Astronomy | See this month's Eclipse

Image by Getty

Visit the greatest show on Earth this month as the sun is eclipsed by the moon

This year there will be a solar eclipse on 12 August (2026). The total eclipse will be visible over the Arctic ocean and in parts of Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain, Mallorca and northeast Portugal.

The UK will experience a deep partial eclipse obscuring up to 95% of the Sun in the early evening with exact timings and degrees of obscuration depending on location. Cornwall and the far southwest will see the highest coverage; the best spot to view it from will be the tops of hills, coastal high points or anywhere with an ‘open’ view.

Because the solar eclipse will occur near lunar perigree, when the Moon is closest to Earth in its orbit, the Moon will appear slightly larger than usual and it will be a relatively long solar eclipse, lasting over two minutes in some places.

The eclipse reaches its peak between 7 and 7.16pm. It’s worth stopping to look up as the sun goes down that day, too, as the Perseid meteor shower peaks just hours after the partial eclipse. If you can manage to spend the night in one of the UK’s dark skies reserves or anywhere away from the light pollution of towns or cities, you’ll see the meteor shower at its best.

Remember never to look at the sun directly during an eclipse and definitely don’t use binoculars or a telescope unless you’re a professional with the correct equipment. The best way to view an eclipse is by using proprietary eclipse glasses which you can purchase online. If you prefer the ‘Blue Peter’ approach, you can make a pin hole viewer to see the eclipse ‘reflected’ onto a piece of card or even use a colander* for a similar effect. You can find instructions for both these methods online.

*Unlikely as it seems, holding up a colander is a tried-and-tested way of indirectly viewing an eclipse – even NASA suggests it as a safe method. Facing away from the Sun with your colander in one hand and a piece of white card in the other (you can also lay the card on the ground), find the best angle so that sunlight shines through the holes, projecting dozens of tiny crescents as the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun.

Read more about the August eclipse in our feature The Darkening in our August issue, in shops now.

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Fun | Summer Games You're Never Too Old For

We’re firm believers that play is important no matter what your age. Here are a few games for grown-ups to play outdoors this summer. Some are more sophisticated in tone than games of your youth - others are ‘throw caution to the wind and get grass cuttings in your hair’ kind of games. From the beach to the park and woods to campsites, we’ve got you covered. Let The Games commence!

Games for the Park

Kubb

We have the rules and also instructions on how to make your very own Kubb set in our August issue. Cut and paint your own and then head out with a gang of friends to play the game known as ‘Viking Chess’!

Frisbee Golf

All you need is  frisbee. Design a ‘course’ with targets to hit such as a bench, a large tree or a sign post. Try to avoid hitting the general public. The winner is the person to complete the course, hitting the most targets.

Games for the Beach

Sand Pictionary

Just like the game Pictionary (you can take the cards or make up your own) but you draw the pictures with a stick in the sand instead of on paper - all against a time, of course. 

Driftwood Build Challenge

Split into teams, then each team has 20 minutes to build something (maybe a castle or sculpture of a specific object) using driftwood, shells and other natural materials. Add an element of excitement by building as the tide comes in so you have to finish before the waves sweep it all away. 

Games for the Woods

Capture the Flag

This is a classic woodlands game and can get very rowdy as teams compete to capture the other team’s flag and bring it to their base. Find all the rules on the Scouts’ website: https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/capture-the-flag/ 

Forest Bingo

Make everyone a Bingo card of things you might find in the forest. Hand them out and the first to fill out their card by photographing each item on their phone is the winner. Feel free to go funny with it if you like, eg ‘a face in a tree that looks like a former Prime Minister’, ‘a rampant squirrel’, ‘startled picnickers’ etc. 

Games for the Campsite

Campsite Olympics

Gather everyone together for races in camping-themed activities such as Fastest Tent Erection, Ooziest Marshmallow, Quickest Sleeping Bag Rolling and Most Efficient Fire-Lighting. Smores all round for the winners. 

Glow Stick Ring Toss

We have instructions for making your own Quoits set in our August issue. Simply replace the rope quoits with glow sticks made into circles with some gaffa tape nd you have yourself a night-time version of this classic game.

The instructions to make your own Kubb and Quoits sets are in our August issue’s Weekend Project pages, which we’ve called ‘Summer Throwdown’ and is in shops now. The ideas and photography are by Zoe Bateman. Follow Zoe on Instagram at @toocutecrafting.

More summer fun and games…

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Sponsored Post | Discover Britain's Best-Kept Secret with Island Escapes

A magical time to visit the Isle of Man, autumn and winter invite you to discover the island’s dramatic landscapes and rich Manx heritage under a copper-hued cloak. Discover its many highlights across each corner with Island Escapes - from dreamy glens, rugged hills and mountains to welcoming towns steeped in history.

