Make Christmas extra special by encouraging children to create thoughtful gifts from recycled, reusable and natural materials, proving that the best presents needn’t cost the Earth... Christmas is a wonderful time for giving, but it can also be a time when we buy far more than we need. From plastic toys to mountains of wrapping paper, the festive season can create a surprising amount of waste. This year, why not encourage your children to make some of their own Christmas pres

The medieval tower of St Catherine’s Oratory is one of the Island’s most recognisable landmarks. Hanna Prince discovers it’s also the subject of a local legend – but how much truth underlies the famous myth? The southwestern corner of the Island is a place of big views and bleak beauty: a mix of windswept chalk downland, wooded valley and treacherous, rocky coast. Overlooking all this scenic majesty is the solitary medieval tower of St. Catherine’s Oratory, its winged and poi

Autumn sunlight on spindle leaves is a sight that’s impossible to forget, says Flo Whitaker – who also reckons it’s impossible to find a more characterful, easy-going tree... ‘Spindles’, (Euonymus europaeus) are deciduous, hardy and long-lived small trees. They are native to the British Isles and are usually found in hedgerows and at woodland edges, where they hide in plain sight for most of the year. Come autumn, their leaves erupt into glorious hues that can, literally, sto

This month Lisa de Silva explores what to consider when planning a skiing holiday, along with non-skiing activities to suit all ages and interests... Blending adventure and relaxation amid stunning mountain scenery, a skiing holiday offers so much more than winter sport. While many are motivated by the exhilaration of gliding through the powder, there are plenty of other wonderful winter activities to enjoy for non-skiers. In fact, just soaking up the scenery of majestic snow

Now is the perfect time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Discover heating options, fireplace inspiration, energy-saving advice and environmentally friendly ways to stay warm as autumn approaches... As summer slowly gives way to autumn, there’s a subtle shift in the air. Mornings become crisper, evenings draw in earlier and thoughts naturally turn towards making our homes feel warm, welcoming and comfortable once again. September is the ideal time to prepare y

Soft furnishings are an essential to any successful interior design scheme, providing warmth, cosiness and relaxation. So, what's your style? When the clocks go back and the nights draw in, it’s time to cosy up our homes. To make it comfortably snug doesn’t necessarily mean a huge decoration overhaul, it can be a few updated soft furnishings that make all the difference. The term ‘soft furnishings’ include carpets, curtains, cushions and upholstery fabrics which can totally t

From sumptuous timber and natural stone to tactile carpets and statement patterns, discover how the right flooring can transform a room and is the foundation of luxury... When we think about luxurious interiors, our attention naturally turns to beautiful kitchens, statement lighting, bespoke furniture and carefully chosen accessories. Yet one of the most influential design decisions is quite literally beneath our feet. Flooring provides the foundation for every room, influenc

As the autumn nights draw in, it's the perfect time to cosy up with a new book. Here are some new releases to look out for in October... Drive: A Memoir by Christian Horner For over 20 years Christian Horner built and ran Red Bull Racing, transforming a rookie team acquired for just £1 into one of the leading forces in Formula 1. Inspired by the company’s unofficial motto, ‘No Risk, No Fun’, Horner’s Red Bull rewrote the rulebook, broke longstanding records, won 14 World Cham