Isobel Pankhurst

Rats become more active and breed extensively in the UK between March and October. The article recommends using inexpensive cayenne pepper, chilli flakes or chilli oil to deter rodents because strong chilli scents may irritate their sensitive noses. It provides instructions for making a spray with cayenne pepper or chilli flakes, water and a small amount of washing-up liquid, and advises applying it near likely entry points and reapplying after rain. Caution is urged because chilli can irritate children and pets.

ASR Solutions Ltd is recalling Lay's Sour Cream & Dill Crisps sold at Home Bargains because they contain undeclared milk and wheat, posing a risk to people with relevant allergies, intolerances or coeliac disease. The affected 125g packs have best-before dates up to and including October 31, 2026. Consumers are advised not to eat the product and to return it for a full refund.

Monty Don advises pruning lavender annually as soon as the flowers begin to fade, typically from mid-summer through the end of September, rather than waiting for seed heads or brown flowers to form. Gardeners should cut back boldly while leaving fresh shoots on each stem, since lavender will not regenerate from bare wood. If the pruning window is missed, especially for less hardy French, Spanish, and Italian varieties, pruning should wait until spring. The advice also covers summer pruning of apples, pears, rambling roses, and currants.

Experts clarify that the five-a-day guideline refers to five combined portions of fruit and vegetables, not five portions of each, amounting to roughly 400 grams daily. Eating seven to ten portions may provide additional health benefits, while variety across different colors is encouraged to broaden nutrient and phytonutrient intake. A typical portion is about 80 grams, and herbs and spices can also contribute beneficial compounds.

A simple mini bread loaf can be made with only self-raising flour and yoghurt, without kneading or proving. The dough can be cooked in an air fryer at 200°C for about five minutes or baked in an oven for 12–15 minutes. The recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and xanthan gum, with additional cooking time if the loaf remains doughy.

Food experts advise UK households to refrigerate eggs during hot summer weather, ideally below 20°C on a middle or lower fridge shelf rather than in the door. Stable refrigeration can slow ageing and preserve quality, while temperatures above 20°C may cause condensation and increase the risk of bacterial contamination, including Salmonella. Eggs should also be kept away from strong-smelling foods because their porous shells can absorb odours.

Corfe Castle in Dorset is presented as a picturesque historic village that evokes a fairytale and feels like stepping back in time. Its history stretches from prehistoric burial mounds through the Anglo-Saxon murder of King Edward the Martyr to the construction of a Norman fortress, which later became a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War before falling into ruin. Visitors praise the village’s winding streets, pubs, tea rooms, castle views, family activities and scenic countryside.

Travel experts recommend seven free attractions across the UK for affordable summer days out, including the British Museum and Natural History Museum in London, St Fagans National Museum of History near Cardiff, St Abbs Head in the Scottish Borders, Folkestone Harbour Arm, Bournemouth Pier, Burnley’s Singing Ringing Tree and the Pineapple near Airth. The attractions offer museums, historic sites, wildlife, coastal scenery, outdoor entertainment and unusual architecture, although some incidental costs apply, such as parking at St Fagans.

Mary Berry's sausage-roll recipe combines pork sausages with garlic, sun-dried tomato paste, mild peppadew peppers and parsley, wrapped in ready-rolled puff pastry. The rolls are divided into six portions and baked at 220°C for 25 minutes, making them suitable for picnics or casual entertaining and ready in under 30 minutes.

A study by Lapland Famille ranked the UK's top ten beaches for 2026 using Google Maps ratings, review volumes and official bathing-water classifications. Welsh beaches dominated the top positions, with Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire first and Traeth Mwnt in Ceredigion second; Woolacombe Beach in Devon placed third. The list also included beaches in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Study director Alex Dyer advised visitors to check live regulator updates, tides, weather and on-site flags because annual bathing-water classifications do not guarantee same-day safety.

Nigella Lawson’s Greek salad recipe replaces cucumber with fennel, which she believes provides a better crisp, lightly aniseed flavor than the often watery cucumbers available in the UK. The recipe also involves steeping red onion in vinegar and oregano for at least two hours to reduce its sharpness, while the remaining ingredients should be prepared shortly before serving. The salad combines tomatoes, cos lettuce, fennel, black olives, feta, lemon juice and the marinated onion.

Courgette and zucchini are the same green squash, but the terms differ by region: the UK and New Zealand generally use “courgette,” while the United States and Australia use “zucchini.” Courgette comes from French, while zucchini comes from Italian, and both words mean “small squash.” The article traces the vegetable’s naming to French and Italian words for squash, with the UK likely adopting “courgette” through historical trade with France.

A personal review recommends upgrading a standard cheese toastie with chopped green olives and za'atar. The writer adapts Courtney Gordon's recipe by using Halkidiki olives, Schwartz za'atar and fresh mozzarella, finding the result delicious, easy to prepare and sufficiently different from a typical toastie to make again. The recipe uses buttered sourdough, mozzarella, olives and za'atar, toasted in a pan until golden and melted.