Ramsey and The North

The North of the Island calls to nature lovers with its diverse landscapes that transform with the changing seasons. From rolling dunes to breathtaking moorland, it’s the perfect place to reconnect with the natural world and disconnect from the distractions of day-to-day life. Explore the Ayres Nature Reserve, where sand, wetland, and woodland create a haven for wildlife and birds migrating to warmer climates throughout autumn.
The traditional seaside town of Ramsey is filled with cosy cafés, delicious eateries, and an eclectic mix of independent shops, along with a deep-rooted connection to Manx culture. The sweeping promenade and active fishing harbour exude seaside charm, making it a true gem of the northern region.

For those seeking a tranquil escape, a stone’s throw from the north coast and the Cronk y Bing National Nature Reserve, Yn Thie Thooit is a welcoming thatched Manx cottage with a warming wood burner, perfect for cosy evenings after days of exploration.

Meanwhile, for larger groups, Thie Spooyt also awaits with a wood-burning stove, perfect for relaxed fireside moments with loved ones, and is tastefully modernised throughout. Situated near the vibrant harbour town of Ramsey, there’s plenty to see and do on the doorstep.

Laxey and The East

The East has a bounty of treasures waiting to be uncovered, from the world’s largest waterwheel to the changing colours of Axnfell Forest’s tree-lined trails. Here, you’ll also find the Isle’s tallest mountain, Snaefell, its name coming from the Old Norse meaning ‘Snow Mountain’. Standing at 620m, the peak offers sweeping views of the whole of the Isle of Man.

Built along the banks of the Laxey River, stretching out to the coast, the pretty village of Laxey provides a perfect base to enjoy the dreamy ‘ber months on The Isle of Man. Hop aboard the Manx Electric Railway to experience some of the island’s best sights, local culture, and heritage along the way, with routes from Laxey taking you to the top of Snaefell Mountain, north to Ramsey or south to Douglas.

A romantic escape, The Hideaway in Laxey is a contemporary retreat for two, with sweeping sea views and a soothing hot tub - the perfect spot for enjoying a refreshing autumn breeze. Whereas larger groups or families will love Rycroft House, sleeping up to six guests, with toasty underfloor heating providing warmth and comfort. Rycroft also welcomes dogs to join in with your adventure.

Port Erin and The South

Over the autumn and winter seasons, the south of the Isle is home to visitors and locals enjoying a slower pace. Port Erin’s sheltered bay is perfect for refreshing dips combined with the Kishtey Çheh Beach Sauna, while just around the corner, the Sound Café is a unique place to dine with panoramic views over the rugged and striking Calf of Man.

The Isle of Man Steam Train is a perfect way to capture the essence of the south, as culturally rich stops pepper your journey. Boarding in Port Erin, you can relax as the landscape rolls by, making sure to stop off in Castletown to explore its namesake Castle Rushen with sweeping views of the town’s harbour and coast.

As the train arrives back in the capital, Douglas, look forward to a plethora of cosy pubs and hearty restaurants - finding the perfect spot to relax on an autumn or winter evening after exploring the Manx Museum to uncover the island’s unique history.

Stay in the centre of Douglas at Loft 11, overlooking Castle Street. This imaginatively renovated loft embraces the architectural charm and character of Douglas, featuring exposed stonework and beams, and a considered collection of furnishings and finishing touches. Larger groups of up to 10 will love The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage; this truly unique escape combines luxury with one of the Island’s most distinctive landmarks and boasts uninterrupted views of the Irish Sea.

Peel and The West

Bathed in golden sunsets and featuring the island's longest sandy beach, the West of the Isle beckons for salt-kissed walks before sinking into cosy pubs and cafés, an ideal combo for the bracing months.

Take to the winding path that wraps around Peel Castle perched high on St Patrick’s Isle or tread softly through the magical Glen Maye to discover tumbling waterfalls cradled by towering trees.

If you’re a couple or family looking for a cosy seaside escape, Kipper Cottage, nestled within Peel’s historic winding streets, awaits with lovely interiors and a warming wood burner for hiding out in style.
Larger parties seeking a wintry stay need look no further than the spacious-yet-homely Ballarhennie House. Sleeping six and welcoming pets, this beautifully decorated home appeals to all with its strong eco credentials, sweeping sea views, and a games room for hours of entertainment.

The magic of the Isle of Man can be felt all year round, but throughout autumn and winter, as the year’s twilight approaches, a true connection can be felt to both land and sea. Discover Britain’s best-kept secret with an Island Escapes stay.

Culture | Films to Watch Outdoors

Like good food, good films feel a little different when watched outdoors. Here are our favourite films to watch en plein air

Family movie nights

There are so many great films you can watch with a gang of kids but you can’t go wrong with Jurassic Park or The Goonies for an adventure-filled feelgood film. 

Girls back garden film

Thelma and Louise is, of course, the classic female-centred flick. But if you need a film to put the world (and men) to rights, John Tucker Must Die is a great bond-over-it watch for your back garden cinema with the gals.

