many of our native wildlife species will be busily gathering food ready to hibernate through the cold snap. Hedgehogs will be snuffling through leaf piles looking for signs of slugs and earthworms, while bats will be filling up on moths and midges and dormice will be foraging for blackberries and hazelnuts. Moths, butterflies and ladybirds will be seeking suitable places to overwinter, meanwhile, at ground level, adders and newts will be fattening up ready to hunker down. Drifting off into a deep winter’s sleep is far from the reality of hibernation, as for many creatures it’s a fight for survival, with some sadly not waking to see spring. Cold, harsh winters and lack of food provide conditions that are unsuitable for many insects and mammals to actively exist in, and so hibernation is nature’s clever solution for those species unable to generate enough heat to survive as temperatures plummet. In Britain, there are only three mammals that truly hibernate – hedgehogs, dormice and bats – though a wealth of other wildlife enters a state of ‘torpor’ – a period of dormancy – at this time of year until the weather warms up. Hibernation is a fascinating yet complicated phenomenon in which the body temperature of an animal is lowered and breathing slowed for an extended period of time, with many species developing their own remarkable way of doing so. Hedgehogs are able to slow their heart rate down to just 20 beats per minute, while dormice can drop their body temperature to match their surroundings. Almost all mammals have a strategy for conserving energy during winter, though the exact time for this period of dormancy varies from year to year, and between each 1
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