Our October playlist is compiled by Daniel Gray, author of Sunday Best: Travels through the day of rest.
These are songs that sum up the spirit of a Sunday. Have a listen on Spotify here.
You can see some of Daniel’s ‘Sunday best’ outing suggestions in HUG, the October 2025 issue of The Simple Things magazine.
Competition | Win Tickets to the Mind, Body & Spirit Festival
Ready to refresh your soul, awaken your senses and dive deep into all things wellness, self-love and spirituality? Then next month’s Mind Body Spirit Festival may be for you. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 14-16 November 2025, the Mind Body Spirit Festival is celebrating its 10th year at the NEC and is the ultimate celebration of holistic living. The Simple Things has 10 pairs of one-day standard entry tickets up for grabs, worth up to £42 per pair.
As a visitor to the 2025 Mind Body Spirit Festival you can expect to enjoy seven different feature areas, where you can listen to transformational talks on a range of subjects including midlife musings, manifestation and astral projection. Perhaps you’d prefer restorative sound baths or to find out more about healing therapies, yoga, dance and music, plus there will be tarot and psychic readings for the inquisitive. While the Wellbeing Market will showcase over 125 unique brands – ideal for topping up your crystals, essential oils or to simply buy a beautiful gift for yourself or a loved one.
Win tickets to next month’s Mind Body Spirit Festival, and immerse yourself in all things wellbeing and spirituality
Whether you’re a seasoned spiritual seeker or just starting on your journey, this is your chance to discover new tools for personal growth, connect with like-minded souls, explore conscious brands and experiences, or to simply relax, recharge and re-align. The Mind Body Spirit Festival is a great opportunity to be part of something magical.
For more information, inspiration and to buy early bird advance tickets, visit: mindbodyspiritfestival.co.uk/birmingham or follow on Instagram: @mbswellbeing, and on Facebook: @mindbodyspiritfestival
How to enter
For a chance to win one of 10 pairs of tickets to the Mind Body Spirit Festival at NEC Birmingham, enter our competition by clicking the button below by the closing date of 5 November 2025 and answering the following question:
Q: How many years has the festival been taking place at the NEC Birmingham?
Terms and conditions
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 5 November 2025. Ten winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winners cannot transfer their prize or swap it for cash. Prize is 10 x pairs of one-day standard entry tickets. Travel to and from the event is the winners’ responsibility. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
Competition | Win a shop worth £200 at Gudrun Sjödén
If your wardrobe’s in need of a boost or a bit of colour therapy, enter our competition to win a
Gudrun Sjödén spree
As the weather slowly turns and the seasonal colours blend towards rich, warm tones, it’s time to set sail on a new adventure with Gudrun Sjödén’s latest collection – beautiful, heirloom pieces that could soon be adorning your wardrobe as The Simple Things has two vouchers up for grabs, each worth £200.
Inspired by a journey along the Atlantic Ocean, the latest collection is a patchwork of capsules, all giving their own nod to people, places and concepts. While the striking colours and unique patterns are characteristically typical of the joyous Swedish brand that we know and love.
Explore the remote island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean through beautiful clothes that imagine soft silhouettes and tactile, natural fabrics, all in a muted palette of warm greys and muted olive greens.
Meanwhile, the Azores and French painter, Paul Gauguin, have inspired a collection of rich, sumptuous colours – an ideal balance to the cool shades of wintry landscapes. Think oversized squares, stripes and block-coloured fields. The palette is borrowed from the artist’s work, featuring aubergine, burnt orange, bottle green and deep indigo. In particular, the Azores linen smock blouse is a statement piece to love throughout the seasons.
Lambswool, velour and quilted organic cotton provide softness and warmth as the evenings grow chillier, while winter’s prettiest coat, the ‘Alberta’, is crafted in recycled wool and polyester.
Shunning fast changing trends, each Gudrun Sjödén collection is designed as a new chapter in an ongoing story of patterns, textiles and colours. Enter and you could win a voucher, worth £200, to spend on staples that will be loved for generations.
For more info, visit gudrunsjoden.com or follow on Insta at: @gudrunsjoden.ldn. 65-67 Monmouth St, London, WC2H 9DG, or visit the pop-up, 24 Oct - 2 Nov, at Dovecot Studios, 10 Infirmary St, Edinburgh EH1 1LT.
How to enter
For your chance to win one of two Gudrun Sjödén vouchers, each worth £200, enter our competition now by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of
5 November 2025.
Q: Which French painter inspired some of this season’s colourful collection?
Terms and conditions:
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 5 November 2025. Two winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winners cannot transfer their prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.