Films for thrill-seekers

If you want to really scare the wits out of everyone in attendance, The Blair Witch Project will do it. Especially if you have trees nearby to rustle ominously in the wind. Good for drive-thru horror fans is Stephen King’s Christine, the tale of a haunted car. 

Retro movies for outdoor screens

The Sandlot is a heartwarming baseball film that has all the summer feelgood mood you could hope for. Want to go a bit more upmarket? Try The Graduate for that classic end-of-summer coming-of-age feel - with a cracking soundtrack.

Best drive-thru screenings

To really make the most of the atmosphere, if you’re heading to a drive-thru event, you want a film with a classic drive-thru scene. We recommend Grease or One Crazy Summer.

Outdoor big screen ideas

If you’re choosing which big outdoor screening event you’re going to watch our advice is to pick a film that really goes big or goes home visually. The Greatest Showman and E.T. would both be excellent choices.

Outdoor couples film nights

Snuggling up under a blanket with a loved one and a shared bag of popcorn? Up the romance stakes with Roman Holiday Or Baz Lurman’s Romeo + Juliet. 

Movies to watch while camping

American Graffiti says ‘summer’ like almost no other film, set in one night just before a group of high-schoolers make their first moves into adulthood. If you’re arguing over the firelighters and tent pegs, The Great Outdoors will have you all chortling along at camping mishaps. 

To watch on the beach

Well, obviously it’s Jaws isn’t it? Dare you to go for a midnight wild swim after watching. For a less fishy thriller, but with lots of beautiful sea scenery, try The Beach, based on the novel by Alex Garland.

Classic back garden cinema

For hot summer nights, Rear Window with its simmering heat will have you on the edge of your deck chair. Or pick a classic crowd pleaser such as The Wizard of Oz for sing-along fun that everyone can join in with. 

Holding a back garden cinema night? You won’t want to miss our feature ‘Setting the Scene’ with photography and recipes by Catherine Frawley in our August issue. It features a menu of Greek dishes to serve along with your movie. 

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Competition | Win an Overlocker from Janome

Give your sewing a professional finish with a Janome overlooker worth £429

Professionally finish your garments and experiment with stretchy fabrics. This NEW 3/4 thread Overlocker, model ML454D from JANOME, has an improved fabric feed. An eight-piece feed dog enables fabrics to glide under the foot. Refinements like the gentle curve at the tip of the presser foot helps for a smooth start. The bi-level performance for stitching multiple layers is impressive and the presser foot also has added texture on the underside to assist in fabric feeding and fabric slippage.

An easy-threading lower looper mechanism with colour-coded threading chart is located inside the front sliding cover, which makes getting started and changing thread colours easy.

It’s fast and finishes like a dream. With easy changeover to rolled hemming, the upper knife release operation is a gentle push. Smooth sewing of thin fabrics results in less puckering to help create beautiful, consistent overlocking and fine rolled hems. Excellent needle visibility keeps overlocking on target.

What you could win

We have one Janome ML454D Overlocker to give away.

Perfect for finishing seams and curves in no time. The ML454D is a stable, smooth sailing overlocker with Hanenite vibration suppression, making it quiet and a pleasure to use with lots of useful features, such as:

·       4 Thread Overlocker for stitches using 3 or 4 threads, flatlocking, and rolled hemming

·       Colour coded thread guides and threading reference chart inside front opening cover.

·       Manual lay-in thread tension

·       Presser foot tension release

·       Sewing speed up to 1,300 S.P.M. (stitches per minute)

·       Adjustable stitch length 1mm to 4mm

·       Adjustable cutting width between 3.1mm to 7.3mm

·       Differential feed ratio 0.5mm to 2.25mm

·       Adjustable foot pressure

·       Uses Janome ballpoint HAx1SP needles

·       Quick change to rolled hem

·       Retractable upper knife with easy access release

·       Face plate thread cutter

·       Foot control

·       Moulded carry handle

·       Machine weight 6.1 Kg

How to enter

To enter, simply click on the button below and answer the following question by 10 September 2026:

Q: What is the maximum sewing speed the JANOME ML454D Overlocker can reach?

Visit your local Janome retailer to see the entire JANOME range or click here to find your nearest store. Follow Janome online at @janomeuk.

Terms and Conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 10th Sept 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. To enter this competition you must be a UK resident with a UK address. Any entrant outside of the UK can not be considered due to postage restrictions. Janome will post the prize to a UK address free of charge for the winner. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Wellbeing | Reasons to Love a Puzzle

Glance at somebody’s phone while sitting next to them on the train or standing waiting in a queue, and they’re as likely to be doing a puzzle as scrolling. While digesting world events and scrolling socials can often leave us feeling anxious or down, completing a puzzle gives a feeling of quiet satisfaction and wellbeing. Just like we enjoy a boost of adrenaline and endorphins when we do physical exercise, solving a puzzle triggers the release of dopamine, which makes us feel happy, focused and motivated.