Nigella Lawson says Poppy O'Toole's The Actually Delicious Air Fryer Cookbook changed her previously sceptical view of air fryers. The first recipe to win her over was a Scotch egg, made by soft-boiling eggs in the appliance, wrapping them in seasoned sausage meat, flour, beaten egg and panko breadcrumbs, and air-frying them until golden and cooked.

Explains how raisins, sultanas and currants differ in grape variety, drying methods, colour, texture and flavour. Raisins are dark, chewy and caramel-like; sultanas come from green seedless grapes, are lighter, sweeter and treated to dry faster; currants are smaller Black Corinth grapes with a sharper flavour suited to rich baked goods.

Major UK retailers and charities are planning significant store closures as financial pressures continue to impact the high street. H&M will cut 170 global locations while opening around 90 new stores, resulting in a net reduction of 80 sites. The British Heart Foundation will close 150 branches by 2028 due to challenging trading conditions, with 90 shutting by next March. Magnet Kitchens intends to close 15 showrooms to reduce unsustainable property costs, pending creditor approval. Turtle Bay has closed four restaurants and cut 76 jobs in response to economic headwinds after securing approval for restructuring proposals.

A simple two‑ingredient bread recipe from Laura Nightingale shows how to make a small loaf quickly using self‑raising flour and yoghurt, with the option to bake in an air fryer in about five minutes or in an oven for up to fifteen. The method requires no kneading or proving, can be adapted for gluten‑free diets, and is intended as an easy option for beginners.

Jeremy Vine describes his long-standing affection for the Devon seaside town of Sidmouth, which he has visited for more than two decades and featured in his mystery novels. He recounts first visiting while meeting his future in-laws and later returning annually with his wife and children. He praises the town’s authentic character, coastal scenery and excellent water quality, noting its pebble beach and dramatic weather. The piece highlights Sidmouth as a meaningful and enduring family destination.

Travellers are urged to avoid placing prescription medication, electronics, valuables, plug adaptors and high-quality suncream in checked luggage due to risks of loss, theft and limited availability in remote destinations. The advice, shared by TikTok travel creators, also stresses keeping daily necessities in carry-on bags and offers packing techniques to maximise hand-luggage capacity.

Dungeness in Kent is highlighted as the UK's only desert, featuring a stark landscape of abandoned huts, fishing boats, gravel pits and a disused power station. Despite its post‑apocalyptic appearance, it is a protected nature reserve supporting hundreds of plant species, rare insects and migratory birds. Historical remnants including military installations and research structures contribute to its appeal. Key attractions include the historic Dungeness Lighthouse and the decommissioned Dungeness A and B nuclear power stations.

David Attenborough is highlighted for his long career in natural history broadcasting and his deep attachment to his Richmond home, which he has described as his favourite place. The article outlines the appeal and high property values of the Richmond area, noting its proximity to the Thames, Kew Gardens and Richmond Park. It reflects on Attenborough’s personal life, including the loss of his wife and his continued residence in their family home, and acknowledges his ongoing influence in raising awareness of environmental challenges.

A chef recommends enhancing cheese toasties with a blend of mozzarella, taleggio and red cheddar, paired with shokupan bread and clarified butter. Adding crispy chilli oil can further elevate the flavour, while some experts suggest using mayonnaise instead of butter for a better crust.

Major UK retailers including Marks and Spencer and Morrisons are closing numerous stores as part of restructuring and financial adjustments, with M&S shutting 14 in‑store cafés and Morrisons preparing to close around 100 convenience outlets. The British Heart Foundation plans to close 150 shops due to challenging trading conditions, while Coughlans Bakery has gone into liquidation, immediately ceasing operations across multiple locations. Additional closures include GO Outdoors’ Colchester branch and the only post office in Hellifield, reflecting a broader trend of high street contraction.

A 1975 Mary Berry recipe for a no-cook tomato soup made with tomato juice and yogurt has resurfaced, noted for its unusual lack of actual tomatoes. The vintage dish includes lemon, cucumber, seasoning, and Worcester sauce, served chilled and prepared up to a day in advance. The cookbook it originally appeared in is now out of print.

A woman found that soda crystals cleaned heavily stained oven glass far more effectively than commonly recommended mixtures of baking soda and vinegar. Experts from Dri‑Pak supported her findings, explaining that vinegar neutralises baking soda and reduces its cleaning power. Soda crystals are recommended for dissolving grease and tackling burnt-on residue, and can be applied in concentrated form or as a spray. Lemons are also suggested as another natural cleaning option.

Birnbeck Pier in Weston-super-Mare, closed since 1994 due to safety concerns, is undergoing multi‑million‑pound restoration funded by the National Lottery and the UK government’s Heritage at Risk Capital Fund. Now owned by North Somerset Council, the project includes restoring entrance gates, turnstiles and architectural elements based on Eugenius Birch’s original design, with completion aimed for next summer.

A heart surgeon explains a simple at-home waist-to-height ratio test that can help identify elevated heart disease risk by assessing visceral fat levels. He recommends consulting a doctor if the ratio exceeds 0.5. Additional preventive measures include consuming fruits such as apples, avocados, blueberries and oranges, maintaining a healthy diet low in saturated fats, exercising regularly, controlling weight, avoiding smoking, moderating alcohol intake, and managing blood pressure and diabetes.