Reading | Books for Train Journeys
This month marks 200 years of passenger railways and a good book is a train journey essential as far as we’re concerned. Here are a few page turners to get you on your way…
The Railway Children
Edith Nesbit’s Edwardian novel is a classic for a reason. The tale of three children, moved from London after their father is imprisoned for spying, who wave at train passengers, is worth a revisit if you read it as a child or discovering if not.
The Necropolis Railway
The first of Andrew Martin’s Jim Stringer series, in which the Yorkshire railwayman turned amateur sleuth solves mysteries occurring on various British train lines in the steam-soundtracked early 1900s.
The Kingdom By The Sea
As the Falklands War rumbles on, Paul Theroux circumnavigates Britain’s coast in one of his typically
thoughtful travel books, meeting peculiar characters, walking a lot and often travelling by rail.
These ideas for railway page turners is taken from our September ‘outing’ pages, which focus on days out with trains, from request stops to iconic journeys to walks along disused railways. The illustration is by Colin Elgie.
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More days out on the railway…
More from our September issue…
Tipple | Warm Apple Cider with Lemon & Rosemary
Serve outdoors as the weather determines – warm if there’s a nip in the air, or over ice if the sun still is shining.
Serves 6
100g caster sugar
3 slices ginger
1 ltr medium dry cider
200ml freshly pressed apple juice
Juice of half a lemon
6-8 sprigs of rosemary, to serve
1 Make a syrup by heating the sugar and ginger with 50ml of water over a low heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove the ginger and set aside.
2 Combine the other ingredients in a pan and heat gently. Add half the sugar syrup and taste, keep adding until you reach the desired sweetness.
3 Gently bruise the base of each rosemary sprig to release the flavour, add one to each glass and fill.
This recipe is taken from our September ‘Gathering’ pages, which this month takes the form of a menu for an allotment lunch with friends using grown-yourself veg. The menu includes Grilled Padron Peppers, Mackerel Pate, Courgette Feta Mint & Pine Nut Tart, Apple Kohlrabi & Salad, Tangy Tomato Chutney and a Plum & Almond Traybake. Recipes & styling by Anneliese Klos and Liz Boyd. Photography: by Urszula Soltys.
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Competition | Win a Janome 230DC sewing machine
When you’re ready to sew, it’s easy to get started and you can try all types of projects with the JANOME 230DC. We have won to give away to a TST reader
Fully computerised with stitches and settings at the touch of a button, these robust models have lots of easy-to-use features which make sewing a pleasure.
JANOME sewing machines are synonymous with innovation, quality, and ease of use. This
Autumn JANOME have a great all-round sewing machine for one lucky reader to win.
Model 230DC has lots of easy-to-use features which make sewing a pleasure. It is the ideal machine to grow with your skills. Fully computerised with stitches and settings at the touch of a button. No fuss threading with the auto needle threader, top loading bobbin & a hard cover for storage.
The Prize
JANOME 230DC computerised model has 30 stitch choices and three buttonhole styles; this machine is perfect for beginners and more advanced hobbyists alike. Begin your sewing journey with a smooth operating, robustly built JANOME.
How to enter
To be in with a chance of winning just click on the button below and answer the following question by the closing date of 31 October 2025.
Q: How many stitch choices does the Janome 230DC have?
Terms & Conditions
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 31 October 2025. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. Free delivery of prize within the UK. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules
Special offer
The usual price for the Janome 230DC is £439 but with Janome’s Sewing with Style offer this autumn it’s available at just £389. See all of Janome’s latest offers on their website: https://www.janome.co.uk/special-offers. Visit your local Janome retailer to see the JANOME range or click here to find your nearest store. Follow Janome online at @janomeuk.
Miscellany | Hats of Note
A hat always adds an element of distinction. In our September issue, we visited the Bridport Hat Festival and photographed some of the most creative chapeaus we found there. As the festival opens again, we thought we would bring you a few facts about some well known hats and their wearers.
Sherlock Holmes’ Deerstalker
Conan Doyle’s much-loved detective is known for his deerstalker hat, but in fact the author never described him wearing such a hat. Holmes himself would rarely have worn such as hat as it wasn’t city attire. The deerstalker was an addition by the illustrator Sydney Paget for a Holmes story that took place in the countryside (The Boscombe Valley Mystery) and the image became synonymous in our minds with the great detective himself.
Indiana Jones’s Fedora
The fictional archaeologist’s hat was a central part of his character, often being grabbed in improbably dangerous manner as he narrowly escaped rolling boulders, closing doors and historical baddies. In fact, the purpose of the hat was to shade Harrison Ford’s face in order to make it easier to swap in a stunt man.