Brain training

And it’s not just completing the puzzle that feels good. While we’re searching for words, fitting jigsaw pieces or doing calculations, our brains are being challenged. “Giving your brain a regular workout builds cognitive reserve, and the more cognitive reserve a person has, the longer it takes for diseases in their brain to cause problems with everyday tasks,” says Tim Beanland, Head of Knowledge and Learning at The Alzheimer’s Society.

In one study, people with mild cognitive impairment maintained or slightly improved cognitive function after doing a daily crossword, while those who didn’t experienced a decline. Those doing the crossword also saw an improvement in daily activities like managing finances and medication, demonstrating the practical value of keeping the brain challenged.

Whether based on words, numbers or shapes, puzzles target different areas of the brain, testing memory and knowledge as well as verbal and numerical skills and the ability to keep multiple things in your mind. You’ve probably got a favourite type of puzzle, but challenging yourself with something different or harder as well as the ones you do regularly will keep challenging the different parts of your brain, advises Tim.

Off grid

While there’s a plethora of digital games sitting on our phones, let’s not forget the value of pen and paper-based puzzles. Analogue activities help to reduce screen fatigue and there’s often a real-life social element, too, whether that’s teams crowding round a table for a pub quiz or a family completing the crossword or placing pieces of a jigsaw over a morning coffee.

Solving problems requires communication and collaboration and encourages bonding and connection, important for our mental wellbeing at any age. “There is no ‘golden’ or ‘right’ age in which to start puzzles, and you can see even young babies ‘solving problems’ as they engage with the world,” says Tim. “The more we actively engage our brains, and the sooner we do so, the better.

The blog above is by Rebecca Frank and is taken from our ‘Wisdom’ feature in our August issue, in which we meet people who create puzzles, including a crossword-setter, a treasure-hunt designer and a quiz queen! And if you’re feeling inspired to do some puzzling yourself, don’t miss our bumper summer Miscellany - with extra puzzles - in our August issue, in shops now.

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Recipe | Pea, Mint & Ricotta Crostini

A nibble before dinner never goes amiss whether you’re cooking for two or ten, and these crostini are a lovely way to start off your evening.

It’s the season for fresh peas, but if yours haven’t grown well or you can’t find any, just defrost some frozen peas instead – the sweeter petit pois are lovely.

Makes 12

120g petit pois (cooked and cooled)
1 lemon, zested; juice of half
Small handful fresh mint, finely chopped
Sourdough baguette, thinly sliced into 12
150g ricotta

1 Preheat your grill to a medium setting. Meanwhile, add your peas to a bowl along with the lemon juice, the mint, a teaspoon of olive oil and salt and pepper. Mix to combine and leave to marinate.

2 Brush both sides of each baguette slice with olive oil, then toast until golden and set aside to cool.

3 In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta, three-quarters of the lemon zest, a drizzle of olive oil and seasoning.

4 When ready to serve, add a spoon of the ricotta mix to each baguette slice, top with the minty peas, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle over the remaining lemon zest.

This recipe is taken from our new series, A Good Life, in which we follow Michelle Tansley as she grows food and flowers in her cottage garden in Derbyshire. This month’s pages also feature recipes for Raspberry & Lime Fizz, Tomato & Red Onion Salad with Mozzarella & Basil Dressing, Honey-Glazed Pork with Parmentier Potatoes & Tenderstem and Courgette, Blackberry, Thyme & Chia Loaf Cake. Follow Michelle on Instagram at: @myderbyshirelife

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Sponsored Post | Live for lebensgefühl and Visit Austria

Autumn in Austria is magical with a quieter way of life, meaning you can embrace all of the adventures on offer

Travel transforms us, but if the blistering heat and bustling crowds of high summer are not your cup of tea, then an out of season break can offer a far more magical getaway. Somewhere that offers 365 days of adventure is the Austrian Alps, famed for its breathtaking scenery and active lifestyle. During quieter months, you can fully embrace lebensgefühl – meaning ‘way of life’ – allowing you to enjoy everything at your own pace.

With the summer heat subsiding and glorious golden foliage, autumn is the ideal time to visit. If hiking is high on your agenda, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are serviced mountain huts dotted along well-trodden trails all ready to welcome you in for a well-deserved rest and delicious refreshments – plan your route well and you could be savouring more than just the views.

Austria is a food lover’s dream. In Tirol, trails such as Außermelang-Alm, Farmkehralm and Jagdhausalm offer opportunities to sample local delicacies en route, such as milk, cheese, butter
and meats. Or perhaps try surspeck, a blossom-white bacon, in Upper Austria, or the distinctive tang of pumpkin seed oil in Styria, while Carinthia is home to the Gailtaler Alpine cheese trail – tasty cheeses and a good hike afterwards to walk off any over-indulgences, win-win!

