Phoebe Jobling

The Crooked House, also known as Sir John Boys House, a distinctive Grade II-listed 17th-century half-timbered building in Canterbury, has been listed for sale at £650,000. Its unusual slanted appearance is attributed to a shifting internal chimney, and the three-storey commercial property has previously housed a gallery, school uniform retailer, instrument shop and a Catching Lives second-hand bookshop. Christopher Hodgson is marketing the vacant freehold premises, which covers approximately 3,134 square feet.

A £500,000 semi-detached character cottage called Gorsey Bank Farm is for sale in Top Mossley, Tameside. The 18th-century property has more than 1,300 square feet of accommodation, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, multiple reception spaces, countryside views, outdoor terraces, parking for two vehicles and a 7kW electric-car charger. Its location offers access to Mossley Station, local amenities and the Saddleworth villages, while Mossley was named one of the UK’s best places to live by The Sunday Times in 2025.

Parents are being urged to check whether their children have forgotten Child Trust Funds before opening Junior ISAs, because HMRC rules do not allow both accounts for the same child. Around 1.7 million CTFs were opened automatically, meaning families may be unaware that one exists. An affected father with about £55,000 in a Junior ISA discovered a £130 CTF and now faces closing the ISA or moving the investments into a Bare Trust, potentially losing tax advantages. HMRC says tax, including Capital Gains Tax, may be due in some cases but expects this to be uncommon. Parents who find a CTF can generally transfer its balance into a Junior ISA through the provider’s official transfer process.

A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has come into force across England, Scotland and Wales amid exceptionally high wildfire risks linked to extreme heat and drought. Andy Burnham warned that Britain is a “tinderbox,” urged smokers to dispose of cigarettes carefully and called on the public to avoid open fires. The Government said disposable barbecues must not be sold in stores or online until further notice, while retailers, the British Retail Consortium and fire authorities have supported the measure. Labour MP Jon Pearce welcomed the decision and called for continued action to reduce wildfire risks, particularly in the Peak District.

A Southern Railway train travelling from London Victoria to Eastbourne derailed near Lewes in East Sussex with about 150 passengers aboard, causing three carriages to overturn and temporarily trapping some passengers. All passengers were evacuated, while 20 people went to hospital, including two with severe injuries. Emergency services declared a major incident, treated casualties and moved unaffected passengers to a local community centre. Rail services through Lewes were suspended, with major disruption expected to continue, and Network Rail said no reopening timetable could yet be given. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch began examining the cause.

Homeowners should check property boundaries, deeds, restrictive covenants and planning restrictions before building a pergola. Structures within two metres of a boundary are generally limited to 2.5 metres in height, while those farther away can usually reach three metres, and garden structures should not occupy more than half of the land around the original house or sit in front of the street-facing side. Listed buildings, conservation areas, rented properties and structures facing public roads may require additional consent. Although neighbours do not have to be notified, discussing privacy, sunlight and appearance can help prevent disputes, with mediation available if disagreements arise. Homeowners should also check their insurance, particularly for substantial, permanently fixed or later-enclosed structures and damage caused by DIY work.

The UK will experience a partial solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, with more than 90% of the Sun obscured between 6:17pm and 8:06pm and peak coverage at about 7:13pm. Experts warn that ordinary sunglasses are unsafe and recommend certified solar eclipse glasses, a solar telescope, or projecting the eclipse through a colander with the viewer’s back to the Sun. The best views are expected from locations with an unobstructed western horizon, while cloud and haze may affect Northern Ireland, western Scotland and parts of northern England. The next similarly extensive UK eclipse is not expected until 2081.

A sleep scientist advises people to avoid large, complex meals before bed during a heatwave because digestion raises core body temperature when it needs to fall for sleep. Additional recommendations include exercising earlier, using a lighter duvet and cooling pillows, choosing loose-fitting breathable sleepwear and lower-thread-count sheets, and circulating air with fans or cooling cloths. The advice comes as the UK faces an amber extreme heat warning, with temperatures forecast to reach 38°C.

Jennifer Crompton moved from Manhattan to Manchester in 2017 after meeting Ian, eventually buying a three-bedroom 1930s semi-detached house in Wythenshawe in 2019. Although she initially had reservations about the area, the property's space, character and location won the couple over. During the COVID-19 lockdown, they undertook much of the renovation themselves, developing a moody, colourful interior style they call “Dark Deco,” including a New York subway-inspired kitchen. Rising inflation and a doubling mortgage payment led them to consider selling, but they decided to stay after finding that other properties lacked the same sense of home.

During a £3.4 million renovation of the Liversage Trust’s Grade II listed almshouses in Derby, site manager Steve Wooddisse and a joiner found a whisky bottle hidden behind a staircase. Inside was a handwritten message dated 12 October 1959, written on a Ciro nylon hair net packet by someone signing as W H Braid of Swarkestone Drive, Littleover. The note references the recent general election, local football and the weather, offering a personal glimpse into everyday life in 1950s Derby. The Liversage Trust is asking the public for help identifying Braid or anyone connected to the address.

Epsom salt is suggested as a natural supplement for reviving dry, patchy summer lawns. The recommended method is to dissolve one tablespoon per litre of water and apply it in the morning or early evening, no more than once every six weeks and usually only once per season. The article cautions that Epsom salt should supplement rather than replace fertiliser, since excessive nutrients can damage soil.

A six-bedroom mansion at 13 Lindisfarne Road in Jesmond, Newcastle, has been listed for offers exceeding £4 million. The property, reportedly rented by several Newcastle United players including Sandro Tonali, features an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym, games room, smart-home systems and extensive renovations by architect Bill Hopper. Claims that former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin also lived there remain unverified.