Carmen Miranda’s Fruit Hat
Miranda’s fruit hats were inspired by the clothes worn by Afro Brazilian Baianas (street vendors) in colonial Brazil. For her song ‘What Does the Baiana Have?’ she wore a cloth turban and added an imitation basket of fruit in homage to the trays of fruit Baianas carried on their heads. While the look understandably caused controversy back in her home country of Brazil, it was a style that made Miranda an icon.
Jacqueline Kennedy’s Pillbox Hat
Jackie O catapulted the pillbox to fame (or perhaps it catapulted her, who knows?). The pink pillbox she was wearing on the day of her husband’s assasination was to be beamed across the globe for all the wrong reasons. But it’s the pillbox she wore on the day of the Presidential inauguration that is perhaps the more interesting. Most people remember it as being a baby blue but in fact the hat, and the whole outfit, was a light faun shade. It’s thought that a shadow cast on her in the (very early colour) photos made it look as though it had a blue-ish hue.
The Mad Hatter’s Silk Topper
Silk toppers had mostly replaced beaver fur top hats by 1865 when Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published. But it’s the piece of paper stuck into the silk by illustrator Tenniel that made it famous. The paper reads 10/6 (ten shillings and sixpence), and was presumably a sign that the Hatter, high on the mercury used to stabilise wool for felting, was so forgetful he’d failed to remove the price when he plucked the hat from his shop’s shelf and headed to the tea party.
If you’d like to see more hats like the one pictured above, you might enjoy our ‘modern eccentrics’ piece on the Bridport Hat Festival in our September issue. Photography by Jonathan Cherry.
More miscellaneous fun…
More from our blog…
Photography by Carin Norberg @villasjovik
Fun | Games for Round the Fire
Run out of marshmallows but the flames are still high? Fed up with Eye Spy? Here are some fun fireside games you might not know to pass the time
1. Pass the Carrot
Everyone sits in a circle with hands behind their backs. A carrot is passed between them. One person sits in the middle of the circle and has to guess where the carrot is. If they guess correctly they switch places with that person. The aim of the game is to ‘disappear’ the carrot by taking a bite whenever the person in the middle is not looking. If you get caught with the carrot, you’re ‘out’.
2. Repeat the Beat
Sitting in a circle around the fire, one person taps out a beat using their hands on their knees. The person to their right has to repeat the beat, and then add a bit more. The game continues, moving to the right, until someone fails to repeat the beat.
3. Fortunately Unfortunately
The first player begins a story with an opening sentence, for example, “I opened the door and found a bear standing on the door mat.” The person to their right begins the next sentence with ‘fortunately’... “Fortunately the bear was friendly!” The next player starts their sentence with ‘unfortunately’... “Unfortunately he was also starving hungry.” The next player begins with fortunately again: “Fortunately I had an enormous packet of bear snacks in the kitchen” and so on and so on.
4. In the Pond
This is great for a big group. One person is the ‘caller’. Everyone else sits around the fire and follows the instructions. The caller shouts one of three instructions. If they shout “In the pond” everyone has to put their hands into the circle (the pond). If they shout “Out of the pond!” everyone has to put their hands up above their heads. If they should “On the bank” everyone puts their hands on their thighs. When you get the hand position wrong, you’re out and have to sit on your hands until the end of the day.
5. The Vegetable Game
Every person names themselves after a vegetable and shares their new name with the group. Theyoungest person in the circles says their vegetable name twice, followed by another player’s vegetable name. So ‘Potato’ might call out “Potato, Potato, Aubergine”. ‘Aubergine’ might then say “Aubergine, aubergine, carrot” and play would pass to carrot. To make it trickier, when anyone is speaking they are not allowed to show their teeth. If they do show their teeth or call out a vegetable that is no longer or was never in the game, they’re out.
If you’re feeling inspired to gather round the firepit with friends, you might like our My Place pages in our September issue, which feature lots more beautiful firepit set-ups.
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More campfire fun…
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Sponsored post | Best Unique Hideaways for Autumn and Winter Escapes
The perfect time of year to rest and recharge, the lure of autumn and winter escapes is nothing short of magical. From embracing slow mornings in plump duvets and walks through flurries of golden leaves, to savouring gravy-topped roasts and hygge-filled moments by the fire, there is timeless wonder at every turn.
Whether you are seeking a heavenly treehouse, a country cabin, a mountainside hut or more, discover a dreamy collection of glamping escapes in the UK with Unique Hideaways to soothe the soul this cosy season.