Austria’s crystal clear lakes also prove enticing destinations. Carinthia’s Lake Weissensee offers a restorative route from Techendorf to Ronacherfels where you can enjoy secluded bays with enviable views – and, up until October, there’s even a boat to take you back to your starting point if weary legs win out. Straddled across SalzburgerLand and Upper Austria, Lake Wolfgangsee has shimmering waters that alter in tone, from light to deep blues and greens. While it may be too bracing for a dip in autumn, on dry land there are plenty of activities to enjoy. The Alle Neune tracks offer nine trails around the lake with varying degrees of difficulty, conditions and panoramas. Of course, you don’t need to do them in one trip – pick one and save the rest for future holidays.

Austria’s Alpine lakes are also the ideal spot from which to enjoy other popular activities such as boating, kayaking and paddle boarding – or you could simply find a peaceful patch to sit back, relax,
and enjoy your holiday, planting the seed for your next big Austrian adventure.

For more information, visit austria.info

Style | 10 Iconic Band T-shirts

T-shirt from Hollister

More than just a T-shirt, Band tees are a way to signal your undying fandom as well as a
being a piece of artwork in themselves.

Rolling Stones, Tongue and Lips tee

Designed by John Pasche, the lips logo is from the album Sticky Fingers. It’s since been voted the best band logo of all time and became a T-shirt classic.

Wham! Choose Life tee

Made famous when Wham! wore them in the Wake Me Up Before You Go Go video, this tee was designed by Katharine Hamnet to raise awareness for the large number of deaths from drugs and suicide at the time. 

Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Frankie Say Relax tee

An homage (or rip-off) of Katharine Hamnett’s creation above, using a very similar font and identical colours, the Frankie Say Relax tee is arguably more widely recognised than its inspiration. It was designed by journalist Paul Morley who also co-founded Frankie’s record label, ZZT. 

ACDC, Lightning Bolt tee

The first use of the famous lightning bolt logo was by AC/DC, who swapped the ‘forward slash’ in their band name for a lightning bolt, making them the first band to make money from merch. 

Nirvana, Yellow Smiley Face tee

When Nirvana launched Nevermind in 1991, the goofy yellow face with crosses for eyes appeared on the posters and flyers advertising the event. It’s appeared on countless button badges, stickers and T-shirts since and has been the subject of much controversy over who designed it. The band maintains it was the work of Kurt Cobain himself. 

The Smiths, The Queen is Dead tee

The iconic image of Alain Delon from the film L’Insoumis featured on the cover of the album The Queen is Dead and migrated to the T-shirt. The image was created by Morrissey. 

Oasis, ‘Oasis’ tee

From the band’s ‘Definitely Maybe’ period, this plain tee featuring the band’s logo by Brian Cannon in black-and-white on a blue background is a 90s classic. 

Pink Floyd, Dark Side of the Moon tee

The famous ‘prism’ illustration is still a best-seller and these days is more recognisable as a T-shirt than it is as an album cover. 

The Ramones, Presidential Seal tee

Designed by Arturo Vega, charged with creating a logo to establish the band as THE all-American rock band, the logo is inspired by the Seal of the President of The United States. 

Joy Division, Unknown Pleasures tee

Another iconic record cover that become an iconic T-shirt. Unknown Pleasures’ depicts the radio emissions from the rotating neutron star Pulsar CP 1919. The star turns, giving out electromagnetic radiation in a beam that can be picked up by radio telescopes. Each line represents an individual pulse. 

The image above is of a Hollister ‘Fleetwood Mac’ T-shirt. The image was inspired by the lyric about a white winged dove in Stevie Nicks’ song, Edge of Seventeen. Read more about inspiring T-shirts in our July issue’s ‘Wearing Well’ page.

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Sponsored Post | Built to Last with Rhino

Rhino greenhouses are built to last, giving you a space to sow, grow, tend and enjoy your
garden for years to come

August is truly one of the sweet spots in the gardening calendar, when all the sowing, tending and love that you’ve put in over the year comes to fruition and you can finally sit back and enjoy the magical fruits of your labour. The garden is full, the evenings are long, and there’s nowhere better to be than outside. For Rhino customers, summer also means a greenhouse working at its very best – tomatoes ripening on the vine, cucumbers climbing, and a whole array of herbs ready to pick whenever you need them. After many long months of care, you can finally reap the rewards.

Designed and manufactured in Norfolk, Rhino greenhouses are made to be part of your garden for life. Built to last with a 25-year warranty, they’re a thing of beauty with solid aluminium frames and precision-engineering.

If you’re now hankering after a Rhino of your own, now is a great time to turn your dreams into reality. Whether you’re after something compact for a smaller plot or a serious growing space that you can really stretch out in, there’s an option to suit every garden size and growing ambition. Rhino greenhouses, designed and made by gardeners, for gardeners.

For further information, visit rhinogreenhouses.co.uk, call 0800 6941929 or give Rhino a follow on Instagram at: @rhinogreenhouses

Nature | Summer Garden Bird Care

Photograph by Alamy

We’re reminded so often to look after birdlife during spells of cold weather but there are lots of ways we can help out our feathery colleagues in summer too, and it’s just as important. Here are eight ways to make your summer garden a bit more feathered-friend-friendly in the heat.