An eight-bedroom Victorian villa on Alexandra Road South in Whalley Range, south Manchester, has become one of Rightmove's most-viewed homes of 2026. The nearly 5,000-square-foot property, built in 1885 and extensively renovated over the past decade, is listed for £1.444 million after reductions from £1.95 million in January 2025 and £1.6 million in October 2025. Its features include a cinema room, sun room, hot tub terrace, landscaped gardens and a self-contained coach house.

Drought has been declared in seven UK regions, while hosepipe bans affect more than 20 million households and can carry fines of up to £1,000. Greater Manchester is not currently under restrictions, with United Utilities reporting above-average reservoir levels, although demand is high. Gardeners in affected areas can legally use watering cans filled from taps, approved irrigation systems, grey water, or collected rainwater, subject to exemptions and rules set by their water provider.

A three-bedroom semi-detached house in Cheadle Hulme, Stockport, is being marketed for offers over £500,000. Built in 2021, the home features an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area with integrated Neff appliances, three double bedrooms, an en-suite master bedroom, underfloor heating, a south-facing garden and gated parking. Its appeal is linked to nearby schools, amenities, green spaces and transport connections, including Cheadle Hulme railway station.

UK households are advised to follow a “9pm rule” after outdoor meals or barbecues by bringing sugary drinks indoors, clearing food scraps and packaging, wiping tables, storing leftovers and closing bins. Pest expert Glen Peskett says removing these food sources can make gardens less attractive to wasps, although it cannot prevent them entirely, particularly when a nest is nearby.

Lloyds research shows that homebuyers could save an average of 28% by choosing cheaper postcodes adjacent to expensive areas. In Greater Manchester, homes in WA14, covering Altrincham and Bowdon, average £403,621, while nearby M31, including Carrington and Partington, averages £280,616—a potential saving of £123,005, or around 30%. Lloyds mortgages head Amanda Bryden said that considering neighbouring areas could help buyers, particularly first-time buyers, access more affordable properties while remaining close to jobs, transport, amenities and communities.

Section 21 notices served before the Renters' Rights Act came into force on May 1 may still lead to eviction, but landlords must issue court proceedings by July 31 or within six months of serving the notice, whichever comes first. A property barrister advises tenants to verify whether a claim has actually been filed, since letters, texts or warnings do not count as court proceedings. Notices that lapse cannot be revived, and landlords must instead rely on specific Section 8 grounds such as rent arrears, selling the property or moving in themselves or accommodating a close family member.

The BBC psychological thriller The Rapture begins airing on July 26, 2026. Adapted from Liz Jensen’s 2009 eco-thriller, the five-part series follows psychologist Dr Gabs Fox, played by Ruth Madeley, as she investigates the disturbing claims of Bethany Krall, a teenage psychiatric patient portrayed by India Amarteifio. The cast also includes Iwan Rheon, Jack Farthing, Stephen Campbell Moore and Ruth Jones. Filmed and set during a heatwave in South Wales, production took place in Port Talbot, Margam Park and Dragon Studios in Bridgend. Episodes air on BBC One on July 26, July 27, August 2, August 3 and August 9, with each running approximately 57 minutes.

Doctor Who enthusiast Brendan Sheppard spent between £30,000 and £40,000 over two years creating a full-size replica of the 1983 TARDIS console room in a purpose-built studio behind his home in South Kyme, Lincolnshire. Working with prop maker Simon Nash, the original designer and BBC production personnel, he recreated the set’s controls, lighting and time rotor with help from trainee carpenters and electronics expert Darryl Harrison. The attraction opened to the public in July as a £20, 20-minute immersive experience and quickly reached capacity, with Sophie Aldred formally launching it. The project comes as Doctor Who undergoes production changes, but Sheppard believes the programme will outlive its current difficulties.

Greater Manchester Police officer Tara Sampson, 24, has qualified for the Miss North West final and is competing for a place in the Miss England final on November 17, 2026. The Chorley-based officer, who has served with GMP for just over a year after previously working in a prison, says pageantry appeals because of its charitable “Beauty with a Purpose” focus. She sees skills from policing, including adaptability, communication and de-escalation, as transferable to the competition, which also includes talent and sports rounds. Miss England director Angie Beasley welcomed her participation, while organisers continue to accept applications for the 2026 contest.

Laura Williams and her partner Lewis moved from difficult rental experiences in Hulme and Salford, including a bug-infested flat costing nearly £1,000 per month, into a two-bedroom new-build apartment at Islington Wharf in Manchester. Through shared ownership, they bought a 25% stake with a deposit of just over £21,500. Their combined monthly mortgage, rent and service-charge costs are £1,072—around £70 more than their previous rent. The couple say the new apartment has provided greater stability, space and relief from the insecurity of renting.

The BBC has announced five new professional dancers—Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita—for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing. They replace Gorka Márquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk. The changes follow the planned replacement of long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman by Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe. Although Shirley Ballas and Amy Dowden welcomed the new dancers, many viewers criticised the scale of the changes and worried that the programme could lose its established identity.

Craig Brady, a 26-year-old father of two from Dovecot, was one of four men killed when a black Cupra crashed into a lamppost on Liverpool Road in Huyton, Merseyside. His sister Kelsey Brady described him as her best friend, a loving and gentle man with a “heart of gold.” The family learned of his death after police visited their home, and Craig’s partner Ellie Jones and their two young children have been left devastated. A surviving 27-year-old passenger remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Warm summer weather is increasing ant activity in UK gardens, prompting experts from LightingLegends.com to advise households to use vinegar spray and other measures to deter nesting. Suggested steps include removing fallen fruit, sealing lighting fixtures, keeping bins secure, and fixing gaps in paving to reduce food sources and sheltered spaces that attract ants.