Kalmynsi Treehouse, Cornwall
Head to Kalmynsi Treehouse in the leafy depths of South Cornwall to find this heavenly, handcrafted hideaway for two. Above the waterways of the Helford River, this sylvan sanctuary promises a wood-fired outdoor hot tub and Scandi-inspired interiors for the best of indoor-outdoor living. Wander the ancient woodland of the Helford before returning to snooze by the wood burner or lounge on the balcony as countless stars illuminate the treetops above.
Na Mara Bothy, Argyll and Bute
Perfect for solo breaks and romantic getaways, dog-friendly Na Mara Bothy awaits beside a private beach in West Scotland. Step beyond the threshold to trace loch shores and the foot of towering peaks that turn pearly white in winter and explore the endless beauty spots nearby. To relax, Na Mara Bothy’s wood burner-warmed living spaces and loch-view garden are a dream for cosy moments wrapped in the pages of a book or immersed in shared anecdotes.
Sun-Dapple, Devon
Offering an unrivalled window to the natural world, Sun-Dapple is an utterly unique hideout within 14 acres of ancient oak woodland. The perfect escape for couples and families alike, it welcomes up to four guests to enjoy its cocoon-like interiors that lend an irresistibly fairytale quality to forest escapes. Laze in the hammock in sun-dappled light, cook up a feast in the covered outdoor kitchen, and gather around the alfresco fire pit for treats and tales as day gives way to dusk.
Florian, Somerset
Explore under crisp blue skies and snuggle up under starlit nights at Florian. An imaginatively transformed shipping container in the bucolic Somerset countryside, this dog-friendly hideaway for two beckons for dreamy autumn and winter escapes. Venture outside to discover the heaven-sent surroundings for days of adventure, and when you’re ready to return, admire the far-reaching views from the comforts of the sumptuous sofa or soothing outdoor bath.
Hazel, Devon
Set within a 50-acre woodland reserve, Hazel is perfectly placed for those seeking romantic tranquillity. Awake each morning to the sound of birdsong as light pours through the trees and step out onto the deck to gaze at the valley vistas. When you’re ready to emerge from the beautiful, handcrafted interiors, an array of local gems calls for leisurely sightseeing, while the wood burner and outdoor hot tub await to tempt you back again.
Albie’s Freight Train, Yorkshire
Take an unforgettable journey to Yorkshire with Albie’s Freight Train for a seasonal staycation for two. Just a few miles from Richmond, this thoughtfully converted railway carriage invites relaxation and exploration alike. Embrace the location to reconnect with nature and fall in love with the Yorkshire Dales and North Yorkshire Moors. To unwind, snuggle up in the cosy interiors with your latest page-turner or hop in the outdoor wood-fired hot tub to soak up the panoramic views.
The Crook, Somerset
In a pastoral paradise, The Crook is a dream for autumnal escapes and wintry wanderings. With everything you need, this welcoming shepherd’s hut for two enjoys elegantly designed interiors in soothing tones and a landscaped garden with outdoor seating, a pizza oven and hot tub. Cook up an alfresco feast, adorning cosy layers to eat outside or heading inside to dine beside the fire. After rural ramblings, sink into the tub to stargaze from the soothing water.
The Woodsman, Staffordshire
Seek solo escapism or treasure a romantic getaway at The Woodsman. Exuding charm, this picturesque cabin in Staffordshire promises a nourishing retreat to nature. Located on a sustainable site, its surrounding countryscapes adopt a fiery autumn hue that give way to silvery shades in winter. Explore Loynton Moss Nature Reserve for wildlife watching and nearby Eccleshall for boutique browsing, before returning to relax in the hot tub or one of the armchairs in the amber warmth of the wood burner.
The Wrens Nest, Cumbria
Wend beneath copper-coloured canopies to find The Wrens Nest in the Cumbrian countryside. Wrapped in frosted forest scenes in winter, this wooded hideaway for two blends seamlessly with its surroundings and offers the perfect base from which to explore Penrith and the Lake District National Park. Stroll across the fairylight-strung bridge to step into a fantasy realm where empty agendas, a bubbling hot tub, and spellbinding scenery promise a bewitching escape.
Explore the full collection of glamping in the UK with Unique Hideaways for magical autumn and winter escapes.
Illustration by Christina Carpenter
Make | A Garden Bar
Upcycle an old (or new) potting bench into a bar cart to get the garden party started.
You’ll need:
A wooden potting bench (with a removable bowl if possible); sandpaper; outdoor paint in a colour of your choice; a towel ring, a wall-mounted bottle opener; cutlery hooks; ice bucket if your bench has no bowl; drill or screwdriver.
To make:
1 If you bought your potting bench new (we found good flatpack models in Ikea and B&Q), put it together first. Then give it all a good sand and wipe down.