1. Provide shade. Dense hedging provides a cool place for birds to rest, particularly younger birds. 

2. Offer shelter from predators, too. Thick shrubs and hedges, especially with plenty of thorns, will prevent predators such as cats attacking, but allow just enough room for garden birds to sneak in. 

3. Delay cutting hedges until late August. Putting it off ensures nests are all empty. 

4. Use rainwater for watering. Even if you’re fortunate enough not to have a hosepipe ban, using mains water can affect wetland habitats and cause problems for the birds that live in them.

5. Provide both drinking and bathing water. And change it regularly. Water is essential for keeping garden birds hydrated and cool, but bird baths can be a breeding ground for diseases so refill them daily and clean them thoroughly once a week. 

6. Don’t tidy up too much. Piles of leaves and unmown corners of grass encourage the insects that birds feed on. 

7. Plant shrubs that produce berries to tempt garden birds: ivy, holly, crab apples and blackberries are all popular menu items. 

8. Place window decals on any windows that are highly reflective in order to prevent birds flying into them. Go outside and have a look to see if any of your windows are particularly difficult for birds to spot at certain times of day.

You can find more ideas for providing for garden birds in summer in our feature ‘Feed The Birds’ in our July issue.

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Playlist | Magical summer

DJ: Karen Dunn

We publish a playlist for each issue of The Simple Things. To mark our MAGICAL new August issue, we’re having a magical summer. Take a listen here

Have a browse of all our playlists here, and you can order a copy of the August issue through our shop, Pics and Ink.

Competition | Win a Farm Stay worth £850

We have a weekend break at Devon’s Collacott Farm to be won, where you can spend time with horses to deepen your connection to loved ones

Sometimes, when you slow life down, the memories ramp up. Whether it’s a long woodland walk with the dog, a spot of family den building, or simply taking a seat and absorbing the nature around you, some of the best moments happen when life eases.

Tucked away in the north Devon countryside, Collacott Farm offers friends and families the opportunity to press pause to create memories that they’ll cherish for a lifetime. With six beautifully restored stone cottages all set within woodland and farmland, Collacott Farm strives to strengthen the connection between people and nature. In order to do this, it hosts Guided Horse Connection ™ sessions, a unique experience where guests can connect with horses in a relaxed environment and learn from the way that these gentle animals respond to the people around them.

If this sounds like pure heaven, then you’ll want to enter our competition. The Simple Things has teamed up with Collacott Farm to offer one lucky reader and up to five guests and two dogs the chance to win a two-night self-catering stay, worth £850. A Guided Horse Connection™ session is included in the prize, giving guests the chance to discover new things about each other, bringing them closer together – no riding required.

So take a moment, enter our competition, and you could soon be enjoying the benefits that being closer to nature, and in particular horses, can provide in strengthening connection.

For more information and to book, visit: collacott.uk or follow on Instagram at: @collacottfarm

How to enter

For your chance to win a stay at Collacott Farm, worth £850, enter our competition by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 9 September 2026. 

Q: Which English county is Collacott Farm in?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 9 September 2026. One winner will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The prize is a two-night stay at Collacott Farm in north Devon for up to six people and two dogs with a Guided Horse Connection ™ session included. The prize must be taken on a weekend (Fri-Sun) between 01.04.27 and 30.09.27, excluding UK school holidays. Booking must be made directly with Collacott Farm within 28 days of being notified. If the winner cannot be contacted or does not respond with 14 days, a new winner will be selected. Transport to and from the venue is the winner’s responsibility. The winner cannot transfer the prize or swap it for cash. Collacott Farm reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of equal or greater value if deemed necessary. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 of the magazine and online at icebergpress.co.uk/comprules. 

Competition | Win a Bag for Life from Wildish

Created to add a touch of adventure to your everyday, Wildish bags are built to last and gather a lifetime of stories

When Oscar and Nell started making Wildish bags seven years ago, it wasn’t really because they wanted to make bags. It was because they wanted to spend more time outside, with other people – the bags were almost an accident. They wanted something that could be thrown in the back of the car, taken swimming, stuffed with sandwiches and could make an ordinary Tuesday feel like a bit more of an adventure.

They couldn’t find what they wanted, so they made it. To their surprise, people started buying them. Every bag is made here in Britain in small batches from organic dry-waxed cotton canvas. They’re designed to last for years, and if something goes wrong, Wildish would rather repair them than encourage you to buy another one. Because the best bags aren’t the pristine ones, they’re the faded ones – the ones that have become part of the family. The ones that make you think, ‘Oh, that’s the bag I took to Skye’ or ‘That’s still got sand in it from Cornwall’ – even if, these days, it mostly just carries your laptop to work.