2 Paint the bar all over in an outdoor paint colour of your choice. The louder the better, we think.
3 Once dry, sand lightly, wipe down and give it a second coat.
4 When the second coat is fully dry, screw the towel rain (for your bar towel) and bottle opener to the outside of the bar. If your bar has drawers, you can change the handles to something more suited to a bar, too.
5 Fill your ice bucket or bowl with ice and cold drinks, add cocktail shakers, spirits, mixers and small bowls to the shelves. Pop snacks and bar games of your choice into the drawers and invite your friends round.
This project is taken from our Almanac pages, which feature seasonal things to note and notice, plan and do each month.
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Photograph by Ali Allen
Recipe | Greek Panzanella
This is a delicious merging of the Greek and Italian classics. Key ingredients include ripe, juicy, sun-kissed tomatoes, bread and olive oil with vinegar to bring it all together. Feel free to embellish with additional veg or fruit (a hint of peach or a few raspberries, perhaps) and fresh herbs, or scale it back to its bare bones with just dressed tomatoes and bread.
Serves 4
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1kg tomato (try a mix of colours)
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Olive oil
2 slices pita bread or sourdough, stale or toasted
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
4 tbsp pitted olives or 2 tbsp capers (or a combination)
400g feta
Large handful of fresh herbs (such as dill, mint, basil, parsley, coriander, chervil and chives), finely chopped
1 Place the sliced onions in a bowl and pour boiling water over them. Leave to soak and soften while
you make up the rest of the salad.
2 Slice the tomatoes (or halve if they’re cherry tomatoes). Sprinkle with a pinch of the fresh herbs (finely chopped) as well as a pinch of salt and pepper. Splash the vinegar over.
3 Tear the bread into bite-sized pieces – you can give it a quick flash in the oven to toast it gently first. Mix the bread through the tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil and arrange the mixture on a serving platter.
4 Tuck the cucumber slices into the mix, arranging evenly over the top.
5 Drain the onions and add them to the salad, along with the herbs. Gently fold through the mix and
dot the olive and/or capers on top.
6 Crumble the feta into bite-sized pieces and dot over the top. Season the salad with a good twist of black pepper and a last drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 24 hours (bringing to room temperature before serving).
This recipe is just one of the ideas from our September Home Economics pages, which is all about the mighty tomato. You can also learn how to make gazpacho, cherry tomato bombs, pan con tomate and fermented ketchup. The recipes are by Rachel de Thample and the photography is by Ali Allen.
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How to | Make Cyanotype Art
Sun prints, or cyanotypes, are a simple and effective way of creating art using the sun. You can buy kits online or from craft stores, that will come with instructions but here’s a quick guide to how to get started.
1. Take a piece of heavy duty paper. It’s going to get washed with the solutions so it needs to be able to withstand that. Sometimes the paper will come ready prepared; with other kits you will need to mix equal parts of the two solutions they give you, paint it on the paper and leave it to dry completely. Once you are practised at it, you can use fabric, too.
2. Once your paper is ready to use, place your objects on it and arrange them. You can print with any objects you like but flowers, leaves and branches with interesting silhouettes look really effective. Plants like fern are great as they have a delicate pattern for the sun to pick out.
3. When you’re happy with your composition, weigh it down with something transparent like a piece of glass. The glass from inside a picture frame is ideal. Put the whole thing outside and let the sun do its work.
4. Your paper will turn blueish then a grey colour, which is when you’ll know it's done. How long it takes will depend on how sunny it is. You can do cyanotypes even on a cloudy day - it will just take around 15 minutes then, whereas in strong sunlight it may only take a minute or two.
5. Take a washing up bowl or in-tray - anything that the paper will fit into easily, fill with cold water and place the paper in it. The blue colour will deepen as it washes. Remove after a few seconds and hang somewhere to dry completely. The colour will continue to deepen during the drying process.
6. Frame your print and feel very pleased with yourself.
If you’re feeling inspired, you can meet cyanotype artist, Mandy Barker, and see some of her work (also pictured above) in our August issue in our feature Out of the Blue. For more information about Mandy’s work and to buy the book, visit mandy-barker.com. Photography copyright: Mandy Barker
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More art to take part in…
More from our August issue…
Image: Shutterstock
DJ: Frances Ambler
Playlist | The write stuff
In our September 2025 TREASURE issue, we find out why writing by hand is so good for us. And we’ve celebrated by creating a playlist all about writing.
You can have a listen to it here.
Have a browse of all our playlists.