Over the years, that same thinking has shaped everything else the pair has done. Wildish Club – the community-building non-profit funded by the bag sales – their coffee, clothing, enamelware and Snail
Mail Club all exist for much the same reason, to help people spend a bit more time outside and a bit more time together.

If you’d like to bag a bit of the Wildish spirit then we have a Gouthwaite backpack (above), worth £215, to be won, while two lucky runners up will each receive a Ramsgill crossbody bag (below), worth £75 each. So enter today and you could soon be setting off on your own Wildish adventure. They make the bags. The stories are up to you.

How to enter 

For a chance to win a Wildish bag, enter by clicking the button below and answering the following question by the closing date of 9 September 2026.

Q: What is the name of the bag Wildish are offering as the main prize in this competition?

For more info, visit wildishstore.com or follow on Instagram at: @wildish.uk

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 9 September 2026. One winner and two runners-up 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 for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 of the magazine and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules. 

Project | Make a Map Table

Illustration by Christina Carpenter

Upcycle a coffee or side table into a place to dream of new adventures.

You will need

An old table; a paper OS map larger than your table; sandpaper; wallpaper paste and brush, clear varnish or Modge Podge

To make

1 Lightly sand the top of your table, wipe clean and leave to dry. If you want to paint the rest of the table and legs, now’s the time to do that, too.

2 Once dry, cut your map to the exact size of your tabletop. Any map with lots of features will look great but it’s lovely to use one that’s special to you. Spread wallpaper paste over the surface and carefully stick the map to it, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles with a ruler.

3 Once the paste has dried, apply varnish or Modge Podge over the top of the map to harden the surface. You may need to do two or three coats.

4 Add coasters, drinks and travel guides and use the table to plan your next adventure.

Find more seasonal ideas to note and notice, plan and do on our Almanac pages each month.

More fun with maps…

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Science | Why Food Tastes Better Outside

It’s not just you, everyone agrees that food tastes better outside… Yes even if it’s under an umbrella standing over the barbecue. But what makes an outdoor meal so much tastier? 

Is it psychology, our imaginations or something a bit more scientific? Maybe it’s a bit of all three. One thing’s for sure: whether you’re lingering over a five-course picnic or simply enjoying a cold beer and a packet of crisps in the garden, everything tastes better when eaten outdoors. Here are a few reasons why.

1. It’s not that it tastes better, it’s that you smell it more. Up to 80% of what we think is taste is actually smell, and fresh air improves our sense of smell. So it stands to reason that food consumed in the fresh air will seem to have more flavour. 

2. Just being in nature improves our wellbeing and that improves everything. Studies show that spending time in nature can reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety (apart from during a wasp attack on the strawberries, we suppose). When your body is calm, heart rate slows, muscles relax and the body is better able to get on with background tasks such as digestion. And we all know that food is more enjoyable when it’s not giving you a tummy ache.

3. It’s partly about atmosphere. Psychologists note that when we eat outdoors it’s often part of a celebration, or is shared with friends, perhaps a barbecue or a picnic. Being among friends or loved ones, and in celebratory mood, puts us in a positive frame of mind, more likely to enjoy the flavours of the food we eat, too.

4. And partly about association. Do fish and chips taste better on the beach because the saltwater smell enhances them? Does the smell of a barbecue bring out the flavour of your smoky sausage? Smells you associate with the food heighten your experience of them. But there’s also an association with times gone by, a sort of nostalgia. Perhaps you’re transported back to a childhood seaside holiday when at the coast with your chips, or the smell of freshly cut grass as you eat your ice cream in the park takes you back to a happy summer day with friends when you were younger. It all adds to your experience, making everything feel a bit more pleasurable.

5. You feel you’ve earned it. Whether you’ve built a fire on which to flip your homemade burgers, or just spent a short while packing up a picnic or a garden lunch, when you sit down to eat outside, it feels a bit more like you’ve ‘earned it’. The sense of achievement sends positive messages to your brain, letting it know you’ve done a good thing and deserve to enjoy it. 

If you’re feeling inspired to do a bit more cooking and eating outdoors now, turn to our My Place feature in our June issue, in which we admire some beautiful outdoor kitchens, like the one above belonging to Cara Mills.

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More ideas for outdoor eating…

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Competition | Win a Set of National Trust Books

Make more time for the things you love – whether that’s exploring the UK, bringing delicious food to your table, or discovering nature’s wonders – with your very own collection of National Trust books.

This summer we’re giving three lucky winners a bundle of National Trust books worth more than £100 each!

For the food lovers, make salads the main event at your next summer BBQ with Irresistible Salads. With over 80 flavour-packed recipes from around the world, this wonderfully varied recipe book proves that salads can be bold, satisfying and utterly delicious – not just a side dish.

If you prefer something sweet, The National Trust Book of Biscuits is full of classic and modern biscuit recipes for teatime, picnics, and everything in between.

Want to spend more time outside? Learn how to create a space you’ll cherish all year round, no matter its size, shape or location with How to Create Beautiful Flowerbeds and Borders.

Discover the bees that live all around us with bestselling author Dave Goulson’s The Bee Spotter’s Guide – perfect to pop in your bag for a day out. For fungi fans, you’ll also have the chance to win an early copy of The Fungi Spotter’s Guide!

Get ready for your next adventure in the UK with inspiring routes, scenic walks and gorgeous camping guides to help plan your trip – you’ll find the perfect antidote to fast-paced living inside Great British Journeys, 100 Classic Country Walks and Under the Stars.

There’s something for every reader in this amazing collection, so enter now for the chance to win!

The Prize

We have three sets to give away, which each include The National Trust Book of Biscuits, The Bee Spotter’s Guide, The Fungi Spotter’s Guide, How to Create Beautiful Flowerbeds and Borders, Great British Journeys, Irresistible Salads, Under the Stars and 100 Classic Country Walks. Each set is worth £110.92.

To enter

To enter the competition, click the button below and answer the following question:

Q: The Irresistible Salads book contains how many flavoured packed recipes?

Terms and conditions

The competition closes at 11.59pm on 28th August 2026. A book bundle includes 1 x The National Trust Book of Biscuits, 1 x National Trust The Bee Spotter’s Guide, 1 x National Trust The Fungi Spotter’s Guide, 1 x National Trust How to Create Beautiful Flowerbeds and Borders, 1 x National Trust Great British Journeys, 1 x National Trust 100 Classic Country Walks, 1 x National Trust Under the Stars, 1 x National Trust Irresistible Salads. 3 winners will be selected at random from all correct entries received and notified soon after. Subject to availability. The winner cannot transfer their prizes or swap them for cash. Details of our full terms and conditions are on p125 and online at: icebergpress.co.uk/comprules.

Recipe | Mixed Beans, Goat's Cheese & Tomatoes

Lovely for a late summer’s day. Adding rehydrated dried beans gives you the chance to use more interesting varieties.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

250g dried beans

Few sprigs thyme

2 bay leaves

500g mixed green beans, trimmed

2-3 spring onions, sliced

250g cherry tomatoes, halved

Small bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped

100g goat’s cheese

For the dressing:

2 tsp wholegrain mustard

Juice of half a lemon

4 tbsp olive oil

1 garlic clove, crushed

To make

1 Soak the dried beans in plenty of water for at least 12 hours.

2 When ready, drain and rinse the beans, then add the thyme and bay leaves and simmer in unsalted water for 40-60 mins, or until cooked to your preferred bite. Drain and discard the thyme and bay leaves.

3 Cut the green beans into smaller pieces if you like, then rinse and cook for 5-7 mins, or until just tender. Set aside a small amount of parsley, then mix all the veg, including the remaining parsley, in a large bowl.

4 Whisk the dressing ingredients together and toss with the veg. Crumble the goat’s cheese over the top, sprinkle with the reserved parsley, and drizzle with a little more olive oil and a good grind of black pepper.

Cook’s note: For a quicker version, tinned beans, such as kidney, borlotti or white beans, work just as well.

This recipe was taken from our July issue feature, ‘Summer Means Beans’, a collection of recipes for dealing with a glut of beans or courgettes. Find ideas there for Courgette, Ricotta, Lemon & Basil Tart, Green Beans, Grilled Peaches & Burrata, Courgette Parmigiana, Green Bean, New Potato & Chicken Curry and Quick Courgettes with Mint, Lemon & Chilli.

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More tomato recipes for summer…

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How to | Write a Postcard Like a Pro

Photography by Getty

Wish they were here? Let them know with a postcard home. Try not to show off too much…

1 Keep your writing small (but not microscopic) to fit more in.

2 Use a ballpoint pen to prevent smudging during wet transit.

3 Describe an anecdotal episode; these are more memorable than generalities.

4 Refer to the cover, why did you choose this card in particular for the recipient?

5 Mention the weather. For Brits, this is near-mandatory.

Read more about the history of the postcard in our July issue, in shops now.

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More correspondence to cheer…

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Wellbeing | How to Stay Calm in Uncertainty

Image by iStock

When the news, and the world, seem to be full of big problems you can do nothing about, it can feel overwhelming. Here are a few ways you can help yourself remain calm

l Channel your concern constructively Sign up to a cause, volunteer, spread awareness or fundraise.

2 Lean into your wellbeing habits Seek out joy, give yourself permission for escapism, perhaps through a novel, a film or time in nature.

3 Restrict your news sources Limit checking in to certain times in the day (avoid bedtime and when you first wake up).

4 Focus on the aspects of your life that are within your control Take on a new project, make a change at work.

5 Seek support Talk about your concerns with loved-ones and take GP advice if your thoughts and emotions feel unmanageable.

The above advice is taken from our feature What To Do When You Can’t Do Anything, in our July issue. You can read the rest of the article from page 58.

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More ways to find calm…

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