Competition | Win one of eight Eco Warrior bundles
Enter our competition for a chance to get your hands on one of eight innovative starter sets,
each worth up to £25
Keeping the whole family clean can feel like a challenge at the best of times, especially if you want to move towards a plastic-free bathroom. Luckily, the launch of Little Soap Company’s Eco Warrior range in 2019 has made that much easier, saving more than two million bottles to date. Its functional bars – including ones for shampoo, shaving, body wash, facial cleansing, exfoliating, a men’s range and new bars for babies and children – are specially formulated to replace an unnecessary plastic bottle, tub, pot or tube.
In 2022, the company was granted a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation for its Eco Warrior range. And it’s been establishing its place in bathrooms, with the brand saying that it sells a single Eco Warrior bar every 23 seconds. As well as being cruelty-free and suitable for vegans, each bar is also free from detergents, SLS, sulphates and parabens for a gentle but effective cleansing experience.
Want to discover the range for yourself? We’re giving you the chance to win one of eight Eco Warrior Family Intro Bundles (worth up to £25 each). This naturally sourced and nourishing set includes something for all the family, including the Eco Warrior Shampoo Bar, Sensitive Facial Bar, All Over Body Bar, Baby & Child Relaxing Bedtime Hair & Body Bar, and Men’s All Over Body Bar.
Kind to your skin, hair, wallet, and the planet? Now that’s something we can get excited about.
Available in supermarkets and online at littlesoapcompany.co.uk
How to enter
For your chance to win an Eco Warrior Family Intro Bundle, worth up to £25, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 10 October 2025.
Q: In which year was the Little Soap Company’s Eco Warrior range launched?
Terms & conditions
The competition closes at 11.59pm on 10 October 2025. Eight winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules
Sponsored Post | Breaks from the Humdrum
Join the cosy club this autumn with a restorative short stay somewhere a little bit special to
blow away the cobwebs
Dimpsey
Life gets busy, sometimes too busy. We accumulate tasks like we used to collect our favourite treasures, scooping them up and adding them to the seemingly never-ending ‘to do’ list. But every now and again, you have to pause, take stock, and shed some of the load. Better still, escape to somewhere that lets you wake naturally, surrounded by nature, with time to breathe. A restorative stay in one of Dimpsey’s shepherd huts will work its magic, helping you to reset. For a limited time, use the code* PAMPERME at booking for a free Relax and Restore box to enjoy during your stay.
dimpsey.co.uk (*Offer valid until 31 December 2025. Subject to availability)
Le Boat
Be the captain of your own adventure and discover the UK and Scotland from a different perspective this autumn. With Le Boat’s boating holidays, everyone gets a waterside view. Whether with family, friends, or as a couple, you’re on the water for more than a holiday; you’re creating lasting memories, while exploring at your own pace. Never been on a boating holiday before? No matter, now’s the ideal time to enjoy a last-minute autumn staycation with no licence or experience required.
Beach Retreats
If you long to escape to the sea, Beach Retreats has a wide selection of properties dotted along the Cornish coastline. Downderlin (above), in Downderry, has sea views and a large garden that rolls directly onto the beach. Sleeping seven and welcoming dogs, you can stroll along the seawall, paddle in the shallows, or find a sunny spot for an afternoon laze. With wonderful eateries close by, Downderry is great for surfing, or you could simply enjoy the many bays just waiting to be discovered.
Feather Down
Dive into autumn at Feather Down Farms – an unforgettable off-grid family escape. Spend crisp afternoons crunching through fallen leaves, meeting farm animals, and wandering golden woodlands. Evenings bring cosy cuddles by the campfire with s’mores and hot chocolates for the whole family. Discover Feather Down Farms’ October Warmer package, and book today to make memories that will warm you long after autumn fades.
Photography by Jonathan Cherry
Who's Who | Punch and Judy
In case it’s a while since you sat in front of a stripy tent and some puppets, we’ve put together a reminder of who’s who in the story of Punch and Judy. That’s the way to do it!
Mr Punch
Motivation: To shirk babysitting responsibilities and consume sausages left in his care.
Catchphrase: “That’s the way to do it!”
Fun fact: Mr Punch originates from the Italian 16th-century Commedia dell’Arte, in which he was a marionette called Pulcinella.
Mrs Punch (Judy)
Motivation: To find two minutes’ peace, while leaving her feckless husband in charge of her precious baby. As you do.
Catchphrase: “Oh Mr Punch! You are a nasty, nasty and WICKED man!”
Fun fact: Judy was originally known as ‘Joan’ in early versions of the play.
Toby the Dog
Motivation: To cause havoc and eat sausages (if the crocodile has not got there first).
Catchphrase: “Bow Wow Wow!”
Fun fact: Until animal welfare sensibly stepped in, Toby was sometimes played by a real dog in Punch and Judy shows.
The Crocodile
Character motivation: To steal the sausages from Mr Punch and devour them in one bite.
Catchphrase: SNAP SNAP!
Fun fact: No one is entirely sure why the crocodile was written in but it might be to do with the Victorians’ fascination with exotic animals.
The Policeman
Character motivation: To lay down the law wearing a very tall hat.
Catchphrase: Ello ello ello. What ‘ave we got ‘ere then?
Fun fact: Originally the police officer was a ‘beadle’, a sort of religious Community Support Officer.
The Ghost
Character motivation: To teach Punch a lesson. In most versions, there is a slapstick tussle and Mr Punch is the victor.
Catchphrase: “I hAVe CoMe tO haAAAUUUUuunnNt yOOOOoooOOU Mr pUuuunncCCHh!”
Fun fact: The ghost sometimes appears as the Devil, and ghost story writer, MR James cites the Ghost in Punch and Judy as his earliest inspiration.
Joey the Clown
Character motivation: A friend to Mr Punch, but one who likes to outwit him and make the audience laugh by doing so. Also wants his sausages looked after by him.
Catchphrase: “Has anybody seen Mr Punch and my sausages? (Cue: He’s behiiiiiiiinnd yoooooouuuu).”
Fun fact: Joey is named for the famous Victorian clown, Joseph Grimaldi.
The String of Sausages
Motivation: To be eaten by the clown, the crocodile or the dog, rather than by Mr Punch. We like to think the string of sausages has a moral motivation here.
Catchphrase: Not applicable. He’s the strong silent type.
Fun fact: The sausages usually belong to Joey the Clown, who entrusts their safety to Mr Punch, against all good sense, frankly. The sausages’ arrival in the cast of Punch and Judy is probably related to a plotline from one of clown Joseph Grimaldi’s acts.
If you’d like to find out more about Punch and Judy and how it’s growing and changing for modern audiences, don’t miss our Modern Eccentrics pages in our August issue, in which we meet some real life Punch and Judy people.
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More fun beside the seaside…
More from our August issue…
Project | Make a Belfast Sink Pond
Illustration by Cristina Carpenter
Create a bit of a kitchen sink drama for local watery wildlife.
You’ll need: an old Belfast sink (if you can’t get one, any large tub or a washing-up bowl will work);
some pond liner; large rocks; a plank of untreated wood; smaller rocks; gravel; a few pond plants
To make:
1 Locate your sink on even ground, somewhere where it’ll get some sun but not too much. Line it
with pond liner unless you’re sure that it’s watertight.
2 Create a ramp at one side using the plank (or rocks) to help smaller creatures climb in and out
easily. Add some large rocks in the sink where the plank joins it to help them get into the water.
3 Add smaller rocks around the other edges of the sink and then add gravel to cover the bottom of the pond. Fill with rainwater from a water butt.
4 Plant your pond plants in the gravel – miniature water lily and spearwort are good. Go for a mix of floating and upright plants.
5 Open your pond for business and wait for the flurry of aquatic Trip Advisor reviews to ‘flood’ in.
This back garden project is taken from our Almanac pages which has seasonal things to note and notice, plan and do every month.
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More things to make…
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Recipe | Fig & Goat's Cheese Filo Bundles
Photography by Kym Grimshaw
It’s the crunch of the filo pastry that’s worth paying attention to – and, of course, the peppery fig, cheese and walnut filling. Eat them al fresco so that any crumbs can be left for the birds.
Makes 12
You will need
12 large figs
250g soft goat’s cheese
4 tsp black peppercorns
100g walnuts, chopped
12 large filo pastry sheets
100g butter, melted
Handful chives
To make
1 Preheat your oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6 and line two baking trays with baking paper.
2 Remove the stems from the figs and score a deep cross in the top of each one, cutting about two-thirds of the way down. Gently squeeze the base of each fig to open them up slightly.
3 Remove the rind from the goat’s cheese and grind the black pepper. Mix together with the walnuts before dividing the mixture evenly between the figs. Try to get it as deeply into the fig as you can before squeezing the sides back up around it.
4 Divide each filo sheet into four and stack them up, sandwiched with a light layer of melted butter. On each stack, place a fig in the centre and then gather the pastry up around the sides of the fig, pressing to keep each one together.
5 Transfer the bundles to the baking trays and bake for 12-15 mins, or until the bundles are golden brown.
6 Allow to cool for 5 mins before scattering with the chives and serving while still warm.
While you wait…
While the filo bundles are in the oven, here’s a little mini project to keep your creative mind busy.
Fig leaves may get overshadowed by the fruit but they’re beautiful in their own right. Here, they take centre stage in a printmaking project that anyone can try. They make lovely labels for fig jam, too.
You will need:
Water-based acrylic paint
Palette or dish
Paint brushes or sponges
Fig leaves
Newspaper or scrap paper
Thick paper or card
How to make
1 Squeeze a little paint onto your palette. Using a paint brush or sponge, gently daub a fig leaf with paint until you have fully covered the stems and veins well.
2 Do a test print by placing the leaf paint-side down onto some newspaper or scrap paper. Place another piece of newspaper or scrap paper over the top side of the leaf and then press hard enough that the paint transfers from the leaf to the paper. Remove the top sheet and peel away the leaf. If the details of the leaf are lost, try using less paint or lighter pressure. If the print looks faint, increase the amount of paint or press more firmly.
3 Once you’re happy with the end result, begin printing onto your paper or card. Leave to dry thoroughly. These prints work beautifully as labels for the blackberry and fig leaf jam. Simply make a small hole in one corner, write onto the plain side, and attach to the jar with twine or string.
The recipe and project above are both taken from our August issue’s ‘Kitchen Therapy’ feature, which focuses on seasonal makes as well as making the most of simple kitchen tasks. The recipes and ideas are by Lottie Storey and the photography is by Kym Grimshaw.
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More projects for summer…
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History | Spilling the Tea
Illustration by Josefina Schargorodsky
Gossip may seem like a modern phenomenon but, and don’t tell anyone else we told you this, it’s actually a much earlier form of social bonding
You might think of celebrity magazines, scurrilous internet rumours and hastily typed texts when you think about gossip, but in fact it’s so old, experts believe it to be related to the grooming we see primates take part in. Biological anthropologist, Robin Dunbar, argues that language has evolved directly from social grooming and that gossip is an important stage of this evolution.
Before you worry too much about what chimps might be saying about you behind your back, however, here’s an interesting fact about (evolved) human gossip: the earliest recorded piece of gossip takes the form of a cuneiform tablet from 1,500 BCE Mesopotamia, which discusses a mayor who had an affair with a married woman. Some things never seem to change, gossip least of all.
And since gossip is firstly - here to stay and secondly - clearly a vital part of being human, we’d like to share with you a few ways to gossip well from our feature, ‘Have you heard…’ from our August issue:
Sharing happy news or praise helps to strengthen relationships and makes you feel good whereas repeating negative rumours can easily cause damage.
Positive gossip will serve the good of the listener or group rather than just the gossiper. Consider if it’s information that others will find helpful and not just entertaining.
Avoid workplace gossip unless you’re sharing a valid concern about someone. Office gossip has been proven to create a stressful working environment and can be detrimental to your job.
Don’t talk negatively about mutual friends unless it comes from a place of concern. Friendships involve a bond of trust and it’s in your interest to uphold that.
Before you share something about somebody (regardless of whether it’s good or bad), ask yourself if you think they would want you to be telling their story.
Seek out harmless gossip with a podcast. Try Kelsey McKinney’s Normal Gossip, Katherine Ryan: Telling Everybody Everything, or The Rest Is Entertainment.
You can read the rest of the feature by Rebecca Frank in our August issue. But keep it to yourself, ok?
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Tipple | Strawberry & Mint Lemonade Cocktail
Fruity and refreshing, just what’s needed as the sun sinks below the horizon
Serves 6
175g caster sugar
Small handful mint leaves, washed
400g strawberries, hulled and
quartered
200ml freshly squeezed lemon
juice (4-5 lemons)
Ice
Small measure of gin or vodka
per person (optional)
Strawberries, lemon slices and
mint leaves, to garnish
1 Gently bring the sugar, 1 litre of water and the mint leaves to a boil in a saucepan, stirring until the sugar has fully dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mint to infuse and the sugar syrup to cool.
2 Meanwhile, purée the strawberries in a blender and, if you’d prefern a smooth purée, strain it through a fine sieve to remove any seeds.
3 Combine the strawberry purée and sugar syrup in a large jug, add the lemon juice, and stir to combine.
4 To serve, pop a couple of ice cubes in each glass and pour the fruity cocktail over – you can also add gin or vodka for an alcoholic version. Garnish with strawberries, lemon slices and/or mint leaves.
Bartender’s note: This also works well with watermelon flesh or peaches.
This tipple is just one of the ideas from our August issue’s ‘Gathering’ feature, which this month is a picnic on the beach at sundown. The recipes are by Catherine Frawley and the photography is by Lisa James.
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